Trainee Healthcare Scientist (ETP program)
Are you a registered Healthcare Scientist with the AHCS, or completing your undergraduate Healthcare Science degree programme this academic year and are looking to specialise in Echocardiography?
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has an exciting opportunity for an 18-month fixed term full-time training post in echocardiography, starting in October 2025. You will be trained by expert Cardiac Physiologists/Clinical Scientists in the British Society of Echocardiography accredited department to become highly skilled in performing and reporting cardiac ultrasound diagnostic procedures.
This opportunity is part of the Echocardiography Training Program developed by the National School of Healthcare Science (NSH) and fully funded by NHS England.
Successful ETP trainees will be trained to BSE accreditation level 2 and will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Echocardiography from the University of Newcastle.
Applicants for this programme are required to have a 1st or 2:1 in either an undergraduate honours degree (including an integrated master's degree) in Cardiac Physiology (PTP) or a relevant scientific subject such as Biology, Human Biology or Sports Science and registration with the AHCS.
Main duties of the job
The Trainee Echocardiographer will be employed for a fixed term of 18 months during which time they will work through a program of learning. In conjunction with and supported by the Designated Training Officer, the Trainee Echocardiographer will be responsible for their own progression through the training program, completing a mixture of work-based competence and experience in NHS scientific departments, completing the learning outcomes as outlined in the NSHCS Curriculum Library, undertaking the complementary academic Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Echocardiography and preparing for and completing the BSE Transthoracic Accreditation process. This will be combined with an academic program at Post Graduate level over the first year of the program. The academic programme is delivered by the University of Newcastle and the trainee will attend fortnightly academic block visits twice during the first year, with travel and accommodation provided.
At all times the Trainee Echocardiographer is expected to work within standard operating policies and procedures of the host department and NHS organisation and adhere to high standards of professionalism, health and safety, risk reduction, confidentiality, patient care and dignity, and respect for equality and diversity as set out in the NHS Constitution.
About us
Come and join our team in Leeds and become part of The Leeds Way sharing our vision and values. Our Trust is recognised for our staff engagement, great care and rated GOOD by the Care Quality Commission.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the largest acute health providers in the UK and based in one of the fastest growing and vibrant cities in the north.
At Cardio-Respiratory CSU, we aim to be a fair and supportive CSU with positive, caring teams who are champions of the Leeds Way values. Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:
1. Accountable
2. Empowered
Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.
Job responsibilities
The post holder must possess the relevant qualifications, training and experience as outlined in the person specification.
The trainee will work closely with the training coordinator/officer and more senior members of staff to follow the curriculum for the Echocardiography Training Programme.
The trainee will work in specified areas of the department and be responsible to the Designated Training Coordinator/Officer for their own work and progression through the scheme.
All trainees will be expected to travel to national academic and other courses throughout their training - in some cases this may involve overnight and/or residential stays. Trainees will undertake a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Echocardiography at a designated academic institution specific for the training pathway.
The trainee will undertake the full training programme to progress through the academic and practical elements of the training scheme. In so doing they will learn how to perform and interpret clinical and specialist scientific processes underpinned by theoretical and applied knowledge and practical experience and will learn how to:
1. Perform and interpret routine cardiac investigations.
2. Perform specialised diagnostics investigations.
3. Carry out complex scientific and clinical roles, including those working directly with patients.
4. Analyse and interpret data, comparing investigative and clinical options.
5. Make judgements, including clinical and differential judgements, involving complicated facts or situations that impact on patients.
6. Initiate and undertake innovation, improvement and R&D and be involved in the education of healthcare science trainees and other learners in the workplace.
7. Carry out audit to continuously improve patient care and service needs.
8. Participate in the training and development of both external university students and junior team members.
9. Communicate and interact effectively within a multidisciplinary team to ensure a positive patient experience.
10. Assist the Principal Cardiac Physiologist and other senior members of the team in the day-to-day organisation and delivery of the cardiothoracic diagnostic service.
Person Specification
Skills & Behaviours
* Knowledge of/Experience with echocardiography software
* Experience in the use of PCs and data entry
* Experience of Cardiology IT storage systems
Qualifications
* 1st or 2:1 in Cardiac Physiology Healthcare Science (PTP or Apprenticeship)
* BSc in Clinical Physiology (or equivalent)
* Maths and English grade C or level 5
* Graduated at time of application
* AHCS Registered
* Evidence of continued professional development
* Underpinning knowledge and skills in Cardiology
* Underpinning knowledge and skills in Echocardiography
Experience
* An understanding of the role of an Echocardiographer in healthcare and disease and its application in a healthcare setting
* A committed, in-depth interest in Echocardiography and its application to direct clinical care of patients
* Able to demonstrate basic interpretation of Echo images
* Able to demonstrate basic theoretical knowledge of Echocardiography
* Hands-on experience of Echocardiography
* Previous NHS experience
* Ability to interpret diagnostic results
* Work experience in an Echocardiography department
Additional Requirements
* Travel requirements of the training role - Attendance at block weeks at Newcastle University
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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