We are seeking a full-time, accredited/trained vascular scientist to join our team in the Vascular Ultrasound department at Royal Bournemouth Hospital for a fixed-term of 12 months to cover maternity leave. STP trainees about to qualify are encouraged to apply and those interested in more flexible hours will also be considered.

Our department supports a DVT clinic, acute stroke service (including weekend TIA clinic) and regular vascular one-stop clinics for 7 vascular consultants working as part of the main hub of the Dorset and Wiltshire vascular network.

Base Location: Royal Bournemouth Hospital

Interview Date: 4th October 2024

Main duties of the job

You will be performing and independently reporting on a range of vascular ultrasound diagnostic investigations including peripheral arterial and venous duplex, carotid duplex, DVT scanning, ABPI measurement and mapping/monitoring of dialysis access patients.

You will also be expected to assist in the teaching and supervision of our trainees and participate in departmental audits.

About us

We are a small, friendly team consisting of 2 qualified clinical vascular scientists, 2 trainee vascular scientists and 2 clinical vascular assistants.

We have 3 clinical rooms in our department, fully-air conditioned and equipped with 3XGE LogiqE10 machines. We also have a Samsung HS60 machine in our outpatient room for the one-stop clinics.

We support dedicated non-scanning time for non-clinical activities and encourage continuing professional development.

Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues.

UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.

In some cases this means that a services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have at interview.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a vascular scientist you will be expected to carry out vascular ultrasound diagnostic investigations to the standards required by the department.

General duties will include:-

• Performing arterial and venous duplex scans to support DVT and stroke services, vascular surgery and other.
• Ensuring high level of patient care.
• Prioritising workload by triaging in-patient requests.
• Independent reporting of scans for consultants/DVT nurses, including appropriate communication of urgent findings.

You will also have the following responsibilities:-

• To explain to patients the nature of the investigation being sensitive to their needs, feelings and sensibilities throughout the procedure. To work closely with other members of the department to achieve best possible results.
• To select the appropriate investigations for each patient, based on the request form and discussion with the patient and to adjust standard procedures as necessary. To interpret findings for inclusion in verbal, written or diagrammatic reports. To be familiar with other modalities which may give similar or complementary information which may assist with the test performed.
• Prioritise & manage own work. To accommodate urgent requests without compromise on quality. Where demands exceed capacity to select investigations with the highest clinical priority.
• To assist with preparation, development and review of protocols for the investigations.
• To retain awareness of the costs of equipment & consumables, to assist with keeping equipment well maintained and clean.
• To participate in teaching & supervision of trainees and other staff. To attend MDT meetings to present findings from Vascular Ultrasound investigations. To participate in and maintain accreditation by performing CPD activities. To maintain awareness of appropriate technical & scientific developments and to attend seminars, courses & conferences as necessary.
• To document each investigation by making appropriate measurements & sketches and by recording appropriate images. To write concise reports with accompanying diagrams where needed. Criteria used must be in accordance with departmental protocols.
• To monitor the accuracy & usefulness of the service through audit and by discussion with colleagues & clinicians. To support and participate in research as agreed with Vascular Ultrasound Lead.
• Appropriate measures must be taken to maintain hygiene and to reduce the risk of cross infection.
• Be compassionate and understanding with patients and be able to deliver unfavourable results sensitively. Be able to work under pressure and in a busy clinical setting.
• It will also be necessary to help patients to move between wheelchairs and couches as well as manoeuvring heavy equipment on occasion.
• Carry out investigations requiring long periods of concentration.
• You will be working independently for much of the time, often with an assistant but sometimes alone

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc. Science subject
• Accredited Vascular Scientist with Society for Vascular Technology of Great Britain & Ireland OR Completion of Vascular STP training

Desirable

• HCPC Registration
• Accredited Vascular Scientist with the Society for Vascular Technology of Great Britain & Ireland (if STP qualified).
• MSc Vascular Science

Experience

Essential

• To be able to work independently in all areas of vascular ultrasound. This includes carotid, lower & upper limb arterial & venous scanning). Vein scanning includes reflux studies, mapping & testing for DVT).
• Experienced in Doppler ABPI testing.
• To manage own workload, prioritise and meet deadlines.
• Evidence of continual professional development
• Participation in departmental audit activities

Desirable

• General Ultrasound experience including abdominal, gynae & pelvic. Pre and post op renal access scanning.
• Post-operative EVAR duplex.
• Experience of Vascular Measurement techniques such as toe pressures & plethysmography
• Experience of training/mentoring students.
• Experience of research participation

Technical skills

Essential

• High standard of clinical competency in a wide range of Vascular Ultrasound examinations.
• Expertise in analysing data, drawing conclusions and presenting information to other clinical staff verbally and using concise reports & diagrams.
• Manual dexterity and hand eye co-ordination skills

Desirable

• Experience of using PACS and RIS

Interpersonal skills

Essential

• Good communicator, compassionate attitude towards patient care.
• Ability to supervise & teach other staff
• Excellent team worker.
• Counselling skills for delivering potentially upsetting information

Personal attributes

Essential

• Ability to work under pressure.
• Showing initiative.
• Able to cope with sometimes distressing situations e.g. when patients receive upsetting news about limb threatening peripheral vascular disease.

Desirable

• Clean and tidy appearance

Other requirements specific to the role

Essential

• Flexible approach to work.
• Participates in care of equipment and routine quality assurance.
• Uniform to be worn during clinical work.

Language requirement

Essential

• Able to speak English as necessary to undertake the role

Knowledge

Essential

• In depth knowledge of anatomy, pathology & clinical conditions related to vascular ultrasound.
• Current Knowledge of best practice and up to date knowledge on current trends in vascular ultrasound.
• Understanding of Clinical Governance, evidence based practice and audit. Understanding of WRULD and knowledge of appropriate scanning techniques to minimize risks.

Desirable

• In depth knowledge of ultrasound quality assurance.

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Bournemouth Hospital

Castle Lane East

Bournemouth

BH7 7DW

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

153-SP03581