Job summary
Employer heading
Sonographer/Midwife Sonographer
Band 7
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust provides integrated acute and community Healthcare in the West Midlands serving a population of 260,000 residents. Walsall Manor Hospital houses the full range of district general hospital services. The £170 million development was completed in 2010 and we are continually upgrading. Construction of the new integrated critical care unit was completed in 2018, extension of a Neonatal Unit and an approved plan to build a brand new, state of the art Emergency Department which commenced in 2021
We provide high quality, friendly and effective community health services from multiple sites covering Walsall. Our multidisciplinary services include rapid response and homebased care, so that those with long term conditions and the frail elderly can remain in their own homes.
We are recommended by colleagues as a place to work which is supported by the trusts values to work as part of a team, being respectful, compassionate and professional. We are committed to investing in our workforce
Following our recent CQC visit the Trust was rated as outstanding for care and this has been recognised by NHS Improvement.
The work we do is highly rewarding, and in addition to an attractive salary, we offer a valuable range of benefits, including: salary sacrifice scheme; car leasing scheme; on-site staff accommodation (subject to availability); the ability to retain your NHS pension (where applicable) or the opportunity to join an alternative scheme; and the opportunity to develop and implement your expertise in an encouraging yet challenging environment
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is proud to be part of the Armed Forces Covenant. The Trust currently holds the Bronze Award which underlines the Trust’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community. As an organisation, we are aiming to achieve the next level Silver award, with our sights firmly on Gold.
RESPECT - COMPASSION - TEAMWORK - PROFESSIONALISM
Job overview
The post holder will be highly committed, enthusiastic and innovative with excellent clinical and communication skills and willing to join our expanding friendly team.
The post holder will work within the Obstetric and Imaging ultrasound departments, in line with competency, to provide a high quality ultrasound service, prioritising the workload and producing comprehensive independently written ultrasound reports. The post holder will communicate complex information to clinicians and patients, and will take part in the training of others in this modality. All members of the Sonographer team will be responsible for the management and delivery of ultrasound services ensuring high standards of ultrasound provision in terms of quality, safety and access to services, providing the Professional Lead for Ultrasound with regular feedback regarding agreed key performance indicators for this service.
Main duties of the job
- To supervise the activity of more junior staff and trainees within the department
- To be responsible for maintaining professional and technical standards relevant to ultrasound services
- To take part in the planning, coordinating and implementation of new services and strategies concerning patient care to enhance, develop and improve patient pathways
- To keep the Professional Lead for Ultrasound fully informed of issues within ultrasound and pertaining to the delivery of the service
- To attend relevant meetings as directed, both internally and externally to the Trust
- To establish and maintain effective communication with all members of the
- Imaging and multidisciplinary team, in particular those associated with ultrasound.
- To challenge, in a positive manner, current working practices and promote a culture of continuous improvement and development.
- To participate with the recruitment and selection of staff.
- To coordinate routine maintenance of equipment and management of breakdowns liaising with external companies
Working for our organisation
WALSALL HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST - Imaging
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is one of the largest employers in the local area with over 3,000 staff. The Trust supports Flexible Working Arrangements and Race Equality. We have a commitment to education, training and staff development.
Applications are invited for the post of Band 7 Sonographer. We are seeking enthusiastic and highly motivated individuals to become part of our team. They should have good communication skills and be willing to help lead the delivery of a high quality service. A flexible attitude to working is required and you will be expected to take part in the departments' seven day service.
A minimum Post Graduate Certificate Ultrasound qualification/DMU is mandatory. The successful candidate will have strong communication skills and the ability to work within a versatile team. They should deliver a high standard of service whilst also being able to use their own initiative and work independently. The post holder would ideally be competent in a range of clinical areas including general, small parts, vascular, obstetric and gynaecology, and MSK, however any skill mix would be considered. They should have the desire to teach others, have good organisational skills, and the ability to prioritise tasks and effectively liaise with other departments. The successful candidate will be required to supervise and assess undergraduates, postgraduates and clinicians in the field of ultrasound.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- To independently undertake and use analytical and judgmental skills to report on ultrasound examinations, differentiating between normal and pathological findings.
- To use analytical and judgemental skills to view the scan images taken, to assess their technical quality and to have the ability to identify reasons for performing additional views appropriately.
- To be aware of the importance of other diagnostic investigations. To make recommendations when reporting for further imaging assessment and referral where necessary after consultation / discussion with a Radiologist.
- Maintain fitness to practice with Professional Code of Conduct and through CPD
- To inform appointment scheduling and be responsible for one’s own caseload.
- To prioritise patients independently and to organise workload from a range of referral pathways, within a pressurised environment.
- To receive telephone enquiries from patients, ward or medical staff regarding clinical procedures or results
- To maintain patients dignity whilst frequently undertaking examinations of an intimate nature, where there is a high risk of exposure to bodily fluids
- To deal with a range of operational pressures and developments within ultrasound on a day to day basis providing specialist support to staff
- To independently assess and justify examinations using department protocols / guidelines.
- Ensure the implementation of examination protocols
- Attend appropriate clinical meetings, feeding back to the team and informing service improvement as appropriate
- To maintain a flexible approach to working hours such as extended days and weekend working to promote a 7 day service.
- Acts as a role model to all other staff.
- To assist in developing a learning environment within the Department by maintaining an up to date professional knowledge through CPD and demonstrate a proactive commitment to improving standards of service and maintaining standards
- Train, supervise and assess Undergraduates, Post Graduates and clinicians in the specialist field of ultrasound and the use of high specification ultrasound equipment
- Provide guidance, support and mentorship to less , experienced sonographers
- Accountable for own professional activities using a high degree of autonomy within the limitations of personal expertise and skill
- To possess a high level of knowledge over a range of ultrasound procedures and /or a high level of expertise in a particular area of ultrasound
- To give specialist and expert opinion to a wide range of Health Care professionals. To give information that can directly affect diagnosis or treatment
- To supervise the activity of less experienced sonographers, assistants and trainees within the ultrasound workplace. To undertake prolonged periods of intense concentration to obtain, interpret and record suitable images in a dynamic environment. To maintain concentrations during frequent interruptions from patients and staff.
- To have well developed hand / eye coordination combined with special awareness which enables precise acquisition of diagnostic images
- To relate to and communicate with all patients and visitors in a sensitive and empathetic manner. To give clear explanations to patients about ultrasound examinations including risk, accuracy and limitations especially regarding procedures that require consent. To use appropriate levels of tact and persuasion when dealing with aggressive behaviour, cultural differences, special needs and those with newly diagnosed illnesses.
- To promote best practice when advising and disseminating knowledge to the profession and beyond.
- To be competent in the operation of the Radiology Information System / PACS System.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Formal Post Graduate Ultrasound Qualification/DMU
Experience
Essential criteria
- 12 months post graduate unsupervised experience in ultrasound.
- Evidence of Post Graduate development
Skills
Essential criteria
- Wide range of practical experience
- High level of enthusiasm
- Able to supply accurate, precise information
- Effective communication skills
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Evidence of up to date technical knowledge
- Evidence of professional up to date knowledge
Applicant requirements
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Hayley Whitehouse
- Job title
- Professional Lead for Ultrasound
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01922 721172
- Additional information
Hayley Whitehouse - Professional Lead for Ultrasound
01922 656494
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