13.50 p.m. competency and development techs

1. CST and Screening Technician
Workshop – 10 November 2016
- How can the CST & US Lead contribute to the
competency and development of Screening
Technicians?
VedRamnani,UltrasoundLead,NorthCentralLondonAAAScreeningProgramme
Public Health England leads the NHS Screening Programmes

2. National service specification
Service Model Summary
• Lead Ultrasound Clinician (0.1 wte/800,000
population) (part of programme clinical staff)
• Clinical Skills Trainer (Senior
Sonographer/Vascular Scientist – 0.1 wte per
800,000) (part of programme screening staff)
2 CST/Ultrasound lead Roles and Responsibilities
The Provider shall ensure that all roles and responsibilities
are carried out in accordance with the Guidance (section
3.30 pg.16)

3. 3 CST/Ultrasound lead Roles and Responsibilities
Where is
CST input
required
along the
screening
pathway?
AAA Pathway
Themes
• Identification
• Invitation
• Inform
• Test
• Surveillance
• Diagnose
• Treatment/
intervention
• Monitor outcomes

4. 4 CST/Ultrasound lead Roles and Responsibilities
Spot
the CST

5. 5 CST/Ultrasound lead Roles and Responsibilities
Implications for the programme
National service
specification no.23
(NHS Public Health
functions agreement 2016-
2017)
provides a consistent and
equitable approach across
England and this common
national service
specification must be used
to govern the provision and
monitoring of abdominal
aortic aneurysm screening
services
Screening has important
ethical differences from
clinical practice as the
health service is targeting
apparently healthy people,
offering to help individuals to
make better informed
choices about their health.
However, there are risks
involved.
The benefits should
outweigh the harm to the
target population

6. 6 CST/Ultrasound lead Roles and Responsibilities
National service specification describes provider
responsibilities for clinical and corporate governance
across the following areas;
– Accountability and oversight
– Risk management
– Programme board
– Quality assurance
– Governance policies
Implications for the programme

7. Roles and responsibilities - CST
7 CST/Ultrasound lead Roles and Responsibilities
• Training
– cascade practical training to other staff and
screening technicians, guiding and supporting their
professional development and on-going quality
assurance
• QA Image
– provide QA through the monitoring of the quality of
the images and measurements taken by the
Screening Technicians
• Incidental findings (observed anatomy that may appear
unusual or different from technician's scope of practice)
– review any additional images taken and decide the
appropriate course of action
– technicians should report these as incidental findings
within SMaRT
• Equipment maintenance
– monthly performance tests to be carried out by
ultrasound quality assurance lead or appropriately
trained clinical skills trainers
– Maintain and retain log of findings, faults and actions

8. Roles and responsibilities – US Lead
8 CST/Ultrasound lead Roles and Responsibilities
• Monitor NAAASP Accreditation of Staff
– Ensure continued NAAASP accreditation status
of screening technicians & CSTs
• QA Images
– provide QA through the monitoring of the
quality of the images and measurements taken
by the Screening Technicians
• Incidental or atypical findings
– review any additional images taken and decide
the appropriate course of action
– technicians should report these as incidental
findings within SMaRT
• Equipment maintenance
– monthly performance tests to be carried out by
ultrasound quality assurance lead or
appropriately trained clinical skills trainers
– Maintain and retain log of findings, faults and
actions

9. Assessing Trends
9 CST/Ultrasound lead Roles and Responsibilities

10. Assessing Trends
10 CST/Ultrasound lead Roles and Responsibilities

11. Assessing Trends
11 CST/Ultrasound lead Roles and Responsibilities
• Potential to use SMaRT
• Identify trends associated with
– Clinic
– Machine
– Screener
• Programme board data template
– Anonymised, can provide external assurance to commissioners and QA
• Quarterly feedback to screeners
• Incorporate into annual review / appraisal
• Inform clinic visits (needs linkage between CST & US Lead)

12. Supplying Feedback
12 CST/Ultrasound lead Roles and Responsibilities
• Quarterly statistics to each screener
• Compare with average for service
– Understand there likely should be variation
• Discussion during clinic visits
• Annual review / appraisal
• Reflective feedback in portfolio

13. Discussion Points:
13 CST/Ultrasound lead Roles and Responsibilities
• What would be helpful to submit to programme
boards?
• How can SMaRT be adapted to support?
• What specific support do newly qualified screeners
need?
• How can learning for one screener be shared for
all?