Trainee Echocardiographer

This post is for an 18 month, full-time integrated training scheme to deliver the Academic and work place training based at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital leading to both a post-graduate certificate in Echocardiography and Level 2 BSE Accreditation in Transthoracic Echocardiography. The programme will start in October 2024.

Trainees, funded at A4C Band 6, are required to complete a variety of competencies and assessments for each module within the workplace and these are recorded on an e-portfolio (Onefile).

The Trainee Echocardiographer will be responsible for their own progression through the training programme, for completing the learning outcomes as outlined in the Learning Guides, progressing through a mixture of work based competence and experience in NHS scientific departments and undertaking the complementary PGCert Program in Echocardiography at the designated Higher Education Institution.

The post holder will be expected to undertake a range of demanding scientific and clinical functions initially under supervision, as well as occasional duties in response to specific elements of the curriculum. A major part of the training and development will take place within a designated organisation and is integrally linked to the knowledge and applied learning that forms part of the nationally commissioned academic PGCERT programme.

At all times the Trainee Echocardiographer is expected to work within standard operating policies and procedures of the Trust.

The Trainee Echocardiographer will be employed by the host department for a fixed term of 18 months. A permanent contract may or may not be offered at the end of the training programme.

This will be combined with an academic programme at PGcert level over the 18 month programme.

Further information about the Echocardiography Training Programme can be found on the National School of Healthcare Science website ( About the Echocardiography Training Programme — Echocardiography Training Programme ).

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.

We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

**MAIN RESPONSIBILITES**:
To perform and report transthoracic echocardiograms, initially under supervision until competence has been established, according to the BSE standards and guidelines.

To assist in the day to day management of procedures/workload/organisation within the department.

To act as a role model for junior members of the team and to contribute to their development.

To participate in the weekly echo meeting, open-mindedly sharing and discussing interesting findings/cases.

To triage and prioritize echocardiogram requests according to the BSE guidelines.

To communicate effectively with the multi-disciplinary team, informing the relevant medical professionals when significant findings are diagnosed.

To demonstrate effective IT skills to assist in clinical activities and audit.

PROFESSIONAL

Demonstrate continuing professional development.

Attend mandatory training courses

To actively participate in the development and implementation of the department’s protocols and procedures.

COMMUNICATION

Actively encourage and support team working.

Promote effective communication and collaborative working across the Department and Trust. This may involve conflicting views and professional differences of opinion.

Providing and receiving sensitive information including diagnosis and prognosis

Ensuring concise and accurate documentation

To use and develop effective communication tools, verbal and non-verbal to communicate with patients who may have barriers to understanding or communicating. For example patients with hearing or sight problems, cognitive problems or difficulty in accepting diagnosis.

QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS

To maintain high standards of scanning and reporting.

To continue relevant education and training for clinical practice

To review the team’s work practices and quality of work produced and actively encourage improvements when necessary

To participate in developing, delivering and evaluating training strategies for sharing knowledge and influencing practice.

Acting as a team mentor and a role model t