Vascular Sonographer - Bank position | Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

The post holder will be an advanced ultrasound practitioner with a postgraduate ultrasound qualification (DMU/PgD) and an advanced ultrasound practice qualification at master's level or equivalent. The role involves performing and issuing ultrasound reports for a wide range of procedures, exercising professional autonomy, liaising with Consultant Radiologists, and supporting the Lead Sonographer in developing the ultrasound service.

Responsibilities

• Support the Lead Sonographer in developing and implementing protocols within areas of expertise.
• Work with the management team to develop the service, including identification and development of local policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Ensure facilities are utilised efficiently to provide the best possible patient care and support the Lead Sonographer with implementing change where necessary.
• Safely and effectively operate ultrasound equipment, adhering to British Medical Ultrasound (BMUS) guidelines.
• Adhere to the Health and Safety at Work Act and maintain a safe working environment; report and resolve problems promptly in accordance with departmental and trust policies.
• Assist with coordination of maintenance visits and rearrange work lists in the event of equipment failure, minimising inconvenience to patients.
• Participate in the coordination and implementation of a Quality Assurance programme and assist with planning routine maintenance taking into account the effect on service running.
• Organise room equipment and the working environment to minimise personal risk of work‑related upper limb disorders (RSI) and be aware of the regulations governing the use of VDUs.
• Report any untoward incidents as appropriate and in line with department protocols, and assist in the solution of difficulties as they arise.
• Investigate and respond to complaints in accordance with trust guidelines and contribute to clinical governance and clinical effectiveness by ensuring best practice guidelines in ultrasound.
• Actively participate in appraisals for junior sonographers and support staff working in ultrasound.
• Support, mentor and improve patient services in ultrasound and actively contribute to strategic planning and development of professional practice.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Accountable for own professional actions and workload organisation in a given area, including vascular ultrasound examinations and diagnosis reporting within unit protocols.
• Demonstrate depth of knowledge of ultrasound, performing assessment and diagnosis.
• Exercise a high degree of personal and professional autonomy, acting as a lead practitioner with advanced clinical competence, decision making and knowledge base.
• Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team and involve users of the service to gain input for continuous improvement in patient care.
• Ensure appropriate, consistent information is provided to the patient and maintain confidentiality of all matters involving patient care.
• Use analytical and judgement skills to interpret highly complex ultrasound images, accurately differentiating between normal and abnormal findings.
• Provide patients and their relatives with empathy and emotional support with abnormal and potentially distressing results/disease findings.
• When imaging reveals pathology requiring urgent medical attention, bring such findings to the attention of the referring clinician and identify appropriate onward care/treatment for patients.
• Refer patients appropriately for further clinical opinion, investigations and follow‑up, seeking advice where necessary.
• Advise clinicians directly when a delay may impact patient morbidity and mortality.
• Communicate complex, sensitive information in an understandable form directly to patients, using persuasion, tact, empathy, diplomacy and counselling skills.
• Deal effectively with unpredictable patient demands while maintaining the extremely high level of concentration required for performing and reporting ultrasound procedures.
• Take responsibility for handling patient notes and ensure that a copy of the images and report is made available via the hospital computer system and filed in the case notes where appropriate.
• Support and assist junior staff as appropriate and participate in the training of doctors, nurses, sonographers and students.
• Maintain high level of manual and mental dexterity required for ultrasound scanning.