Job summary
TheCSTis responsible for screening technicians training and regular review of screening technicians forQA. The role of lead ultrasound clinician/QAlead is regularly combined into the role of clinical skills trainer.
The CST is there to provide support to all the staff in the team but mostly to the training of the technicians and the QA of images and performance.
The role is 4 hours per week, there is a requirement of visiting community clinics and GP surgeries to scan previous non visualised patients or a difficult aneurysm, the CST is also required to attend the AAA quarterly board meetings.
Main duties of the job
As senior ultra-sonographer, the CST is the lead specialist for this area of work, providing local and clinical training, support, for existing technicians and mentoring trainee technicians, responsible for regular review of staff forQA purposes, to be there for help and advice when needed and to carry out workplace assessments for all technicians and to play a major role in the QA of images and ultrasound machines.
Acting as the main point of contact as supervisor/assessor for the screening technicians while undertaking the required NAAASP qualification
Performing clinical assessments of trainee screening technicians at the specified 'assessment gateways' as perAAAscreening programme guidance to ensure trainee technicians complete their portfolio of experience and logbook (assessment criteria are provided to supportCSTswhen performing these assessments)
Offering support and advice to screeners if they encounter problems or unusual findings, particularly associated with conditions in men or technical malfunctions
About us
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Responsible for the clinical training and supervision of new and existing technicians ensuring they are familiar with scanning techniques and maintain screening programme procedures and high standards.
- Act as the main point of contact as supervisor/assessor for the screening technicians while undertaking the required NAAASP qualification.
- Perform clinical assessments of trainee screening technicians at the specified assessment gateways as perAAAscreening programme guidance to ensure trainee technicians complete their portfolio of experience and logbook (assessment criteria are provided to supportCSTswhen performing these assessments)
- Manage and review the work of the screeners at regular intervals as per programmeQAframework and instigate further training where necessary.
- Plan and provide local training andCPDsessions for screeners, including supervisory sessions as per clinical training requirements.
- Offer support and advice to screeners if they encounter problems or unusual findings, particularly associated with conditions in men or technical malfunctions.
- Play an important role in the recruitment process for new screeners.
- Carry out accurate abdominal aortic ultrasound scanning as part of the localAAAscreening programme.
- Regularly attend community clinics to scan any non-visualised aortas or difficult to scan patients.
Education, Training and Development:
- All CSTs must successfully complete the required CST NAAASP accredited training before they provide formal support, training, or oversight to trainee technicians within local providers. CSTs must not complete any internal QA of images until they have completed the required training.
- To provide the level 3 HSD, all local AAA screening services should have at least one individual working towards (or completed) a level 3 qualification in assessing vocational achievement. This is to support and assess trainee screeners working through the HSD. One such qualification is the certificate in assessing vocational achievement (CAVA). It is recommended that CSTs complete this qualification if they do not have previous experience in teaching, assessing or mentoring.
Other duties:
- Where necessary, visits to prisons within Northamptonshire and St Andrews Hospital.
Full valid driving license and business insurance for the travelling to community clinics and GP surgeries.
Person Specification
Education, Training * Qualifications
Essential
- Hold a recognised CASE accredited (or equivalent) qualification in sonography and/or full SVT accreditation
- Have a minimum of 2 years' post-qualification experience
- Have experience of scanning abdominal aortic aneurysms
- Provide evidence of appropriate continuing professional development (CPD)
Desirable
- Be operating under a local AAA screening programme
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Knowledge and Experience Confident with using computers, keyboards, different systems and accurate data entry skills
- Experience of working within a clinical environment
- Ability to make unsupervised judgements on patient enquiries and problems
- Awareness of when to request advice from senior staff
Desirable
- Health Promotion experience
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work within a team and to effectively liaise with people of all levels
- Flexible, independent approach to work and ability to work accurately on own initiative
- Good organisational skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Able to move/lift heavy ultrasound and screening kit
- Willing to travel independently and transport screening equipment between units and centres
- Valid full UK driving licence essential
- Use of own car with insurance for business purposes
- Excellent concentration and powers of perception, and ability to multi-task
Desirable
- Familiarity with data transcription
- Interest and enthusiasm in the screening programme and its benefits to the community & patients
Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- Passionate and committed to bring our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users
- Politeness and patience
- Ability to work under pressure
- Attention to detail
- Adaptability to different working environments off-site
Desirable
- Ability to take frequent interruptions and change jobs mid-stream
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.
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 .
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 .
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website .
Employer details
Employer name
Northampton General Hospital
Address
Northampton General Hospital
Cliftonville
Northampton
NN1 5BD