Job summary
- Main area
- Chief Echocardiographer
- Grade
- Band 7 +15% RRP
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 213-CAX-7268891
- Employer
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- King's College Hospital
- Town
- London
- Salary
- £54,320 - £60,981 per annum pro rata, including HCAS + 15% RRP on Basic Salary
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 29/06/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Chief Echocardiographer
Band 7 +15% RRP
Job overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic highly specialist echocardiographer to join and complement our internationally recognised echocardiography services at King’s College Hospital in Denmark Hill, London. Staff may be required to work cross site.
This post attracts up to 15% Recruitment and Retention Premium.
The Echo department features the latest cardiac ultrasound equipment in an all-encompassing digital echo lab. It provides transthoracic, TOE, 3D, DSE, stress exercise echo and contrast studies for all specialties in the Trust. King’s College Hospital is a renowned research institution and encourages participation in new and on-going projects.
Clinical Physiology BSc degree combined with appropriate technical training and Echocardiography accreditation (BSE, EACVI or equivalent) are mandatory for this position. Candidates will also be expected to demonstrate competence and expertise in the full range of advanced echocardiography techniques (TOE, Stress echo, 3D and contrast echo).
We currently offer a range of physiologist-led services such as valve clinic, contrast and bubble, exercise echo, cardio-oncology, murmur, inherited cardiac conditions and valve stress echocardiography. We are also developing new services for the future.
Main duties of the job
Act as a specialist Echocardiographer within a multidisciplinary team, liaising with principal physiologists, clinical lead echo consultants, administrative teams, procurement, ward staff, porters, support staff, and junior members to ensure high-quality patient care.
Perform diagnostic echocardiography, utilising advanced techniques like 4D and GLS to create clinically comprehensive reports following BSE guidelines and local protocols. Stay updated with current guidelines to maintain technical proficiency in echo and related skills.
Manage workload effectively, ensuring timely completion of reports, coordinating inpatient lists, and triaging referrals based on clinical priority per BSE guidelines and local standards.
Engage in professional development through performance reviews and actively contribute to the smooth running of services, taking on managerial responsibilities as assigned. Monitor technical equipment stock levels and address shortfalls appropriately.
Promote a patient-centered, multi-disciplinary care approach within the Trust and encourage innovative practices such as advanced clinical methods within the department.
Working for our organisation
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD: Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
· Practice as a specialist autonomous professional in adult echocardiography and show proficiency in exercising clinical judgement when required.
· Practice safely and effectively, interpret and act upon results of the tests, investigations and measurements in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
· Perform diagnostic echocardiography using advanced techniques such as 4D and GLS to produce a clinically comprehensive report in accordance with BSE guidelines and local standards/protocols
· Perform echocardiography in a range of settings, including portable scans at bedside, ITU and cardiac catheter labs.
· Administer appropriate medications and contrast agents as part of advanced clinical practice.
· Participate in setting excellent local standards in Echocardiography, and to continually develop and update these to ensure they incorporate current professional recommendations and evidence-based practice.
· Keep abreast of developments in Echocardiography and disseminate new information to other members of staff effectively.
· Comply with national and international guidelines such as BSE, ASE, NICE, ESC and SCST as well as local clinical guidelines; and ensure that these guidelines are adhered to.
· Ensure that King’s Echo service communicates with other centres and external stakeholders in a professional and productive manner, facilitating the exchange of patient records and minimising disruption to services
· Perform regular audits to ensure compliance with local and national standards.
· Apply and promote evidence-based practice and use of relevant clinical protocols and procedures at the complex and advanced level; as well as acquire and maintain a high level of professional competence in the performance of all tests, investigations and measurements.
· Comment and advise on new proposals and protocols, especially for service improvements.
· Adhere to infection control guidelines including correct use of PPE and uniform policy.
Education and Training
· Provide training, mentorship and support to junior staff, SpRs and Echo Fellows, with a view to improve their echo knowledge and skills.
· Assist in echocardiography education throughout the Trust, including medical students, PTP and STP trainees.
· Maintain own proficiency in echo and other technical skills by keeping up to date with current guidelines.
· Ensure that own mandatory training certificates are current.
· Actively participate in his/her own performance review and own professional development.
· Maintain BSE and/or other transthoracic echocardiography accreditation
· Maintain/ work towards additional professional accreditation as appropriate.
· Complete relevant training and competencies to provide advanced clinical practice.
· The post holder will be encouraged to maintain and/or obtain HCPC registration, further educational qualifications and memberships with professional bodies.
· Administer appropriate medications and contrast agents as part of advanced clinical practice.
· Write up interesting case studies / clinical abstracts and submit to appropriate journals. Actively participate in educational sessions and journal club.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- BSc Clinical Physiology (Cardiology) or equivalent.
- Intermediate Life Support (ILS)
- Possess Adult TTE BSE/ equivalent accreditation
- Highly developed IT skills
Desirable criteria
- HCPC registered
- Clinical assessment Level 7 Module
- Advanced Life Support (ALS)
Skills/ experience
Essential criteria
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Leadership skills and ability to work as part of a team
- Skills in teaching/training
Desirable criteria
- Ability to understand financial and budgetary information
- Awareness of current NHS challenges and Long-Term Plans / Strategy which may affect the Future direction of Echocardiography
- Awareness of DM01 waiting lists
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
- Emily Denman
- Job title
- Principal Echocardiographer
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 02032998638
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