Working for our organisation

We currently are a team of 40 Sonographers, 15 specialists in obstetric, 5 in MSK, 4 in head and neck and 5 in baby hips ultrasound, with 3 trainee sonographers. As well as our ultrasound Lead Practice Educator, who supports our ultrasound trainees through their learning and preceptorship.

Our award-winning Brunel Building includes a large rooftop terrace, staff only zone, with an outdoor seating area with views across the city. Working in a new modern building, we recognise that staff enjoy comfortable, light filled areas to work, and rest is important.

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

For full details of the job description and responsibilities please see the attached job description.

• To undertake practical training in obstetric, gynaecological, small parts and general ultrasound procedures.
• To complete the Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound provided by University of the West of England ( UWE).
• To attend the taught modules on the PgD in Medical Ultrasound.
• To ensure that practice is carried out in accordance with Trust and departmental policies and protocols.
• To undertake all ultrasound procedures delegated by the Lead Sonographer to acquire a good level of skill and knowledge of ultrasound in all aspects of ultrasound encountered on the departmental rotation.
• To use acquired skills and knowledge to influence your own practice.
• To support all members of the team within your direct span to assist the delivery of the service and achieve individual and group objectives.
• To ensure that patients receive a high standard of care.
• To communicate with other staff members to ensure the smooth running of the Department.
• To ensure that the rules and procedures of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 are strictly adhered to, and that all working areas are kept clean and safe.
• To report and record all equipment faults. To be able to assist with the diagnosis and remedy of routine faults.
• To undertake any other duties which may be appropriate to the post.
• To comply with, and be able to demonstrate and instruct, safe manual handling techniques.
• To comply with and be able to demonstrate safe infection control measures.
• The post holder will be required to actively participate in a periodic performance appraisal, in accordance with the Trust guidelines.
• Ensure all communication, which may be complex, contentious or sensitive, is undertaken in a responsive and inclusive manner, focusing on improvement and ways to move forward.
• Ensure all communication is presented appropriately to the different recipients, according to levels of understanding, type of communication being imparted and possible barriers such as language, culture, understanding or physical or mental health conditions.
• The role requires individual accountability for independently performing and reporting routine and complex ultrasound examinations in accordance with the ultrasound departmental guidelines and relevant professional body's code of conduct.
• Understanding the clinical significance of ultrasound findings in the context of the clinical question and patient’s clinical history, reflecting this in the report.
• Ability to analyse relevant clinical information, including other test results and use this to perform and / or adapt the techniques required to undertake a satisfactory examination and diagnosis.
• Provide advice on future patient management to clinicians and / or relatives where appropriate.
• Ability to communicate scan findings directly to patients and clinicians in an empathetic and sensitive manner. Occasionally having to impart highly distressing information and unpleasant news sensitively and providing counselling and reassurance.
• As a Trainee in Ultrasound, you will take on the role of training within certain specific areas of ultrasound including obstetrics (NT and early pregnancy work), General, small parts and pelvic scans. You will be responsible for attending the designated University days and undertaking study days.
• Effectively using private study time allocated to participate in performing and collating the acquired course work, audit, and dissertations required. The aim is to develop your clinical work, examination reports and professional development.
• Upon gaining the ultrasound modules you will be expected to work and report independently producing reports for patients whilst still seeking advice and mentorship from other qualified members of staff within the ultrasound department. You will provide professional support, support service development and undertake reflective evaluation of practice, support clinical governance and work as part of a team with other disciplines towards shared objectives.
• As a trainee you will still be required to maintain and update professional skills and clinical knowledge as part of a continuous process of professional development and to provide evidence of this.
• The core hours will be Monday-Friday from 8.30-5pm, however the department operates an extended working day and weekend work is performed. Once qualified the post holder would be expected to participate in the extended working day.

Person specification

Meet all essential requirments

Essential criteria

• BSc acheiving 2:1 or higher from CASE accredited university.
• Experiance working in hospital setting for minimum 2 years.
• Minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 in English Language, if English not 1st language.
• Experiance working as part of a team.

Desirable criteria

• BSc in radiography from CASE accredited university.
• Registration with the HCPC (or equivalent statutory regulator).
• Familiar with imaging modalities and ability to understand basic cross-sectional imaging.
• Experience working in an Imaging Department.

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working