Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical & Professional

Manage and undertake obstetric, general and gynaecological ultrasound imaging in the provision of the ultrasound service, within the local and national guidelines including Fetal anomaly screening programme. 

Set and maintain high standards within the ultrasound team. Be able to train and supervise others in working towards those standards, act as a role model for other Sonographers and those training in U/S.

Take responsibility for the care of the patient maintaining dignity, physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs.

Manipulate complex, expensive instruments ensuring safe use of equipment.

Work unsupervised in a specialist area with autonomy making judgements on equipment and protocol selection and patient management.

Prioritise workload allowing for clinical need and urgency. Provide timely, efficient and courteous provision of ultrasound services to the agreed standards of the department

Work in other community ultrasound departments when required, including participation in the Manager of the Day rota at the CDC

Use highly specialist knowledge to discuss, advise and accept referrals from other disciplines, and refer to other disciplines where appropriate.

Demonstrate a clear understanding of the data flows within departmental systems in order to enter and retrieve information and make corrections as necessary

To interpret ultrasound images and record findings in writing so that other clinicians can read and act upon them. This will involve recording of obstetric and growth data in patient records and reporting general and gynaecological findings via the RIS system

Effectively communicate with all grades of staff, carers and patients. Adaptation of skills is needed to explain and carry out a variety of procedures. Some patients may be elderly, confused, claustrophobic, intoxicated, aggressive, have special needs and paediatric.  Empathy, tact and persuasion skills may also be needed for patients suffering, for example, an unexpected intrauterine death. Counselling skills will be required.

Be proficient in controlling violence and aggression and talk down skills for when working single-handed with patients and/or relatives, training can be provided if needed

Be responsible for the management of patients’ images and data including processing and archiving.

Operate computer terminals for inputting and accessing information as necessary, using various IT systems and national database. 

Work collaboratively with the department administration lead to ensure timely and effective management of appointments

Demonstrate a good knowledge of procedures undertaken within the department in order to advise and reassure patients making enquiries regarding waiting times or preparation for examinations

Participate in clinical trials when required

 Ensure all relevant Trust mandatory training is kept up to date

 Adhere to all departmental and Trust policies and procedure

Behave courteously and professionally at all times.

 Leadership and Management

Oversee the day-to-day organisation of ultrasound services, including the organisation of ultrasound services in clinics and at community locations as required. Organise own workload, assisting with clinical work as necessary

Manage the Sonography workforce for WSFT, including implementing the appropriate HR processes when required

Understand and take responsibility for the implementation, delivery and monitoring of a safe, effective national screening programme as set by the Fetal Anomaly Screening programme board, along with the Screening Support Sonographer (SSS)

As the lead sonographer you will be expected to liaise with individuals or groups, giving information as required to maintain good communications with the general public and other interested groups

Be accountable to the Head of Radiography (HOR), Senior Operations Manager (SOM) for Imaging, lead Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and radiologist for the direct delivery and clinical governance of Ultrasound imaging

Act as a key member of the directorate, taking a lead role in the development of the service. Consider possible new ways of working or organisational change that would improve the service delivered

Develop the Ultrasound service in line with the ever-changing requirements of healthcare, assisting in the development and implementation of initiatives in response to national and local objectives.  

Take an active role in the planning and installation of additional capacity and equipment. Liaise with officers of NHS Supplies, Procurement teams and manufacturers to develop and evaluate specifications, tender responses and contracts

Manage the Ultrasound budget within agreed limits and report any problems to the HOR or SOM

Work collaboratively with external providers of US equipment monitoring, overseeing quality assurance procedures and reporting compliance to the HoR.

Ensure all departmental guidelines and SOPs are of a high standard and kept up to date, amending in line with national and local changes in practice

Propose and oversee changes to policies within own work area, and those impacting across the wider Trust where relevant

Lead on sonographer and trainee sonographer recruitment, following Trust policies and procedures at all times

Support new staff in induction. Teach and promote awareness and compliance with policies and protocols

Participate in the Trust formal appraisal programme

Produce clinical activity statistics to support clinical effectiveness management, and ensure that access, performance, and turnaround targets are achieved

Carry out tasks delegated by the HOR or SOM

Education and Development

Attend suitable seminars and courses as part of personal development and to further the service provision of the department

Maintain Continued Professional Development, particularly in ultrasound, visiting specialist centres where appropriate

You may be required to teach on technical and/ or clinical issues both within and outside the Trust as required, and to guide staff in ultrasound safety issues and techniques to avoid repetitive strain injury

 Assist with the training and clinical support of ultrasound students, including junior doctors and to facilitate their training placement

Clinical Governance

Oversee clinical governance within the ultrasound unit, ensuring that all protocols, risk assessments, guidelines, audit, and training processes are fully documented and up to date, contributing to the Quality Standard for Imaging (QSI) programme

Participate in departmental/Trust audits and surveys as required

Maintain overall responsibility for ensuring compliance with all Trust and departmental policies and procedures

STAFF CAR PARKING

Staff Car Parking on the West Suffolk Hospital Site is eligible for individuals working outside of the core hours, 07:00 – 18:30. 

For individuals working within the core hours, the Trust offers parking off site at the Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club, which is serviced by a regular shuttle bus to and from the Hospital.  Details of the bus timetable can be found in the on-line starter pack on the West Suffolk Hospital website.

This parking restriction does not apply if an individual is required to work on a weekend or if they are required to complete “on call” duties within their role.

 The closing date for this vacancy may change if we receive a strong response. Please ensure that you apply for any post you are interested in as soon as possible.