Role Summary
The role is for a Band 7 reporting sonographer holding a range of competencies including General, Gynae and Obstetric scanning (Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme scans including First Trimester screening, Growth scans, emergency gynae and early pregnancy scans). Small Parts and DVT scanning experience is beneficial, but not essential as it can be taught in house if required.
The role requires cross site working between the main Imaging department at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) and Community Sites
About the Role
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.
More detail about the role
We are looking to recruit Band 7 Reporting Sonographers to join our dedicated and progressive team to provide a service at our main hospital site and across our community sites. All of our sonographers are expected to be able to work across our sites, including the acute 7-day service and to take part in potential future 7-day working and a service that has extended operating hours. If you have a particular preference for a majority of your working week to be at our CDC in Sowton, or in our community sites at Exmouth, Axminster or Tiverton, please let us know in your application, interview or when you come to visit us. We welcome prospective candidates to come and visit our department and meet informally prior to application.
The role includes a weekend rotation to cover in-patient referrals. This is an approximate 1:7 rotation, working between 09:00 and 13:00.
HCPC registration (or equivalent) is required for the role.
NHS experience is desirable but not essential.
The role is to provide a service in general, gynae, and obstetric ultrasound with small parts scanning experience a desirable skill. We also run a dedicated DVT clinic with sonographer led discharge under the guidance of Advanced Clinical Practitioners.
We have recently merged with North Devon District NHS Trust and we also provide an outpatient scanning service at the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) for the region in the site that housed a Nightingale Hospital during the COVID pandemic. This site houses four ultrasound rooms within the Medical Imaging department and the role includes regular, weekly rotation to this site as the majority of the outpatient work is carried out here. The CDC is a great asset to the ultrasound service and there has been a programme of service expansion since it opened, with the latest development involving ultrasound in three one-stop services: sarcoma, shoulder and post-menopausal bleeding on HRT. This has enabled the development and training of sonographers to be able to contribute to these clinics with a resulting positive impact on both patient experience and patient waits.
The Radiology Department in Exeter is an expanding, advancing and forward-thinking department with sonographers developing their careers into specialities such as Paediatrics, Head & Neck, Interventional and MSK ultrasound, and also continuing their ultrasound education with Masters qualifications. Two of our sonographers are in Trainee Consultant Sonographer roles, both are fantastic role models who are able to offer additional leadership and support to the team and are leading the way in forging a path for future advance practice positions.
Obstetric scanning is performed in the Centre for Women’s Health which is located at the main Wonford site. This busy department is a centre of excellence for women’s health and here you work within a team of midwife/nurse sonographers and Fetal medicine consultants who are patient focused and quality led. Aside from the Fetal Anomaly Screening programme scans, the work includes growth scans, cervical length scanning, uterine artery doppler scanning and Mid cerebral artery scanning. The department also includes an emergency gynae clinic and an early pregnancy clinic.
We are a very mutually supportive team and enjoy opportunities for shared learning through interesting case studies and reviews and presentations and we also benefit from strong leadership and support from our Radiology clinical Lead.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about patient care, about ultrasound and learning, and about being part of a team. The role would suit someone who enjoys variety in their working week as each week offers changes of location due to the sites and locations we provide a service from.
The Trust has a strong track record of providing excellent patient care, financial delivery and staff satisfaction in the region and has recently implemented a comprehensive Electronic Patient Record System. The Radiology Department is ISAS/QSI accredited and is a training department hosting Radiology Registrars, Radiography Students and Trainee Sonographers.
We welcome informal visits or Teams meetings to discuss this opportunity further.
Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week. 9:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday with a Saturday and Sunday rotation in weekend working (approximately 1:7) between 09:00 and 13:00
Interview Date: To be confirmed
For further information please contact: Jane Baker, Reporting Sonographer, Jbaker8@nhs.net or Cat Lee, Trainee Consultant Sonographer, Clee8@nhs.net
As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
About Us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).
Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more
It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.
Benefits
Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.
If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.
You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:
- National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
- Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
- Car lease schemes.
- The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
- Cycle to work scheme
These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.
