Sonographer/midwife Sonographer

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.

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 - Imaging

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is one of the largest employers in the local area with over 3,000 staff. The Trust supports Flexible Working Arrangements and Race Equality. We have a commitment to education, training and staff development.

Applications are invited for the post of Band 7 Sonographer. We are seeking enthusiastic and highly motivated individuals to become part of our team. They should have good communication skills and be willing to help lead the delivery of a high quality service. A flexible attitude to working is required and you will be expected to take part in the departments' seven day service.

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 o