Screening Technician

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in the UK is looking for a Screening Technician to operate AAA Clinics across Bedfordshire. The role involves performing ultrasound scans and providing patient support while gaining a Level 3 Health Screeners Diploma. Candidates should be committed to delivering high-quality care and have the ability to travel to various locations. The position offers opportunities for professional growth and requires strong communication skills. Flexibility and a patient-centered approach are essential.

Benefits

High-quality training and development

Supportive working environment

Opportunities for career growth

Qualifications

• Must be eager to gain a recognised qualification.
• Flexibility to travel to different locations each day is essential.
• Commitment to putting patients at the heart of everything you do.

Responsibilities

• Explain the screening process and support patients during their visit.
• Use knowledge of anatomy to identify areas to be scanned.
• Deliver screening outcomes and ensure patients understand results.
• Liaise with staff to ensure the clinic runs smoothly.
• Maintain high standards of care and develop personal knowledge of the AAA Screening Programme.

Skills

Ultrasound scanning

Patient communication

Anatomy and physiology knowledge

Independent working

Team collaboration

Education

Level 3 Health Screeners Diploma

Job description

The primary purpose of the Screening Technician role is to undertake the day‑to‑day operational running of AAA Clinics in the community, across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes. You will be trained and supported to complete the Level 3 Health Screeners Diploma, leading to full accreditation as an AAA Screening Technician. Using portable ultrasound equipment you will travel across the region, holding clinics in a variety of settings including GP surgeries and NHS Trust sites. The primary purpose of this role is to perform ultrasound scanning as part of the National Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme (NAAASP). The post holder will ensure abdominal ultrasound scanning is undertaken to a high standard and in accordance with national standard operating procedures.

The post holder will reassure men attending the community AAA screening and surveillance clinics and explain the screening test to them. The post holder will ensure that the men attending clinics are informed and aware of the implications of AAA screening. The post holder will be responsible for informing the participant of the result of their scan and for ensuring the participant outcome is processed correctly.

Background

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics‑led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust’s core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Details

• We provide a programme of high‑quality training and development.
• All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post.
• Travel between hospital sites may be required.
• Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
• Vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received.

Responsibilities

• Explain the screening process to the men attending their appointment, obtain informed consent and support patients throughout their visit.
• Use knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the abdominal aorta to identify the area to be scanned and record measurements accurately and appropriately.
• Apply specialist training and experience to manipulate ultrasound machine controls to gain maximum image optimisation.
• Deliver screening outcomes clearly, ensuring patients understand the results and the next steps in their care pathway.
• Recognise abnormal findings and respond appropriately, dealing sensitively with anxious patients and overcoming communication barriers.
• Liaise with administrative, clinical and programme staff to ensure the clinic runs smoothly.
• Work independently and make judgements according to experience and training. Advice and support will be available for more complex situations, however the post holder will generally be working under their own initiative without reference to the line manager.
• Communicate effectively with patients, carers, relatives and all members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Maintain and develop high standards of care.
• Take on responsibility for personal development and maintaining specialist knowledge of the AAA Screening Programme.
• Flexibility to support the admin team and raise awareness of the screening service to the wider community is also required.

Candidate Profile

The role is ideal for someone who is eager to gain a recognised qualification, enjoys working both independently and as part of a team, and is enthusiastic about delivering a high‑quality, life‑saving screening service. Flexibility to travel to different locations each day is essential, as is a genuine commitment to putting patients at the heart of everything you do.

Programme

The Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening programme offers community‑based ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms to an eligible cohort of more than 5,000 men. The target screening population are men in their 65th year.