Advanced Sonographer

Dorking Healthcare Ltd.; Epsom, Elmbridge, Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A community healthcare provider in Epsom is seeking a qualified sonographer to join their team, managing ultrasound examinations across multiple GP practices and hospitals. The ideal candidate will be HCPC registered, skilled in ultrasound reporting, and capable of working autonomously. The position offers competitive compensation and flexible scheduling to promote a healthy work-life balance, plus opportunities for professional development and training.

Benefits

Generous annual leave, minimum of 27 days

Membership of the NHS Pension scheme

Opportunities for training and development

Qualifications

• Registered with a recognised body, ideally HCPC with a medical ultrasound qualification.
• Experience working independently and in a multidisciplinary team.
• Proficiency in ultrasound examinations, including transvaginal ultrasound.

Responsibilities

• Manage an Ultrasound list at various community health sites.
• Conduct ultrasound examinations and report findings.
• Ensure compliance with national standards and patient care protocols.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

High attention to detail

Ability to work under pressure

Pro-active multitasker

Experience of managing competing priorities

Education

HCPC registered or equivalent professional registration

Post Graduate qualification (MSc in Medical ultrasound)

Tools

EMIS

SystmOne

Job description

Community Ultrasound Opportunitiesextending the role of the sonographer.

Are you looking for a change?

We are anNHS community provider of non-obstetric ultrasound, and we carry out a widerange of ultrasound examinations within GP practices and community hospitals.As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will work alongside clinicians,reporting and guiding their next referrals. We pride ourselves on being animportant part of the patient pathway.

You will beregistered with a recognised body, ideally, a HCPC radiographer with a medicalultrasound qualification and experience of working in the UK. You will beconfident in a wide range of ultrasonography competencies and able to workautonomously and carry out independent reporting. We have a full-time andpart-time role available.

This is anexciting time to join, as we have just started our new MSK service with the aimto carry out joint injections in the future. Experience in this area would bean advantage, but transvaginal ultrasound is a large part of our workload. Weare a proactive team, and were always looking at ways to improve our serviceand provide the best possible patient experience. We are also keen to beinvolved and host ultrasound training events.

We are particularly looking forsonographers to cover Thames Ditton, Worcester Park, and Epsom. Our other sitesinclude Leatherhead, Caterham, Dorking and many other Surrey sites.

Main duties of the job

The clinical role will require a competent and experienced sonographerto manage an Ultrasound list at sites based around our community hospital inDorking and GP surgeries in a wide variety of locations.

Carry out detailed ultrasound examinations and record diagnostic imagesto PACS.

Interpret and report the findings in a concise and diagnostic format,while maintaining the high-quality patient care and experience our patientshave come to expect.

The sonographers run their lists and timings, integrating themselveswith their site teams. We want to make the role interesting and varied. EMISand SystmOne platforms give us access to previous reports, patient history andpathology. So we, as sonographers, can produce a thorough and diagnostic report guidingour clinicians. This also provides us with access for follow-up, essential to ourcontinued learning.

You canexpect an attractive package including the NHS pension and a happy work-lifebalance with sessions and timings that suit you.

We would welcome any informal discussions prior to applying. If you would like to discuss this further, please email: Jacqueline Jenkins, Ultrasound Service Manager, [e-mail] or Michelle Van Zyl, Deputy Manager, [e-mail]

About us

DHC is a GP Federation, representing 140,000 patients providing a wide range of quality healthcare services, including elective care, Talking Therapies, community healthcare and primary care across Surrey. We are registered with the CQC (Care Quality Commission), and we are an accredited AQP (Any Qualified Provider).

DHC is working at the centre of the local health system to evolve and deliver integrated care, and that requires strong partnerships with many organisations. In all of our services, we aim to put the patient at the centre of their care, make sure our services are easy to access by local patients and reduce waiting times for patients.

GP practices have been brought together into Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to offer services in the local community. There are 4 Primary Care Networks as part of the DHC Federation: Redhill Phoenix PCN, Dorking PCN, South Tandridge PCN and Integrated Care Partnership PCN. The PCNs are critical to the changing NHS and are the focal point of all locally developed planning and service delivery.

• Become part of a friendly, professional team
• Opportunities for training and development
• Membership of the NHS Pension scheme
• Generous annual leave, minimum of 27 days (plus Bank holidays)rising to 33 days/year
• Opportunity to buy or sell leave (once per year)

DHC actively encourage and promotes diversity, ensures all voices are heard and included and is committed to equal opportunities for all.

Job responsibilities

JOBSUMMARY

The post holder will be responsible for the daily management of their clinicalsessions, working alongside the site team to ensure a smooth patientexperience. Coordinate resources to ensure continuityof service; be an integral member of the ultrasound team and ensure compliancewith national standards.

Being primarily responsible for delivering anultrasound service where required across multiple sites within DorkingHealthcare (DHC). This is a sonographer role that includes clinical duties on adaily basis, contributing towards the day-to-day operation of a high quality,flexible and efficient ultrasound service and the clinical caseload.

They will communicatethe results to the patient and other healthcare professionals. Collaborate withreferring clinicians, enhance patient experience and ensure wegive the best service possible to all our patients.

They will work closely with the Ultrasound servicesmanager to ensure the service objectives are being translated into dailypractice. They must ensure that the service we give reflects the values of DHCwith the aim of improving the quality of the service delivered.

DUTIESAND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST

Clinicalrequirements

• Conducta variety of ultrasound examinations according to established guidelines,demonstrating proficiency in unsupervised scanning sessions in a timelymanner.
• Delivercomprehensive ultrasound scanning and reporting services within your definedscope of practice, utilising analytical and judgmental skills to interpretultrasound images and provide accurate examination reports.
• Adhereto local protocols and policies when working at all times, ensuringcompliance and maintaining high standards of practice.
• Contributeto the training of other medical staff, including radiographers and medicalprofessionals, as agreed with the Ultrasound Services manager.
• Act as an autonomous practitionerwhilst maintaining a close working relationship with Ultrasound ServicesManager and key referring Clinicians to deliver an efficient, high qualityUltrasound service
• Assumes responsibility for the safety, mental and physical comfort ofpatient whilst they are in the sonographers care.
• Interpret ultrasound images, providingan independent report for each examination; refer for further imaging/consultation within protocols.
• To work within the Radiographer Code ofProfessional Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice.
• To provide highly specialist, expertclinical ultrasound knowledge, acting as a clinical resource in theultrasound department
• Demonstrate exceptional communicationskills and professionalism with all service users during the ultrasoundexamination including the imparting of bad news where appropriate underagreed, approved protocols.
• Provide a safe environment for staff,patients and visitors ensuring that all staff comply with current legislationrelating to all aspects of infection, prevention and control; health andsafety; adherence to all DHC policies and procedures; reporting any untowardincidents and undertaking risk assessments where appropriate.
• Ensure that all the appropriatedocumentation for each patient is appropriately completed according todepartmental protocol and adhere to the data protection act. Correctly recordall ultrasound images, where appropriate, on the Infinitt PACS system.

Operational requirements

• To support the effective planning,development, organisation and delivery of Ultrasound
• Keep stock control of consumable items(excluding drugs) and place orders as necessary in liaison with theUltrasound Service Manager
• Ensure that all equipment is usedappropriately and maintained on a daily basis, taking corrective actionregarding faults to minimise service downtime.
• Attend ultrasound staff meetings andtake appropriate actions resulting from these meetings
• In conjunction with the relevant seniorstaff, organise the evaluation, procurement and installation of specialistultrasound equipment based on formal assessment.
• Help to identify, devise and performaudit and research as a means of service development and improvement.

Continual Professional Development(CPD)

• Take advantage of in-service training,visits to other specialist departments and other opportunities forself-development.
• To partake in Ultrasound trainingacross all grades including supervising, motivating and developing otherstaff as appropriate
• Maintain own advanced and extensivetechnical standards in ultrasound; attending relevant courses and showevidence of CPD. Fulfil mandatory training requirements and partake in theappraisal process.
• Actively participate in audit and clinical governance activities underthe guidance of the Ultrasound Services Manager, consistently engaging incontinuing professional development and staying current with developments inmedical ultrasound.
• To actively seek out innovativepractice developed elsewhere which could be used to improve local servicedelivery.
• This job description is not anexhaustive document but is a reflection of the current position. The jobholdermay from time to time be asked to undertake other reasonable duties.

WORKSETTING AND REVIEW

Tomanage own ultrasound list. Scanning and reporting at the highest diagnosticlevel. While maintaining a safe, professional and empathetic patient pathway. Maintainconfidentiality at all times. Makedecisions pertaining to the smooth and efficient running of the departmentacting independently but where necessary referring problems to management orthe appropriate clinician via the quickest route possible. Work to objectives as set by the UltrasoundServices Manager.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Thepost holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about patientsstaff and DHC business in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 andCaldicott principles.

Person Specification

Skills and Aptitudes

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• High attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines.
• Pro-active multitasker.
• Good time management.
• Experience working towards targets and reporting updates.
• Experience of managing competing priorities.
• Clear problem solver who seeks solutions independently.

Qualifications

• Hold a relevant professional qualification (DMU, PgD or MSC in Medical ultrasound).
• HCPC registered or other equivalent professional registration.
• Documented evidence of CPD.
• Valid driving license and access to a vehicle. The role is a mobile role- candidates must be flexible to travel across different sites.
• In depth knowledge and expertise in medical ultrasound and a proven record of previous experience working in the UK.
• Post Graduate qualification at Masters level achieving the following or equivalent: MSC Ultrasound.

Attributes

• Presentable appearance.
• Good team worker.
• Reliable.
• Trustworthy.
• Pro-active and committed.

Knowledge

• Wide knowledge of ultrasound examinations and pathology.
• Ability to integrate ultrasound images, laboratory results, patient history and medical records and adapt examination performed.
• Numerate and good standard of English.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of people at all levels.
• High quality standards in all communication.
• Good standard of IT skills, i.e. Microsoft Office, Word, Excel and internet/web skills or equivalent.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Experienced Administration skills.
• Advanced IT skills.
• Emis or SystmOne IT systems.
• Audit.

Experience

• Effectively operate a variety of ultrasound machines.
• Independently report on ultrasound examinations.
• Strong clinical judgement to make critical decisions.
• Ability to review images and assess the need for further imaging.
• Detect abnormalities and discuss further imaging with referring clinician.
• Aware of accountability of own professional actions.
• Work efficiently and cope with emergency situations.
• Experience of using specific NHS databases EMIS, SystmOne or a willingness to learn.
• Proven previous experience of working within the NHS in a similar role.
• Demonstratable experience of making improvements to advance the patient pathway and the communications surrounding this.
• Knowledge of recent changes and developments within the NH.S
• Experience of audit and research.
• MSK experience.

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.

Depending on experience£65,000 to £75,000 per annum FTE Depending on Experience