Job overview

Here at University Hospital Southampton we have an exciting opportunity for an 18-month fixed term full-time training post in Echocardiography. This is part of the Echocardiography Training Programme developed by the National School of Healthcare Science and funded by Health Education England. 

Successful candidates will be trained to BSE accreditation level 2 and will be awarded a Post-graduate Certificate in Clinical Echocardiography. For more information, please see the NSHCS website: https://nshcs.hee.nhs.uk/programmes/echocardiography-training-programme 

Our mission is to improve the health/quality of life for our patients by building an organisation that develops and invests in the individuals that work here and this can only be achieved with the recruitment of the right people. University Hospital Southampton is a leading tertiary Cardiac Centre and is committed to developing the future work force for Cardiac Physiologists and Healthcare Scientists.

Main duties of the job

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting. 

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached. 

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We are a vibrant and diverse BSE-accredited department, collectively performing around 20,000 echocardiograms each year on all ages. Our team are involved in a wide range of specialist services including congenital and physiologist-led services. We pride ourselves on actively supporting continual professional development, including regular protected educational session

Your Responsibilities

WHAT YOU’LL DO

-    Undertake training in echocardiography to British Society of Echocardiography standards as set out by the ETP
-    Complete a Post-graduate Certificate in Clinical Echocardiography at a nominated University
-    Participate in non-invasive cardiac investigations such as ECG, Holter and stress testing

A full list of your roles and responsibilities can be found within the ‘Job Description’ document. 

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

There are 3 key attributes we are looking for:
-    A highly driven and motivated individual who has a committed and in-depth interest in Echocardiography and its application to direct clinical care of patients in a clinical environment
-    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to be able to work with a variety of people including scientific colleagues, clinical professionals, service managers and patients and to listen to their needs.
-    Ability to work autonomously in the planning and execution of their own work 

In addition to these attributes, you must hold a 1st or 2:1 in Cardiac Physiology of a relevant scientific subject or equivalent experience and appropriate underpinning knowledge and skills in cardiology – as evidenced for example by appropriate voluntary registration with the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists or Academy for Healthcare Science

Person specification

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• Applicants must have a 1st or 2.1 Cardiac Physiology (PTP) or a relevant scientific subject (examples include Physiology, Pure or Applied Physics, Biology or Human Biology, or Sports Science (if significant scientific content) or equivalent experience and appropriate underpinning knowledge and skills in cardiology - as evidenced for example by appropriate voluntary registration with the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists or Academy for Healthcare Science
• Has 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.
• Ability to design research investigations and experiments.
• Ability to analyse and assess scientific, technical and medical literature.
• Understanding of the role of Echocardiography in healthcare and disease and its application in a healthcare setting.
• Ability to develop proficiency in the performance of routine and complex techniques currently in use where they are training (ability to follow Standard Operating Procedures accurately) and the ability to develop and validate new techniques.
• Explain analytical, scientific and clinical aspects of the work to a variety of people including scientific colleagues, clinical professionals, service managers and patients and to listen to their needs.
• Self-aware and flexible enough to adopt a range of evaluative or empathising listening styles according to the needs of the listener and the situation.
• Ability to analyse complex information comprising laboratory or workshop data, images and clinical details to formulate appropriate advice and judgements.
• Flexibility to acquire the skills to organise, plan and monitor the workload of others.
• Ability to use, maintain and troubleshoot scientific equipment.
• Understanding of quality control and management assurance in a science or work based context.
• Ability to identify problems associated with scientific equipment, inappropriate testing, incompatible results and to investigate these, plan corrective action confirming appropriateness with senior colleagues and follow up.

Skills and competencies

Essential criteria

• Analytical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Communication
• Emotional intelligence
• General IT skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Presentation skills
• Record keeping

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.