Sonographer in Northampton

We are seeking a Sonographer to work within our Antenatal service. In this role, you will independently perform and report on Obstetric ultrasound scans, inform women of the findings, and plan follow-up care. Additionally, you will lead and support other healthcare professionals in ultrasound scanning practices, ensuring evidence-based care. You will also supervise trainee sonographers and obstetric team members undergoing ultrasound training.

Main duties of the job:

• To produce high quality diagnostic ultrasound images.
• To carry out procedures/examinations and prepare independent clinical reports for completed ultrasound scans, in line with department protocols.
• Vet and triage referrals for ultrasound examinations, ensuring all decisions are appropriate made in accordance with local maternity guidelines, Trust policies, and best practice standards.
• Where necessary, seek clarification or further information, and provide feedback to referrers to support safe, evidence-based care.
• To discuss the findings of the ultrasound examinations with patients where appropriate including fetal death or abnormality.
• To independently refer patient on to other professionals and clinicians where appropriate.
• To perform manual handling duties that will include lifting/moving patients, moving trolleys and chairs, moving/lifting equipment/other items following suitable manual handling training.
• To be accountable for own professional actions and to act as a role model within the department, setting and maintaining high standards of professionalism and patient care and encouraging the development of a strong and flexible multi-disciplinary team.
• Regularly helping to develop and draft changes to ultrasound protocols, ensuring best practice through evidence-based information.

About us:

Please submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close adverts once we have received sufficient applications. Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust is on an exciting journey with all of our divisions committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN). As part of this collaborative approach, there may be a requirement for you to work across both the Kettering and Northampton hospital sites, depending on the needs of the service.

Our Excellence Values:

• Compassion
• Accountability
• Respect
• Integrity
• Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across UHN and help to unleash everyone's full potential. UHN encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups. We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We recognise the valuable contribution that the Armed Forces community make to our organisation. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved Silver Award under the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme. We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for UHN.

Job responsibilities:

• Identification and assessment of health and social care needs.
• Able to gather and use appropriate information.
• Able to use appropriate assessment techniques.
• Able to undertake or arrange clinical investigations as appropriate.
• Able to analyse and evaluate the information collected.
• Able to identify safeguarding concerns and escalate appropriately.

Clinical Governance:

• To participate in Clinical Audit and Research.
• To participate in the department Quality Assurance programme.
• To be aware of the implications of COSHH and the Health and Safety at Work Act and ensure their guidelines are followed.
• To minimise hazards in the working area and report any identifiable hazards to the line manager.
• To adhere to all safe systems of work applicable to the work area.
• To participate in the investigation of complaints and untoward incidents.

Education, Training and Development:

• To participate in pre and post graduate training of qualified staff when appropriate.
• To assist in training the multi-disciplinary team on imaging.
• To provide supervision to support staff as appropriate.
• To ensure that professional and technical knowledge and expertise is kept up to date by attending meetings and study days and by reading professional journals.
• Participate in Departmental Audit.

Communication:

• To promote a good working relationship with staff external to the Radiology department.
• To answer the telephone in a professional caring manner.
• Ensure communication is maintained within the Radiology Department between the various disciplines.
• Participate in departmental meetings such as staff meetings and educational meetings.

Person Specification:

• Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound or equivalent.
• HCPC registration/Registered Midwife with appropriate postgraduate ultrasound qualification.
• Signed off to undertake nuchal translucency scans by Down's Quality Assurance Support Service.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Ultrasound Scanning Experience: Obstetrics.
• Ability to organise workloads and staffing to cope with changes in service.
• Ongoing evidence of CPD.
• Registered Midwife: Experience in midwifery-led care, up to date knowledge of maternity policy and strategy.

Skills:

• Good interpersonal skills.
• To be able to cope single handed, manage own workload, prioritise, and meet deadlines.
• Ability and commitment to participate in the development of service excellence.
• Registered Midwife: Ability to provide holistic care by combining midwifery and sonography expertise with experience supporting women through the full maternity journey.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check:

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.