Chief Echocardiographer

• Act as a specialist Echocardiographer within a multidisciplinary team, working collaboratively with principal physiologists, imaging consultants, administrative staff, junior colleagues and support services to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care.
• Independently perform and interpret a broad range of diagnostic echocardiography studies, including advanced techniques such as 3D imaging and GLS, producing accurate, timely reports in line with BSE standards and Trust protocols.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of national and international guidelines to ensure ongoing clinical excellence and technical competence.
• Effectively manage and prioritise workload to meet service demands, coordinating inpatient and outpatient activity and ensuring timely completion of studies and reports.
• Contribute to the operational delivery of the service through participation in appraisal, performance review, service development and delegated supervisory or managerial responsibilities.
• Support the monitoring and management of echocardiography equipment and consumables, escalating issues as required to maintain service continuity.
• Promote a patient-focused, multidisciplinary approach and actively contribute to innovation, service improvement and the adoption of advanced echocardiography practice across the department and wider Trust

• Practice as a specialist autonomous professional in adult echocardiography and show proficiency in exercising clinical judgement when required.
• Practice safely and effectively, interpret and act upon results of the tests, investigations and measurements in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Perform diagnostic echocardiography using advanced techniques such as 3D and GLS to produce a clinically comprehensive report in accordance with BSE guidelines and local standards/protocols
• Perform echocardiography in a range of settings, including portable scans at bedside, ITU and cardiac catheter labs.
• Administer appropriate medications and contrast agents as part of advanced clinical practice.
• Participate in setting excellent local standards in Echocardiography, and to continually develop and update these to ensure they incorporate current professional recommendations and evidence-based practice.
• Keep abreast of developments in Echocardiography and disseminate new information to other members of staff effectively.
• Comply with national and international guidelines such as BSE, ASE, NICE, ESC and SCST as well as local clinical guidelines; and ensure that these guidelines are adhered to.
• Ensure that Kings Echo service communicates with other centres and external stakeholders in a professional and productive manner, facilitating the exchange of patient records and minimising disruption to services
• Perform regular audits to ensure compliance with local and national standards.
• Apply and promote evidence-based practice and use of relevant clinical protocols and procedures at the complex and advanced level; as well as acquire and maintain a high level of professional competence in the performance of all tests, investigations and measurements.
• Comment and advise on new proposals and protocols, especially for service improvements.
• Adhere to infection control guidelines including correct use of PPE and uniform policy.

• Provide training, mentorship and support to junior staff, SpRs and Echo Fellows, with a view to improve their echo knowledge and skills.
• Assist in echocardiography education throughout the Trust, including medical students, PTP and STP trainees.
• Maintain own proficiency in echo and other technical skills by keeping up to date with current guidelines.
• Ensure that own mandatory training certificates are current.
• Actively participate in his/her own performance review and own professional development.
• Maintain BSE and/or other transthoracic echocardiography accreditation
• Maintain/ work towards additional professional accreditation as appropriate.
• Complete relevant training and competencies to provide advanced clinical practice.
• The post holder will be encouraged to maintain and/or obtain HCPC registration, further educational qualifications and memberships with professional bodies.
• Administer appropriate medications and contrast agents as part of advanced clinical practice.
• Write up interesting case studies / clinical abstracts and submit to appropriate journals.
• Actively participate in educational sessions and journal club.

Essential

• BSc Clinical Physiology (Cardiology) or equivalent
• Possess Adult TTE BSE/ equivalent accreditation
• Intermediate Life Support (ILS)
• Highly developed IT skills

Desirable

• Experience in Stress Echo and TOE
• Publications such as clinical case studies / abstracts
• Ability to understand financial and budgetary information
• Awareness of current NHS challenges and Long-Term Plans / Strategy which may affect he Future direction of Echocardiography
• Awareness of DM01 waiting lists