Band 7

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT) is the largest community healthcare provider in Sussex.

• Over 8,400 full time, part time and bank staff members
• Medical, nursing and therapeutic care provided to over 10,000 children and adults a day
• July 2018 Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating of 'Good' with 'Outstanding' features
• Flexible working patterns offered across all services
• Thriving BAME, Disability and Wellbeing, LGBT+ and Religion and Belief staff networks
• Accredited Level 3 Disability Confident Leader

SCFT is an inclusive employer that promotes equality and challenges discrimination, and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. Applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, disabled candidates and LGBT+ candidates are particularly encouraged, to ensure the Trust's workforce reflects the diverse communities it serves.

Job overview

Are you looking for a new challenge and an opportunity to work for an NHS Trust that is inclusive, vibrant and celebrates success?

This post offers an excellent opportunity to develop your professional and clinical skills in an organisation that has been recognised by the CQC for the good work we do that makes a difference to our patients.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an NHS-experienced Sonographer to join our team providing the Community Radiology service for Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust in East Sussex. The post holder will rotate through our Community Hospitals across East Sussex. You will be using high specification scanners, funded by the hospital's League of Friends, to provide a high quality service for the people of Lewes, Uckfield, Crowborough and their surrounding areas. This is an exciting and challenging opportunity to work autonomously, offering a service for general practitioners and visiting consultants. You will be supported by a Radiographic Assistant.

SCFT support flexible working arrangements and we will work with you to ensure that you are able to balance your home and work commitments.

As a skilled Sonographer you will provide a caring, compassionate approach within our high quality imaging team. You need to be able to work independently, demonstrating a high level of competence and will need to demonstrate excellent communication skills. Ideal candidates should be skilled in general, gynae and small parts ultrasound. Experience in vascular scanning (DVT) would also be an advantage. CPD is supported and the post holder will participate in regular peer review meetings and audit feedback.

Working for our organisation

 Positive 2020 NHS Staff Survey results
 The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rates our quality of services as good
with outstanding features
 Stunning locations in Sussex, surrounded by the South Downs and the coast
 A great working environment in the community, in patients' homes and our
community hospitals
 Excellent training and development opportunities
 Real Living Wage Employer with great rates of pay
 Flexible working options, including job sharing, annualised hours, career
breaks, parental leave and adoption leave
 Supportive team environments
 Cost-effective and convenient workplace nurseries
 Thriving BAME, Disability, LGBT+ and Religion and Belief staff networks
 Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating inclusive workplaces

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Job summary

To assist the Imaging Manager in the performance of his/her duties by
providing a high quality imaging service. To carry out general ultrasound and Gynae examinations. To perform diagnostic ultrasound scans undertaking own workload and independently reporting ultrasound examinations. To prioritise, and organise own caseload. To be able to work independently within a clearly defined set of department protocols and make informed clinical decisions in the absence of a Radiologist. For each examination undertaken, a comprehensive diagnostic report will be formulated and disseminated to both the patient and the referring clinician. They will be accountable for their own professional actions (including reporting)

Please see job description a person spec attached for more information .

Person specification

Qualifications / skills
Essential criteria

• Degree level qualification in radiography or equivalent professional radiography qualification
• Post Graduate Certificate/Diploma in Medical Ultrasound
• State registration with the Health Professions Council

Desirable criteria

• Organisation of daily departmental workload, planning appointment schedules for patients
• IT skills to personally record and generate clinical observations

Experience
Essential criteria

• Minimum of 3 years post qualification autonomous practice
• Able to undertake, assess and report own caseload of patients
• Ability to work autonomously, to organise own workload and to make informed clinical decisions
• Ability to communicate highly complex, sensitive information
• Ability to deal with difficult situations where there is a barrier to understanding or a highly emotive atmosphere

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience of autonomous practice

Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria

• Ability to perform and interpret ultrasound scans and report on patients' conditions and make an appropriate diagnosis from a range of options

Other
Essential criteria

• Flexibility of workload
• Ability to travel to all 3 community sites

This post may close earlier than the published closing date if sufficient applications are received.

Correspondence relating to this vacancy will be conducted electronically. If you have not heard from us within two weeks please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please ensure that you check your emails, including your junk folder, on a regular basis. References will be requested electronically as well; please ensure you provide correct contact details for referees.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Sonographer Job description ( PDF , 689.1 KB )
• Sonographer Person Specification ( PDF , 316.8 KB )
• Staff Benefits Brochure ( PDF , 484.5 KB )