Obstetric Sonographer (Band 7)

Transformationunitgm; Bristol; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization seeks an experienced Sonographer to join their Obstetric Ultrasound department. The role involves a variety of ultrasound scans, independent reporting, and contributing to a high standard of patient care. Ideal candidates will hold relevant qualifications and have strong communication skills.

Benefits

Support for continuous professional development

Team events and training opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in independent reporting in Obstetric sonography in the NHS.
• Diploma of the Society of Radiographers DCR(R) or equivalent required.
• Understanding clinical significance of ultrasound findings is essential.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and complex ultrasound examinations independently.
• Communicate scan findings empathetically to patients.
• Involve in training trainee sonographers.

Skills

Scoring techniques

Good scanning technique

Communication skills

Independent reporting

Education

Post-graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound

BSc in Radiography

Current HCPC or NMC registration

Job description

Thank you for your interest in this vacancy! We highly recommend reading our Tips on how to apply page to give you an insight on how applications are scored & shortlisted by our Recruiting Managers. These tips have been provided to give you a better chance of being shortlisted for our vacancies.

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Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

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Job overview

Are you a Sonographer with experience of working in the NHS, looking for a new opportunity to develop advanced practice?

Our highly skilled team of Sonographers have an exciting opening within our Obstetric Ultrasound department, performing a variety of scans including Dating, FTCS, Anomaly, Growth and Placental siting ultrasound scans.

Offering a varied and interesting workload, you will perform uterine artery dopplers and cervical length scans with the opportunity to rotate through non-obstetric services such as general, gynaecology, MSK, head and neck, and baby hips ultrasound.

Competent scanning and independent reporting, alongside refined communication of complex information will be vital in supporting the smooth running of the service with high patient care standards.

• Post-graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound or equivalent.
• BSc in Radiography, Midwifery or equivalent.
• Current Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration, Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration or be on the RCT (Register of Clinical Technologists).
• Experience of independent reporting in Obstetric sonography in the NHS (or similar size/type of organisation).

Main duties of the job

• This role requires you to have a good scanning technique, the ability to process complex information, good written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to work with colleagues from Band 2 support staff to consultants, keeping the patient’s best interests at the centre of what you do.
• Ultrasound lists take place at Southmead Hospital, in our Women and Children's Health quarter.
• You will be able to competently scan and independently report ultrasound scans in line with FASP standards, to the level required in the NHS, including complex information. Training will be given in specific areas as required.
• Vetting and triaging ultrasound requests.
• Be actively involved in training trainee sonographers.
• Be involved in and supporting ultrasound audits and QA.
• Attend clinical governance mornings for training and feedback interesting cases.
• Be involved in CPD, including attending courses as needed.

Working for our organisation

We currently have a team of 21 Sonographers working within our Obstetric ultrasound team, and 2 trainee Sonographers training in Obstetric and Early Pregnancy ultrasound. We work alongside a team of dedicated imaging support workers who support the Sonographers in the day to day running of our clinics.

We are a friendly, diverse team of Sonographers who strive to work to high standards, supporting each other, whilst keeping the patient at the centre of all we do. We work closely and collaboratively with our Fetal Medicine, Midwifery and Obstetrics colleagues, to ensure we provide excellent patient care and a supportive work environment.

We understand the importance of supporting a healthy work/life balance to maintain staff well-being. All of our lists are booked according to Society of Radiographers examination times guidance to help support you in a happy, healthy work environment.

Our award-winning Brunel Building includes a large rooftop terrace, staff only zone, with an outdoor seating area with views across the city.

We understand the importance of investing in our team at NBT and regularly send Sonographers to training courses including BMUS. We have regular clinical governance mornings to feedback audits, hold teaching sessions from specialists, and staff meetings.

Our teams are supported by our Ultrasound Service Lead, Obstetric Leads and General Ultrasound Lead, as well as our Lead Practice Educator who supports our trainee Sonographers.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• The role requires individual accountability for independently performing and reporting routine and complex ultrasound examinations in accordance with the ultrasound departmental guidelines and relevant professional body's code of conduct.
• Ability to independently report examinations to meet current FASP standards.
• Understanding the clinical significance of ultrasound findings in the context of the clinical question and patient’s clinical history, reflecting this in the report.
• Ability to analyse relevant clinical information, including other test results and use this to perform and / or adapt the techniques required to undertake a satisfactory examination and diagnosis.
• Provide advice on future patient management to clinicians and / or relatives where appropriate
• Ability to communicate scan findings directly to patients and clinicians in an empathetic and sensitive manner. Occasionally having to impart highly distressing information and unpleasant news sensitively and providing counselling and reassurance.

For full details of the job description and responsibilities please see the attached job description.

Person specification

Qualification

• Must hold the Diploma of the Society of Radiographers DCR(R) or BSc Radiography or equivalent
• Must hold current Health Professions Council (HPC) registration or equivalent
• Must hold Diploma in Medical Ultrasound (DMU) or PgCert/PgDip in Ultrasound

Work Experience

• Have experience of working as an independent reporting obstetric sonographer in the NHS (or similar size/type of organisation)

If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.

If you feel you meet the requirements of the Disability Act / Two Ticks scheme and require further support/advice, please contact us on tel [phone].

North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments.

At North Bristol Trust (NBT), we know diverse and inclusive environments lead to happier and healthier teams and improved patient care and outcomes. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT’s workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.

Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Jade Knowlden Job title Obstetric Ultrasound Lead Email address [e-mail] Additional information

For informal enquiries or to visit the department, please contact Jade Knowlden and Sara Shahin (Obstetric Ultrasound Co-Leads) at [e-mail]