Clinical Supervision

Clinical Operations are overseen by the Echotech Clinical Lead Consultant Cardiologist Echocardiography Specialist, whose responsibilities are as follows:

1. To develop Echotech clinical reporting guidelines

2. To develop Echotech referral guidelines

3. To develop Primary Care support materials eg GP hand book

4. To oversee and evaluate the quality of reporting of the Clinical Operation Managers (sample 10% of study images)

5. To oversee and evaluate the quality of reporting of each cardiac physiologist - one per month (sample 10% of study images)

6. To demonstrate an awareness in current developments in clinical practice, and participate in the bi annual training sessions including expansion of clinical skills

7. To develop and participate in Clinical Governance, Clinical effectiveness and Risk Management

8. To communicate on a regular basis with the Clinical Operations Director re: Clinical Governance issues

9. To attend monthly Clinical Governance meeting

10. To provide clinical support in bids and tenders

11. To represent Echotech at local and national meetings (e.g. BSE)

12. To assess the suitability of ultrasound equipment

Echotech firmly believes that clinical supervision and quality assurance should also involve the local clinicians via the local cardiac network. This has proven to be a highly successful approach as it allows for an integrated, multi-disciplinary system.

Echotech positively encourages a close working relationship with the local cardiac network. This is achieved via:

• Submission of reports and study images on a regular basis to the local Acute Trust
• Attendance at all service review, service redesign and quality assurance meetings
• Active participation with the service evaluation and review process
• Active participation at local GP training events
• Regular communications with local clinicians and staff

The ability to respond effectively and efficiently to the local clinical needs has proven key to the enhancement of patient experiences and outcomes.