VASCULAR SURGERY - AAA Screening Technician
The successful candidate will be paid Band 3 during the training period and then on successful completion of the Health Screening Diploma (HSD) Qualification, Band 4.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a self-motivated, team orientated individual to join the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme for Staffordshire and South Cheshire.
The Screening office is based at the Royal Stoke Hospital and this role will cover community-based clinics across Staffordshire and South Cheshire, undertaking abdominal aortic ultrasound scanning as part of the National Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme (NAAASP), which provides AAA screening to men aged 65 and over.
The successful individual will be required to undertake training in the form of a Health Screening Diploma (HSD) qualification, if not already acquired. The Diploma is an accredited distance learning course, with practical training taking place within the service.
AAA Screening is a fast paced, demanding environment with the team performing more than 8,000 ultrasound scans per year. Screening Technicians are expected to work and report both autonomously and as a team. The ability to travel independently to and from the base and clinic venues, with full access to a car (with business insurance) is essential, as clinics are community based.
To deliver abdominal ultrasound scanning as part of NAAASP and to ensure scanning is undertaken to a high standard and in accordance with national and local standard operating procedures. To explain and reassure men attending the community AAA screening and surveillance clinics and explain the screening test and it’s implications.
The role requires highly developed physical skills where a high degree of precision and a high level of hand, eye and sensory co-ordination are essential. The post holder will apply specialist training and experience to manipulate ultrasound machine controls to gain maximum image optimisation. You will work independently and make judgements according to experience and training. Advice and support will be available for more complex situations; however, the post holder will generally be working under their own initiative without reference to the line manager.
The role is patient focused and will involve daily travel to and from the Royal Stoke Hospital base to community clinics covering South Cheshire, North Staffordshire and South Staffordshire.
This opportunity requires flexible working hours with no set shifts, Monday to Friday, however, rota’s are provided 6 weeks in advance.
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we’re highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.
All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.
UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.
At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.
Role Summary
The primary purpose of this role is to undertake abdominal ultrasound scanning as part of the community based National AAA screening programme (NAAASP). The post holder will ensure abdominal ultrasound scanning is undertaken to a high standard in accordance with national standard operating procedures.
The post holder will reassure patients attending the community AAA screening and surveillance clinics and explain the screening test and it’s implications.
Following successful completion of training period, the post holder will work independently, making judgements according to experience and training. Advice is available when needed for more complex situations but the post holder generally works on their own initiative without reference to the Line Manager.

Communication and Relationships

• Observe and care for patients attending the screening clinic, liaising with administrative staff, nurses, medical and screening programme staff as appropriate and in the best interest of the patient and any escorts.
• Deal with anxious patients and their relatives with tact, patience and discretion. Recognising where communication difficulties arise and overcome barriers to understanding.
• Carry out other duties in accordance with the current guidelines and the programme protocol including obtaining informed consent, putting patients at their ease, explaining the reasons for their invitation and answering any queries.
• Communicate the outcome of the screening test to the man (this may be via his relative/carer or interpreter), provide additional information and offer support appropriate to the outcome/patient pathway.
• Work alongside other screening staff involved with the clinic and support the work of the screening programme. Keep the Screening Programme Manager and CST informed of caseload and any difficulties arising, seeking advice where necessary.

Knowledge, Training & Experience

• Good standard of general education (5 GCSE A-C grade or equivalent, including Engish Language, Maths and Science.
• Undertake and pass Level 3 Diploma for Health Screeners and practical assessment gateways.
• Use knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the abdominal aorta to identify the area to be scanned and take accurate measurements, record all and report any reportable anomalies in accordance with policy.
• Apply specialist training and experience to manipulate ultrasound machine controls to gain maximum image optimisation.
• Apply experience and training to deliver outcome of the screening test clearly and correctly, ensuring the patient (and relative/carer) understand the outcome and any further action required.

Analytical & Judgemental Skills

• Analyse scan data to ensure the quality and other factors meet with agreed protocols.
• Download data electronically, inspect for abnormalities and flag/record as appropriate, decide on course of action from available options and send data to the screening office. Ensure that the screening office is notified as per local policy regarding any results that are at variance with specified criteria or that are of concern.
• Record clinical measurements and other information as required.
• Issue accurate scan reports for use in the AAA screening programme and for inspection by the Lead Ultrasound Clinician/Consultant Radiologist as required.

Planning & Organisational Skills

• Organise and carry out ultrasound scans of the abdominal aorta in accordance with current guidelines for sonographic scanning and the programme protocol.
• Ensure that scan results are despatched as soon as possible from off-site screening clinics to the screening office in a safe and confidential way as per local policy.
• Deal with medical and patient enquiries as appropriate, taking the initiative to prioritise work and to bring to the attention of medical or administrative staff any patient whose condition warrants it.
• To communicate with patients, families, carers and other health staff in a polite, respectful manner reflecting their level of understanding and taking into account any cultural and language barriers and ensuring their privacy and dignity at all times.
• Carry out duties in accordance with current guidelines, protocols and policies, including obtaining informed consent, putting patients at ease, explaining the reasons for their invitation and answering any queries.
• Handle incidents and medical emergencies in a professional manner and in accordance with local policy, supporting other screening staff if appropriate.
• Keep the Programme Manager and CST informed and seek advice where necessary.

Physical Skills

• Manipulate ultrasound equipment with high degree of accuracy and precision for maximum image optimisation.
• Safely and accurately manoeuvre equipment and patients for ultrasound scans.

Responsibility for Patient/Client Care

• Undertake ultrasound scanning on patients in accordance with protocols and standard operating procedures.
• Ensure the safety, privacy and dignity of the patient, taking into consideration any cultural/religious or other needs.

Responsibility for Policy/Service Development

• Participate in service reviews and actively put forward suggestions for improvement for own work area.
• Work within agreed protocols and operating procedures for scanning and care of patients.
• Observe the requirements of the Infection Control Policy in ensuring the cleanliness and tidiness of screening rooms. Ensure that all clinic waste is disposed of according to local protocol.
• Ensure that all clinic equipment is packed up correctly at the end of a clinic and stored in a safe and secure location.

Responsibility for Financial and Physical Resources

• Ensure the safe use of expensive ultrasound equipment including transporting portable equipment to various screening locations.
• Monitor equipment used in the course of the role, ensure it is kept clean, and record / report any faults.
• Monitor stock levels of supplies and consumables. Ensure that the screening office is notified well in advance when supplies need to be replenished.

Responsibility for Human Resources

• The post holder will be required to demonstrate own tasks to new starters and act as a mentor.
• Offer support and advice to screening staff if they encounter problems or unusual findings following correct protocols.
• To maintain good working relationships and work as an effective team member.
• To ensure own work is of a high standard.
• To participate in annual performance review.

Responsibility for Information Resources

• Archive data securely and regularly. This includes all patient demographic data, results and image storage.
• Abide by the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2018, by ensuring that all computerised information relating to patients and members of staff is regarded as strictly confidential.

Responsibility for Research and Development

• Take part in surveys, audit and research.
• Keep abreast of new advances and current research related to AAA screening.

Freedom to Act

• The post holder is required to work within National standards and Trust procedures and follow national and local protocols. There is a need to be able to work independently and using own initiative particularly in the absence of the Programme Manager.

Physical Effort

• Required to sit, stand and walk to perform duties which equates to light physical effort. Will regularly use VDU.
• There is a requirement for frequent travel within the catchment area of the programme.
• There is a requirement for frequent use and transportation of a portable ultrasound machine and consumables to hold a clinic.

Mental Effort

• Excellent concentration and ability to multi task and produce a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to cope with interruptions and to change tasks mid-stream.

Emotional Effort

• Occasional indirect exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances. Will need to be able to deal with difficult staffing issues if required.

Working Conditions

• The post holder will be required to use a scanner and computer for a large proportion of the day.
• The post holder may occasionally be exposed to challenging behaviour when running a screening clinic.

Personal/Professional Development

• To take every reasonable opportunity to maintain and improve your professional knowledge and competence
• To participate in personal objective setting and review, including the creation of a personal development plan and the Trust’s appraisal process.

Please refer the Job description for details