Job summary
We are looking for a highly enthusiastic Echocardiographer to join our team at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Applicants should demonstrate a high level of clinical and technical expertise in Echocardiography. Clinical Physiology BSc degree combined with appropriate technical training and Echocardiography accreditation (BSE, EACVI or equivalent) are mandatory for this position. Candidates will also be expected to demonstrate competence and expertise in the full range of advanced echocardiography techniques (TOE, Stress echo, 3D and contrast echo).
We actively encourage continuous professional development with staff attending conferences and courses.
Main duties of the job
To provide, as part of the cardiac physiologist team, cardiac diagnostic services across the trust sites Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex Hospital, specialising in the field of Echocardiography.
As a specialist in Echocardiography, you will perform a range of highly specialist cardiac ultrasound investigations, measurements and analysis, interpret findings and issue final clinically diagnostic reports to a competent and highly professional standard.
Provide assistance in the performance of cardiac investigations relevant to your specialist field.
Assist in the supervision and training of other echocardiographers, cardiac physiologists, doctors and students.
Assist the lead Cardiac Physiologist in the provision, organisation and development of the services of the department, including some administrative and housekeeping tasks.
Maintain accreditations with the relevant professional bodies/societies.
About us
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.
Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.
We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, accommodating requests where possible to support our staff and patient needs.
The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.
Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Participate in the provision of echocardiographic services across the trust including departmental sites and at point of care and community locations.
2. Cooperate in the provision of an evolving and flexible service (with possible altering shift patterns and occasional weekend working). Appropriate consultation prior to any proposed alterations to working patterns will be given.
3. Perform all echocardiographic studies to departmental protocols & relevant society standards/guideline, including transthoracic adult, bubble, contrast (LVO), exercise (treadmill and bike) and pharmacological stress tests utilising a range of techniques.
4. Perform accurate and reproducible standard and advanced echocardiographic measurements to departmental and relevant society standards/guidelines
5. Perform complex analysis techniques to image acquisitions for 3D volumetric quantification and 2D strain.
6. Interpret echocardiographic findings and produce timely signed off diagnostic reports to departmental and relevant society standards.
7. Provide technical assistance in the performance of transoesophageal echocardiographic tests and cardiac investigations relevant to your specialist field.
8. Monitor vital signs and provide airways management during transoesophageal tests.
9. Obtain and maintain competency in IV cannulation
10. Perform IV cannulation on patients in preparation for contrast (LVO), bubble and pharmacological stress echocardiography.
11. Accurately perform 12 lead electrocardiograms, non-invasive BP, O2 sats and height and weight measurements
12. Interpret 12 lead electrocardiograms
13. Co-operate with the need for occasional but necessary overtime working to ensure that any procedure in progress can be completed safely, in the usual fashion. Such extra working time being compensated for by time off in lieu or overtime payment).
14. Maintain proficiency in echocardiography and other technical skills adopting best practice and current guidelines.
15. Hold and maintain BSE/ESCVI or equivalent accreditations in echocardiography.
16. Hold and maintain ILS certification.
17. Know the location of resuscitation equipment, be familiar with its operation and participate in its daily check. Ensuring that this equipment is available prior to commencement of an investigation.
18. Know how to summon the hospital resuscitation team.
19. Prioritise and manage individual caseloads based on clinical urgency and service efficiency.
20. Assist in the daily management of the echocardiography service, including the clinical prioritisation of inpatients and urgent outpatients, responding to a clinical and report queries and when required scheduling patient appointments.
21. Clean ultrasound systems, probes, accessories and associated items in accordance with manufacturers recommendations and departmental and trust policy.
22. Identify stock needs and assist in maintaining stock levels.
23. Be responsible for the safe use of medical equipment within your role. Reporting to the line manager and EMBE of any faults or concerns
24. Assist in the supervision and training of other cardiac physiologists, students and junior doctors, in their area of individual expertise.
25. Understand and participate in clinical audit
26. Assist in research and development in the department
27. Attend and participate in departmental and team meetings.
28. Maintain all trust mandatory training
29. Adhere to mandatory training standards for frequent moving and handling of patients and equipment.
30. Use PPE when indicated as per trust policy
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
31. BSc Clinical Physiology (or equivalent)
32. BSE/EACVI Accreditation (or equivalent)
33. Evidence of continued professional Development
34. BLS
Desirable
35. ILS
Experience
Essential
36. Performing and reporting transthoracic echocardiograms consummate with a Band 7 post
37. Performing imaging and reporting stress echocardiograms with limited supervision
Desirable
38. Providing technical assistance in the performance of transoesophageal echocardiography
39. Performing IV cannulation
40. Performing 12 lead ECG's
41. Mentorship of trainee staff
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
42. Effective verbal and written communication
43. Ability to organise and prioritise workloads and demonstrate initiative
44. Ability to cope with heavy workload
45. IT literate