Sonographer

Job overview

Working pattern: Full Time / Part Time / Weekend / Flexible shift patterns available

You will need to hold a qualification in Medical Ultrasound and must be competent to undertake an Ultrasound scan and report it independently. As a minimum you will be expected to hold a Pg. Cert in Medical Ultrasound that has been accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) or assessed for equivalence by the ultrasound management team.

HCPC, NMC or RCT registration is also essential to this post. You will need to have excellent verbal and written communication skills. As a large teaching organisation, we provide teaching experiences for trainee sonographers and specialist registrars.

We work closely with  Sheffield Hallam University providing world-class teaching to nurture and develop the next generation of sonographers, many of whom go on to spend their working lives with us.

We are happy to consider applications from trainees nearing the end of their Ultrasound training or from midwife sonographers who are qualified in Ultrasound.

Main duties of the job

Our services are expanding; we are actively seeking enthusiastic and highly motivated band 7 sonographers to join our forward-thinking team of friendly and supportive professionals in providing a range of ultrasound examinations.

High specification scanning equipment is available on three acute hospital sites: Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester General Hospital and Glenfield Hospital and five community hospital sites. Our work includes, general abdominal, small parts, gynaecological, MSK, H&N, DVT and vascular, paediatrics and obstetrics (including early pregnancy scanning). We cover inpatients, outpatients and GP referrals. We are one of the largest providers for Ultrasound in the UK with over 30 scan rooms carrying out over 6,000 outpatient scans a month.

The department is committed to supporting your personal development plans. We have Sonographer role development opportunities which currently include DVT, MSK, Head & Neck and paediatric training, with future possibilities of interventional ultrasound.

The successful candidate will be an autonomous practitioner, promoting best practice and high standards within the ultrasound department.

Our patients are at the heart of all we do and we believe that ‘Caring at its best’ is not just about the treatments and services we provide, but about giving our patients the best possible experience.

‘Due to the nature of the interview process for this post, we are unable to accommodate Remote interviews’

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To maintain a high level of clinical expertise in Ultrasound imaging and reporting. To oversee and assist in the training of new staff and continuous development of departmental staff within the area to enable adequate cover and to meet on-going demands of the service.
• Provide a report based on the ultrasound findings, and suggesting a diagnosis or differential diagnosis and advising follow up where appropriate
• Recognise when the findings require urgent follow up or referral and take appropriate action. When unusual findings are observed outside the post holders area of expertise, advice will be sought from appropriate others.
• To assist in the development, documentation and monitoring of protocols for working practice within the Ultrasound areas. To review on a regular basis and when changes are introduced.
• To ensure ‘housekeeping’ duties are carried out to ensure electronic systems are kept up to date. To include justification of ultrasound request thus ensuring timely appointment booking.
• To assist in monitoring the quality of service to patients and where appropriate participate in the development and implementation of proposals for improving services.
• To contribute fully in the regular setting, monitoring and review of performance and quality management of all aspects of the Ultrasound service.
• To be responsible for the care and comfort of the patient whilst they are in Ultrasound areas respecting their privacy, dignity, religious and cultural beliefs.
• To ensure that the non-medical staff are aware of the Trust’s complaints procedure and ensure that complaints are dealt with in accordance with this procedure.
• To work closely with all Clinical Leads to provide optimum patient care and constantly seek ways of improving standards and performance.
• To participate in and promote research and audit within the Ultrasound areas to support good practice and provide documentation accordingly.
• Organise, plan and prioritise workload according to clinical need. Take responsibility for and organise sections of the department as required including undertaking the role of Senior Co-ordinator.
• Monitor the capacity and demand of the service and assist in reviewing working practices to accommodate any shift in requirements.