Job Description

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Sonographer who would like to lead and manage the Ultrasound service at WSFT.



As the Ultrasound Service Manager you will play a crucial role leading the service and working alongside the team of Sonographers and other modality service managers, Consultant Radiologists and other Trust Consultants. You will play an integral role in the Radiology Management Team and will work closely with the Head of Radiography and the Senior Operations Manager to ensure efficient and effective operational management and service delivery.



A recruitment and retention bonus of 7% per annum is applicable to this role.



You will need to possess good interpersonal and communication skills and be confident in your leadership and managerial abilities to lead a large team.



You will be self-motivated, diligent, and committed to providing an excellent service to patients.



You will be required to obtain high quality ultrasound images and diagnostic reports within the hospital and community settings.



There will be a requirement to oversee and work across all WSFT ultrasound locations, including the Newmarket CDC, Thetford Healthy Living Centre and Sudbury Community Health Centre. The frequency and expectations of this can be discussed.



To lead on the provision of the Ultrasound imaging service, playing a pivotal role both operationally and clinically across the WSFT. This will include ensuring equipment is managed in a safe, efficient, and effective manner, maintaining an expert level of technical knowledge within the modality, and providing specialist support to the Ultrasound team and to the wider department. Liaise with departmental managers with respect to resources. Standardise protocols, manage patient bookings and waiting lists in line with national targets. Ensure Clinical Governance is regularly reviewed and up to date. Investigate adverse incidents and complaints and implement any potential learning outcomes. Participate in Quality Improvement initiatives and provide professional leadership advice in relation to Ultrasound imaging. Lead on the delivery of service and workforce transformation and re-design.



#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 & 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.