AAA Screening Technician

Job overview

The West Yorkshire AAA (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm) Screening Service serves the population of Huddersfield, Calderdale, Bradford, Airedale and Craven and Screening is delivered within the community across this geographical area.

The West Yorkshire AAA Screening service is a fast paced, demanding environment with the team performing more than 6,000 ultrasound scans per year for men aged 65 years and over. Screening Technicians are expected to work and report autonomously.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake the Health Screeners Diploma (AAA) training. During this time the post will be renumerated on a Band 3 salary. This has been developed to provide screening technicians within the National Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme (NAAASP) a nationally recognised qualification. This will ensure that screening technicians follow a structured and supported route to enable them to become qualified health screeners. Undertaking the qualification will provide trainees with the skills and knowledge to deliver a safe and efficient service. Trainee technicians will need to complete the required mandatory and core units and will be supported locally by their Clinical Skills Trainer (CST). The training is carried out locally and in the Manchester area and candidates will be expected to travel to Manchester once or twice a week for the duration of their training. Travel expenses will be paid.

Main duties of the job

• To undertake training and tutorials as and when required and you will need to maintain clinical skills and knowledge

• Responsible for inputting and recording patient data accurately and securely

• To provide AAA screening within the community in accordance with national guidance and protocols, work alongside Primary Care and Vascular Services
• To work as a AAA screening technician carrying out ultrasound scanning working within standard operating procedures
• To deal with anxious patients and their relatives with tact, patience, and discretion
• To accurately record clinical measurements and other information. You will ensure scan results are uploaded on a regular basis from off-site screening clinics to the screening office base (Calderdale Royal Hospital) in a safe and confidential way

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Deal with patient enquiries as appropriate and ensuring that you bring to the attention of the coordinator or administration staff any patient whose condition warrants it

• To support the Programme coordinator by reporting /recording incidents and medical emergencies in a professional manner

• To undertake training and tutorials as and when required and you will need to maintain clinical skills and knowledge

• Responsible for inputting and recording patient data accurately and securely

• To deal with queries from patients and carers confidentially and sensitively and to refer to appropriate area for resolution

• Provide patients and carers with general non-clinical advice and information about the screening service

• Ensure supplies of patient literature are available in clinics

• Ensure supplies of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and cleaning products are adequate

• Assist in development of the patient pathway from an administrative perspective ensuring all paperwork and relevant information is provided in a timely and efficient manner

• To ensure effective communications are maintained between the screening technician and the screening office

• Attend regular Team Meetings to address issues and input into the development of the service

• To inform the AAA Screening Coordinator of any issues relating to data or the service

• Ensure confidentiality and security of data in accordance with organisational requirements and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

• To be flexible and able to provide cover for absence of other AAA Screening technicians/ administrators as required (sometimes at short notice)

• To carry out some administrative duties as and when required

• To carry out some Health Promotion duties as and when required

• To provide AAA screening within the community in accordance with national guidance and protocols, work alongside Primary Care and Vascular Services
• To work as a AAA screening technician carrying out ultrasound scanning working within standard operating procedures
• To work independently and make judgement according to experience and training
• To deal with anxious patients and their relatives with tact, patience, and discretion
• To accurately record clinical measurements and other information. You will ensure scan results are uploaded on a regular basis from off-site screening clinics to the screening office base (Calderdale Royal Hospital) in a safe and confidential way
• You will give patients their results of the scan offering further information, advice and support