Medical Engineering & Physics
PMS
VASCULAR SCIENTIST JOB DESCRIPTION
Department of Medical Engineering and Physics
Job Description
Job Title.
Qualified clinical vascular scientist
Grade:
Band 7 + high cost area supplement
Responsible to:
Head of Vascular Laboratory
Accountable to:
Head of Medical Engineering and Physics
Job Summary
The vascular laboratory is an autonomous diagnostic service within the trust,
providing specialist clinical, scientific and technical services to investigate
circulation disorders, primarily using ultrasound techniques. The services it
provides are integral to clinical decision-making in a number of key areas
including vascular surgery, renal medicine, haematology, paediatrics and
stroke medicine.
The service provides a large number (currently
approximately 15,000 tests annually) over an exceptionally wide range of
tests to a high standard appropriate for a major teaching hospital. The
laboratory is accredited to ISO EN 13485 quality standard within the
department of Medical Engineering and Physics.
Staff within the service are responsible for the accurate performing and
reporting of diagnostic tests. Many of the tests have been developed within
the laboratory in co-operation with clinical teams; there is a continual need
within the section to develop vascular diagnostic tests. The service also
undertakes work for clinicians in other hospitals/trusts. Some of these tests
are performed by King's staff in the referring hospitals.
The service has an active research programme, often conducted in
association with other hospital departments. The service also undertakes
extensive teaching and training in vascular ultrasound for a wide range of staff
and runs the Vascular Ultrasound MSc King’s College London.
Job purpose

To undertake, interpret and report ultrasound scans and other tests for
vascular conditions, working at the level of a fully qualified clinical
vascular technologist. They will operate autonomously with the support
of senior staff within the service.

To undertake specific roles in the day-to-day management of the
department and will have specific duties within the service for which
they will be expected to be responsible.
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
To run vascular ultrasound clinics in other trusts and to assume
responsibility for these where required.

To support teaching and training activities within the service and to
support research programme.
Section Structure
Head of
department
Consultant
Scientist 8D
Vasc
Admin 4
Senior Vasc
Scientist 8A
Vasc
Scientist 7
Senior Vasc
Scientist 8A
Senior Vasc
Scientist 8A
Vasc
Scientist 7
Vasc
Scientist 7
Trainee
Scientist 7
Duties and responsibilities
1.
Clinical and Scientific
1.1
Perform, interpret and report independently on specialist diagnostic
tests on patients in response to request from clinicians:
1.1.1 Analyze requests from clinicians and select appropriate tests
and prioritize them according to clinical need and resources available.
1.1.2 Communicate clearly and sensitively with patients undergoing
tests and assist in their preparation for tests. Communicate reasons
for and results of tests to patients as necessary.
1.1.3 Conduct vascular diagnostic tests using ultrasound and other
equipment to obtain images and measurements necessary for
successful conclusion of the tests.
1.1.4 Recognize when the test is sub-optimal and select and execute
alternative tests where necessary.
1.1.5 Be able to interpret complex anatomy and pathology in order to
provide clear diagnostic findings
1.1.6 Make complex interpretive judgements based on interactively
acquired ultrasound blood flow data and imaging.
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1.1.7 Record test information clearly and accurately in appropriate
media.
1.1.8 Communicate results and diagnostic information to referring
clinicians with appropriate urgency including alerting the clinician when
urgent further investigation or treatment is indicated. Be able to
communicate complex information clearly to clinicians to enable
effective decisions.
1.1.9 Ensure that all tests are conducted and reported to agreed
protocols in accordance with protocols and with best practice
1.1.10
Be responsible for patients’ safety and well-being during
tests. Responsible for ensuring due care for patients who may present
with a range of illnesses.
1.1.11 Ensure that all procedures are carried out within trust guidelines
for infection control.
1.2
Perform specialised ultrasound procedures during surgery. Take
appropriate
precaution
against
infection
when
performing
measurements in the surgical field.
1.3
Perform, report and record vascular tests including ultrasound
examinations for clinical trials in accordance with specific trial
protocols.
1.4
Represent the vascular laboratory staff at joint clinical review meetings
including weekly vascular team meetings,
1.5
Propose changes to vascular laboratory procedures to improve patient
care pathways. Contribute to the review and modification of service
protocols in response to internal or external demands.
Audit
effectiveness of changes in procedures and protocols.
2
Managerial
2.1
Prioritise own work in accordance with Sectional, Departmental and
Trust priorities and external demands. Meet expected targets by using
own initiative and following general principles and applicable
regulations, standards and guidelines.
2.2
Manage specific aspects of vascular laboratory administration.
Specific roles are:
2.2.1 IT development. Liaise with trust IT team and external providers
to support IT developments as they apply to the vascular laboratory, its
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database, images storage and communication with the hospital IT
network.
2.2.2. Health and safety. Be responsible for Health and Safety issues
as they apply to the vascular laboratory including infection control and
life support training. Co-ordinate training of all vascular laboratory
staff in life support, fire awareness and manual handling activities. Be
responsible for the section crash trolley and half-yearly section risk
assessment.
2.2.3 Quality assurance. Liaise with departmental quality assurance
manager to ensure that sectional current practices meet ISO 9000
standards. Instigate and complete activities to ensure that these
standards are maintained.
2.2.4 Stock control.
Responsible for all disposable stock within
the section, and for maintaining stocks of clinical and
administration/stationery items. Responsible for ordering stock items
up to £5,000.
2.2.5 Be responsible for conducting testing at other hospitals with
whom the section has agreements for service provision. Manage
external clinics as appropriate to ensure effective use of resources and
high service quality.
Responsibility for these tasks will be apportioned by the head of
service. Responsibility may be rotated around section clinical vascular
scientists and each individual will have no more than three specific
areas of responsibilities.
2.3
Keep relevant scientific and technical records for audit purposes. In
particular ensure patient surveillance, follow up and vascular imaging
records are kept in an accurate, methodical and up to date manner.
2.4
Be responsible for planning staff rotas in the trust department and
external clinics
2.5
Responsible for care of clinical equipment including ultrasound
scanners and transducers to ensure optimum performance. Note faults
on vascular lab equipment and ensure process for rectification is
initiated and completed.
3.
Teaching and training and research
3.1
Undertake day-to-day supervision and training of trainees on imaging
of vascular applications, including use of complex equipment of
complex equipment and instrumentation. Staff to be trained include
trainee technologists/trainees, SpR radiologists, radiographers, medical
and nursing staff.
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3.2
Demonstrate vascular scanning to medical students.
3.3
Participate in teaching activities of clinical vascular scientists,
ultrasonographers and nurses under the direction of senior service
staff.
3.4
Undertake research and development in collaboration with clinical staff
and other researchers, in accordance with the priorities of the service.
Undertake
clinical research studies in the vascular laboratory.
Undertake clinical audit.
4.
Professional
4.1
Maintain an up to date knowledge of scientific and technical practices
and keep abreast of technical change and development. Maintain
standards of CPD as required by the Society of Vascular Technology.
4.2
Participate in the development of standards and provision of advice
appropriate to the status of a major teaching and referral centre.
5.
Miscellaneous
5.1
Carry out all duties in accordance with the requirements of the Health &
Safety at Work Act, relevant Statutory Regulations, Approved Codes of
Conduct and Local Rules.
5.2
Work hours as necessary for the proper and efficient performance of
the work. In practice, the appointee will occasionally be required to
perform duties outside the normal working hours of the Department.
5.3
When working in other departments, the appointee will liaise with local
heads of department, medical consultants, superintendents, nursing
sisters or their representatives as appropriate, adhering to local policies
and practices.
5.4
The post holder will behave courteously and professionally at all times
and seek to ensure that the highest level of service is provided by the
vascular laboratory service.
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5.5
Take necessary precautions when working in hazardous environments,
including ionising radiation and infectious materials.
5.6
Perform other appropriate duties that may be required from time to time
by the Head of Service.
GENERAL
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The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety
and well being and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within
the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical
governance accountabilities associated with this post.
To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King’s
College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant
statutory and professional obligations.
To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information
relating to patients and staff.
To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal
development and to actively contribute to the development of
colleagues.
This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of
duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected
that some of the duties
will change over time and this description will be subject to review in
consultation with the post holder.
All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the
Trust's formal route for email communication. You are therefore
required to check this regularly and to deal with such communication
promptly.
Infection Control Statement
The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to
make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control
and hygiene requirements of this role.
These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on
Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be
made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training.
These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.
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Person Specification Example
Post: Clinical Vascular Scientist
Grade: Trainee
Band 5-6
Care Group/ Department: CTTS
Core Dimension/ Competence/ Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
Yes
2:1 or first in biological science degree.
Must demonstrate an ability to communicate with people
about difficult matters and/or in difficult situations. Make
patients in their care feel at ease.
Yes
Yes
Experience with patients
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Post: Clinical Vascular Scientist
Grade:
Trained
Band 7
Care Group/ Department:CTTS
Core Dimension/ Competence/ Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
Yes
2:1 or first degree in biological science. MSc in medical
ultrasound. Accreditation with the SVT
3 years experience at least in vascular ultrasound
Yes
Yes
Must demonstrate an ability to communicate with people
about difficult matters and/or in difficult situations. Train
junior staff.
Yes
Repertoire of scans beyond the SVT minimum of carotid,
peripheral arterial and peripheral venous.
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