Sonographer

Job summary

Working Full Time: hours per week

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and professional sonographer to join our friendly hard working ultrasound team. We welcome applications from both experienced and newly qualified individuals who will be given every support to gain experience within their role.

The department also undertakes seven day working and the successful candidate would be expected to undertake evening and weekend duties.

We act as a clinical placement site for the University of Cumbria's Direct Access MSc Ultrasound programme and there are opportunities to engage in the training and mentorship of student sonographers.

Applicants must hold a recognised ultrasound qualification (PgCert, PgDip or Direct-Entry Masters) and be eligible to work in the United Kingdom with HCPC/NMC/ equivalent registration. Consideration will be given to Sonographers from any professional background provided at least a CASE-accredited PgCert in obstetrics is held. Due to current training commitments we are not able to consider applicants with qualifications which are not CASE-accredited and where further training would be required to conform to FASP guidelines.

Main duties of the job

As a Trust we are committed to delivering the highest possible standard of care for our patients, and we are proud to be recognised for delivering high quality patient care, being nationally accredited at the highest levels in many areas, in particular those relating to clinical outcomes and patient safety. The Trust won the prestigious 40 Top Hospitals award for the 12 consecutive years - only 1 in 5 Trusts in the country to achieve this status.

This post will will involve performing and independently reporting abdominal, pelvic, vascular and obstetric ultrasound scans, and you will work rotationally between all areas of the examinations are also carried out in various community sites and you will have the opportunity to rotate through the community sites.

About us

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:

The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds. Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility. Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Trust employs over 6258 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 407,000. This includes 357,000 residents in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire which has a population of approximately 50,000.

The Trust is a busy district general hospital and in 2022/2023, there were more than 503,342 patient attendances (inpatient, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery. This is an increase of nearly 10,000 compared to the previous year when there were 494,387 patient attendances.

Job description

Job responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £23 (standard) or £43 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £13 per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Person Specification

Qualification

Essential

Diploma in Medical Ultrasound, Pg Dip, Pg Certificate or equivalent (masters level)

Experience

Essential

Possess high level, specialist anatomical and clinical knowledge over a wide range of ultrasound procedures. Be adaptable, fully competent and safe in the operation of a variety of technical equipment specific to ultrasound Remain flexible at all times to an altered workload and act to prioritise accordingly using sound clinical judgement.

Desirable

Desire for self-development and motivation to embrace change and learn new techniques outside the current scope of practice. Demonstrate the ability to provide guidance, support and mentorship to less experienced ultrasound practitioners and clinical staff.

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