Sonographer

Trust: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Location: John Radcliffe Hospital

Ward: Radiology - Ultrasound

Pay Rates: £27.01 per hour

Shift Patterns: Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00

Why might this job interest you?

Are you ready to bring images to life and make a real impact on patient care? Join the dedicated team at John Radcliffe Hospital as a Sonographer, where you'll use cutting-edge ultrasound technology to help diagnose and monitor medical conditions, guiding crucial treatment decisions. If you're passionate about precision and patient care, we want to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

1. Undertake a wide and comprehensive range of ultrasound examinations and produce written reports.
2. You will be autonomous and demonstrate awareness of the importance of working as part of a team.
3. Deliver a high standard of care for patients and always strive to improve on what you do through change and innovation.
4. Communicate effectively with patients/relatives and carers and all members of the multi-disciplinary team.

About us

Here at NHS Professionals, we run England's largest NHS staff bank and are experts at putting people in places to care. Every year we help thousands of dedicated and highly skilled NHS workers enjoy better career opportunities, more flexible shifts, and a healthier work-life balance across our partnered Trusts.

Career Progression: Access to Learning & Development opportunities, so that you can take on new roles and challenges.

Work-life Balance: Flexible shifts, committed shifts, wellbeing resources, and build paid annual leave.

Opportunity & Access: Over 50 partner NHS Trusts to give you the flexibility of choice to work how and where you want.

Job responsibilities

1. Individual responsibility in accepting to undertake any given ultrasound examination, working in accordance with professional body guidance and local ultrasound guidelines.
2. Individual responsibilities for patient/client care, treatment, and therapy where appropriate to the examination/area/specialty.
3. To communicate scan findings to the referring clinician and patient (if appropriate).
4. To record care/treatment/advice/tests accurately and in an agreed format.
5. To provide information and advice to patients, relatives, and other healthcare professionals about the limitations and the safe use of ultrasound.
6. To work as a reflective practitioner with the responsibility to critically evaluate systems/processes/pathways involved with various areas covered by the ultrasound service.
7. To work within the ultrasound departmental guidelines.
8. The post-holder would be expected to have an awareness of protocols and guidelines within the trust.
9. To support the Ultrasound Modality Manager in the appropriate use of resources and consumables including the use of highly specialist equipment which requires careful use and attention to detail.
10. To participate in the maintenance and testing of specialised ultrasound equipment, reporting and recording faults as appropriate and following department schemes of work.
11. Have a shared responsibility for the security of patients and other staff working within the ultrasound department in the absence of the Ultrasound Modality Manager.
12. Be responsible for reporting and, if necessary, removal of any equipment or resource which has become faulty or which poses a risk to patients, staff, or the Trust.
13. Manage personal patient and administrative workload effectively.
14. Individual responsibility for the accurate and appropriate use of information resources and information systems (both hardware and software) whilst undertaking ultrasound examinations.
15. Arrange and undertake mandatory training as per the Trust training policy and procedures and within the appropriate time frame.
16. Undertake annual self-audit of practice against department case review and disagreement audit programme.
17. Be responsible for designated aspects of care for a defined group of patients of all genders and to assist them if required with mobility issues.
18. Demonstrate initiative and the ability to recognise/identify changes in a patient's condition/treatment and seek advice and expertise from registered practitioners in accordance with Trust policy.
19. Actively participate in the handover process to ensure continuity of care and to accurately feedback to a registered practitioner, the care given, procedures performed guided with which scan, post-procedure instructions and any significant changes in the patient's condition.
20. Undertake patient transfer and escort duties between departments as appropriate following risk assessment and relevant policy.
21. Recognise when a patient is deteriorating and ensure escalation of care.
22. Recognise where a patient or family member/carer is becoming agitated, disorientated, or appears non-compliant with care or treatment, support colleagues with such patients and report immediately to a senior member of the team.
23. Respond swiftly to individuals who require immediate assistance, are in pain, distressed or using their call bell, where required report to a senior member of the team.
24. Demonstrate awareness to the patient's environment and aim to minimise challenges such as dimming bright lights, ensuring privacy to preserve dignity.
25. Ensure that prior to using any specific medical device you have been trained and deemed competent that is documented. Report any concerns immediately and any faults to the relevant department and ensure it is removed from service.
26. As required undertake equipment checks and update records and restock items as required.
27. Engage in reflective practice including management of self and reflection on own reactions, asking questions and reflecting on answers given.
28. Demonstrate good understanding of principles of verbal consent and ensure valid verbal consent is obtained prior to undertaking scans.
29. Demonstrate good understanding of Safeguarding Children, the Mental Capacity Act/Deprivation of Liberties and apply principles to everyday practice seeking advice/guidance from senior colleagues as required.

Communication

1. Build partnerships and therapeutic relationships through safe, effective and non-discriminatory communication taking account of differences, capability and needs of individuals through effective verbal and non-verbal communication.
2. Use clinical history and patient information to evaluate and communicate effectively with the patient, explaining the requirements of the procedural instructions such as positioning and the duration of the procedure.
3. Demonstrate effective communication skills including managing conflict when dealing with patients, relatives/carers and members of the multidisciplinary team.
4. Communicate information both formally and informally, recognising and managing any obstacles.
5. Supervise and liaise with radiology assistants ensuring adequate cover and assistance is provided.
6. Demonstrate the ability to reflect on own communication skills and modify behaviour and practice accordingly.
7. Maintain a high standard of personal behaviour and ensure effective communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team, patients, carers, and relatives.
8. Use paper and electronic systems to retrieve and record patient information in line with Trust documentation standards and operational systems.
9. Apply the principles of information governance and patient confidentiality to all aspects of your role.
10. Obtain age/capacity appropriate consent from the patient/family or their carer/guardian before any clinical intervention is undertaken.
11. Participate in discussions about patient care at handover and departmental meetings.
12. In instances when a patient, family carer or visitor feels the need to raise concern or complain attempt to deal with this locally initially.
13. Support families, carers, and colleagues following a patient bereavement or when bad news has been shared.
14. Seek and acknowledge constructive feedback and encourage this in staff that they are supporting.
15. Escalate concerns regarding practice through the appropriate route with regards to behaviour and practice.
16. Maintain professional boundaries and working relationships with patients, relatives, and colleagues.
17. Ensure patients and their relatives or carers are kept informed of delays with their treatment, investigations, and clinic times in a professional manner.
18. To liaise with the US team and wards, in a timely manner, to arrange US procedures for in-patients.
19. Prepare in-patients by completing a pre-procedure checklist and check the patient is following any preparation regime.
20. Assist in the organisation and coordination of Radiology US appointments for outpatients.

Management, Planning and Organisation Skills

1. Actively participate in the daily organisational management of the clinical area including the demonstration of leadership skills.
2. Develop an understanding of all elements of patient/family centred care.
3. Record the care given to patients in an accurate, legible way.
4. Report all incidents/accidents to a registered practitioner and complete the relevant forms as indicated.
5. Challenge poor standards of care or inappropriate behaviour and raise and escalate concerns about the safety and wellbeing of patients.
6. Ensure own work is prioritised appropriately and time is managed effectively.
7. Demonstrate ability to time manage and support, monitor and report to senior staff any difficulties experienced by junior staff.

Education and Training

1. Completion of a CASE accredited Postgraduate Certificate / Diploma in General Medical and Gynaecological Ultrasound.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of the Sonographer role within the multi-disciplinary team.
3. Participate in a yearly appraisal and assessment of training needs.
4. Maintain current continuous professional development (CPD), including statutory and mandatory training.
5. Maintain a personal portfolio of competence.
6. Promote and practice evidence-based care.
7. Support the development of others including induction, monitoring, teaching, and assessing of new junior staff.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience in general medicine ultrasound and gynaecological ultrasound.
• NHS experience is desirable.

Qualifications

• HCPC or RCT registration.
• BSc / Diploma in Diagnostic Radiography or degree in a relevant healthcare or science-related subject.
• Post Graduate Diploma/ Certificate in Medical Ultrasound or DMU. CASE accredited desirable.

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.