Thank you for your interest in NHS Tayside vacancies
Please see below Job Description/Specification and General Conditions of Service
Your Application Form must be completed in full. Please note copies of Curriculum Vitae,
Qualifications and Course Certificates will not be accepted at this stage.
Please return your completed Application Form to recruitment.tayside@nhs.net
(quoting the vacancy reference number in the subject box) or to the postal address given on the
General Conditions of Service.
All completed applications are held in Human Resources until the closing date. After the closing date a panel will meet to prepare an interview shortlist. Once this decision has been made, all shortlisted applicants will be emailed to invite them to attend for interview.
It is important that you check your emails regularly.
This process takes approximately 6 weeks. Therefore, if you have not been contacted regarding interview within 6 weeks of the closing date, your application has been unsuccessful and you will receive no further correspondence from Human Resources.
www.dundeecity.gov.uk
www.angus.gov.uk
www.pkc.gov.uk

1. JOB IDENTIFICATION
NHS TAYSIDE – AGENDA FOR CHANGE
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title AAA Senior Ultrasound Screener
Department(s)/Location
Number of job holders
AAA Screening Service
1-2
JOB PURPOSE
To provide a Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Service to the population of NHS
Tayside & Fife. The post holder will be actively involved in scanning the eligible population identified by this dedicated ultrasound service. This is a frontline patient focused position with supervisory responsibility for junior staff members.
ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
Clinical Specialist Sonographer
Lead Sonographer/QA Lead NHS
Tayside & Fife
AAA
Screening
Service
Manager
NHS
Tayside
Administrative Services
Manager - Diagnostics
AAA Senior Ultrasound
Screener Band 5
2 x ……WTE
(this post)
AAA Screening
Call/Recall Manager
1.0 wte Band 5
AAA Screening
Ultrasound screeners
Band 4
2 x 0.8 WTE
Denotes Support & Communication
AAA Screening
Appointments
Officer
0.5 wte
Band 3
Denotes direct line management
SCOPE AND RANGE
The Scottish AAA Screening Programme was rolled out in NHS Tayside & Fife in January 2013.
The aim of the screening programme is to reduce death from ruptured AAA in the male population over 65 years of age. All men resident in Scotland are offered a single ultrasound assessment of the abdominal aorta at the age of 65; within Tayside and Fife this represents a total screening population of approximately 5000 men per year. In addition, men found to have an aneurysm will be offered surveillance screening, either 12 or 3 monthly, depending on the size of the aneurysm. Although based at Ninewells Hospital, the post holder will be expected to conduct screening at a variety of venues including hospital based sites, in health centres and community hospitals. There are currently 20 different screening sites located throughout Tayside and Fife and the post holder will be expected to drive to clinics and to work independently.
Depending on the location of the screening clinic, up to 33 screening appointments are undertaken per clinic.

The post holder will:

Locally undertake accurate abdominal ultrasound assessment of the aorta as part of national screening recommendations.

Ensure all ultrasound assessments are performed to national standard operating procedures.

To provide mentoring and supervision for more junior screening staff

Work collaboratively with the national screening programme.

Ensure members of public attending clinic are informed and are aware of the implications of the screening programme.

Support the co-ordination of staff and placements for provision of a comprehensive screening programme.

Work closely with the Lead Sonographer and administration team to ensure a high quality, efficient service is provided to participants
MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Planning & Organisational

Responsible for planning and organisation of own daily case load and ongoing related activities which include rota planning.

Works autonomously during screening activities and processes to ensure delivery of an accurate, timely, efficient, effective quality screening service. Working without supervision within SOPs.

Will undergo any internal and external quality assurance set out by the standards of the national AAA Screening Programme.

Ensures that scan results are appropriately recorded and images obtained are recorded according to local policy and provision.
 Ensure appropriate management and documentation of any incidents or “emergencies”

Communicates with scientific, screening and administration staff as required on a daily basis to facilitate the smooth running of the service and to deliver high quality patient care.

Responsible for checking Crown Car vehicle safety, using the NHS Tayside weekly vehicle safety checklist and recording completion/any defects. Is also responsible for contacting recovery services if required as well as carrying out regular cleaning of the car.

Checking that the clinics have sufficient consumable resources (cleaning wipes, couch roll etc) to conduct screening over a period of time.

Is responsible for operating portable ultrasound equipment, including transfer of data and images to the AAA IT system.
 Will undertake screening clinics in both ‘online’ and ‘offline’ modes.

Shall update and maintain electronic files involving confidential patient information following
SOPs.

Ensures sensitive and confidential information is handled in accordance with NHS Tayside
Data Protection and Information Security policy
Research & Development

Undertakes audit as necessary for own workload

The post holder will participate in local audit if necessary
Professional

To provide a high quality, safe and supportive environment for the patients, meeting the identified physical and psychosocial needs
Educational

Attends relevant training courses, seminars, tutorials and conferences as required to maintain an appropriate level of knowledge and skills.


It is essential the post holder is aware of current local and national guidelines and alters assessments in accordance with current guidelines

Participates in own personal Performance Development Review (PDR) and Continuing
Personal Development (CPD). Keeps personal training portfolio up to date.
Administration and Health and Safety

Undertakes the recording of patient related assessment data (e.g. clinical observations, test results).

Complies with the Health and Safety protocols in agreement with local and national guidelines
Patient Care

Provides a screening service, which contributes to the diagnosis, care and treatment of patients.

Carries out ultrasound assessments of the abdominal aorta in accordance with national and local policies for scanning and reporting.

Routine reporting and results to patient at clinic, giving appropriate information and support.
Induction Standards & Code of Conduct
Your performance must comply with the national “Mandatory Induction Standards for Healthcare
Support Workers 2009” and with the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers.
COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder must have good interpersonal, communication and man-management skills and be able to deal effectively and professionally with patients while maintaining an effective working relationship with staff.

Maintain effective communication with all patients and patient's carers/representatives, providing reassurance as required.

Maintain effective communication with other departments and external agencies providing maintenance and emergency repair/rescue for screening equipment and Crown Car e.g, IT dept, Atos and garages

The post holder regularly communicates and receives highly complex sensitive and contentious clinical information where a sensitive approach is required. This may also include situations involving barriers to understanding, For example where English is not the first language, deafness, dumbness, unable to read, loss of sight etc.

Must communicate effectively in a manner in-keeping with the professional persona of the service.

May have to use tact, empathy and diplomacy when dealing with patient issues; particularly where patient aims may differ from those of the screening service.
KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB

Must be educated to SVQ4 level in a relevant subject and/or be able to demonstrate a proven track record in a healthcare discipline.

Must complete in-house training and attendance at a specialist course in AAA scanning once in post. This will include the completion of a portfolio of images which are submitted for assessment.

Must have evidence of good computer understanding and skills

Have the ability to travel across all NHS Tayside sites

Post holders who have not previously employed within NHS Tayside should be able to fulfil requirements of Induction Standards and Code of Conduct for Health Care Support Worker
(HCSW) and must complete the HCSW pack (Intranet)

Meet the national demands for continuing professional development set out by NHS
Scotland

Undertake hoist, NHS driver training as well as any other training identified to assist in the provision of the AAA Screening service.

SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT

Manages the safe use and storage of expensive and highly complex equipment to include safe transport and storage of portable ultrasound machines and laptops.

The postholder will also regularly use the AAA IT system, internet, standard Microsoft applications, email, NHS intranet

Records personally generated information (e.g. clinical observations, test results, case reports, personnel data, and research data).

Proficient in data entry to include recording and reporting of national statistics in line with
AAA screening programme requirements
Responsibility for Records Management
All records created in the course of the business of NHS Tayside are corporate records and are public records under the terms of the Public Records (Scotland) Act 1937. This includes email messages and other electronic records. It is your responsibility to ensure that you keep appropriate records of your work in NHS Tayside and manage those records in keeping with the NHS Tayside Records Management Policy and with any guidance produced by NHS Tayside specific to your employment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
The Post Holder will develop their skills through in house training and will continue to develop skills through time and experience.
Physical Skills/Effort:

The post requires highly developed physical skills, where accuracy and dexterity is important.

Repetitive hand and wrist movement to obtain high quality images whilst in sitting and standing positions

Prolonged periods of concentration looking at VDU monitors

There is a daily requirement to exert moderate physical effort manoeuvring patients into the required test positions with occasional need to obtain assistance in achieving this.

Need to adapt to working across a large geographical area with no set workplace.

On a daily basis, set up the mobile clinic at the screening site in all weather conditions.
Lifting equipment and moving trolleys, cases, laptops and ultrasound machines from the car to the clinic room, which may be some distance from the car parking area.

Assisting disabled patients in wheelchairs from the waiting areas to screening clinics.
Assisting patients onto examination couch. Using hoist to move patients with limited mobility from wheelchairs onto examination couch and back again.
Mental effort:

There is a frequent requirement for prolonged concentration while checking/reading detailed documents and protocols and assessing patients to prevent mis-identification.

The need to recognise abnormal results and follow appropriate guidelines to alert screening office or Lead Sonographer.

Report other abnormalities as may found on routine aorta assessment.

Driving the Crown Car, Pool car or Hire car as required.
Emotional effort:

Emotional demands include the need to communicate with distressed and anxious patients

Managing administrative problems such as late cancellation of clinics and communication with patients and staff.

Dealing with people with challenging behaviour

Working conditions:

Frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions (patient body odours, bodily fluids and verbal aggression)

Working independently with no set workplace

Operate clinics in darkened conditions (essential to obtain good quality images)

Work in contact with patients and in close proximity

Cope with constant arrival of patients with 10/15 minute screening appointments plus extra patients.

Cleaning equipment, examination couch and surfaces after each patient in line with infection control policies

Significant risk of infection or cross infection
DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
Analytical & Judgemental skills: Judgements involving complex facts or situations, which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options.

Act decisively and autonomously in a professional capacity and be accountable for any actions without the need to refer to line management.

Notify Lead Sonographer with regards any inconsistencies or concerns

Work unsupervised and in accordance with SOPs and NHS Tayside policies.

During image capture, decide whether the images of the aorta are of acceptable quality

Assists with uploading/ downloading of all clinic data on a daily basis.

Participates in regular meetings with screening staff to ensure good team work and early identification of concerns or problems both clinical and administrative

Decide if the Crown Car/ Pool Car is safe to drive by ensuring safety checks have been performed and decide on the safest and quickest route to take to an offsite clinic.
MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB

Ability to problem-solve when there is computer or IT system failure.
 Ensuring that all patients’ investigations are carried out sensitively, and professionally, meeting the requirements of the national screening programme and relevant professional bodies such VSS, SVT and SIGN guidelines.

To provide a high quality diagnostic service, both in terms of accuracy and technical complexity.

Driving in bad weather conditions and then having to set up a clinic.

Dealing with heavy workloads on a daily basis due to large clinical demand.


Supervising and maintaining an operational working role at the same time.
Meeting and screening large numbers of patients while maintaining the Clinical Standards for the AAA Screening Programme.

Delivery of a timely patient journey by ensuring the clinic is ready for use at appointment times and time managing each 10 / 15 minute appointment.

Countering the stressful aspects of working in dark conditions with a large number of patients demanding attention.

Addressing the equality and diverse needs of patients and staff.

Balancing the needs of the service against the needs of the staff to ensure work/home responsibilities are met.

Working with patients in a highly structured short appointment system.

Maintaining and improving the knowledge required to successfully achieve AAA Screening.
JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT

The job description will need to be signed off using the attached sheet by each post holder to whom the job description applies.

Person Specification
________________________________________________________________________
______
POST REF NO: D/CH/03/15
JOB TITLE/BAND: Senior AAA Ultrasound Screener
LOCATION: Ninewells Hospital
HOURS: 0.6 WTE
Criteria
EXPERIENCE:
QUALIFICATION &
TRAINING:
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
PERSONAL QUALITIES:
Essential

NHS experience in dealing with patients

High degree of computer literacy

Ability to think laterally and provide alternative solutions to IT problems

Educated to SVQ4 level in a relevant subject

Must be willing to undergo the mandatory AAA
Screening training course run by Glasgow
Caledonian University

Must be willing to undergo in-house training

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal

Highly developed coordination skills with good dexterity

Ability to communicate results to patients

Good organisational skills

Must be able to comply with agreed Health &
Safety protocols designed to reduce risk from repetitive hand movements and the lifting/ movement of equipment

Ability to work flexibly within a small team to cover the demands of the
AAA Screening Service

Demonstrate problem solving

Ability to work autonomously and
Desirable

Experience with
Microsoft packages and
NHS software

Experience in ultrasound imaging

Evidence of applicable courses attended

Knowledge of cross sectional terminology and relevant anatomy

Previous supervisory/ line management experience

Previous experience of rostering staff

Keen to learn new skills and put into practice

Demonstrate motivation, reliability and commitment to team working

A willingness to advance knowledge and personal development

An interest in quality

OTHER: maintain good judgement under pressure

Able to convey a professional image to colleagues and patients.

Must be able to travel to other NHS Tayside & Fife sites to conduct clinics

Must comply with NHS
Tayside confidentiality requirements and policies

Must be able to comply with NHS Tayside’s uniform, workwear and professional appearance policy related issues

POST REF NO: D/CH/03/15
JOB TITLE/GRADE:
LOCATION:
Conditions of
Service
Remuneration
AAA Senior Ultrasound Screener, Band 5
AAA Screening Programme, Ninewells Hospital
The terms and conditions of service for this post are those determined by the NHS Staff Council.
Hours of Duty
Superannuation
Annual Leave
The current salary scale for the post is £21,818 to £28,462 per annum (pro rata for part-time staff). Placing on the scale on appointment is normally at the minimum but may be higher subject to verification of previous relevant service.
Salary is paid monthly by Bank Credit Transfer.
The hours of the post are 22.5 per week.
Start and finish times will be determined by the needs of the service.
Membership of the NHS Superannuation Scheme is not compulsory but is open to all staff between the ages of 16 and
70 (65 in some instances).
The contributions paid are a percentage of superannuable pay, which is essentially basic pay excluding, for example, overtime or travelling expenses.
Contribution rates with effect from 01.04.14 are as follows:
Annual Pensionable Pay
(Full-time equivalent)
Up to £15,431
£15,432 to £21,387
£21,388 to £26,823
£26,824 to £49,472
£49,473 to £70,630
£70,631 to £111,376
£111,377 and over
Contribution
5%
5.6%
7.1%
9.3%
12.5%
13.5%
14.5%
Contributions are subject to tax relief and reduced National
Insurance contributions. NHS Tayside also makes a substantial contribution towards scheme benefits
– currently around 14% of basic pay.
On appointment = 27 days (pro rata for part-time Staff) or 5.4 weeks per year.
After 5 years aggregated service = 29 days (pro rata for parttime staff) or 5.8 weeks per year
After 10 years aggregated service = 33 days (pro rata for parttime staff) or 6.6 weeks per year

References
Public Holidays = 8 days (pro rata for part-time staff) or 1.6 weeks per year
All offers of appointment are subject to receipt of two satisfactory references.
Clearance
Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974
(Exclusions and
Exceptions)
(Scotland) Order
2003
Service are subject to a medical examination. Medical examinations are arranged and undertaken by the Occupational
Health and Safety Advisory Service (OHSAS).
All current or spent criminal convictions, cautions, warnings or any case pending must be disclosed prior to commencing in employment as detailed on the application form.
Please note that having a conviction will not automatically debar you from obtaining employment with NHS Tayside. Careful consideration will be given to the relevance of the offence to the particular post in question. However, if you are appointed, and it is found that you did not reveal a previous conviction your employment may be terminated.
Disclosure Scotland The successful applicant will be required to become a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) in respect of regulated work with protected adults and regulated work with children.
Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act
2006
It is a criminal offence for an employer to employ anyone who does not have permission to live or work in the UK .
Shortlisted applicants will be asked to produce specific original documentation at interview e.g. Passport, or full birth certificate together with an official document giving the applicants permanent National Insurance Number and name issued by a
Government Agency or a previous employer, as well as photocopies of these documents.
Professional
Registration/
New entrants to NHS Tayside will be required to achieve the mandatory Induction Standards for Healthcare Support Workers
Induction Standards & (HCSWs) in Scotland and comply with the Code of Conduct for
Code of Conduct HCSWs throughout your employment.
Internal candidates will be required to comply with the Code of
Conduct for HCSWs
Smoking Policy
Applications
NHS Tayside operates a No Smoking Policy and smoking is prohibited within NHS premises and grounds.
Completed forms should be returned to: recruitment.tayside@nhs.net quoting the job reference in the subject line or to Human Resources Directorate, NHS Tayside,
Level 9, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY
By closing date of 5 May 2015