Advanced Practitioner - Ultrasound - Colchester
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest trusts in the country, serving a population of 1.2 million people comprising acute hospital sites at Broomfield in Chelmsford, Basildon and Southend.
We are a well-led, high-performing and innovative organisation determined to provide the best health care services for our local population and working in the best interests of the people we serve.
Job overview
JOB SUMMARY- To work at an advanced level of practice providing a high quality ultrasound service with comprehensive independently written reports
- Communicate highly complex information regarding diagnosis/treatment directly with Clinicians and patients
- To independently prioritise patients and organise workload from a variety of referral pathways to meet the needs of the service
- Provide expert opinion/advice and contribute to the management of the Ultrasound Department
- To undertake additional responsibilities as identified by the Deputy General Manager - Imaging
Main duties of the job
To ensure the highest professional occupational standards are maintained at all times using a high level of specialist knowledge in line with local, regional and national guidelines where appropriate.
To work autonomously performing a wide range of ultrasound examinations, including abdominal, obstetrics and gynaecology.
To provide accurate dating based on foetal ultrasound measurements in the pregnant woman - crucial to the calculation and confirmation of the expected date of delivery, and for the planning of antenatal care and tests.Participate in the provision of a screening service to detect foetal abnormalities, monitor growth in the “at risk” foetus and management of the multiple pregnancy. To have the sole responsibility for obstetric ultrasound examinations and reports, and to liaise directly with the obstetric clinician or midwife where appropriate.
To use analytical and judgement skills to interpret highly complex images, accurately differentiating between normal and pathological findings. To advise clinicians directly when a delay may have a direct impact on morbidity and mortality.
Working for our organisation
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest Trust in the country, serving a population of 1.2 million people. Our newly formed Trust, comprising acute hospital sites at Broomfield in Chelmsford, Basildon, and Southend, is determined to provide the best health services for its local population.We are a well-led, high-performing, and innovative organisation working in the best interests of the people we serve.
With a workforce of approximately 15,000 staff, we can now do more and go further in delivering health services to our local communities.
Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Communication- Communication with Radiologists, team members, nurses, midwives, porters, ward staff to ensure effective service delivery
- To possess excellent communication and counselling skills.
- To impart distressing information and discuss complicated issues when necessary, with patients and their relatives in a clear and empathetic way.
- To deal with sometimes difficult and potentially aggressive patients and their relatives.
- Undertake first line complaints handling.To develop and maintain good working relationships with the staff in the Radiology Department and with other staff within the hospital.
- To be aware of the importance of other diagnostic investigations. To make recommendations for further scans, assessment and referral where necessary.
- To prioritise, organise and plan patient workload. To assess the urgency and appropriateness of an ultrasound referral given the clinical history. Where necessary, have direct discussions with clinicians/patients as to additional relevant information.
- To assist in the documentation of risk assessments and risk issues identified within the department.
- To perform quality assurance checks on equipment and troubleshoot potential equipment problems.
- To document equipment malfunctions in a timely manner, notifying the Radiology Engineer and Imaging Services Manager.
- To take part in evaluation and selection of ultrasound equipment appropriate to the clinical need
- To maintain patient’s dignity and confidentiality whilst frequently undertaking examinations of an intimate and often highly unpleasant nature, where there is a high risk of exposure to bodily fluids.
- To provide a non-appointment ultrasound service for the “one-stop” clinics, which support the two-week cancer wait targets, and other NHS initiatives (reports from these examinations are generated immediately and returned with the patient to the clinic).
- To maintain a high standard of professional appearance and hygiene and adhere to infection control guidelines during high risk procedures involving bodily fluids.
- To audit and evaluate own practice with peers, and work within and contribute to, the multi-disciplinary team
- To take responsibility for the implementation and outcome of own professional decisions/actions in line with departmental policy and guidelines.
- To be willing to collect and have an active role in audit and clinical governance activities, as directed by the Imaging Services Manager or Consultant Clinical Lead.
- Use of expensive clinical equipment.
- Maintaining accurate quality assurance records of this equipment, ensuring that it is fit for use.
- Appropriate reporting and escalation of equipment or resource issues.
- To promote the professional image of staff within the Radiology Department, and to assist in the ongoing practical training of students studying for their postgraduate ultrasound qualification.
- To undertake additional training when necessary for improvements or additions to service needs or development.
- To undertake mandatory training as required by the Trust
- To maintain a CPD portfolio in line with the Service needs and the HCPC Registration requirements.
- To ensure that information is organised and recorded in a legible, concise manner when issuing own reports.
- To acquire adequate IT skills to document procedures and protocols where necessary.
- To accurately record data on the Radiology Information System and PAS and to comply with the Data Protection Act 1984.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- BSc in Diagnostic Radiology or equivalent
- Master's Degree in US or Obs & Gynae/General US or equivalent
- Specialist Short courses in US practice
- Experience in small parts DVT/MSK scanning
- PgDip in Medical Ultrasound is required from a CASE accredited or CASE equivalent institution
- Accredited by Foetal Medicine Foundation or DQASS for NT assessment
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Extensive experience within hospital US practice
- Demonstrable knowledge of a range of abnormalities and pathologies
- Knowledge of PACS/RIS systems
- Supervisory responsibility
- Staff management skills