The document discusses the roles and responsibilities of Clinical Skills Trainers (CSTs) and Ultrasound Leads in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening programmes. CSTs are responsible for training other staff, monitoring screening technician quality through clinic visits, and maintaining equipment. Ultrasound Leads monitor staff accreditation and image quality assurance, review any incidental findings, and maintain screening equipment. Both roles work to ensure screening quality and that staff are properly trained and accredited according to national specifications.

1. CST and Screening Technician
Workshop – 10 November 2016
- Roles and responsibilities shared between
Ultrasound Lead and Clinical Skills Trainer
Public Health England leads the NHS Screening Programmes
Modupe Omonijo, Senior QA Advisor SQAS (London) and Ved Ramnani,
Ultrasound Lead, North Central London AAA Screening Programme

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
• Clinic visits
– provide QA through the monitoring of
the quality of the Screening Technicians
work in clinics, supplying them with
feedback
• Equipment maintenance
– monthly performance tests
– 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 supplying feedback
via the programme manager (!)
• 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
– special responsibility for the screening
equipment

9. Considerations:
9 CST/Ultrasound lead Roles and Responsibilities
• How do you ensure clarity of the division of
labour between CST and US Lead in your
service?
• If they are separate, how do you link the two
roles together?
• What are the essential elements for induction
into these roles, and how should this be
provided?