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Job summary

Main area
Ultrasound
Grade
Band 8a
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
203-SS851
Employer
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
SWFT
Town
Warwick
Salary
per annum
Closing
02/05/2024 23:59

Employer heading

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Clinical Lead Ultrasound

Band 8a

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is one of the top performing organisations within the NHS. Our staff think this is a great place to work and we hope you will agree. We have recently been rated as 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following our most recent inspection.

We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the whole county. This includes our Community Teams in North Warwickshire.

We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity. Over 5300 people work for the Trust and many of them have been here a long time. People find they don’t need to go elsewhere to find a fulfilling career in healthcare.

The first thing you will notice about us is how we take our values seriously. We believe that our values underpin everything we do. If you are interested in a role with us you need to make sure our values match your own.

Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are ‘Trusted to provide inclusive, safe, effective and compassionate care’. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn’t matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.

Probationary Period

All new staff to the Trust will be subject to a standard 6 month probationary period, the details of which will duly follow in your contract of employment.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is committed to creating and sustaining a positive and inclusive working environment for all our employees. Our aim is to ensure that employees are equally valued and respected and that our organisation is representative of all members of society. We define diversity as valuing everyone as an individual – we value our employees, job applicants, students, patients and visitors as people. This is reflected within our values of being Inclusive, Safe, Effective, Compassionate and Trusted.

Agile and Flexible Working

All our staff will have a work base. However the Trust operates as an Agile Working Team therefore staff may be working from home on a regular basis as required by the service. However, occasionally travel around Warwickshire and into your base will be required so access to your own transport would be helpful.

The Trust also welcome staff to work flexibly and we would welcome the conversation at interview regarding flexible working.

Staff Benefits

The Trust offer a wide range of additional benefits to staff. Anyone who joins us on a substantive basis can assess things such as the Lease Car Scheme, Electronics Scheme, Discounted Leisure and Travel, Cycle to work scheme amongst many others available. 

Car Parking

The Trust have recently completed the construction of a multi-storey car park at our Warwick Hospital site. This ensures all new staff joining the Trust will have access to car parking facilities without the need to go on a waiting list. The Trust have also been able to freeze car parking charges. 

To keep up to date on our latest recruitment activity follow us on twitter @swftrecruit or look us up on Facebook (Recruitment - South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust).


Job overview

 Lead Sonographer in Obstetric Ultrasound - Band 8a

Full or Part Time available.

The Obstetric Ultrasound department of Warwick Hospital is looking for a suitably qualified and experienced Sonographer for the post of lead sonographer in this busy district general hospital. The department is currently performing approximately 20,000 Obstetric scans per year, covering the immediate area of South Warwickshire and also neighbouring and surrounding areas of Solihull and Redditch.

You will have responsibility for the day to day running of the Obstetric Ultrasound and EPGAU service, managing a team of obstetric sonographers to ensure that all scans are performed within the agreed timescales for screening, maintaining patient flow and ensuring excellent patient experience.

You will lead in the development of robust governance, writing and updating policies and procedures as necessary to maintain continuous service improvement. You will liaise closely with midwives and principal stakeholders, attending interdepartmental meetings and also represent the department at regional meetings.

As the trust is committed to teaching you will also have responsibility for overseeing the teaching of trainees in the department.

Main duties of the job

To be responsible for the management and day-to day running of a designated specialised clinical service pertaining to the Trust.

To be responsible for the management and development of the specialist service area ensuring optimum use of staffing and equipment resources within the modality.

To be responsible for the professional leadership of the sonography team providing a high quality patient focused service.

To maintain a sensitive and courteous approach to patients.

To develop and improve professional expertise via continuous professional development.

To ensure a safe working environment and maintenance of the ultrasound equipment within the area.

Working for our organisation

Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further. In addition our staff survey results have placed us 4th in the country for recommended place to work.

We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.

Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are ‘Trusted to provide safe, inclusive, effective and compassionate care’. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn’t matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To ensure the provision of a high quality service and maintain a safe environment.

Manage and supervise staff and students.

Commitment to Trust and Divisional objectives.

To provide professional leadership within specified field of practice.

Communicate effectively across the department.

 

Professional Leadership

To be responsible for the professional leadership and management of all sonographers, nursing and support staff within the modality.

To ensure that the service delivery is patient focused and of the highest quality.

To ensure optimum efficiency and effective management of the sonographers within the unit.

To assist in the formation of new policies, procedures and initiatives to improve current service delivery across all sites and aid in development of new services. Within Radiology and maternity Services.

Critically evaluates evidence to define the scope and standards of clinical practice.

Uses specialised knowledge to advise others on the effective delivery of service.

To support a culture of which individuals feel able to report incidents and that learning happens from complaints and incidents.

 

Clinical Responsibilities

Regularly undertake clinical work within specific modalities.

To ensure that examinations are carried out to the agreed standard for the Division.

To have an in-depth knowledge of modality specific procedures.

To provide clinical support /supervision to all staff working within the imaging department.

To work in an efficient and effective manner at all times.

To behave in a professional manner at all times.

Prioritise workload and facilitate booking of examinations taking into account clinical indications for the request.

To work flexibly based on requirements of service.

Maintain a high standard of patient care and comfort and remain focussed at all times.

To carry out duties which may be considered necessary and consistent with the responsibilities of the post.

Competent to safely perform activities that routinely demand complex analysis, utilise prior knowledge and extensive practical experience.

 

Communication

To liaise and communicate effectively with other staff both within and external to the Directorate regarding patient care and ensure that effective communication is implemented and maintained.

To keep accurate records of patient examinations in line with departmental procedures and protocols.

To be familiar with and have an in depth knowledge of the IT systems used within the department and to ensure all examinations are entered onto the system.

 

Management Responsibilities

To ensure that departmental processes and booking systems are effective and responsive to the needs of the patient, the department and the Trust.

To ensure staff within the area are managed on a day-to-day basis in accordance with the service requirements of the department.

To help expand the professional knowledge and skills of staff within the team.

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

To be lead on the audit and quality assurance programme for Obstetrics.

To ensure there is an appropriate QA programme in place within the unit and monitor the quality of the images obtained.

To assist in developing business cases for capital bids and lead in the procurement and installation of such equipment.

To assist in investigating complaints in line with Trust policy as required.

To participate in development and implementation of the Trust, Divisional and Departmental objectives together with the departmental management team.

To produce and evaluate activity for the department on a regular basis.

Provide advice pertaining to the modality and keep service manager appraised on matters relating to the unit.

To liaise with manufacturers in order to co-ordinate routine maintenance and fault reporting.

 

Finance/Performance

To identify and contribute to the delivery of the cost improvement schemes within Diagnostics.

To be responsible for monitoring the agreed financial budgets in conjunction with the Clinical Services Manager and Modality Leads.

To complete the positive returns on a monthly basis.

To control the ordering and receipt of non-stock items and stock items ensuring the department is adequately equipped at all times.

To ensure there is a focus across the department in delivery of key performance targets, e.g., waiting times, turnaround times.

 

Human Resources

To be responsible for the allocation of staff across the modalities ensuring optimal use of staffing resources and review work force as required.

To maintain records of staff annual leave and sickness.

To be involved with recruitment and retention of staff.

To undertake and ensure there is a process in place whereby staff within the department have appraisals.

To be involved in and undertake disciplinary, harassment and grievance procedures where appropriate.

 

Training & Development

To undertake any formal or informal training required to fulfil the needs of the post.

To expand and update your own technical and professional skills.

To be involved in the training of consultants and Specialist Registrars.

To assist in the clinical instruction and assessment of student sonographers and support staff.

To participate in and fully contribute to departmental and professional activities.

To undertake all mandatory training in line with Trust and Department policies including Manual Handling, Infection Control and Trust Statutory Study Day.

To undertake continuous professional development in line with College of Radiographers and Health Professions Council guidelines.

 

Research

To participate and lead in departmental research projects ensuring that funding and resources are available to ensure a smooth process.

 

Other Duties

To be aware of and adhere to Trust, Divisional and Department policies.

To maintain professional registration with HCPC or similar professional body.

To be responsible for reporting and actioning clinical and non-clinical incidents within the Department.

To reduce risk and be responsible for risk assessments within the modality.

To be responsible for clinical governance issues in relation to patient care.

To liaise with clerical staff in the vetting, booking and handling of queries and to carry out some related clerical duties as appropriate.

To participate in extended working hours including weekend and evening duties when required.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • BSc(Hons) Radiography, DCR(R) Diploma of the College of Radiographers or Equivalent Nursing qualification
  • Post graduate qualification in Ultrasound – DMU, PG Cert, PG Dip or MSc
  • Education to Masters level or equivalent experience
  • Management Qualification or able to demonstrate management skills
  • Health Professions Council Registration / nursing registration
  • Evidence of CPD

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Significant experience at senior level in specialty
  • Management experience
  • Organisational experience
  • Track record of effective performance at senior level
  • Up to date knowledge of Imaging techniques
  • Awareness of clinical governance issue in relation to patient care
  • Knowledge of developments within the profession
  • Experience of training staff and students

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to lead and work as part of a team
  • Ability to teach and mentor students and staff
  • Ability to cope with work pressures and manage time effectively
  • Ability to make prompt decisions based on knowledge, experience and circumstances
  • Ability to work using own initiative
  • Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills
  • Computer and keyboard skills
  • Keep all records up to date in a clear, accurate and concise manner on a day-to-day basis
Desirable criteria
  • Evidence of service redesign / modernisation skills
  • Able to analyse statistics accurately and objectively
  • Teaching, counselling and supervisory skills
  • Presentation skills

Other

Essential criteria
  • Commitment to continuous professional development
  • Self-motivated with an ability to motivate others
  • Demonstrate a professional attitude and approach at all times
  • Professional appearance
  • Able to work flexibly based on needs of service
  • Assertiveness, influencing and negotiation skills
  • Able to work across Trust sites

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderInvestors in People: GoldImproving working livesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Care quality commission - OutstandingStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Tracey Arji
Job title
Senior Ultrasonographer
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01926 495321
Additional information

Ext. 4696

 

Rachel Binder - Lead Sonographer for Obstetrics

01926 495321 Ext. 6839

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