Trainee Healthcare Scientist - Echocardiography (ETP)

The Trainee Echocardiographer position is an exciting opportunity for an 18-month fixed term full-time training post in Echocardiography. This is part of the Echocardiography Training Programme (ETP) developed by the National School of Healthcare Science and funded by Health Education England.

In conjunction with and supported by the Designated Training Officer, the Trainee Echocardiographer will be responsible for their own progression through the training programme, completing a mixture of work based competence and experience in NHS scientific departments, completing the learning outcomes as outlined in the curriculum library, undertaking the complementary academic Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Echocardiography and completing the BSE Transthoracic Accreditation process. At all times the Trainee Echocardiographer is expected to work within standard operating policies and procedures of the host department and NHS organisation and adhere to high standards of professionalism, health and safety, risk reduction, confidentiality, patient care and dignity, and respect for equality and diversity as set out in the NHS Constitution.

To be eligible for the programme, all applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A 1st or 2:1 in Cardiac Physiology (PTP) or a relevant scientific subject or equivalent experience and appropriate underpinning knowledge and skills in cardiology.

Main duties of the job:

• The trainee will undertake the full training programme in order to progress through the academic and practical elements of the training scheme.
• Perform and interpret routine cardiac echo investigations.
• Perform specialised diagnostics echo investigations.
• Carry out complex scientific and clinical roles, including those working directly with patients.
• Analyse and interpret data, comparing investigative and clinical options.
• Make judgements, including clinical and differential judgements, involving complicated facts.
• Initiate and undertake innovation, improvement and R&D and be involved in the education of healthcare science trainees and other learners in the workplace.
• Carry out audit to continuously improve patient care and service needs.
• Participate in the training and development of both external university students and junior team members.
• Communicate and interact effectively within a multidisciplinary team to ensure a positive patient experience.

The successful candidate will be trained to BSE accreditation level 2 and will be awarded a Post-graduate Certificate in Clinical Echocardiography.

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites.

The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people. King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan.

In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

The trainee echocardiographer will be employed for a fixed term of 18 months during which time they will work through a programme of learning. In conjunction with and supported by the Designated Training Officer, the Trainee Echocardiographer will be responsible for their own progression through the training programme, completing a mixture of work based competence and experience in NHS scientific departments, completing the learning outcomes as outlined in the Curriculum Library, undertaking the complementary academic Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Echocardiography and preparing for and completing the BSE Transthoracic Accreditation process.

At all times the Trainee Echocardiographer is expected to work within standard operating policies and procedures of the host department and NHS organisation and adhere to high standards of professionalism, health and safety, risk reduction, confidentiality, patient care and dignity, and respect for equality and diversity as set out in the NHS Constitution.

Post qualification and with appropriate additional experience and competencies, graduates from this scheme would be eligible to apply for Clinical Scientist equivalence and HCPC registration. In addition, they will be expected to undertake work based experience to enable them to communicate complex technical, scientific and sensitive information to colleagues within their department in both verbal and written forms.

The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post. To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King’s College Hospital NHS Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.

To live and role model the King’s Values of:

• Inspiring confidence in our care
• Working together
• Always aiming higher
• Making a difference in our community

To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff. To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.

This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.

All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.

Education and Training:

• Successfully complete the training and assessment programme in conjunction with the local Training Coordinator and designated Academic institution to achieve certified competence awarded by the BSE.
• Undertake suitable training within the host department and other placements to successfully acquire core competencies and thereafter maintain the required standards of competence when undertaking duties.
• Take responsibility for own learning and development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn, including appraisal, supervision, academic course and problem based learning and maintaining a personal portfolio of learning.
• Ensure that own learning needs, identified with the Training officer and reflecting the requirements of the curriculum, are met.
• Retain sufficient flexibility and adaptability in learning in order to ensure full contribution to improving services in response to changing health care needs.
• Maintain knowledge of recent scientific developments and undertake supplementary training to develop both knowledge and skills.
• Attend mandatory training (both vocational and academic) as required.
• Participate in internal and external assessment processes.

Person specification:

• 1st or 2:1 class degree in Cardiac Physiology (PTP) or a relevant scientific subject (examples include Pure or Applied Physics, Engineering, Biology or Human Biology, or Sports Science (if significant scientific content) or equivalent experience and appropriate underpinning knowledge and skills in cardiology.

• Show an understanding of the Echocardiographer role in healthcare and disease and its application in a healthcare setting.
• Ability to support patients (or their carers) including those with a range of acute or chronic clinical conditions and disabilities in a variety of healthcare settings.
• Have an understanding of the NHS long term plan and future of echocardiography.
• Have an understanding of quality control and management assurance in a science or work based context.

• Ability to use initiative, apply a problem-solving approach and to work with minimal supervision.
• Good IT skills and knowledge of common computing packages for word processing, spreadsheets, presentation packages and databases.
• Good organisational and time management skills.