Ultrasound Superintendent in Isleworth

The Ultrasound superintendent sonographer will be someone who is keen to be part of an imaging service with a difference. Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust's (CWHFT) imaging directorate is going through a period of transformational change where innovation is at the forefront of what we do. We have a culture which fosters innovation and supports new ideas whilst also ensuring our people are well supported so that they have high rates of employee satisfaction and are professionally developing to be the leaders of tomorrow. Being one of only a handful of Trusts in London to secure Quality Standards in Imaging (QSI) accreditation by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), we are keen to maintain the highest quality standards, and drive quality improvement (QI).

The post holder is responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of the US department, working closely with the Clinical Imaging Head of Imaging and superintendent team. The US superintendent on the West Middlesex Hospital site will take on an additional leadership role in Patient Safety, working closely with the Clinical Governance divisional director. The role will include supporting the divisional director in delivering the governance requirements of the division, implementing new processes and procedures across the division, reviewing incidents and patient safety concerns, acting as the lead AHP for the division, ensuring where improvements can be made they are.

Main duties of the job

• Act as a point of contact for users of the service dealing with colleagues, patients, carers and relatives in a helpful reassuring, empathetic and friendly manner.
• Have a key interest in both Radiology and O&G ultrasound services.
• Liaise with service users from other departments to maintain service delivery at times of disruption due to equipment failure or increased demand.
• Provide professional and managerial support to, and work closely with the superintendent team and head of Imaging, manager cross site.
• Deal with highly complex, sensitive or emotional situations e.g., terminal illness, distraught relatives or situations of conflict etc.
• Respond to complaints and implement remedial actions to prevent recurrence.
• Ensure procedures are in place for effectively communicating messages to staff.
• Expedite the reporting of images that could urgently affect patient management.
• Maintain an expert level of understanding on all professional developments within their sphere of leadership.
• Organise, develop and maintain in-house training of junior radiographic staff, new starters and sonography students.
• Undertake clinical sonographer duties efficiently and to the highest possible standards.
• Reporting of images produced by themselves or other staff, and liaise with appropriate staff members when critical or unexpected findings need to be urgently escalated.
• Deliver practical training of radiographic staff and student Sonographers.
• Support preceptorship pathway for newly qualified staff.
• Manage risk assessments, incidents (Datix) and any complaints in area of leadership to ensure the service is as safe and high-quality as possible.
• Ensure the delivery and monitoring of an efficient and effective service and to recommend any changes necessary to achieve exceptional levels of service performance.
• Ensure safe operation of local imaging equipment and monitor engineers working in their area.
• To report and record all equipment faults and ensure that all equipment records are up to date and available for inspection in line with Trust and Department requirements.
• Implement a robust but adaptable reporting Sonographer programme for the department, including future requirements.
• Maintain high professional standards of clinical skill and patient care.
• Work with the Clinical Imaging management team to identify improvements within their area keeping the needs of the patient central as per departmental/Trust philosophy.
• Ensure that patient environments are fit for purpose and compliant with national and Trust policies for information governance.
• Provide advice to patients with regards to their referral as required.
• Confidently and competently protocol imaging requests in area of expertise.
• Demonstrate a proactive leadership approach to patient safety.
• Participate in and implement recommendations from clinical audit.
• Ensure that all IR (ME)R, IRR and any other legislative guidelines and agreed Local Rules are adhered to and updated as required and to ensure Trust and staff compliance.
• Ensure that a modality specific quality assurance (QA) program is in operation.
• Manage risks associated with adverse incidents.
• Actively manage the delivery of a quality service within budgetary constraints with full oversight of income, spending and resource utilisation.
• Set and monitor standards of performance of the sonographer and associated technical staff.
• Plan staff shifts to ensure that staffing levels are adequate to meet service requirements at all times in all rooms they are responsible for.
• Record and monitor of sickness and other absence of imaging staff as required.
• Monitor and coordinate annual leave and off duties and to ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained.
• Ensure that Sonographers and healthcare assistants are competent to use the equipment and that the records are stored safely.

Please see attached job description for the full role and responsibilities.