Job summary
To provide strategic direction, leadership and line management of the VSU team to provide an effective and well led service for diagnostic ultrasound services to patients within the OUH NHS Trust and the wider Thames Valley Vascular Network. To be visible and provide expert clinical guidance, support the delivery of a comprehensive clinical service, and develop and innovate practice, research, teaching, training. In collaboration with the clinical lead and Directorate Manager (DM), work to ensure that Service Provision is delivered within agreed budgets and that government targets are achieved.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide expert clinical leadership within the Vascular Studies Unit (VSU), delivering a high standard of evidence-based vascular ultrasound, including timely reporting, and clinical advice to multidisciplinary teams. They will prioritise and manage referrals, communicate findings to clinicians and patients sensitively, and contribute to patient management, MDT discussions, and emergency planning. They will support clinical governance, risk management, and quality assurance, ensuring compliance with Trust policies, professional standards, and safe clinical environments, while promoting research, service development, and excellence in care. The role includes operational oversight of service delivery, ensuring effective capacity management, achievement of national and local targets, and contribution to service planning, data reporting, and performance improvement initiatives. The post holder will contribute to workforce management, including recruitment, appraisal, supervision, and continuous professional development of staff within the team. They will support budget management, resource utilisation, and business planning, ensuring efficient use of financial and physical resources. The role requires commitment to personal professional development, effective communication, equality and diversity, and maintaining high standards of professionalism as an ambassador for the service and organisation.

About us
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. In 2023NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles. Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment.

Job responsibilities
Clinical responsibilities

• In conjunction with the Clinical lead for the VSU provide the highest possible standard of evidence-based care delivery within the unit.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues within the NOTSSCaN division to promote a customer focussed culture that enhances the patient experience
• In collaboration with the Clinical Lead/DM ensure that Clinical Governance, Risk Management and Quality Assurance initiatives are achieved within the division
• To perform accurate and complex vascular ultrasound assessments to a highly specialised level, with clear and concise reporting in a timely fashion
• To report directly to the appropriate Consultant/registrar within an appropriate timeframe and arrange urgent assessment/admission by the vascular surgeon if patients condition warrants it
• To communicate and expertly advise on results of all scans to clinicians and radiology staff, and offer second opinions in cases of conflicting results between hospitals, junior staff or diagnostic modalities
• Prioritise incoming referrals from the vascular surgical clinicians and other Trust wide specialties and plan appropriate investigations including allocating waiting times and monitoring for change in status.
• Provide advice in respect to on-going patient management where required
• Communicate the scan results and implications to the patient in an appropriate manner. Sensitivity and empathy are required when dealing with emotional topics that may result in major surgery or limb loss
• Reinforce information given by other healthcare professionals about risk factor management and disease processes to the patients and relatives
• Attend and contribute to the weekly multi-disciplinary clinical meetings regarding patient management
• To ensure strategies are in place to effectively manage emergency situations in the clinical areas.
• To ensure strategies are in place to identify and effectively manage the deteriorating patient.
• To ensure appropriate data collection tools are utilised to capture relevant clinical information and that action plans evolve to meet identified needs.
• In collaboration with the clinical lead /DM demonstrate a commitment to research-based practice and clinical excellence, and to lead and encourage such practice and excellence.
• Ensure a clean and safe clinical environment
• To ensure adherence to the NMC Code of Conduct by all nurses within the Clinical Unit and that appropriate registration is maintained through liaison with professional nursing lead.
• To demonstrate use of excellent communication skills in all aspects of work whilst ensuring strategies are in place that promote effective working relationships at all levels
• To raise the profile of vascular surgery at Local, National, and International level
• To manage conflict promptly and effectively and to ensure that strategies are in place to support other senior staff
• In collaboration with the clinical lead/DM facilitate the implementation of an effective Risk Management strategy whilst ensuring that all Trust Policies /Procedures are adhered to and implemented, and that relevant training and mandatory updates are provided for all staff.
• Approximately 75% of the Lead Vascular Scientist job plan will be allocated to clinical responsibilities

Operational Management

• To ensure that effective processes are in place for the efficient management of admissions and that National and local targets are achieved including RTT
• To collate and present data pertinent to vascular studies and be instrumental in ensuring any action plans are implemented.
• In conjunction with key personnel assist in comprehensive service capacity mapping and demand profiling to inform the service delivery plans and to monitor achievements outlined within this plan
• To assist in the development of initiatives in response to National and Local objectives
• To develop and monitor an effective communication strategy across all staff groups to promote effective and timely communication at a Local, Directorate, Divisional and Trust Level.
• In collaboration with the clinical lead/ DM contribute to and ensure effective implementation of all Trust policies, procedures and standards within the division (including occupational health and safety, infection control, fire, major incident, environmental and organisational issues).
• In collaboration with the clinical lead / DM to implement and evaluate Risk Management and Quality Assurance policies to ensure that the Trusts Clinical Governance agenda is adhered to and that strategies are implemented to promote clinical effectiveness, quality care delivery and a safe and healthy workplace.
• To assist the DM in ensuring that any complaints are dealt with promptly and effectively
• The post holder is expected to develop an understanding of the Trust Elective Access Policy and related procedures and incorporate these into operational practice,

Personnel Management and Organisational Development

• In collaboration with the DM effectively manage the recruitment process to minimise disruption and impact to service delivery caused by staff turnover and other establishment shortfalls.
• In collaboration with the DM ensure that all performance, attendance and disciplinary matters are dealt with promptly and effectively utilising guidance from the Human Resource Department
• In collaboration with the DM ensure that plans are in place for all staff to have an annual appraisal and appropriate personal development plan.
• To implement and support quality initiatives within Vascular Surgery.
• To provide overall direction regarding the implementing and auditing of local and Trust policies/protocols/guidelines.
• To play a focal role in Clinical Unit and other relevant Local/Directorate meetings/Divisional ensuring agendas are relevant that time is utilised efficiently and that any action plans are agreed and recorded in the minutes.

Financial and Performance Management

• In collaboration with the DM agree the annual budget for the VSU and to act as an authorised budget holder.
• In conjunction with the DM act to effectively manage the Pay and Non-Pay budgets for the VSU.
• To act as an authorised signatory for the Trust and education funds and to ensure they are utilised efficiently and appropriately.
• In collaboration with the DM oversee the procurement of all equipment/consumables, ensuring processes are in place to effectively manage stock levels, that relevant bids/business cases are submitted to meet evolving service need and that Trust policy is adhered to in relation to managing trials and company representatives
• To manage the use of agency staff in line with Trust process and implement appropriate monitoring/action Plans
• To assist the DM in the development of appropriate business cases.

Research and Practice Development

• In collaboration with the DM facilitate the implementation of an effective Practice Development strategy for VSU that fosters progressive, evidence-based practice and promotes team working initiatives.
• To work collaboratively with the DM to oversee the implementation of an effective study leave policy that ensures staff can attend mandatory training; attend agreed relevant programmes of study/conferences within agreed budgets.
• To clinically supervise and be accountable for non-accredited clinical vascular scientists
• To take the lead for prioritising relevant research projects to be undertaken, to participate in these and to provide support to those involved.
• Develop and maintain links with educational resources e.g. encourage participation in annual meetings, and ensure feedback is given so that course content and provision evolves to meet Service need.
• To support and encourage colleagues within the VSU to be involved in clinical debate through presentation of papers and participation in professional conferences and study days.

Personal/ Professional Development

• To take responsibility for maintaining own professional growth, identifying training needs and maintaining a portfolio of Continuing Professional Development in keeping with requirements for continued Professional registration
• Review peer literature and other sources to maintain up to date knowledge of current practices and technological advances likely to influence future service delivery.
• To complete mandatory training as required by the Trust and adhere to all Local and Trust Policies.
• To behave in a professional manner at all times and act as an ambassador for the NOTSSCaN Division, OUH NHS Trust, and Thames Valley Vascular Network.
• To exercise professional accountability at all times and to be aware of own development needs/limitations, actively seeking to address these and raise awareness in others.

Equality and Diversity

• Ensure adherence to Trust Equality and Diversity Policies in all aspects of staff and patient management
• To ensure confidentially at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity
• To promote equal opportunities for staff and patients to ensure that no person receives less favourable treatment on grounds of sex, race, marital status, religion, colour, creed, nationality, ethnic or national origin or sexual orientation.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Masters level education or expected to work towards in this post.
• First Level Degree in relevant science subject
• Fully accredited vascular scientist (AVS) by the CSVS
• Teaching / mentoring

Desirable

• Doctorate with experience in vascular ultrasound
• Managerial qualification e.g DMS

Technical Skills
Essential

• Computer literate with experience of working with the Microsoft Office package
• Advanced keyboard skills
• Physical aptitude to undertake regular episodes of moderate physical effort and to manual handle.

Experience
Essential

• Demonstrable significant specialist experience post accreditation
• Can provide evidence of effective leadership and developmental work undertaken at Senior level
• Evidence of relevant managerial experience at a senior level within a clinical environment understanding and managing HR, Finance and Clinical Risk/Governance
• Teaching / mentoring

Desirable

• Project management experience

Personal Skills
Essential

• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Excellent communication skills
• Evidence of innovative work undertaken within the speciality.
• The ability to liaise confidently & effectively with other disciplines internally within the Trust and externally
• Excellent time management skills
• Effective presentation skills
• Support and development of others

Behavioural Skills
Essential

• Aligned to the Trust values.
• Conducts themselves in a professional manner at all times
• Positive attitude to all tasks and stakeholders.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
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