Workforce Directorate
Human Resources
Recruitment Team
High East, Crichton Hall, Dumfries DG1 4TG
Fax: 01387 244043
Email: dg.recruitment@nhs.net
JOB DESCRIPTION for the following vacancy:
VACANCY REF No:
695.15
VACANCY (Post Title):
Vascular Scientist
GRADE:
Band 7
SALARY:
£31,383 to £41,373
HOURS:
37.5 hpw
Permanent
We are seeking an enthusiastic Clinical Vascular Scientist to join our Vascular Service in
Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. You will be joining a small and friendly team
consisting of two Endovascular Consultants, two Vascular Surgical Trainees and a
Vascular Specialist Nurse, a receptionist and a secretary.
We provide the complete range of arterial, venous and renal access procedures and you
will be fully involved in the diagnosis, post-procedure follow up and also periprocedural
imaging. Our Vascular lab is the main diagnostic hub in our Service. We have Siemens
S2000 and Philips CX 50 machines in a spacious airconditioned lab with office. We use
online reporting linked to the hospital’s e-case note.
We have a significant Endovascular arterial and venous practice and Duplex is our main
modality of pre procedure imaging for all infrainguinal arterial disease.
The job is full time and Band 7/6 depending on the candidate. Though we are looking for
a fully trained Vascular Scientist, we can support further training for candidates requiring
such help.
Professional, academic and clinical interests will be actively encouraged and fully
supported and we would also welcome experienced Scientists interested in training
others.
Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary is a District General Hospital in rural South West
Scotland and is a very family friendly and picturesque place to live.
Informal enquiries to: Richard Cannon, Service Manager 01387 241791
Closing Date:
Thursday 2nd December 2015 at 5.00pm
Dumfries & Galloway NHS
Afc Ref: PTB001VAS
Candidate Information Sheet
Return of Applications
It is preferable that applications are returned electronically to the following email
address dg.applications@nhs.net. Please ensure that you read the job description
and person specification carefully, complete all applicable sections of the application
and that your Statement in support of your Application clearly demonstrates how you
meet the requirements of the post. We do not accept Curriculum Vitae so any CVs
or copies of certificates submitted instead of, or in addition to the standard NHS
Application Form will not be processed
We are unable to access late applications.
Decisions to shortlist candidates for interview are made ONLY on the contents of
your application form. If you are not shortlisted you will not receive any further
communications.
Criminal Record Check
With effect from 28th February, 2011 posts considered to be within "Regulated
Work" with Children and/or "Regulated Work" with Protected Adults will require
membership of the Disclosure Scotland Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme
(PVG Scheme) as a condition of employment.
PVG
You do not have to do anything about PVG Membership when submitting your
application form for the post. Candidates selected for appointment will be advised on
how to become a PVG Scheme Member prior to taking up the position.
Further information on the PVG Scheme Membership can be found at the
following https://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/index.htm
Standard Disclosure Check
For other roles not considered to be within "Regulated Work with Children" and/or
"Regulated Work with Protected Adults", a Standard Disclosure Check may be
required and the cost of this will be met by NHS Dumfries & Galloway.
Applicants who have lived outside the UK within the last five years, if offered a
position, in addition to a Disclosure Scotland Check, will be required to provide a
completed police record check (Certificate of Good Conduct) from the police
authority in the country or countries in which they were resident.
Dumfries & Galloway NHS
Afc Ref: PTB001VAS
1. JOB IDENTIFICATION
Clinical Vascular Scientist
Job Title:
Vascular Laboratory, Department of Vascular Surgery,
Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary
Department(s):
Job Holder Reference:
1
No of Job Holders:
2. JOB PURPOSE
To provide a specialist imaging service within the Vascular Laboratory of the Department of
Vascular Surgery, Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary.
To perform a wide range of specialist vascular ultrasound investigations and produce a clinically
accurate diagnostic report for each patient.
To manage the patient workload on a daily basis, including prioritising which patients are seen.
To perform other vascular tests and procedures, including treadmill exercise testing and patient
monitoring in theatre.
To teach radiology and other health professionals, as required.
To manage the daily working practices within the Vascular Laboratory.
ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
Radiology Service
Manager
Lead Clinician – Vascular Services
Clinical Vascular Scientist (this post)
SCOPE AND RANGE
Under the management of the Lead Clinician for Vascular Services, the post holder will:
Provide a diagnostic imaging service to the patient population served by NHS Dumfries & Galloway.
Perform imaging procedures and associated duties.
Provide a high standard of service to the patient and service users, by exercising good patient care
and updating technical and theoretical knowledge.
Undertake audit/research projects to improve evidence based practice, as required.
Mentor, clinically instruct and assess radiology and other health professionals.
Dumfries & Galloway NHS
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MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead Specialist for the specialist imaging service within the Vascular Laboratory.
Provide an independent reporting service for own clinical work.
Maintain patient confidentiality.
Maintain high professional standards.
Participate in a multi-disciplinary approach to service provision.
Report complaints, accidents/incidents and equipment faults in accordance with hospital policy.
Participate in the development of individual roles and responsibilities to ensure excellence is
maintained in all areas of vascular practice.
Devise, co-ordinate and monitor mechanisms to continually improve all aspects of patient care.
Keep abreast of, and identify appropriate developments in professional, technical and
administration areas.
Attend courses and updates as required.
Be aware of departmental and hospital policies eg Health and Safety etc.
Devise and participate in Quality Assurance programmes.
Comply with the Data Protection Act.
Monitor consumables stock levels.
Maintenance of service records eg statistical information etc.
Comply with all statutory requirements.
Be responsible for Risk Management and Clinical governance with respect to the Vascular Service.
SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
The post holder must be fully conversant with the safe operation of:
Highly specialised and expensive ultrasound equipment of varying complexities eg Duplex
ultrasound scanners, multi-frequency transducers, hand-held Doppler machines
Related processing equipment
and, to have a knowledge of the following:
DATIX – Incident Reporting system
PAS – Patient Administration System
DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
The post holder:
Interprets national, professional policies for specialist area.
Takes full accountability/responsibility for own actions/decisions.
Works as an autonomous practitioner and is responsible for management of their own patient
workload within each day.
Issues a full clinical report under their own name for each patient.
Within each patient investigation, the post holder is free to adapt or extend the scan depending on
the observations and measurements made during the scan.
May refer the patient for immediate clinical opinion in light of the results of the scan.
Is able to alter patient appointment times to adjust the workload.
Dumfries & Galloway NHS
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Analytical and judgement skills required for the post –
Scan Related:
Continually analyzing and interpreting complex information obtained from the scan as it is
performed, in order to form a vascular diagnosis and to make accurate measurements to illustrate
the pathology seen.
Using all the information obtained, to write a full diagnostic clinical report of the investigation,
indicating any difficulties (technical or patient related) leading to limitations for a full diagnosis.
Deciding when the normal procedure needs to be adapted and the scan be extended or curtailed,
including deciding what other areas need to be scanned.
Deciding when the scan is finished ie when sufficient diagnostic information has been obtained or
the maximum information available has been obtained.
Using the verbal history and notes on the request form, to assess the extent of the scan and
suitability of the investigation requested and knowing when to refer to the referring doctor if
information or clarification is required.
Determining the urgency of the scan from the information supplied on the referral.
Using measurements and tables, to calculate and determine disease states.
Prioritising the workload, especially of in-patients.
Judging when an urgent medical opinion is needed based on the results of a scan eg an occluded
graft is found.
Knowing when to refer to other experts for advice and using own discretion to suggest further
investigation if scan result considered incomplete or inconclusive.
The post holder may, on occasion, be asked to perform an unusual scan for which they have little
or no prior experience. In such cases they must apply the principles used in routine situations to
inform the observations and results obtained in the unusual case, noting any limitations.
Patient related:
Assessment must be made of patient status and suitability for a particular investigation, including
assessing patient safety during treadmill testing.
Judging the need to remove clothing and bandaging in order that adequate and necessary
information may be obtained.
Determining when to stop, based on observable clinical indicators.
Machine related:
Based on the size and status of the patient and the investigation requested, the post holder must
choose the correct ultrasound probe to apply to the skin and make continuous adjustment of the
scanner controls throughout the investigation in light of the observations made.
COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
The postholder will be expected to:
Liaise with Medical staff, Heads of Departments, Senior Charge Nurses and other hospital officers
to ensure that the commitments of the service are fulfilled.
Communicate with the patient, relatives and carers on the delivery of patient care.
Communication, on a daily basis, will include telephone contacts, face-to-face interactions and
interpretation of written communications via request cards, e-mail and other electronic means.
Impart, receive and communicate highly complex, sensitive or contentious information.
Other relevant lines of communication will encompass the following internal and external groups to
ensure the gathering and dissemination of information as appropriate:
Dumfries & Galloway NHS
Afc Ref: PTB001VAS
9. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
The post holder is expected to perform 9-12 investigations every day. Each investigation takes 2090 minutes to perform. Some are performed standing and some sitting, depending on patient
mobility/body habitus.
Physical Skills:
Maintaining awkward static postures with extended arm positions under tension for up to 5 minutes,
20-30 times per investigation in order to acquire images and make measurements.
Turning/twisting of back and neck to view monitor whilst stretching to simultaneously manipulate
controls and acquire images.
Physical Demands:
Moving ultrasound equipment
Pushing trolleys, wheelchairs
Standing for duration of scan
Assisting patients with some activities of daily living
Assisting patients on and off scanning couch
Supporting and assisting patients undergoing treadmill exercise testing
Cleaning machines and scanning couches/changing linen on couches
Ergonomics
Mental Demands:
Lengthy scan times mean intense concentration for long periods (20-90 mins per day) during which
the post holder must manipulate the probe and the machine controls whilst simultaneously
analysing and interpreting data in order to grade stenoses and reach a diagnosis
Subject to frequent direct and indirect interruptions from patients, relatives and the multidisciplinary team
Time management
Communication difficulties (multi-disciplinary, multicultural, deaf, blind)
Fear of physical and verbal abuse from patients/public
Emotional Demands:
Communicating with distressed/anxious/worried patients/relatives
Communicating with verbally/physically abusive patients/ relatives
Communicating complex issues with the multi-disciplinary team
Communicating with all staff and supporting their needs
Personal/inter-personal stressors
Spiritual
Working Conditions:
Working with VDU screens in low level lighting conditions for most of the day
Exposure to body fluids and odours (venous ulcers)
Exposure to verbal/physical aggression
Ergonomics
MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
To provide a high quality diagnostic service, both in terms of accuracy and technical complexity.
To be responsible for the interpretation and reporting of investigations, and accept the level of
responsibility associated with medical and surgical management plans, often being based solely on
results.
Dumfries & Galloway NHS
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Dealing with heavy workloads on a daily basis due to large clinical demand, usual disease profiles
and a scan distribution weighted towards long, detailed and intensive lower limb arterial work.
To develop excellent communication channels between members of the multi-disciplinary team.
Ensure the provision of quality/cost effective care within the allocated financial resources.
Implement change effectively.
Time management.
Addressing the equality and diversity needs of patients.
KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
The post holder should have a highly developed specialist vascular knowledge, underpinned by
theory and experience.
KNOWLEDGE:
General knowledge of anatomy and physiology, with specialist knowledge of the anatomy and
physiology of the circulation, including the pathology and aetiology of vascular disease.
Specialist knowledge of the haemodynamics of blood flow.
Specialist knowledge of ultrasound instrumentation and the physics and principles of ultrasound.
Specialist knowledge, and ability in, the principles of vascular technology including the ability
to
get high quality images, velocities and waveforms from all parts of the peripheral circulation and the
ability to interpret normal and pathological data in order to make a diagnosis.
Knowledge of QA and audit.
Good knowledge of safety issues including safe use of ultrasound, basic electrical safety, data
protection, infection control and manual handling/lifting techniques.
TRAINING:
Must hold a Degree in a relevant subject eg BSc (or equivalent) biological/physiological/physics
qualification.
The post holder should be fully qualified as an Accredited Vascular Scientist (AVS) – a postgraduate specialist qualification as set by the Society for Vascular Technology.
EXPERIENCE:
Technical skills The post holder should be actively practising as a Clinical Vascular Scientist as their primary skill
for post-accreditation (extensive ultrasound experience required).
They must be fully competent in the following investigations:
Carotid and vertebral arteries.
Peripheral upper and lower limb arterial duplex.
Peripheral upper and lower limb venous duplex.
Graft surveillance.
Aortic aneurysm surveillance.
Fistula assessment.
Treadmill testing and ankle-brachial pressure indices.
Clinical skills Excellent patient handling skills.
Excellent communication skills.
Dumfries & Galloway NHS
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Ability to take a relevant patient history and apply the information to dictate scan procedure.
Ability to assess complex information both during and after a scan, and draw conclusions to form a
diagnostic report that has both quantitative and qualitative components.
Manual dexterity of a high order with excellent hand/eye co-ordination enabling fine manipulation of
the ultrasound probe and simultaneous manipulation of machine controls to optimise the images
and information obtained.
Ability to respond calmly and competently, but with vital speed, in the even of patient problems
occurring during an investigation, notably how to perform CPR and to know when to refer the
patient for an immediate clinical opinion.
Ability to work to agreed protocols and procedures.
Ability to work under regular pressure.
Knowledge of relative and absolute contra-indications to investigations.
Numeric and accuracy of a high standard in interpreting and analysing patient data.
An understanding of the conditions affecting the scheduling of patients within the Vascular
Laboratory such as emergency admissions, theatre bookings and information contained on the
request form.
Must maintain confidentiality and dignity of the patient at all times.
Managerial/Service skills Excellent organisation skills.
Ability to provide professional clinical leadership to a multi-disciplinary team.
Flexibility to combine managerial tasks with pressured clinical workload.
Good motivational skills and a team player.
Excellent communicator.
Ability to assume responsibility under pressure and face the challenge of conflicting responsibilities.
Dumfries & Galloway NHS
Afc Ref: PTB001VAS
ESSENTIAL
QUALIFICATIONS
Must hold a Degree in a relevant subject eg BSc (or
equivalent) biological/physiological/physics qualification.
Post holder should be fully qualified as an Accredited
Vascular Scientist (AVS) – a 3-year post-graduate specialist
qualification as set by the Society for Vascular Technology.
Post holder should be actively practising as a Clinical
Vascular Scientist as their primary skill for a minimum of 3
years post-accreditation (6 years ultrasound experience in
total).
SKILLS
Excellent organisation skills.
Ability to provide professional clinical leadership to a multidisciplinary team.
Flexibility to combine managerial tasks with pressured
clinical workload.
Ability to assume responsibility under pressure and face the
challenge of conflicting responsibilities.
EXPERIENCE
Post holder should have extensive years ultrasound
experience
Must be fully competent in the following investigations:
Carotid and vertebral arteries.
Peripheral upper and lower limb arterial duplex.
Peripheral upper and lower limb venous duplex.
Graft surveillance.
Aortic aneurysm surveillance.
Fistula assessment.
Treadmill testing and ankle-brachial pressure indices
Excellent patient handling skills.
Excellent communication skills
Ability to take a relevant patient history and apply the
information to dictate scan procedure.
Ability to assess complex information both during and after
a scan, and draw conclusions to
form a diagnostic
report that has both quantitative and qualitative
components.
Manual dexterity of a high order with excellent hand/eye coordination enabling fine
manipulation of the ultrasound
probe and simultaneous manipulation of machine controls
to optimise the images and information obtained.
Ability to respond calmly and competently, but with vital
DESIRABLE
Dumfries & Galloway NHS
Afc Ref: PTB001VAS
speed, in the even of patient problems occurring during an
investigation, notably how to perform CPR and to know
when to refer the patient for an immediate clinical opinion.
Ability to work to agreed protocols and procedures.
Ability to work under regular pressure.
Knowledge of relative and absolute contra-indications to
investigations.
Numeric and accuracy of a high standard in interpreting and
analysing patient data.
An understanding of the conditions affecting the scheduling
of patients within the Vascular Laboratory such as
emergency admissions, theatre bookings and information
contained on the request form.
Must maintain confidentiality and dignity of the patient at all
times
KNOWLEDGE
General knowledge of anatomy and physiology, with
specialist knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the
circulation, including the pathology and aetiology of vascular
disease.
Knowledge of other Laboratory
disciplines
Knowledge of NHS Policies and
Procedures
Specialist knowledge of the haemodynamics of blood flow.
Specialist knowledge of ultrasound instrumentation and the
physics and principles of ultrasound.
Specialist knowledge, and ability in, the principles of
vascular technology including the ability
to get high
quality images, velocities and waveforms from all parts of
the peripheral circulation and the ability to interpret normal
and pathological data in order to make a diagnosis.
Knowledge of QA and audit.
Good knowledge of safety issues including safe use of
ultrasound, basic electrical safety, data protection, infection
control and manual handling/lifting techniques.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Good motivational skills and a team player.
Excellent communicator.
Able to multi-task