AAA Screening Technician

Contract Type: 0Salary: Will rise from Band 3-4 on completion of Health Screener Diploma.Partner Org: Ashford & St. Peter's Hospital Foundation Trust

The primary purpose of this role is to undertake abdominal ultrasound scanning as part of the national AAA Screening Programme. The post holder will ensure abdominal ultrasound scanning is undertaken to a high standard and in accordance with national and local standard operating procedures. The post is for 22.5 hours per week and working hours will be split across the working week.

The post holder will reassure patients attending the community abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programme and explain the programme to them, especially where barriers to understanding exist. The post holder will ensure that members of the public attending clinics are informed and aware of the implications of AAA screening.

The post holder will be expected to travel to community locations across West Surrey & North Hampshire and working hours will be split across the working week. The base for this role will be Ashford Hospital.

The post holder will work as an accredited AAA Screening Technician, carrying out ultrasound techniques within NAAASP standard operating procedures. The post holder will work independently and make judgements according to experience and training. Advice is available when needed for more complex situations, but the post holder generally works on his or her own initiative without reference to the Line Manager.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work as an accredited AAA Screening Technician, carrying out ultrasound techniques within NAAASP standard operating procedures.

• Provide clear, high quality information that is accessible to all, enabling men to make an informed choice about taking up the offer of screening
• Carry out high quality abdominal ultrasound scans on men attending for initial or follow-up screening according to national protocol
• Identify AAAs accurately and accurately record sonographic measurements of the aortic diameter
• Ensure that ultrasound images and results are stored accurately and all programme fail safes are followed
• Ensure that men attending clinics are checking in smoothly and efficiently and are aware of the benefits and risks of AAA screening and give informed consent to the procedures
• Review ultrasound machine and IT equipment and notify the programme manager of any issues or potential risks
• Maintain up to date training log both within the trust and for the national programme (quarterly/annual assessment reviews, e-learning modules and mandatory training)
• Provide clear results to patients on the outcome of their AAA scan and any next steps that must be taken
• Build relationships and liaise with other community staff at screening locations
• Report any screening incidents to the programme manager and assist with investigations where required

Working for our organisation

Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond.

Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff make up our workforce, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites, Ashford, Ashford, Surrey and St Peter's, Chertsey, Surrey.

We also run many specialist clinics in the community and local community hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. There has never been a better time to join us in the NHS at Ashford & St Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with our strong commitment to staff health and wellbeing. We are committed to providing continuous professional development, staff benefits and flexibility to shape our workforce around our patient care.

Please see the supporting links which you can find on the right-hand side of this job advert. There is guidance on how to make an application on NHS Jobs as well as more information about joining the ASPH Team

Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will work as an accredited AAA Screening Technician, carrying out ultrasound techniques within NAAASP standard operating procedures. The post holder will work independently and make judgements according to experience and training. Advice is available when needed for more complex situations, but the post holder generally works on his or her own initiative without reference to the Line Manager.

Communication

• Observe and care for patients under investigation, liaising with administrative staff, nurses and other medical staff as appropriate in the best interest of the patient and any escorts
• Deal with anxious patients and their relatives or carers with tact, persuasion, patience and discretion. Recognise where communication difficulties arise and overcome barriers to understanding
• Carry out other duties in accordance with the current NAAASP guidelines and project protocol including obtaining informed consent, putting patients at their ease, explaining the processes and answering queries
• Work alongside other screening staff and support the work of the screening programme
• Keep the programme manager informed of any difficulties and seek advice where necessary

Planning and Organisation

• Organise and carry out ultrasound scans of the Abdominal Aorta in accordance with the current guidelines for sonographic scanning and programme protocols
• Ensure that scan results and images are dispatched as soon as possible from off-site screening clinics to the screening office in a safe and confidential way
• Prepare and distribute results to patients in clinic, giving further information and offering support
• Deal with patient enquiries as appropriate, taking the initiative to prioritise work and bring to the attention of other staff any patient whose condition warrants it
• Handle incidents and medical emergencies in a professional manner, supporting other screening staff where appropriate

Patient Care
• Undertake ultrasound scanning on patients in accordance with NAAASP protocols and standard operating procedures.

Policy and Service Development
• Work within agreed protocols and operating procedures

• Participate in service reviews and actively put forward suggestions for service improvement
• Observe the requirements of the risk assessment requirements whilst attending off-site clinic locations
• Ensure that all equipment is packed away correctly at the end of clinic and is stored in a safe and secure location

Information and Analysis
• Analyse scan data to ensure the quality meets with agreed protocols
• Record clinical measurements and patient details as required

Research and Audit
• It will be expected of the post holder to participate in the extraction of local clinical data for research purposes in line with the national AAA Screening Programme

Clinical or Technical
• Manipulate and calibrate ultrasound equipment with a high degree of accuracy and precision
• Accurately manoeuvre equipment and patients for ultrasound scans

Administration
• The post holder will be expected to assist with office administration functions where necessary and to assist in marketing activities, promoting the service to eligible men
• To actively participate in the development of local standard operating procedures

Other Duties
• Attend meetings, training sessions and tutorials as required by the service

The above duties and responsibilities are intended to represent current priorities and are not meant to be a conclusive list as the role will inevitably vary and develop over time. You may from time to time be asked to support the department and organisation by carrying out any other duties as qualified and able.

Person specificationQualificationsEssential criteria

• A good standard of general education (5 A-C GCSEs)
• Applicant will be expected to complete the AAA, Level 3, Health Screener Diploma qualification

Desirable criteria

• Accredited Screening Technician by the University of Salford/NAAASP Screening Programme. The post holder will have successfully completed the Level 3 Health Screener Diploma

ExperienceEssential criteria

• Experience of working in a clinical setting. Understanding of patient care, confidentiality and commonly used medical terminology
• Experience of working in a customer facing role

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in a clinical environment as a qualified AAA Screening Technician

KnowledgeEssential criteria

• NHS Constitution
• Knowledge of national NHS screening programmes
• Trust vision, values and strategic objectives

Desirable criteria

• NHS Constitution

SkillsEssential criteria

• Experience of working with IT systems, Microsoft package

Desirable criteria

• Qualified AAA Screening Technician

Other requirementsEssential criteria

• The post holder must have a full UK driving licence

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