We are currently looking for multiple full time Cardiac Sonographers (Medical Imaging Level 4) to join the dynamic team at Canberra Hospital for a 12-month contract with possible extension.

An exciting opportunity exists for a suitably qualified cardiac sonographer to join our allied health team. This position requires subject matter expertise and the ability to work autonomously to conduct routine and complex echocardiography studies in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. The role includes supporting the management of the service, the provision of education and training for staff and students and requires participation in and contribution to continual professional development of the cardiac sonographer and physiologist.

The Department of Cardiology is a well-established service with 14 consultant medical staff positions, four Accredited Cardiology Advanced Trainees, and two Unaccredited Cardiology Advanced Trainees, in addition to Basic Physician Trainees and other Junior Medial Officers.  They work as part of a large multidisciplinary team including specialist nursing staff, cardiac physiologists, cardiac sonographers, administrative staff, and the cardiac rehabilitation team.

Under broad direction from the Allied health manager (cardiac physiology and sonography), you will provide a key role in the day-to-day management of the echocardiography department.

You will:

• Independently perform high quality echocardiographic imaging procedures for all patients, including the application of advance imaging modalities (strain, 3D, Definity, exercise and pharmacological stress) to provide complex physiological and pathophysiological assessment of cardiac structure and function.
• Independently complete comprehensive echocardiographic reports by considering all clinical measurements and current ASE guidelines and aligning diagnostic findings with the clinical context of the patient.
• Support the Allied health manager by helping to manage the day-to-day operation and organisation of the echocardiography services of the Cardiology Department, ensuring patient-centred care, efficient service delivery, and equipment acquisition and maintenance.
• Plan and provide comprehensive education frameworks for training and mentoring existing and new staff including student Sonographers, Cardiology Advanced Trainees and other visiting health professional students. Attend and participate in departmental seminars and maintain ongoing professional development.
• Perform research/quality improvement and change management projects that have a positive impact on patient outcomes, including maintaining clinical standards, policies and protocols for echocardiography.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Health Service:

Canberra Health Services (CHS) delivers tertiary cardiology and cardiac intervention services to an estimated 620,000 individuals living in the ACT and surrounding Southern NSW Local Health Districts. Consumers accessing Cardiology in Building 5 includes adults of all ages, acuity, frailty, and disability, who may present for diagnosis and treatment for a range of acute and chronic cardiac conditions.

The Interventional Cardiology Service includes two dedicated cardiac catheter laboratories which undertake over 800 coronary interventional procedures and over 1,600 angiography procedures annually.  It provides a 24/7 service for primary PCI for acute ST elevation myocardial infarction for the region. A structural heart disease program is being developed. The service also provides simple and complex cardiac device implantation service and follow up. Clinical cardiac electrophysiology services were commenced in April 2019 with complex ablation procedures.

The echocardiography service performs over 4,000 procedures per year.  Regular transoesophageal echocardiography service and stress echocardiography is provided, with additional emergency cover. Cardiac CT program commenced in 2017 in collaboration with the Department of Radiology.  Cardiac MRI is part of the proposed development plan for the department.

There is a dedicated heart failure clinic coordinated by a Heart Function Advanced Practice Nurse.   These clinics provide ready access to phone advice, education on self-management, avoid recurrent presentations and to assist with reducing length of hospitalisation by early bridging to outpatient care or closer to home care program.  The Department also provides a nurse led cardiac rehabilitation service supported by cardiologists, with strong engagement from patients and their families.

Construction is underway for a state-of-the-art Heart Care Centre, incorporating Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery services in the Acute Cardiac Care Unit (ACCU) and Interventional Cardiology Laboratory (ICL) as part of the Canberra Hospital Expansion Project (scheduled for completion in 2024). 

The Location:

Centred within the cultural hub of Australia, Canberra is based in the Australian Capital Territory and is the perfect place to build a new life or raise a family. Canberra hosts an array of sport and recreational activities, with accessible outdoor and natural spaces all within a smaller city filled with leaders, educators. Canberra is also a great access point to exploring the rest of Australia, with major cities like Sydney and Melbourne just a short flight away.

Essential Criteria:

MANDATORY

• Bachelor of Science Applied science.
• Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound (Cardiac).
• Accreditation with the Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR).
• Be registered under the Working for Vulnerable People Act.

DESIRABLE

• Be eligible for membership with Professionals in Cardiac Science Australia (PiCSA)
• Be eligible for accreditation with the Australian Council for Clinical Physiologists (ACCP).

The Package:

• Competitive pay rates and excellent working conditions within a tertiary hospital.
• Salary Packaging with many options that provide full fringe benefits tax concessions.
• Flexible working conditions.
• 11.5% Superannuation.
• VISA/Sponsorship for eligible candidates.
• Reimbursement of relocation expenses subject to the hiring managers approval.

About Skilled Medical:

Skilled Medical is a leading international medical recruitment firm that delivers qualified medical professionals wherever they are needed in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. We are a quality accredited firm with years of industry experience supporting communities and assisting medical professionals in their work and careers. To learn more about Skilled Medical please visit us at www.skilledmedical.com

To Apply:

For further information, please send your most up to date CV to Jonathan Gregory by selecting the 'Apply' button below, or please call a member of our permanent team in London on +44 (0) 333 444 2000 or in Australia on 1300 900 100.