The post holder will be a qualified sonographer, ideally holding a BSc in Diagnostic Radiography (or equivalent) and a postgraduate qualification in medical ultrasound.
They will work as an autonomous practitioner within a busy general ultrasound department, performing a wide range of examinations to a high diagnostic standard. Experience in obstetric and/or musculoskeletal ultrasound is desirable. They will be able to interpret complex findings, identifying both pathological and incidental abnormalities.
The post holder will be responsible for vetting and prioritising ultrasound referrals, ensuring appropriate and timely imaging in line with clinical need. They will produce accurate, high-quality diagnostic reports in accordance with local and national guidelines, and provide advice on further management or follow-up to referring clinicians.
Strong communication skills are essential to deliver a high standard of patient care, including explaining procedures and communicating findings sensitively where appropriate.
The post holder will work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, supporting service delivery across multiple sites. They may assist in supervising junior staff, students, and less experienced colleagues, and will contribute to audit, quality improvement, and service development while maintaining professional accountability.
Take responsibility for the care of the patient whilst undertaking the examination, modifying or adapting techniques as necessary.
Our department has a clear ultrasound staff structure which includes a consultant radiographer, advanced practitioners, sonographers, trainee sonographers and radiology department assistants. Our sonographers deliver a wide range of examinations including obstetrics, gynaecology, general abdominal, vascular, small parts, MSK and paediatrics across both sites.
We have advanced Clinical Specialist Sonographers in our team who as well as taking a key role in training also lead the EPU clinic, the vascular service and carry out FNAs and biopsies in our dedicated Head and Neck service.
With such a diverse range of services, the department provides excellent opportunities for postgraduate clinical development and supports CPD through internal and external training courses. We have an ongoing commitment to upskill our sonographer workforce, and to free up radiologists to cover other complex specialised imaging examinations.
We actively encourage our team to participate in non-clinical activities, such as audit and clinical vetting in line with Pan London guidance.
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Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
Improving the experience of staff with disability
Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
Making equalities mainstream
Job Summary:
The post holder will be a qualified sonographer, ideally holding a BSc in diagnostic radiography and a post graduate qualification in ultrasound scanning.
The post holder must be able to work independently within the general ultrasound department, ideally have MSK or obstetric scanning experience and be accountable for their own professional actions.
They must be able to assess and action ultrasound requests, giving advice and reports to patients and clinicians.
They will be responsible for carrying out specialised sonographic imaging to a high standard and in a professional manner, providing diagnosis as appropriate at the time of examination..
The post holder will be working closely within a multidisciplinary team, deputising in the absence of senior staff.
The Radiology Department provides the Trust with diagnostic imaging of patients. A high quality of service is given in line with the requirements of clinical need and targets. The patients, from a diverse population, are referred from the Community and all departments across the Trust.
Key Result Areas:
1. Performance
2. Workforce
Finance
Partnerships
General
Performance
The post holder will be required to carry out sonographic duties at Eltham Community Diagnostic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich and University Hospital, Lewisham sites, as required with examinations performed on a diverse patient population, which can include those from high dependency units and the critically ill.
To independently undertake and report diagnostic ultrasound procedures, maintaining high professional standards of technical competence and ensuring excellent standards of care at all times.
To be accountable for own professional actions and work within codes of Practice and professional guidelines
To interpret complex data in order to ascertain and identify any pathological or incidental findings observable. Consider and report diagnoses as appropriate.
To assess and adapt techniques following assessment for each procedure to meet the individual needs of the patient. To analyse the clinical information and determine most appropriate scanning method, utilising judgement and skill to incorporate different techniques (on which training and competencies are maintained) in order to obtain required information.
To handle potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an appropriate empathetic manner.
To assist with invasive procedures.
Assist patients as required, i.e. disabled, elderly patients with undressing and dressing.
To maintain knowledge and be fully aware of the safety aspects and hazards, and related emergency procedures for the working area
To independently assess and adapt/modify techniques and protocols following assessment for each procedure, on a patient by patient basis.
To take responsibility for the care of the patient whilst undertaking the procedure. This includes manual handling, moving patients in wheelchairs, beds and trolleys.
To provide appropriate support for carers, recognising their anxieties and concerns.
Being able to work using visual display units for long periods of time is required, to enable the correct images to be processed.
Provide a comprehensive diagnostic report on images obtained to relevant medical personnel.
To offer advice and guidance to patients, carers and other health professionals on ultrasound procedures and issues taking due consideration of patients conditions.
To supervise and provide clinical assistance to Radiologists, Clinicians e.g. Obstetricians, Gynaecologists, Vascular Surgeons etc., Clinical Nurse Specialists, Assistant Practitioners, Radiology Department Assistants and Trainee Sonographers
Ensure the safe use of specialist ultrasound equipment.
To identify and report equipment failures immediately, following local guidelines, liaising with EBME to arrange services and emergency call out for faulty equipment.
To use own initiative to re-arrange work lists in the event of equipment failure, organise alternative cover and ensure relevant staff in the Trust are informed, particularly if this occurs out of normal working hours.
To assist in the evaluation and procurement process for any new equipment within the Radiology Department.
Be fully conversant of appropriate actions to take in the event of an untoward incident in the area.
To work the required shift patterns between 08:00 and 20:00, Monday to Sunday, to enable our patients to be scanned in a timely manner.
Workforce
To ensure accurate use, including recording and reporting, on the Trust’s computerised information systems.
To train new staff, student radiographers, student sonographers, specialist registrars, medical students and work experience students in specialist areas.
To be actively involved in departmental quality groups and pro-active in the sharing of good practice.
To give lectures and presentations within the Trust and to outside organisations on areas of special interest.
To be actively involved in recruitment processes for new staff.
To be responsible for leading and co-ordinating the team in an allocated area in the absence of the Lead Sonographer. This will involve being able to cope with frequent interruptions from both colleagues and other medical and non-medical staff of the Trust.
To make proposals for, assist and/or lead in the implementation of changes in working practice as agreed by departmental working groups.
To be able to continually prioritise the imaging of patients within the department throughout the day.
To identify and act in accordance with local guidelines, any potential high-risk diagnosis either whilst imaging or directly following completion of an examination.
To maintain a clean working environment, this includes clearing blood body fluids, in accordance with policy.
Finance
To be continually mindful of using resources in an efficient manner
To use, and supervise the use of, very expensive, specialist equipment with care and due diligence
Assist in ordering, checking and monitoring of stock, making a Superintendent or Lead Sonographer aware of any concerns as they arise.
There is no budgetary knowledge required other than to be aware of general awareness of any increase in use will increase the cost of consumables within the department.
Partnerships
To offer advice and guidance to patients, carers and other health professionals on sonographic and specialised procedures, taking due consideration of the patient’s condition.
To inform and promote Radiology guidelines and departmental policies to other healthcare professionals
To obtain informed consent from patients or their carers prior to undertaking procedures as appropriate to individual circumstances and barriers.
To communicate the results of normal and abnormal scans to patients and relatives and ensuring that information is clearly understood.
To use communication skills to impart bad news to distressed patients and relatives sensitively, and with empathy, and assist in determining appropriate referral pathway to other health care professionals.
Be able to use computer hardware/software proficiently, e.g. Reporting; processing of images on specialised equipment to create 3D images as required needing a high level of dexterity and hand/eye co-ordination.
To promote good relations with other directorates and hospitals
To attend any meetings as required by the Head of Imaging, Imaging Service Manager or the Lead Sonographer or Superintendent Radiographer.
General
To attend any relevant study days, in-house lectures and training sessions, including all compulsory staff training courses.
To provide assistance and be actively involved in departmental projects and audits
To take part in the department’s personal appraisal scheme (PDR).
To apply performance management of staff supported by the Trust’s policy
To deliver and take part in CPD
To deliver and take part in 1-1 coaching.
To take every opportunity for self-development in extended sonographic roles
To give lectures and presentations within the Trust and to outside organisations on areas of special interest.
To carry out all responsibilities with regard to all Trust Policies and relevant legislation.
