Job summary
We are looking for an experienced Sonographer to join our friendly and supportive team based at Bedford Hospital.

Our dedicated Ultrasound Team includes experienced Sonographers, Midwife Sonographers, Radiologists and Clinical Support Workers, working collaboratively to provide high-quality care to our patients.

We currently have a team of 11 Sonographers, including a Lead Sonographer and Deputy Lead, as well as a Senior Sonographer and Deputy. Two members of the team have specialist expertise in Musculoskeletal (MSK) and small-parts ultrasound scanning, providing opportunities to develop your knowledge and experience in these areas.

We are committed to supporting the ongoing learning and professional development of our staff. We have a robust in-house training and preceptorship programme designed to help colleagues develop their skills and progress in their careers.

We also support two ultrasound trainees each academic year, reflecting our commitment to developing the next generation of ultrasound professionals and maintaining a strong learning culture within the team.

If you are an experienced Sonographer looking to join a collaborative team with excellent opportunities for learning and development, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Main duties of the job
Role and Responsibilities

The post holder will be responsible for organising and coordinating the workload within the area to which they are assigned, ensuring that examinations are delivered efficiently and to a high standard.

The post holder will rotate across the Main Ultrasound Department, Obstetric Ultrasound Department and Community Diagnostic Centre, working autonomously to perform and report on a wide range of ultrasound examinations. These will include:

• General ultrasound examinations
• Gynaecological ultrasound examinations
• Obstetric ultrasound examinations
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) examinations

The role will involve undertaking examinations for both inpatients and outpatients, ensuring that all scans are performed in accordance with departmental procedures and Trust-wide policies, protocols and guidelines.

The post holder will be responsible for producing accurate and timely reports using CRIS and PACS.

For those undertaking obstetric ultrasound, the post holder must demonstrate proficiency in all aspects of the Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme (FASP).

Obstetric growth scans will be performed in accordance with the GROW version 2.0 protocol, ensuring consistent and evidence-based practice.

The successful candidate will be expected to maintain high professional standards, work effectively both independently and as part of the wider multidisciplinary team, and contribute to the delivery of a safe, efficient and patient-centred ultrasound service.

About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities
The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities.

• To make an accurate diagnosis from the ultrasound scan and to issue a factual report for each scan performed, collaborating with professional colleagues when necessary.
• To safely use all ultrasound equipment, to be able to resolve first lineproblems, recording accurate details of equipment faults and reporting faults, liaising with and supervising engineers.
• To accurately input details on to both the Radiology InformationSystem(CRIS) and PACS
• To interrogate the system(s) for patient details, updating and recording information as required.
• To understand the appointment system for the speciality/ area(s) in which the sonographer works.

Qualifications
Essential

• Diploma College of Radiographers or Bsc Radiography
• Professional registration e.g HCPC
• US Post Graduate Qualification

Experience
Essential

• General, Gynaecological and Obstetrics scanning experience

Desirable

• DVT scanning experience
• Small parts scanning experience
• MSK experience

Personal Skills
Essential

• Team player
• Good organisational skills
• Empathy and emotional intelligence
• Good Communication skills

Knowledge
Essential

• To be familiar with reporting software e.g CRIS, PACS, GROW
• Ability to independently analyse and make judgements on complex information relating to patient care.
• IT skills at an intermediate level with ability to use word, e-mail etc
• Ability to use own initiative maintaining judgement when under pressure
• Ability to resolve and manage conflicting demands on service resources.

Desirable

• To be familiar with Quality Assurance of the US equipment

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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).