Lead MSK Sonographer

Job summary

To be responsible for the provision of a high quality and efficient Ultrasound service ensuring that access to services for all service users and constitutional and national waiting time targets are met.

To undertake specialised and complex ultrasound techniques and procedures (including interventions) for a range of MSK examinations, communicating specialist diagnostic information to Referrers and to impart sensitive and sometimes distressing information to patients when necessary.

To exercise a high degree of professional autonomy in the decision-making process when undertaking examinations, assimilating complex facts or situations that require interpretation of imaging and symptoms leading to an appropriate management strategy / intervention for the patient.

You would need to exercise a high degree of professional autonomy in the decision-making process when undertaking examinations, working autonomously, planning, and prioritising your own and departmental workload. Be accountable for your own professional actions and work closely with the Lead ultrasound Consultant Radiologist promoting and developing the ultrasound service within the Trust and to the wider health system.

Main duties of the job

As a specialist MSK Sonographer the post holder will be responsible for :

Provision of a high level of expertise in the specialist clinical field of ultrasound imaging. To perform ultrasound guided interventional procedures (, ultrasound guided injections and aspirations) to a high standard with ability to teach both diagnostic and interventional skills to Radiology Fellows, Radiology Registrars, and other sonographers. Working closely with the Ultrasound Lead Radiologist, you are responsible for leading both clinically as well as managerially the ultrasound service to help deliver a high-quality patient focused service. Working with the management team, to ensure key performance targets are delivered. Line manage imaging support staff. Demonstrating excellent people management skills to inspire and motivate, both direct reports and wider colleagues and enable the delivery and improvement of services. Supporting clinical governance, excellence in all areas of ultrasound practice and assist in obtaining QSI Accreditation.

About us

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest specialist orthopaedic units in Europe. We offer planned orthopaedic surgery to people locally, nationally and internationally.

Our Trust is a very special hospital; big enough to deliver world class services and small enough to offer exceptional patient and staff experience. We offer a working experience unique in the West Midlands and we're always on the lookout for passionate people to join our award-winning team.

The ROH is an equal opportunities employer. We employ people of difference and are committed to growing an inclusive culture, where difference is celebrated, and people feel able to bring their whole and authentic self to work.

We are a Disability Confident Leader and offer a range of inclusive, family friendly and flexible working arrangements and policies, to support our people in the workplace. Flexible working requests will be considered.

The Trust is committed to the Disability Confident Interview Scheme and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy and consider them on their abilities.

If you have a disability and need any support with your application or require any reasonable adjustments to be implemented please do get in touch with the Recruiting Manager for this position so that the team can support you.

Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

PROFESSIONAL

To actively promote and constantly aim for the provision of a highest standard for an ultrasound service.

To relate to and always communicate with all staff in a courteous and helpful manner.

To take the lead professionally in promoting the Ultrasound service as high-quality professional patient care activity to patients, visitors, and other health-care workers, within and outside the Trust.

To maintain ones own education and development in line with service needs with a comprehensive Continuous Professional Development portfolio and to identify and undertake additional training to permit the implementation of any new service development within the Division.

To support undergraduate and post graduate teaching to promote the MSK ultrasound service and the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital

To adhere to professional codes of conduct of the HCPC and SoR and ensure registration to the HCPC or RCT

To actively participate as an appraisee in the Personal Development Review process.

To remain up to date with and attend mandatory training in line with the Trust policies and ensure all staff working within ultrasound maintain their compliance.

To undertake studies, research, and audits, both personally driven and as required by the Division and to present these findings at audit and governance meetings as requested.

To be accountable for own professional actions and work within codes of practice and maintain awareness of professional guidance publications from the College and Society of Radiographers or the Royal College of Radiologists and communicate relevant documentation to the Head of Imaging and/or Clinical Lead.

To contribute to research and data collection for publishing in medical journals or posters at Ultrasound Conventions, thereby promoting the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital on a national and international platform.

CLINICAL

To provide a high level of expertise in specialist clinical field of ultrasound imaging. This should be to Postgraduate Diploma level with proven significant experience in Musculo-skeletal ultrasound.

To be highly experienced in the operation of all ultrasound equipment within the Imaging Department.

To be highly experienced in the operation of all additional equipment within the department, such as suction / oxygen, hoists, and other manual handling devices.

To undertake specialist ultrasound scanning examinations independently specifically but not restricted to Musculo-skeletal imaging.

To utilise skills, experience and knowledge for interpretation and analysis of exams, other imaging and patients presentation/symptom

To perform ultrasound guided interventional procedures (, ultrasound guided injections and aspirations) to a high standard with ability to teach both diagnostic and interventional skills to Radiology Fellows, Radiology Registrars, and other sonographers.

To issue independent verified diagnostic reports in line with departmental protocols, competently using Imaging IT systems.

To complete and relay a diagnostic report and liaise with clinical teams and/or organise further action or immediate clinical review where necessary.

To assess the clinical justification of referrals and reject where necessary in the patients best interest

To take responsibility for own and departmental workload.

To communicate and receive highly complex and sensitive information relating to conditions and procedures to staff, patients and carers and ensure informed consent for examinations. This requires skills of explanation, motivation, and persuasion to overcome physical, emotional, mental and cultural barriers.

To have the ability to communicate sometimes unwelcome and distressing information to patients and family in a sensitive manner, identify cancers and other pathologies which may require surgery while maintaining a timey list.

To have the ability to work and take responsibility for own wellbeing due to nature of work - long periods with no natural sunlight, low lighting, repetitive strain due to the repetitive natures of ultrasound and high BMIs of patients.

To have the ability to maintain a high level of concentration in low lighting on grey scale images and reporting / screen work with interruptions to deal with urgent requests and giving specialised advice.

To position patients accurately for each examination, adapting techniques in accordance with patient needs, requiring frequent moderate effort for short periods.

To optimise the image quality on the Ultrasound machine using a high degree of precision/ hand eye coordination and specialist knowledge of up-to-date applications to produce high quality images for diagnosis.

To ensure all images are checked for quality, patient identification, date, and anatomical markers as appropriate and ensure any training Registrars, Radiology Fellows or sonographers adhere to the quality standard.

To ensure the diagnostic report is done in a timely manner to a high standard.

To take responsibility for updating the patient records and maintaining Radiology Information System information, work lists and waiting lists.

To ensure compliance with Health and Safety policies and procedures within ultrasound, including infection control and manual handling techniques to provide a safe and secure environment.

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

To support the Head of Imaging with recruitment, appraisal, and performance management processes for the department.

To manage staff rotas and maintain staff records where appropriate.

To investigate and respond to PALS concerns or complaints in line with Trust Policy including drafting response letters when required.

To ensure effective communications systems are in place.

To provide CPD training to a wide range of professionals undertaking formal presentations as required.

To provide teaching and supervision of Radiology Registrars and Radiology Fellows and ensure best practice for all MSK ultrasound imaging

MANAGERIAL RESPOSIBILITIES

To create and develop ultrasound protocols and patient pathways, clinical expertise, and professional education as part of a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care.

To be responsible for ensuring that the Imaging Quality Assurance (QA) Programme is undertaken within the ultrasound department and provide documentary evidence; and that any remedial action is taken within the service contract for the ultrasound equipment

To ensure there is an emphasis on compliance with working protocols, current quality standards and the maintenance of written records.

To participate in technical developments and introduce new techniques, instructing staff and establishing guidelines and protocols with the agreement of the relevant medial staff.

To assess waiting time targets are met and maintained and liaise with the Head of Imaging to forward plan to ensure capacity and demand is reviewed

To actively contribute to data collection for statistics on capacity demand and backlog and other management activity.

To ensure ultrasound protocols are kept up to date and reviewed and staff are aware of changes or developments.

To plan audits and research for Ultrasound department.

To take the lead role in the evaluation and replacement of Ultrasound equipment.

To lead on and work with Lead US Consultant Radiologist with regards to the planning, development, and promotion of the ultrasound service.

To participate in Business Planning and maximise any income for the ultrasound department.

To keep the Head of Imaging informed of activity and performance of the ultrasound service.

To identify and contribute to service improvements.

Line manage imaging support staff

To investigate and respond to PALS concerns or complaints in line with Trust Policy including drafting response letters when required.

To Support clinical governance, excellence in all areas of ultrasound practice and assist in obtaining QSI Accreditation.

COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

To relate to and always communicate with all staff in a courteous and helpful manner.

To communicate and receive highly complex and sensitive information relating to conditions and procedures to staff, patients and carers and ensure informed consent for examinations. This requires skills of explanation, motivation, and persuasion to overcome physical, emotional, mental and cultural barriers.

To have the ability to communicate sometimes unwelcome and distressing information to patients and family in a sensitive manner, identify cancers and other pathologies which may require surgery while maintaining a timely list.

ANALYTICAL AND JUDGEMENT Responsibilities

To utilise skills, experience and knowledge for interpretation and analysis of exams, other imaging and patients presentation/symptom

To issue independent verified diagnostic reports in line with departmental protocols, competently using Imaging IT systems.

To complete and relay a diagnostic report and liaise with clinical teams and/or organise further action or immediate clinical review where necessary.

PLANNING AND ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS

To create and develop ultrasound protocols and patient pathways, clinical expertise, and professional education as part of a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care.

To assess waiting time targets are met and maintained and liaise with the Head of Imaging to forward plan to ensure capacity and demand is reviewed.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

Post Graduate Diploma Ultrasound Registration to the HCPC or RCT Extensive experience in Specialist MSK Ultrasound, underpinned by theoretical study. Experience performing ultrasound guided injections and aspirations.

Desirable

Significant experience in MSK Ultrasound

Knowledge

Essential

Must be proficient in general / abdomen, renal and DVT ultrasound. Proficient / specialist expertise in MSK ultrasound, covering full range of MSK areas. Ability to make judgements on a wide variety of complex clinical and operational issues

Desirable

Willing to develop / expand practice Wide experience of research and audit

Management Skills

Essential

Assessment of waiting time targets to ensure capacity and demand is reviewed Experience of setting up protocols, quality standards and the maintenance of written records. Experience of planning audits and research for Ultrasound department.

Desirable

Experience of Line management Experience of evaluation and replacement of Ultrasound equipment

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