AAA Screening Programme Clinical Skills Trainer

at  Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust

The CST is responsible for screening technicians training and regular review of screening technicians for QA . The role of lead ultrasound clinician/ QA lead is regularly combined into the role of clinical skills trainer .
The CST is there to provide support to all the staff in the team but mostly to the training of the technicians and the QA of images and performance.
The role is 4 hours per week, there is a requirement of visiting community clinics and GP surgeries to scan previous non visualised patients or a difficult aneurysm, the CST is also required to attend the AAA quarterly board meetings.
As senior ultra-sonographer, the CST is the lead specialist for this area of work, providing local and clinical training, support, for existing technicians and mentoring trainee technicians, responsible for regular review of staff for QA purposes, to be there for help and advice when needed and to carry out workplace assessments for all technicians and to play a major role in the QA of images and ultrasound machines.
Acting as the main point of contact as supervisor/assessor for the screening technicians while undertaking the required NAAASP qualification
Performing clinical assessments of trainee screening technicians at the specified ‘assessment gateways’ as per AAA screening programme guidance to ensure trainee technicians complete their portfolio of experience and logbook (assessment criteria are provided to support CSTs when performing these assessments)
Offering support and advice to screeners if they encounter problems or unusual findings, particularly associated with conditions in men or technical malfunctions
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone’s full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Responsible for the clinical training and supervision of new and existing technicians – ensuring they are familiar with scanning techniques and maintain screening programme procedures and high standards.
Act as the main point of contact as supervisor/assessor for the screening technicians while undertaking the required NAAASP qualification.
Perform clinical assessments of trainee screening technicians at the specified ‘assessment gateways’ as per AAA screening programme guidance to ensure trainee technicians complete their portfolio of experience and logbook (assessment criteria are provided to support CSTs when performing these assessments)
Manage and review the work of the screeners at regular intervals as per programme QA framework and instigate further training where necessary.
Plan and provide local training and CPD sessions for screeners, including supervisory sessions as per clinical training requirements.
Offer support and advice to screeners if they encounter problems or unusual findings, particularly associated with conditions in men or technical malfunctions.
Play an important role in the recruitment process for new screeners.
Carry out accurate abdominal aortic ultrasound scanning as part of the local AAA screening programme.
Regularly attend community clinics to scan any non-visualised aortas or difficult to scan patients.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT:

All CSTs must successfully complete the required CST NAAASP accredited training before they provide formal support, training, or oversight to trainee technicians within local providers. CSTs must not complete any internal QA of images until they have completed the required training.
To provide the level 3 HSD, all local AAA screening services should have at least one individual working towards (or completed) a level 3 qualification in assessing vocational achievement. This is to support and assess trainee screeners working through the HSD. One such qualification is the certificate in assessing vocational achievement (CAVA). It is recommended that CSTs complete this qualification if they do not have previous experience in teaching, assessing or mentoring.

Where necessary, visits to prisons within Northamptonshire and St Andrews Hospital.
Full valid driving license and business insurance for the travelling to community clinics and GP surgeries