Job Title:Clinical Specialist Sonographer (Band 8A)
Department:Radiology and/or Maternity Department, London
Reports to:Lead Clinical Specialist Sonographers
Liaises with:Radiology/Maternity department, hospital staff, inpatient wards, A&E, clinics, GPs, other NHS trusts and satellite clinics. Additionally, patients, patients' relatives, friends, and carers.
Job Summary:
We are seeking a dedicated and highly skilled Clinical Specialist Sonographer to join our team in London. The successful candidate will provide a comprehensive and high-quality sonographic service to a diverse range of inpatient and outpatient clients. You will be committed to maintaining the highest standards of care for all patients undergoing sonographic examinations within the Radiology and Maternity service, while promoting technical expertise in all relevant clinical areas.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Clinical Responsibilities:
- Independently conduct and report ultrasound examinations within an advanced mixed skill set, serving patients referred from outpatients, inpatients, emergency departments, and general practice, including inpatient and emergency scanning in the acute setting.
- Stay informed about emerging techniques and practices in medical ultrasound and incorporate them whenever feasible.
- Communicate scan results effectively to patients and healthcare professionals, with referral to a Radiologist, Specialist Consultant, or clinic as per departmental protocols.
- Provide appropriate post-scan support to patients and guide them to return to the referring clinician for the final report.
- Generate comprehensive reports in the relevant Radiology Information System (RIS), prioritising urgent cases according to departmental protocols.
- Establish effective communication and collaboration with other healthcare staff involved in patient care.
- Offer assistance and information to patients, visitors, and staff as needed.
- Address and resolve patient, relative, or staff complaints, or escalate them to the appropriate authority when necessary.
- Assess, plan, and implement agreed-upon care standards and working practices, taking corrective actions to maintain quality and adherence to codes of practice.
- Conduct clinical audits as required, evaluate outcomes, and implement changes in collaboration with Clinical Leads.
- Undertake work at various hospitals or clinics based on service demands and needs.
- Flexibly work different hours and shifts following discussion and agreement to support service needs.
Management Responsibilities:
- Act as a deputy for the lead sonographer, overseeing staff management, including sickness, annual leave, work plans, appointment bookings, vetting, and daily operations of the ultrasound department.
- Identify current and future needs of ultrasound services across Radiology, Maternity, and satellite clinics, involving collaboration with clinical specialists.
- Assist in managing sonographer rotas that cover all relevant sites and manage staffing shortfalls with the support of the lead sonographer.
- Manage radiology assistants where applicable.
- Prioritize inpatient and outpatient requests, consulting with Imaging Consultants or Fetal Medicine Consultants when necessary.
- Assist in designing and implementing departmental protocols and recognizing the need for protocol reviews and updates.
- Initiate and execute clinical audits in ultrasound, presenting findings for service improvement.
- Profile skill mixes required in line with clinical activity, especially when organising staff rotas.
- Define team roles and responsibilities, delegating tasks appropriately.
- Identify staff training needs and initiate relevant training opportunities.
- Manage adverse incidents, situations, and risks, implementing necessary actions.
- Contribute to the development and delivery of professional development programs and report on progress where necessary.
- Value and utilise feedback from patients, relatives, and staff to enhance service quality.
- Lead continuous performance reviews and appraisals for Clinical Specialists in Ultrasound (Band 7 Sonographers).
- Participate in staff selection, recruitment, and retention processes when required.
- Record and report equipment faults and coordinate service callouts.
- Manage ultrasound bookings with clerical teams where necessary.
Qualifications:
- Degree level qualification or equivalent
- Postgraduate specialist diploma in Medical Ultrasound
- Professional Registration
- HCPC registration
- ECDL
Experience:
- 3 years post-graduate experience in ultrasound scanning
- Advanced mixed skill set in line with service needs
- Audit
- CPD
- Ultrasound training and mentoring
Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Good time management and prioritisation skills
- Good customer care skills
- Ability to work effectively in a pressurised environment
- Managing changing priorities
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex information
