Sonographer

NHS; Northampton; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned healthcare provider in Northampton is seeking a qualified ultrasound practitioner to perform independent obstetric and non-obstetric examinations. Candidates must have a CASE accredited ultrasound course, strong skills in patient communication, and the capacity for autonomous practice. This role offers a salary range of £47,810 to £54,710 per year, emphasizing professional development and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Completed a CASE accredited ultrasound course.
• Experience in obstetric and non-obstetric ultrasound scanning.
• Ongoing evidence of CPD.

Responsibilities

• Produce high-quality diagnostic ultrasound images.
• Conduct ultrasound scans and prepare clinical reports.
• Discuss findings with patients and make referrals.

Skills

Ultrasound Scanning Experience

Ability to organise workloads

Ability to cope single handed

Commitment to service excellence

Education

PgD in Medical Ultrasound or equivalent

HCPC registration

Job description

The role involves independently evaluating requests and performing both obstetric and non-obstetric ultrasound examinations in accordance with departmental protocols, while being accountable for professional actions, reporting, and ongoing development. The practitioner is responsible for producing and interpreting high-quality diagnostic images to identify normal and abnormal conditions, including injuries and diseases. Key duties include conducting ultrasound scans as part of the Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme and, where appropriate, informing patients of examination findings and offering initial counselling. The role also requires making appropriate referrals and serving as a source of clinical expertise for other healthcare professionals. Work is conducted within the Radiology department and across outlying clinics on a rotational basis.

Main duties of the job

Applicant needs to have completed a CASE accredited ultrasound course allowing them to perform and report obstetric ultrasound examinations as part of the Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme.

They will also participate in the non-obstetric ultrasound service within Radiology, as well as outlying clinics within the Trust for urgent surgical, gynaecological, and early pregnancy patients.

We are also offering a service within the community at Community Diagnostic Centres on a rotational basis. Covering a variety of sessions dependent on the individual's hours and to allow for extended days and a seven-day service.

About us

Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

Compassion

Accountability

Respect

Integrity

Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.

We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.

We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Job responsibilities

To produce high quality diagnostic ultrasound images.

To carry out procedures/examinations and prepare independent clinical reports for completed ultrasound scans, in line with department protocols.

To discuss the findings of the ultrasound examinations with patients where appropriate including fetal death or abnormality.

To independently refer patient on to other professionals and clinicians where appropriate.

To perform, manual handling duties that will include lifting/ moving patients, moving trolleys and chairs, moving/ lifting equipment/ other items following suitable manual handling training.

To be accountable for own professional actions and to act as a role model within the department, setting and maintaining high standards of professionalism and patient care and encouraging the development of a strong and flexible multi-disciplinary team.

Regularly helping to develop and draft changes to ultrasound protocols, ensuring best practice through evidence-based information.

Supervise Radiographers, student Radiographers, RDAs and other staff groups including medical staff and midwives.

Professional autonomy and accountability

Able to practise within the legal and ethical boundaries of their profession

Able to practise in a non-discriminatory manner

Able to maintain confidentiality and obtain informed consent

Able to exercise a professional duty of care

Know the limits of their practice and when to seek advice

Recognise the need for effective self-management of workload and be able to practise accordingly

Understand the obligation to maintain fitness to practise

Understand the need for career-long self-directed learning

Professional relationships

Know the professional and personal scope of their practice and be able to make referrals

Able to work, where appropriate, in partnership with other professionals, support staff, patients, clients and users, and their relatives and carers

To contribute effectively to work undertaken as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Able to demonstrate effective and appropriate skills in communicating information, advice, instruction and professional opinion to colleagues, patients, clients, users, their relatives, and carers

Understand the need for effective communication throughout the care of the patient, client, or user

Identification and assessment of health and social care needs

Able to gather and use appropriate information.

Able to use appropriate assessment techniques

Able to undertake or arrange clinical investigations as appropriate

Able to analyse and evaluate the information collected

About to identify safeguarding concerns and escalate appropriately

Clinical Governance

To participate in Clinical Audit and Research.

To participate in the department Quality Assurance programme.

To be aware of the implications of COSHH and the Health and Safety at Work Act and ensure their guidelines are followed.

To minimize hazards in the working area and report any identifiable hazards to the line manager. To adhere to all safe systems of work applicable to the work area.

To participate in the investigation of complaints and untoward incidents

Education, Training and Development:

To participate in pre and post graduate training of qualified staff when appropriate.

To assist in training the multi-disciplinary team on imaging

To provide supervision to support staff as appropriate.

To ensure that professional and technical knowledge and expertise is kept up to date by attending meetings and study days and by reading professional journals.

Participate in Departmental Audit

Person Specification

Skills

• To be able to cope single handed, manage own workload, prioritise, and meet deadlines
• Ability and commitment to participate in the development of service excellence

Knowledge and Experience

• Ultrasound Scanning Experience: Obstetrics and non-obstetric scanning
• Ability to organise workloads and staffing to cope with changes in service.
• Ongoing evidence of CPD

Educations, Training and Qualifications

• Educated to Postgraduate level, PgD in Medical Ultrasound or equivalent level of education, training, or experience.
• HCPC registration.

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.

£47,810 to £54,710 a yearPer annum / Pro rata