Advanced Practitioner

NHS; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS seeks an Advanced Practice Sonographer to join the leadership team in Plymouth, responsible for delivering high-quality care within the ultrasound service. The role involves leading a team, ensuring clinical governance, and contributing to education and quality improvement initiatives, with a focus on patient-centered care in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in general and/or MSK ultrasound.
• Demonstrable management and leadership abilities.
• Good clinical and practical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead ultrasound service with a focus on high-quality patient care.
• Participate in clinical governance and quality improvement.
• Act as an educator and mentor in the ultrasound team.

Skills

Clinical expertise

Leadership

Teamwork

Education

Quality improvement

Education

Level 7 Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound

Masters Degree in Advanced Practice

Job description

We are seeking Advanced Practice Sonographers (band 8a) to join the Ultrasound leadership team in Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.

The Advanced Practice Sonographer will be leading a team who shares the values of kindness, respect, honesty, professionalism, support, hardworking, teamwork, learning and teaching. The post holder should have a self awareness of their own unique strengths to bring out the best in themselves, and each member of the ultrasound team, to deliver excellent care to our patients. The post holder will provide leadership for 7 day service at the Plymouth Community Diagnostic Centre.

The Advanced Practice Sonographer must fulfil the Multi Professional Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice in England, and evidence advanced clinical practice, education, research, leadership and management skills. Candidates who do not meet all of the criteria in the job description will be appointed as Trainee Advanced Practice Sonographer (band 7) and have up to 3 years to fulfil the criteria.

If appointed as Trainee Advanced Practice Sonographer (band 7), the candidate needs to demonstrate fulfilment of the Advanced Practice Sonographer job description within 3 years before progressing to band 8a.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

- Work in accordance with the Multi-professional Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice in England (HEE, 2017) and University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) Trust Framework for Advanced Practice.

- Utilise advanced clinical skills within an interdepartmental and/or multidisciplinary team to ensure that patients within the Ultrasound service receive holistic, timely and high quality care.

- Exercise autonomous clinical expertise, high levels of judgement, discretion, and decision- making in care, in accordance with their scope of practice.

- Draw on expertise utilising the four pillars of advanced practice to lead and influence improvements to standards of care.

- Develop a culture of organisational learning to inspire future and existing staff.

- Influence and lead on the improvement of care though clinical governance, audit, quality improvement and research in collaboration with clinical and academic colleagues.

- Demonstrate compassionate leadership in daily working.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100.

We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams.

It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Job responsibilities

Clinical Practice

To possess a scope of clinical practice within legal, ethical, professional and organisational policies, governance and procedures, with a focus on managing risk and upholding safety.

*Advanced Practice Sonographers in General Ultrasound (non MSK) must be expert, being able to teach and provide second opinion where appropriate, in all these areas: abdominal, gynaecology, testicular, DVT, paediatric and neck ultrasound, including fine needle aspirations. The post holder needs to also be expert at least one of the following areas: contrast enhanced ultrasound studies, neonatal ultrasound or HyCoSy.

*Advanced Practice Sonographers in MSK Ultrasound must be expert, being able to teach and provide second opinion where appropriate, in upper limp, lower limp, lumps, groin and abdominal wall ultrasound, and be able to perform ultrasound guided injections and aspirations. The post holder must also be experienced in abdominal, gynaecology, testicular and DVT ultrasound.

Leadership and Management

Participates in the investigation of clinical incidents and serious incidents.

Leads and facilitates others to share lessons learned adapt systems and processes accordingly.

Support team members from a managerial perspective including direct line manger responsibilities, such as sickness management, appraisals and conduct management.

Education

Actively contribute to regular image review meetings within Ultrasound and contribute content for CME programmes for Ultrasound team.

To oversee the preceptorship programme in ultrasound team.

Act as a role model, educator, supervisor, coach and mentor, seeking to instil and develop the confidence of others.

Research

Develop a knowledge rich enquiry culture where research values are promoted and encouraged.

Lead and participate in quality improvement projects within Ultrasound and Imaging.

Contribute towards the research culture in the Ultrasound team and support sonographers who undertake research projects and colleagues undertaking the Masters qualifications.

Please refer to job description for full details.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Level 7 Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound, or DMU, or equivalent.
• Masters Degree in Advanced Practice or equivalent
• Statutory Professional Registration
• Leadership course

Knowledge and Experience

• Extensive demonstrable experience within general/non obstetric ultrasound and/or MSK ultrasound, including with acute patients.
• Management ability and leadership demonstrable experience
• Excellent clinical and practical skills
• Demonstrable experience of education and supervision
• Recent demonstrable experience in clinical audit and quality improvement
• Influencing policy and clinical guidance
• Proven evidence of practice in line with the HEE (2017) multi-professional framework
• Advanced practitioner accreditation with the Society and College of Radiographers.
• Implementing policy and clinical guidance
• Multi-professional supervision

Aptitude and Abilities

• Ability to recognise and analyse complex situations and take appropriate action.
• Proven evidence of relevant, recent study and continuing professional development

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Full-time,Part-time,Job share,Flexible working