We are seeking a motivated individual to join our Somerset and North Devon AAA Screening Programme as a Screening Technician.
You will be joining a small, friendly team made up of four screening technicians, an administrator, programme Manager, clinical skills trainer and quality assurance lead, clinical director and nurse practitioner. Together, we deliver a high quality AAA screening service for Somerset and North Devon. Full training is provided, including a theory component leading to the Diploma for Health Screeners, alongside structured practical training with our Clinical Skills Lead and experienced Screening Technicians.
This is an 18 hour per week role worked flexibly via a rota system, with rotas issued six weeks in advance. Hours will typically fall Monday to Friday, though occasional weekend work may be required. Shift times may vary, including early or late starts, depending on clinic locations and associated travel.
As the training for this role is fully funded, we are seeking someone who can commit to completing the programme and developing within the service.
It is strongly recommended that you contact the department to discuss shifts, rota arrangements, working hours, and overall work patterns before submitting an application.
In this role, you will carry out high quality abdominal ultrasound scans across community and hospital clinics, support patients through the screening process, and ensure accurate recording and communication of results.
You will also contribute to the programme administration, including managing appointments, maintaining data systems, and helping clinics run efficiently.
This role involves travelling to clinics across Somerset and North Devon as part of your working hours. A full driving licence is essential, and you must be able to use your own car on occasions, although a pool car is available. Mileage can be claimed.
You will work both independently and as part of a supportive team to help reduce the risk of harm from abdominal aortic aneurysms.
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
-
Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
-
NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
-
Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
-
A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Department Core Purpose:
To reduce the risk of harm from abdominal aortic aneurysms by identifying eligible men, inviting and informing them about screening, delivering high quality ultrasound scans, providing appropriate surveillance, and referring promptly for clinical assessment and treatment when required.
Job Purpose:
The primary purpose of this role is to undertake abdominal ultrasound scanning as part of the community AAA screening programme and hospital surveillance programme. The post holder will ensure abdominal ultrasound scanning is undertaken to a high standard and in accordance with national standard operating procedures. The post holder will reassure patients attending the community abdominal aortic aneurysm-screening programme and explain the programme to them, especially where barriers to understanding exist. The post holder will ensure that members of the public attending clinics are informed and aware of the implications of AAA screening.
The post holder will generally work without direct supervision (once trained) and will manage their own workload with advice available from more senior staff when needed. The role will involve working in different clinics and locations.
The role also has responsibility for the Programme's administration and when rostered to work in the office the post holder will be the first point of contact for the patients. The post holder will work on a range of administrative tasks supporting the screening service using their own initiative within standard operating procedures. Duties will include administering and processing patient invitations and appointments, recording information and updating manual and computerised data systems relating to results and patient outcome and ordering supplies.
Full training will be provided for all duties. As the training for this role is fully funded, we are seeking someone who can commit to completing the programme and developing within the service - Diploma to be gained in the first 18 months of role.
Please see attached job description for further details.
Level 3 Health Screeners Diploma to be gained in the first 18 months of role.
IT Experience - Word and Excel
Experience of working within a clinical environment
Understanding of hospital environment and patient care & confidentiality.
Familiarity with aortic anatomy and vascular pathology
Knowledge of pathway for AAA screening
Understanding of commonly used medical terminology
Accurate data entry skills
Flexible and independent approach to work
Ability to work under pressure
Attention to detail
Ability to make judgements on patient enquiries and problems
Excellent concentration and powers of perception, ability to multi task
Ability to take frequent interruptions and change jobs mid stream
Good communication skills
Politeness and patience
Able to demonstrate a good standard of English language
Good organisational skills
Ability to work accurately on own initiative
Able to move and lift ultrasound and screening kit (machine weighs thirteen kg)
Ability to stand for periods of time whilst making fine movements with hands
Ability to manoeuvre ultrasound probe with fine movement
Willingness to travel between units and centres across Somerset and North Devon (a pool car is available, although travel expenses will be paid if there is a requirement to use own car)
Willingness to transport screening equipment between units and centres
Awareness of when to request advice from senior staff
Clean full driving licence
Access to a vehicle
Adaptability to different working environments off site
Hours will be worked flexibly via a rota system with 6 weeks notice
Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients
Proven ability to communicate with patients about healthcare matters.
Proven ability to communicate with colleagues effectively to share information.
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.
