Consultant Sonographer

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for a Consultants Sonographer and those training and wishing to become Consultant Sonographers to join Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust. Due to the expansion in urgent & emergency care services at the Trust. As a result of a widening catchment area of patients attending Walsall Manor ED, following the opening of Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, WHT are seeking staff to continue to support the Trust's journey to be a leading provider of care for our community. The investment is part of a wider suite of investments across our Trust in recent years, including

The introduction of a new £40 million UECC. A £10 million capital development to include extension to the A&E Department, AMU, Hot Imaging Suite, Same Day Emergency Care Unit and Staff Support Facilities £ million/year investment to expand our workforce across ED, SDEC, Acute Medicine, and Emergency Surgery including roles for Doctors, Nursing and Advanced Practice

The Trust is also proud to deliver

Formal recognition from NHS England's Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Urgent & Emergency Care Team, including for an "Outstanding culture", "Patient centred at all times", and "Exemplary Professionalism" Regionally and nationally leading performance across Ambulance Handovers and admitted patient flow Professional & personal development opportunities An environment encouraging innovation, with readily available access to an award-winning QI Team and R&D Dept.

Interview Date: 30th August 2024

Interview Type: Face to Face

Main duties of the job

This post has been developed to raise the profile of the imaging service by strengthening clinical leadership. The Consultant Sonographer will clinically lead the ultrasound service, acting as an autonomous practitioner performing and reporting on a wide range of ultrasound examinations, across all patient pathways. The post holder will liaise with physicians and managers to contribute to the annual strategic plan to ensure excellent care for patients. In doing so they will ensure that all national and local targets are met through innovative service delivery.

To produce high quality, independent reports on ultrasound scans, to inform diagnosis/ treatment across all patient pathways to the same standard as a Consultant Radiologist. They must have expert knowledge and opinion within the field of ultrasound. They will apply a high degree of professional autonomy in the decision making process within their specialist area, and will be a champion for the service and the modality, bringing innovative solutions to patient care.

The post holder will provide expert knowledge and opinion within the field of non-obstetric ultrasound. There is also a need for them to have / acquire specialist skills for interventions performed under ultrasound control.

The Consultant Sonographer will work totally autonomously in day-to-day practice with their caseload. Administration and audit time will be provided to incorporate the 4 pillars of advanced practice.

About us

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 an 8b Consultant Sonographer. We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual 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.

A minimum Post Graduate Diploma Ultrasound qualification/DMU is mandatory. The successful candidate will have strong communication skills and the ability to work within a versatile team. They should deliver a high standard of service whilst also being able to use their own initiative and work independently. The post holder would ideally be competent in a range of clinical areas including general, small parts, vascular, obstetric and gynaecology, and MSK, however any skill mix would be considered. They should have the desire to teach others, have good organisational skills, and the ability to prioritise tasks and effectively liaise with other departments. The successful candidate will be required to supervise and assess undergraduates, postgraduates and clinicians in the field of ultrasound.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be an expert practitioner within ultrasound demonstrating excellent technical skills in all aspects of ultrasound, with the exception of obstetric ultrasound. They will function at the same level as a Consultant Radiologist. The post holder will be required to acquire skills for interventions performed under ultrasound control To drive forward the boundaries of own practice and that of advanced practitioners To provide clinical leadership, consultancy and professional education as part of a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. This will include giving professional opinion on images and imparting highly complex information to one or more professional colleagues within multidisciplinary team meetings, justifying interpretation and advising on patient diagnosis Exercise a high degree of professional and personal autonomy, acting as a consultant practitioner, demonstrating advanced clinical competence, decision making and a knowledge base beyond those associated with conventional Advanced Practitioner Sonographer roles, thereby acting as an expert in their field. To independently undertake and provide reports for ultrasound examinations to inform diagnosis / treatment in line with agreed competencies and individual defined scope of practice. This image interpretation involves exercising judgement in assessing complicated images, where the appearances may be indicative of a number of clinical conditions. To have detailed awareness and understanding of the importance of other imaging modalities and investigations and refer for patients for further imaging in line with agreed departmental protocols, to aid diagnosis where necessary and show judgement in the consideration of possible options To use good analytical and judgemental skills to interpret and view the images when reporting, in order to accurately differentiate between normal and pathological findings thereby providing highly specialist clinical technical services and contributing to patient diagnosis, care and treatment To perform audit and attend multidisciplinary meetings to discuss cases as appropriate. imparting highly complex information and advising on patient diagnosis. To maintain and develop clinical skills Ensure the most efficient use of resources whilst ensuring service delivery. To maintain a flexible approach to working hours, working core hours at any specified times over a 7 day period Acts as a role model to all other staff, promoting Consultant Radiographer/Sonographer practice and providing expert assistance to Advanced Practitioners. Utilise sensory skills in order to manipulate images on an ultrasound machine/PACS workstation in order to maximise image appearances to inform diagnosis. Demonstrate advanced skills to utilise equipment and Radiology Information System available to provide electronic reports use of voice recognition technology if available. There is a requirement to use Visual Display Unit equipment more or less continuously on most days. Develop and sustain relationships with patients and all members of the interdisciplinary team across care settings and traditional boundaries in order to maintain effective communication and exchange of information. Provide a consultancy service for patients, carers, primary care and secondary care health professionals and external agencies. To attend and support relevant multidisciplinary teams ensuring sound clinical decisions are made in relation to ultrasound. Develop links with other Consultant Radiographers / Sonographers, promoting the role and the organisation and creating a network for best practice. Motivate and develop the Sonographers to unlock their potential. Lead on ultrasound audit sessions, developing and performing CPD activities such as presentations and workshops. To be responsible for providing specialist skills and specialist clinical supervision and training for Sonographers and trainee Sonographers. To develop links with Higher Education Institutions, promoting Sonography, Advanced and Consultant Practice and the Organisation and delivering specialist teaching. Provide ultrasound training where appropriate to other members of the multi-disciplinary team. To utilise up to date research / evidence to deliver a high quality service and to disseminate this knowledge to all members of the multidisciplinary team. To identify areas of Imaging practice within the speciality that would benefit from research. To initiate research with other professionals to share findings through publications/dissemination. Be aware of current trials being conducted within own speciality area. To co-ordinate / develop research and development programmes which include the use of ultrasound. Secure funding for such research trials where appropriate. Work with colleagues in research and development practice to ensure a coordinated, efficient and effective approach to research trials that involve own area of expert practice. Regularly undertake R&D and audit activity to inform own practice and service development. To regularly undertake complex audits promoting personal and service development. To actively participate in the identification of relevant topics requiring audit, leading such audits and encouraging engagement of junior staff. Initiate and pursue audit projects, including assessment of own role and achievement of targets. Lead by example and be a visible presence within the department, promoting the team and the field of ultrasound. Provide clinical leadership for a sub-speciality within ultrasound. This includes responsibility for protocols, governance and audit. To exercise leadership in the development and implementation of policy and care pathways with all stakeholders to improve the patients experience of healthcare. To provide effective clinical leadership to motivate Sonographers to deliver high standards of patient care. Provide advice and leadership on evidence-based changes to practice. Establish effective working relationships in all Divisions within all clinical and non-clinical teams. Perform leadership / management duties as required. To be state registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and abide by their guidance. To take responsibility for own personal and professional development, including mandatory training. To have significant discretion to work within a set of defined parameters working as a clinical specialist within the field of ultrasound imaging. To maintain professional records at all times. Participate in the Trusts Personal Development Review System, for self and others, setting realistic objectives and personal development plans. To maintain a high standard of personal behaviour and appearance (including the wearing of uniform) and ensure effective communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team, patients, carers and relatives. To be aware of, and abide with, all local Trust policies and procedures. Develop personal skill set further, as required, continually challenging the boundaries of own competency and extending the boundaries of Sonographer practice. To communicate complex information relevant to specialist area to a multidisciplinary team meeting demonstrating specialist knowledge. Some of this information may include occasional exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances. To plan and deliver a Sonographer led, evidenced based, ultrasound service, focused on the needs of service users. To continually review the ultrasound service, leading change implementation where appropriate, to enhance the service to patients and clinicians balancing conflicting demands. To develop and implement policies and procedures, ensuring collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, so that care pathways are considered holistically in the development of long-term plans. Be able to maintain concentration for prolonged periods of time on a regular basis, cope with unpredictable working patterns, and maintain focus despite multiple interruptions. Provide expert support and advice to develop standards and monitoring practice against specific criteria such as benchmarking, audit of practice an implementing newly research practices. To identify and manage risks. To be fully aware of Trust policy relating to Health and Safety, Risk Management and COSHH regulations. To participate in and encourage others to attend audit meetings as appropriate, ensuring implementation of changes as identified. To make changes to service delivery in line with audit results and incident trends, best practice and publications. To be responsible for disseminating Trust policies and information as required ensuring that staff within Imaging work within these policies and frameworks. To work closely with the Professional Lead for Ultrasound to investigate complaints, developing appropriate action plans, using these findings to inform CPD, training and development. To evaluate the quality of own and others work raising quality issues and related risks with the relevant people. To produce and develop protocols and procedures reflecting evidenced based best practice making innovative changes to drive efficiency of the ultrasound system. Person Specification

Essential

Essential

Minimum of PG Diploma Medical Ultrasound

Desirable

Masters Degree in Medical ultrasound (or working towards)

Essential

Essential

HCPC Registration

Essential

Essential

Audit compliance

Essential

Essential

Minimum of 5 years Ultrasound experience

Desirable

Interventional Ultrasound experience

Essential

Essential

Advanced specialist knowledge in the field of Ultrasound

Desirable

Wide range of competencies including MSK

Essential

Essential

Strong Leadership Skills Substantial experience in a leadership role

Desirable

Acted as a Lead for the Ultrasound service

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