Common use of Workload and scheduling Clause in Contracts

Workload and scheduling. As well as these items the role of the Sonographer is of equal importance & their responsibility for managing their own well being. On starting work for Te Whatu Ora in the Ultrasound department, all sonographers should have a base line assessment of their physical wellbeing. This assessment should include an assessment of existing or potential MSI. Questions relating to this will be included in the occupation and health questionnaire. Within two weeks of starting work as a sonographer, an education sessions should be held with a nominated Te Whatu Ora physiotherapist which educates the sonographer on the such topics as setting up the workplace correctly to their individual requirements and minimizing the risk of MSI. Sonographers need to think posture all the time. They need to avoid bending, twisting, reaching, lifting, sustained pressure, arm abduction and awkward postures. This is difficult but alternating sitting and standing may assist with this as well as varying scanning techniques and transducer grip. Sonographers must: • Take time to adjust all equipment to suit optimal posture and ensure accessories are on hand before beginning to scan. • Get the patient to move as close to them as possible. • Lower the couch to reduce arm abduction. This also allows gravity to assist when applying pressure with the transducer and allows for a more comfortable transducer grip. If the arm is abducted, support it either by a cushion or rest on the patient. • Rest then stretch their hand and wrist during procedures to relax stressed muscles. • Refocus eyes onto distant objects every few minutes to reduce eye fatigue. • Avoid where possible performing successive similar ergonomically difficult examinations. • Take short regular breaks from scanning. • Stretch before commencing work, during, and in between examinations and at the end of the day. • Ensure that meal breaks are taken, to completely relax. • Report and document any pain and discomfort to employers via an Incident report Sonographers should: • Seek competent medical advice if they suffer any pain or discomfort. Musculoskeletal injuries caused by the repetitive task of scanning are often not apparent until the end of the day, or at night. These injuries often take a long time to manifest and a long time to resolve, if ever. The severity of an acute injury may be exacerbated by an existing chronic musculoskeletal injury. • Undertake a stretching, strengthening and aerobic exercise program. • Exercise appropriately to lessen the chance of getting injured and which may reduce the severity of any injury. • Ensure a good level of fitness for the demanding work tasks a sonographer performs. • Xxxxxxx with colleagues various techniques, exchange and 'brainstorm' ideas to develop scanning techniques to reduce stress on the body and thus musculoskeletal injuries. • Allow for different activities within ultrasound work tasks to give your body time to rest and to assist in preventing MSI. • Read literature available on work place injuries, back care and specifically musculoskeletal injuries in sonography as they contain information of use. There are several web sites with relevant information. (see below ) The employer has responsibility to prevent health and safety problems that cause injury or illness through work practice. It is recommended that each department have a nominated physiotherapist who will be available to educate and assist with workplace settings and minimizing MSI. This can be done through the Health and Safety framework within Te Whatu Ora. The following points will improve the work conditions for Sonographers. The employer will: Provide ergonomically safe equipment and a work environment with adequate room, lighting and ventilation . • Ensure staffing levels and scheduling allow for Sonographers to have adequate work breaks which allows a rest from scanning and assists in reducing repetitive scanning. • Provide a system for staff to report and document any injuries, whether acute or chronic. These reports must be investigated. • Consult with Sonographers to discuss and resolve any identified work areas which may create work related injury. Involve external parties with expertise in work place design and ergonomics if required. • Provide access to literature available on musculoskeletal injuries among Sonographers.

Workload and scheduling. As well as these items the role of the Sonographer is of equal importance & their responsibility for managing their own well being. On starting work for Te Whatu Ora a DHB in the Ultrasound department, all sonographers should have a base line assessment of their physical wellbeing. This assessment should include an assessment of existing or potential MSI. Questions relating to this will be included in the occupation and health questionnaire. Within two weeks of starting work as a sonographer, an education sessions should be held with a nominated Te Whatu Ora DHB physiotherapist which educates the sonographer on the such topics as setting up the workplace correctly to their individual requirements and minimizing the risk of MSI. Sonographers need to think posture all the time. They need to avoid bending, twisting, reaching, lifting, sustained pressure, arm abduction and awkward postures. This is difficult but alternating sitting and standing may assist with this as well as varying scanning techniques and transducer grip. Sonographers must: • Take time to adjust all equipment to suit optimal posture and ensure accessories are on hand before beginning to scan. • Get the patient to move as close to them as possible. • Lower the couch to reduce arm abduction. This also allows gravity to assist when applying pressure with the transducer and allows for a more comfortable transducer grip. If the arm is abducted, support it either by a cushion or rest on the patient. • Rest then stretch their hand and wrist during procedures to relax stressed muscles. • Refocus eyes onto distant objects every few minutes to reduce eye fatigue. • Avoid where possible performing successive similar ergonomically difficult examinations. • Take short regular breaks from scanning. • Stretch before commencing work, during, and in between examinations and at the end of the day. • Ensure that meal breaks are taken, to completely relax. • Report and document any pain and discomfort to employers via an Incident report Sonographers should: • Seek competent medical advice if they suffer any pain or discomfort. Musculoskeletal injuries caused by the repetitive task of scanning are often not apparent until the end of the day, or at night. These injuries often take a long time to manifest and a long time to resolve, if ever. The severity of an acute injury may be exacerbated by an existing chronic musculoskeletal injury. • Undertake a stretching, strengthening and aerobic exercise program. • Exercise appropriately to lessen the chance of getting injured and which may reduce the severity of any injury. • Ensure a good level of fitness for the demanding work tasks a sonographer performs. • Xxxxxxx Discuss with colleagues various techniques, exchange and 'brainstorm' ideas to develop scanning techniques to reduce stress on the body and thus musculoskeletal injuries. • Allow for different activities within ultrasound work tasks to give your body time to rest and to assist in preventing MSI. • Read literature available on work place injuries, back care and specifically musculoskeletal injuries in sonography as they contain information of use. There are several web sites with relevant information. (see below ) The employer has responsibility to prevent health and safety problems that cause injury or illness through work practice. It is recommended that each department have a nominated physiotherapist who will be available to educate and assist with workplace settings and minimizing MSI. This can be done through the Health and Safety framework within Te Whatu Orathe DHB. The following points will improve the work conditions for Sonographers. The employer will: Provide ergonomically safe equipment and a work environment with adequate room, lighting and ventilation . • Ensure staffing levels and scheduling allow for Sonographers to have adequate work breaks which allows a rest from scanning and assists in reducing repetitive scanning. • Provide a system for staff to report and document any injuries, whether acute or chronic. These reports must be investigated. • Consult with Sonographers to discuss and resolve any identified work areas which may create work related injury. Involve external parties with expertise in work place design and ergonomics if required. • Provide access to literature available on musculoskeletal injuries among Sonographers.