Job summary
- Main area
- Ultrasound Imaging
- Grade
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent: Working weekends, evenings and bank holidays is to be expected.
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 216-CB-C7361634
- Employer
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Derriford Hospital
- Town
- Plymouth
- Salary
- £24,937 - £26,598 Per Annum Pro Rata (Dependant on experience)
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 04/09/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Imaging Care Assistant / Ultrasound Inpatient Coordinator
Band 3
Job overview
The role of this Imaging Care Assistant/Inpatient Coordinator is to provide safe and efficient patient flow across the department, responding to the needs of the service to provide support to patients and their clinician during their time in the department. The role is to facilitate an organised and efficient service for US inpatient and act as a main point of contact for all users of the US Department during weekdays, weekends and bank holidays. Working under the guidance of the Consultant Radiologists and Sonographers, the post holder’s main focus is to optimise patient flow through the US inpatient rooms, ensuring clinical priority and safety at all times, and responding with agility to the changing needs of the service. They will need exceptional concentration, organisational and communication skills and be able to multi-task under prolonged period of pressure at times of operational challenge. This coordinator should be willing to assist other areas in Imaging where appropriate.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
· To facilitate the throughput of patients attending the Imaging Department to optimise the use of all resources and minimising delays.
· To support service delivery during weekdays, weekends, evenings and bank holidays as part of a roster. This incorporates locations at Derriford Hospital, Cumberland Centre and in future Community Diagnostic Centre.
· Providing reassurance to patients using the departments giving information to patients about their procedures.
· Coordinate throughput and patient flow through inpatient ultrasound rooms
· Liaise with Duty Floor Radiologist (DFR) around queries
· Prioritise patients based upon length of wait and clinical urgency
Respond to requests from Service Line Management and Site Team to facilitate discharge or diagnostic dependent scans.
To act as chaperone and patient advocate in ultrasound scan rooms.
To have skills in aseptic non touch technique and be able to support ultrasound guided procedures including biopsies.
Working for our organisation
We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY.
If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100.
We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams.
It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Accompanying patients to and from the scan room, providing advice to the patient on the correct way to change for their examination if required and where necessary assist with undressing and dressing.
To get the patient ready for ultrasound examination appropriately when patient is in the scan room.
To assist Sonographers/Registrars/Radiologists during patient examination as required using manual handling skills & mechanical aids when appropriate.
To ensure the scan rooms are clean, tidy and well stocked according to the requirements of each room at all times.
To be familiar with imaging procedures in ultrasound to be able to explain them to patients of all ages & abilities, carers & relatives & report any concerns to a senior colleague or Sonographer
To provide support for anxious, emotional, frightened & terminally ill patients of all ages & their relatives.
· To transport patients to and from the department in wheelchairs or beds either alone or with a Porter or colleague as necessary. Also moving equipment from one modality to another.
· To assess any infection risks & use necessary precautions. There may be on occasional contacts with bodily fluids. To be competent in infection control issues concerning medical equipment in all areas of imaging.
To be able to organise & prioritise your own workload to maintain efficient & effective patient management.
To participate in any other duties commensurate with grade & at the discretion of the Service Line Manager and Modality Leads.
· To demonstrate the posts duties to assist in the training of new ICAs, Student Radiographers, Trainee Sonographers and Assistant Practitioners, where applicable.
· To use IPM & keyboard skills to accurately enter patient information on to the computer system (CRIS) ensuring that data/alarms held is correct and completed in a timely manner.
· Adhere to the date protection act ensuring patient confidentiality at all times.
· To maintain yearly competences in accordance with the modality in which you are working.
· Be able to assess a patients’ mobility needs and apply the appropriate manual handling techniques.
· To support & enhance the continual quality initiative programme ensuring a “quality first” approach to all aspects of work in the Imaging Department
To assist with the daily checking, re-stocking of the Resus Trolley and the weekly check with a senior member of staff.
The ability to be able to work with other employees as part of a multi skilled team, flexibility in working patterns to fulfil unexpected clinical requirements.
· To act as a chaperone when required ensuring that the patients’ dignity is protected. These patients need to be dealt with in a sensitive & empathetic manner due to the nature of the examination.
Empty sharps bins and dispose of in the correct place. Confidential waste and yellow bags should be placed in the correct areas for disposal.
Person specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable experience within a similar role in a large clinical setting
- Demonstrable experience of team working and good with IT
Desirable criteria
- Recent demonstrable healthcare experience, preferably in a hospital ward environment
- Demonstrable experience of clinical computer skills
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- GCSE’s 9-4 (A-C) in Maths & English
- Hold an NVQ Level 3, be prepared to study for one or hold equivalent demonstrable experience
- Hold or be prepared to undertake the Care Certificate within 3 months of appointment
- Demonstrable experience of managing confidential data
- Change management skills
- Familiar with patient information and data management programmes
- Demonstrable experience of dealing with complaints/ issues from staff at all levels
Desirable criteria
- Computer qualification (ECDL)
- Care certificate or equivalent in healthcare
- Clinical skills patient observations
- Previous demonstrable experience of managing information within a large clinical setting
- Demonstrable service improvement and development skills
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential criteria
- Organised and approachable
- Communication skills and demonstrable experience with managing work load
Applicant requirements
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
- Justine Morrant
- Job title
- Ultrasound ICA Team Leader
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01752 433686
- Additional information
Please ensure all applicants have read the full job description attached to advert.
Best way to contact for further details is to send an email via [email protected]
Shifts will include alterative weekends 8.30-13.30
Week A Monday-Thursday 8.30-17.00
Week B- Monday- Thursday 8.30-17.00-- Saturday and/or Sunday 8.30-13.30
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