Diagnostic Sonographer

The Diagnostic Sonographer will be a qualified professional, ideally holding a BSc in Diagnostic Radiography and a postgraduate qualification in Ultrasound Scanning. The successful candidate will be able to work independently within the General Ultrasound Department, ideally having MSK or Obstetric Scanning experience and being accountable for their own professional actions.

• Assess and action ultrasound requests, giving advice and reports to patients and clinicians.
• Carry out specialized sonographic imaging to a high standard and in a professional manner, providing diagnosis as appropriate at the time of examination.
• Work closely within a multidisciplinary team, deputising in the absence of senior staff.
• Take responsibility for the care of the patient whilst undertaking the examination, modifying or adapting techniques as necessary.

• Performance
• Workforce
• Finance
• Partnerships
• General

The Diagnostic Sonographer will be required to carry out sonographic duties at Eltham Community Diagnostic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich and University Hospital, Lewisham sites, as required, with examinations performed on a diverse patient population, which can include those from high dependency units and the critically ill.

• Independently undertake and report diagnostic ultrasound procedures, maintaining high professional standards of technical competence and ensuring excellent standards of care at all times.
• Be accountable for own professional actions and work within codes of Practice and professional guidelines.
• Interpret complex data in order to ascertain and identify any pathological or incidental findings observable. Consider and report diagnoses as appropriate.
• Assess and adapt techniques following assessment for each procedure to meet the individual needs of the patient.
• Handle potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an appropriate empathetic manner.
• Assist with invasive procedures.
• Assist patients as required, disabled, elderly patients with undressing and dressing.
• Maintain knowledge and be fully aware of the safety aspects and hazards, and related emergency procedures for the working area.
• Independently assess and adapt/modify techniques and protocols following assessment for each procedure, on a patient by patient basis.
• Take responsibility for the care of the patient whilst undertaking the procedure. This includes manual handling, moving patients in wheelchairs, beds and trolleys.
• Provide appropriate support for carers, recognising their anxieties and concerns.
• Be able to work using visual display units for long periods of time is required, to enable the correct images to be processed.
• Provide a comprehensive diagnostic report on images obtained to relevant medical personnel.
• Offer advice and guidance to patients, carers and other health professionals on ultrasound procedures and issues taking due consideration of patients conditions.
• Supervise and provide clinical assistance to Radiologists, Clinicians Obstetricians, Gynaecologists, Vascular Surgeons etc., Clinical Nurse Specialists, Assistant Practitioners, Radiology Department Assistants and Trainee Sonographers.
• Ensure the safe use of specialist ultrasound equipment.
• Identify and report equipment failures immediately, following local guidelines, liaising with EBME to arrange services and emergency call out for faulty equipment.
• Use own initiative to re-arrange work lists in the event of equipment failure, organise alternative cover and ensure relevant staff in the Trust are informed, particularly if this occurs out of normal working hours.
• Assist in the evaluation and procurement process for any new equipment within the Radiology Department.
• Be fully conversant of appropriate actions to take in the event of an untoward incident in the area.
• Work the required shift patterns between 08:00 and 20:00, Monday to Sunday, to enable our patients to be scanned in a timely manner.
• Ensure accurate use, including recording and reporting, on the Trusts computerised information systems.
• Train new staff, student radiographers, student sonographers, specialist registrars, medical students and work experience students in specialist areas.
• Be actively involved in departmental quality groups and pro-active in the sharing of good practice.
• Give lectures and presentations within the Trust and to outside organisations on areas of special interest.
• Be actively involved in recruitment processes for new staff.
• Be responsible for leading and co-ordinating the team in an allocated area in the absence of the Lead Sonographer. This will involve being able to cope with frequent interruptions from both colleagues and other medical and non-medical staff of the Trust.
• Make proposals for, assist and/or lead in the implementation of changes in working practice as agreed by departmental working groups.
• Be able to continually prioritise the imaging of patients within the department throughout the day.
• Identify and act in accordance with local guidelines, any potential high-risk diagnosis either whilst imaging or directly following completion of an examination.
• Maintain a clean working environment, this includes clearing blood body fluids, in accordance with policy.
• Be continually mindful of using resources in an efficient manner.
• Use, and supervise the use of, very expensive, specialist equipment with care and due diligence.
• Assist in ordering, checking and monitoring of stock, making a Superintendent or Lead Sonographer aware of any concerns as they arise.
• There is no budgetary knowledge required other than to be aware of general awareness of any increase in use will increase the cost of consumables within the department.
• Offer advice and guidance to patients, carers and other health professionals on sonographic and specialised procedures, taking due consideration of the patients condition.
• Inform and promote Radiology guidelines and departmental policies to other healthcare professionals.
• Obtain informed consent from patients or their carers prior to undertaking procedures as appropriate to individual circumstances and barriers.
• Communicate the results of normal and abnormal scans to patients and relatives and ensuring that information is clearly understood.
• Use communication skills to impart bad news to distressed patients and relatives sensitively, and with empathy, and assist in determining appropriate referral pathway to other health care professionals.
• Be able to use computer hardware/software proficiently, Reporting; processing of images on specialised equipment to create 3D images as required needing a high level of dexterity and hand/eye co-ordination.
• Promote good relations with other directorates and hospitals.
• Attend any meetings as required by the Head of Imaging, Imaging Service Manager or the Lead Sonographer or Superintendent Radiographer.
• Attend any relevant study days, in-house lectures and training sessions, including all compulsory staff training courses.
• Provide assistance and be actively involved in departmental projects and audits.
• Take part in the departments personal appraisal scheme (PDR).
• Apply performance management of staff supported by the Trusts policy.
• Deliver and take part in CPD.
• Deliver and take part in 1-1 coaching.
• Take every opportunity for self-development in extended sonographic roles.
• Give lectures and presentations within the Trust and to outside organisations on areas of special interest.
• Carry out all responsibilities with regard to all Trust Policies and relevant legislation.