Sonographer

The Ultrasound departments at New Cross and Cannock Hospitals care for a range of patients including Out Patients, In Patients, the Acutely unwell and Antenatal patients. We currently have 16 Ultrasound machines and will be expanding our services with 4 new ultrasound rooms in the Community Diagnostic Centre in Cannock which is due to open in July 2024.
You will work alongside an innovative team of professionals, performing a wide range of Ultrasound examinations including Obstetrics, Gynaecology, General Abdominal, MSK, and Vascular . As a major teaching hospital, you will also be actively involved in providing support, guidance and training to junior members of staff and trainees.
We are passionate about providing excellent patient care and as a reporting sonographer, you will be an integral part of the patients journey through radiology. We are equally committed to growing you as a professional and have multiple opportunities for growth and career progression including post graduate training and advanced learning/development.
You must have a Post Graduate Diploma or equivalent qualification in Medical Ultrasound
Hours will include weekends and Bank Holidays., The post holder will be highly committed, enthusiastic and innovative with excellent clinical and communication skills and willing to join our expanding team of ultrasound professionals.
The post holder will work within the ultrasound department, to provide a high-quality ultrasound service, comprising of unsupervised scanning sessions across all ultrasound units within the trust - this will include cross site and cross specialty working (including Obs, gynae and FMU).
To work as an independent practitioner, performing scans to a high diagnostic standard, prioritising workload, formulating a comprehensive, accurate report, and communicating the results via the agreed method to clinicians/patients.
To be accountable for your own professional actions, maintaining high standards of knowledge relevant to your specialty. To regularly undertake CPD and audit remaining up to date with current practices in line with professional registration standards.
To train, supervise and assess Undergraduates, Postgraduates, Apprentices and Clinicians, in the specialist field of Ultrasound.

Working for our organisation
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the West Midlands providing primary, acute and community services and we are incredibly proud of the diversity of both our staff and the communities we serve. We are building a workforce that can help us to fulfil our values, improve the quality of care for patients, and solve the health care problems of tomorrow. We're passionate about the value that diversity of thinking and lived experience brings in enabling us to become a learning organisation and leader in delivering compassionate care for our patients.
We are delighted that we have been rated as "Good" by CQC. We have achieved numerous awards; The Nursing Times Best Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Best UK Employer of the Year for Nursing Staff in 2020.
The Trust is a supportive working environment committed to creating flexible working arrangements that suit your needs and as such will consider all requests from applicants who wish to work flexibly., Clinically justify/authorise ultrasound requests in accordance with agreed protocols and ultrasound specific guidelines. To give specialist and expert advice to a wide range of healthcare professionals in line with these guidelines and to make decisions on patient preparation to optimise scanning.
To give a clear explanation to patients regarding ultrasound examinations including risks, benefits, accuracy and limitations, in order to gain informed consent within an ethical and moral framework.
Perform general and specialised ultrasound procedures according to trust, departmental and statutory regulations. To position patients accurately, carefully, and respectfully for examinations, adapting technique to complement the patient's ability or condition.
To use analytical and judgment skills to interpret highly complex images whose acquisition is operator dependent, accurately differentiating between normal and pathological findings.
To prioritise patients independently and to organise workload from a wide variety of referral pathways. To ensure that urgent patients receive a fast efficient service.
To be aware of the importance of complementing diagnostic investigations. To make recommendations when reporting for further imaging assessment and referral where necessary after consultation / discussion with a Radiologist.
Understand ergonomic principles relevant to scanning and promote their use.
Deal with a range of operational pressures and developments within ultrasound on a day to day basis providing specialist support to staff.
Accurately and sensitively communicate highly complex information regarding diagnosis / treatment directly with clinicians and patients and within a multidisciplinary team setting as required.
To ensure that a high standard of cleanliness of the environment and equipment is maintained. To adhere to Infection Control guidelines during high risk procedures involving bodily fluids.
Seek assistance when/where necessary to maintain a safe and effective service for patients and staff.
To maintain a flexible approach to working hours such as extended days and weekend working to promote a 7-day working ultrasound service.
To train, supervise and assess Undergraduates, Postgraduates, Apprentices and Clinicians, in the specialist field of Ultrasound. To make judgements about their competency and to escalate concerns where they arise.
To challenge, in a positive manner, current working practices and promote a culture of continuous improvement and development.
Maintain fitness to practice in line with the trusts Professional Code of Conduct and to assist in developing a learning environment within the Department by maintaining an up-to-date professional knowledge through CPD.
Be accountable for your own professional activities using a high degree of autonomy within the limitations of personal expertise and skill.
Promote best practice when advising and disseminating knowledge to the profession and beyond.
To be competent in the operation of the Radiology Information System /PACS System.
Act as a role model to all other staff.
The above is a summary of the main responsibilities of the role. For full details, please see the attached JDPS., Qualifications - Please be advised that if the post that you are applying for requires any level of qualification (e.g. A-Levels, Degree etc) or Professional Registration (e.g. Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Medical Council etc) you will be required to provide proof as part of the pre-employment process. By submitting your application you are giving the Trust permission to check the qualification certificates provided back to the source provider. Please note that a sample of all applicant's qualifications will be checked with the educational institution or provider. Furthermore, a sample of all applicants' qualifications will be checked back to the educational institution or provider to interview letters to further deter fraud.
Sponsorship - Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. As of 1 January 2021, free movement ended and the UK introduced a points-based immigration system. Further information is available regarding two types of visa; Health Care Visa https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/your-job and Skilled worker visa https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.