Sonographer

4 Ways Healthcare Ltd

Job Description

Job Title: Sonographer

Base: Hemel Hempstead and various clinics in England

Hours: 37.5

Responsible to: Clinical Lead - Ultrasound

Accountable to: Lead Clinician Diagnostic Imaging
Consultant Radiologist

Qualification: Diploma in Medical Ultrasound or equivalent

DIMENSIONS

CLINICAL AREAS:

• Patients will be referred for ultrasound as In-Patients, Outpatients, A/E, General Practitioners and Family Planning Clinics.

• The work includes wide range of general abdominal, small parts, paediatric, gynaecological, vascular and some musculo-skeletal work.

JOB SUMMARY

• The post holder will have attained the Obstetric and Gynaecology, Abdominal modules in Medical Ultrasound, and vascular ultrasound module qualification will be desirable.

• The post holder must demonstrate a high level of ultrasound scanning skills and will work as a part of as multi-disciplinary team.

• You will have autonomous responsibility for performing and reporting a wide range of ultrasound examinations.

• You will be expected to be able to work independently under pressure, but your support network will be as part of the ultrasound team.

• You will be required to work to a high standard in keeping with departmental guidelines and protocols with regard to patient care, and expected to participate in CPD and clinical audit.

• A Postgraduate qualification in ultrasound is required and you must be registered with the Health Professions Council or equivalent.

• The post will involve placements throughout England,

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CLINICAL

• Demonstrate skills in a wide range of general ultrasound examinations, including transvaginal scanning.

• Maintain professional occupational standards of technical skill and legally take responsibility to ensure a high standard of clinical care and patient welfare for all patients, supporting more junior staff to do likewise.

• Interpret and analyse findings in accordance with agreed protocols.

• Explain the abnormal ultrasound findings to patients and make appropriate referrals to the Clinicians.

• Accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients in working area, and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.

• Independently provide a diagnostic report on 90% of all examinations.

• Provide advise on future patient management, where appropriate following consultation with Radiologists, e.g. referral for further imaging, referral for specialist, urgent/immediate referral.

• Demonstrate excellence in one or more sub-specialities, when required.

• Responsible for the care of equipment and accessories in the section in which the post-holder is working and to ensure that equipment is cleaned, and kept in good order. To ensure that all equipment problems and operational difficulties are reported immediately to the manager.

• Participate in the Quality Assurance Programme in accordance with the policies of the department.

• Evaluate own work and current practices through the use of Evidence Based Practice, audits and outcome measures, either individually or with a clinical specialist or manager and to make recommendations for change.

PROFESSIONAL

• Maintain own continuing professional development and career pathway by attending appropriate courses in order to develop, implement and maintain high clinical standards within the Ultrasound department.

• Undertake internal training where required – induction, CPR, manual handing, infection control, health and safety and utilise these skills in clinical practice.

• Participate in the staff appraisal scheme and to be able to undertake and implement recommendations from performance review meetings and to identify individual needs for development.

• Deliver training and support to other members of the Ultrasound department to improve their clinical skills.

• Participate and contribute to MDT meetings.
SERVICE DEVELOPMENT/QUALITY

• Undertake wide range of sonographic duties on rotation as required. This will include Abdominal, gynaecology, fertility, small parts and musculo-skeletal work.

• Assist in the production and maintenance of Department Protocol, equipment schedules, and quality assurance programs.

• Promote best practice, advising and disseminating knowledge to the profession and beyond

• Respect the confidentiality of all written and electronically stored personal records kept within the Trust, in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
• The post holder must carry out his / her responsibilities with due regard to the Company’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
• Deal with patient queries and take the appropriate action as required, logging all complaints and providing information as and when required.
• Assess the clinical justification for ultrasound referrals in line with local protocols and to evaluate the information to determine the degree of urgency.
• This job description outlines the current main responsibilities of the post. However the duties of the post may change and develop over time and this job description may therefore be amended in consultation with the post holder.