Job Description

The post holder will be highly committed, enthusiastic and innovative with excellent clinical and communication skills and willing to join our expanding friendly team.



The post holder will work within the Obstetric and Imaging ultrasound departments, in line with competency, to provide a high quality ultrasound service, prioritising the workload and producing comprehensive independently written ultrasound reports. The post holder will communicate complex information to clinicians and patients, and will take part in the training of others in this modality. All members of the Sonographer team will be responsible for the management and delivery of ultrasound services ensuring high standards of ultrasound provision in terms of quality, safety and access to services, providing the Professional Lead for Ultrasound with regular feedback regarding agreed key performance indicators for this service.



Current NHS experience is preferred, however we encourage perspective candidates with experience from other sectors to apply. Any successful candidate without NHS experience would be required to undergo a 3 to 6 months period of training at band 6 level, during which time they will receive direct supervision.



PLEASE NOTE, WE MAY CLOSE THIS VACANCY EARLY IF WE RECEIVE HIGH NUMBERS OF APPLICATIONS.



To supervise the activity of more junior staff and trainees within the department



To be responsible for maintaining professional and technical standards relevant to ultrasound services



To take part in the planning, coordinating and implementation of new services and strategies concerning patient care to enhance, develop and improve patient pathways



To keep the Professional Lead for Ultrasound fully informed of issues within ultrasound and pertaining to the delivery of the service



To attend relevant meetings as directed, both internally and externally to the Trust



To establish and maintain effective communication with all members of the



Imaging and multidisciplinary team, in particular those associated with ultrasound.



To challenge, in a positive manner, current working practices and promote a culture of continuous improvement and development.



To participate with the recruitment and selection of staff.



To coordinate routine maintenance of equipment and management of breakdowns liaising with external companies



Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300. It provides inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The 170 million development was completed in 2010, and ongoing upgrades ensure the Trust now has state-of-the-art facilities, including a Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit. A new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre, opened in March 2023, has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity, providing almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.



To independently undertake and use analytical and judgmental skills to report on ultrasound examinations, differentiating between normal and pathological findings.



To use analytical and judgemental skills to view the scan images taken, to assess their technical quality and to have the ability to identify reasons for performing additional views appropriately.



To be aware of the importance of other diagnostic investigations. To make recommendations when reporting for further imaging assessment and referral where necessary after consultation / discussion with a Radiologist.



Maintain fitness to practice with Professional Code of Conduct and through CPD



To inform appointment scheduling and be responsible for one's own caseload.



To prioritise patients independently and to organise workload from a range of referral pathways, within a pressurised environment.



To receive telephone enquiries from patients, ward or medical staff regarding clinical procedures or results



To maintain patients dignity whilst frequently undertaking examinations of an intimate nature, where there is a high risk of exposure to bodily fluids



To deal with a range of operational pressures and developments within ultrasound on a day to day basis providing specialist support to staff



To independently assess and justify examinations using department protocols / guidelines.



Ensure the implementation of examination protocols



Attend appropriate clinical meetings, feeding back to the team and informing service improvement as appropriate



To maintain a flexible approach to working hours such as extended days and weekend working to promote a 7 day service.



Acts as a role model to all other staff.



To assist in developing a learning environment within the Department by maintaining an up to date professional knowledge through CPD and demonstrate a proactive commitment to improving standards of service and maintaining standards



Train, supervise and assess Undergraduates, Post Graduates and clinicians in the specialist field of ultrasound and the use of high specification ultrasound equipment



Provide guidance, support and mentorship to less , experienced sonographers



Accountable for own professional activities using a high degree of autonomy within the limitations of personal expertise and skill



To possess a high level of knowledge over a range of ultrasound procedures and /or a high level of expertise in a particular area of ultrasound



To give specialist and expert opinion to a wide range of Health Care professionals. To give information that can directly affect diagnosis or treatment



To supervise the activity of less experienced sonographers, assistants and trainees within the ultrasound workplace. To undertake prolonged periods of intense concentration to obtain, interpret and record suitable images in a dynamic environment. To maintain concentrations during frequent interruptions from patients and staff.



To have well developed hand / eye coordination combined with special awareness which enables precise acquisition of diagnostic images



To relate to and communicate with all patients and visitors in a sensitive and empathetic manner. To give clear explanations to patients about ultrasound examinations including risk, accuracy and limitations especially regarding procedures that require consent. To use appropriate levels of tact and persuasion when dealing with aggressive behaviour, cultural differences, special needs and those with newly diagnosed illnesses.



To promote best practice when advising and disseminating knowledge to the profession and beyond.



To be competent in the operation of the Radiology Information System / PACS System.