Job Description

We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for Sonographers who would like to join our friendly, passionate and supportive team



We are looking to expand our team of Sonographers to support the ultrasound service at West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Ultrasound services are provided at various community locations as well as the main West Suffolk Hospital site and candidates will be expected to work at other sites on occasions. The exact location and frequency will be negotiable (we cover Newmarket, Thetford and Sudbury).



The successful candidate will need to be self-motivated, diligent, and committed to providing an excellent service to our patients. You will be required to obtain high quality ultrasound images and diagnostic reports within the hospital and community settings.



You will be expected to participate in covering 7-day working 08:00 - 20:00. Exact working patterns can be discussed. We offer flexible working and will consider condensed and part-time hours.



This position includes a 7% recruitment and retention premia.



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. Previous applicants need not to apply.



Please be advised that if you are shortlisted for this vacancy you may be required to attend a face to face interview to include a clinical/practical assessment of scanning ability.



Produce high-quality ultrasound images and diagnostic reports within the WSFT main hospital site and community settings. This may include obstetric, gynaecology and abdominal ultrasound scans. Associated tasks include organisational roles, quality assurance and safety procedures, management of own list and coordination of department activity and resource management as required.



#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community



We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.



The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.



Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.



We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.



With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.



We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.



Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?



Clinical



1. Undertake obstetric, general and gynaecological ultrasound imaging in the provision of the ultrasound service, within the local and national guidelines including Fetal anomaly screening program.



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



3. Manipulate complex, expensive instruments ensuring safe use of equipment.



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



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



6. To work in other community ultrasound departments when required.



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



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



9. 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 CRIS system.



10. 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.



11. 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.



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



13. Be proficient in IT skills, being able to operate computer terminals for imputing and accessing information as necessary, including various IT systems across the WSFT. Require knowledge of all departmental administration tasks to oversee and undertake as required, booking of appointments.



14. 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.



15. Be aware of and practice safe working, adjusting equipment height and position maintaining good posture to protect from musculo-skeletal disorders.



16. Adhere to all department and Trust policies and procedures at all times.



17. Ensure all relevant mandatory training is kept up to date.



18. Behave courteously and professionally at all times in line with Trust values.



19. Be responsible for completing the daily and weekly checks of the emergency crash trolley where relevant.



Leadership



20. Act as 'Duty' Sonographer when required, ensuring the day-to-day organisation of ultrasound services and supporting colleagues as required, assisting with clinical work and vetting where required.



21. Propose changes to and be directly involved in the development of new policies and procedures where relevant.



22. Encourage cohesive working arrangements within a small unit and all other working areas, monitoring patient throughput and redistributing where necessary.



23. Carry out tasks delegated by the Service Manager as required.



24. Complete appraisals as required.



Educatian and Development



25. Attend suitable seminars and courses to maintain Continued Professional Development (CPD), particularly in ultrasound, visiting specialist centres where appropriate.



26. Participate in the Trust' formal appraisal program.



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



28. Contribute to the department in achieving the Quality Standard for Imaging (QSI) quality mark as required.



Clinical Governance



29. P articipate in departmental/Trust audits as required .



30. Participate in clinical trials when required.



31. Participate in the departmental quality assurance procedure and process.



32. Assimilate, and work to, stringent local and national guidelines and SOPs.



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.