Trainee Sonographer

This trainee sonographer post is an exciting opportunity to train in ultrasound. The successful candidate will undertake a 18-to-24-month training program at Masters post-graduate level, leading to the successful completion of a post-graduate diploma in Medical ultrasound.

The aim being that at completion of training and preceptorship, the successful candidate will undertake and independently report general medical, gynaecology and early pregnancy ultrasound examinations to a high standard. Provide direct care and facilitate patient management, whilst seeking assistance when required.

The success full candidate will hold a BSc in radiography, a science based or nursing degree and obtained a 2:1 of higher and have a keen interest in ultrasound. You should have two or more years' experience of working in a hospital setting. Applicants should ideally have a current Health Professions Council (HCPC) registration or equivalent.

We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, motivated, full-time band 6 trainee sonographer to train in ultrasound in our busy, friendly ultrasound department at North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT). We provide a comprehensive (mainly non-obstetric) ultrasound service to a wide range of specialities within the hospital and local GPs.

The successful candidate will undertake a post-graduate diploma in Medical Ultrasound. It is a full-time course consisting of a blend of study blocks/ set days at university and clinical placement across all NBT sites. The qualification will take just under 24 months to complete.

Following successful completion, you would undertake a minimum of 3 months full-time preceptorship, progressing to a Band 7 when able to work to the same level as other junior Band 7 sonographers.

The sonographers at NBT Imaging department are a supportive team, who will work to facilitate your learning. You will be assigned a mentor for each module who will assess your progress, discuss learning objectives, interesting cases, and work through any issues.

You would be working for the largest NHS Trust in the Southwest Region providing outstanding medical, surgical and maternity care for a population of approximately half a million people in North Bristol and the surrounding community. Our clinical teams have built a strong reputation for excellent healthcare.

In 2014 the Trust relocated the majority of its acute services to the Brunel Building, one of the most advanced hospitals in Europe offering exemplary care in a beautiful and purpose-built environment.

NBT is a center for specialist health services for major trauma, neurosciences, vascular, plastics and burns, orthopaedics and renal services and is also a prestigious, internationally recognised teaching and research organisation providing care regionally and nationally.

The benefits you will get from joining the radiography team are a strong commitment from NBT for your individual personal development, the prospect to work with a fantastic and friendly team of peers and a department that is open to new ideas and suggestions from all team members, providing a collaborative working environment.

For informal enquiries or visit the department, please contact Patricia Ahmed, Ultrasound Modality Lead patricia.ahmed@nbt.nhs.uk

Please note this vacancy may close early if a high number of applications are received.

You will work in mainly outpatient and community sites undertaking routine scans requested by GP’s, when more experienced you will work in ED ultrasound, inpatient ultrasound, SDEC (same day emergency care), portable scans on the ward, including ITU, early pregnancy unit and gynaecology emergency clinic.

All of our band 7 sonographers work as independent reporting practitioners, working autonomously but also as an important part of the team with radiologists and the early pregnancy advanced nurse practitioners.

As this is a fully funded opportunity to gain the professional qualification, you will be required to sign North Bristol NHS Trust’s Learning Contract. This requires the successful candidate to commit to remain in the employment of NBT for at least 24 months after completion of the course. Failure to do so may result in a financial penalty (as per the NBT Study Leave Policy). In addition, if the candidate fails to withdraw in a timely manner or successfully complete the course, without being able to provide a reasonable explanation, they may be liable for any costs incurred by the Trust.

At Southmead Hospital, we perform a wide range of ultrasound examinations including general abdominal, gynaecological, transplant kidneys, musculoskeletal, small parts, baby hips and early pregnancy.

The sonographers cover lists in Southmead Hospital and community sites in Cossham, Clevedon hospital and Yate Westgate Centre. Ultrasound also is part of the imaging team in ED, with the sonographers scanning A&E and inpatients to facilitate quick diagnosis and treatment. In addition, there are two scan rooms in the early pregnancy unit to facilitate timely, high-quality care to women at a vulnerable time.

Please see the Job Description and Person Specification for more details regarding job description and main responsibilities.