Clinical Specialist Sonographer

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT); Eastbourne; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension

onsite parking

Staff restaurants

Onsite nurseries

Job summary

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust is recruiting a Main area Clinical Specialist Sonographer (Band 8a) for cross-site coverage between Eastbourne, Conquest Hospital and Bexhill CDC. This is a permanent, full-time post (37.5 hours per week) with flexible weekend/evening rota and options for 3- or 4-day weeks.

You will join a 19-strong sonography team, provide high-quality ultrasound across obstetric, abdominal, vascular and small parts, and report independently.

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) in Diagnostic Radiography or equivalent.
• Postgraduate CASE accredited qualification in Ultrasound (PG Dip or DMU).
• HCPC Registration with active registration (or RCN if Midwife/Nurse).
• Leadership/management training or qualification preferred.
• Evidence of ongoing CPD and advanced ultrasound training.

Responsibilities

• Perform a comprehensive range of ultrasound examinations including abdominal, obstetric, gynaecology, paediatrics, vascular, small parts, head & neck and breast.
• Work across Eastbourne, Conquest Hospital and Bexhill CDC as part of cross-site service.
• Independently issue ultrasound reports.
• Mentor and supervise junior staff and students.
• Engage in CPD activities and contribute to service development.

Skills

CASE Ultrasound

Obstetric/Gyn Ultrasound

HCPC/RCN Registration

Leadership/Mentorship

Clinical Governance CPD

Education

BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography/DCR

Postgraduate CASE accredited qualification (PG Dip/DMU)

Job description

We do not charge fees for job applications, recruitment processes, sponsorship arrangements or employment offers. All current vacancies can be found below, with the published contact details being the only authorised routes for recruitment communications, applications and verification of job offers.

Main area Clinical Specialist Sonographer Grade NHS AfC: Band 8a Contract Permanent: Cross site covering Bexhill CDC, EDGH and Conquest hospital. Hours

• Full time
• Part time

37.5 hours per week Job ref 374-ED2060-C

Site Eastbourne/Conquest/Bexhill CDC Town Eastbourne Salary £57,528 - £64,750 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 18/11/2026 23:59

We are proud to provide ‘Outstanding’ care and be a great place to work.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides safe, compassionate and high quality hospital and community care to the half a million people living in East Sussex and those who visit our local area.

We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex with an annual income of £700 million and we are the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex.

Our extensive health services are provided by over 8,000+ dedicated members of staff working from two acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites across East Sussex, and in people’s own homes.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated us as ‘Good’ overall, and ‘Outstanding’ for being Caring and Effective. The Conquest Hospital in Hastings and our Community Services were rated ‘Outstanding’ and Eastbourne DGH was rated ‘Good’ Our two acute hospitals have Emergency Departments and provide 24 hour a day care, offering a comprehensive range of surgical, medical, outpatient and maternity services, supported by a full range of diagnostic and therapy services.

Job overview

The service is run by a friendly team of 19 sonographers who rotate through General and Obstetrics departments with 12 cross-site Ultrasound Radiology Assistants. The services are run over 3, accessible sites, Eastbourne District General Hospital, Conquest Hospital and a brand-new state of the art Community Diagnostic Centre in Bexhill.

We run a range of out-patient appointment lists, in-patient services on the acute sites, and a range of one stop clinics including Early Pregnancy Assessment, Gynae, Breast Triple Assessment and Obstetric clinics, using 18 high-end ultrasound machines, which the Trust supports a timely machine replacement scheme for. We have two new reporting systems in the department, recently upgrading SECTRA PACS and ViewPoint 6 for reporting.

The ultrasound team work closely with our friendly, and supportive Radiologists and Obstetricians who promote specialist training in: Breast (including breast intervention), Head & Neck, Paediatrics (including baby hips and cranial), MSK (including interventional procedures), orbits and small parts. At ESHT we encourage and support our team to advance their ultrasound skills to include these areas. The department also actively supports training of registrars, sonographer and radiographer students.

Additionally, the ultrasound department provides opportunities for CPD, external courses and extension of administrative roles including QA, clinical audits, education officer, H&S, and managerial duties.

Main duties of the job

ESHT Trust values include Inclusivity, integrity, and kindness. We are therefore looking for a candidate who is motivated, enthusiastic and prioritises teamworking to join our friendly and specialist team. The ideal candidate will be committed to excellent patient care and high-quality imaging with patient-centred care at the forefront of their objectives.

The ultrasound department provides opportunities for CPD, external courses and extension of administrative roles including QA, clinical audits, education officer, H&S, and managerial duties.

The successful candidates would be expected to participate in the weekend and evening rota; however, a degree of flexibility is possible with many of our Sonographers working compressed hours to allow a 3- or 4-day working week.

You should be able to perform a comprehensive range of examinations including general abdominal, obstetrics (including Nuchal Translucency scanning) and gynaecology. Vascular (including Carotids and DVT scanning) and small parts.

You will be expected to work independently and issue your own reports.
We welcome applications from obstetric only sonographers. CPD is actively encouraged.

You will need:

• A recognised Post Graduate CASE Accredited Ultrasound
• Qualification (e.g. DMU / Pg Dip / MSc)
• UK professional registration as a Radiographer with the Health Professions Councilor as a Midwife / Nurse with the RCN

** Previous applicants need not apply again**

Working for our organisation

A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.

There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.

Statement on the Use of AI

We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.

Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.

We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete your applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

Qualifications

• BSc (hons) Diagnostic Radiography/DCR or equivalent in a health related specialty
• Postgraduate CASE accredited qualification in Ultrasound (PG Dip or DMU)
• HCPC or RCN Registration
• Lower - Middle Management training/qualification
• Evidence of further training at Masters Level or equivalent

Experience

• Evidence of participation in all elements of Clinical Governance
• Staff and resource management experience
• Minimum 2 years postgraduate experience in Ultrasound
• Evidence of advanced level CPD in specialist skill area
• Evidence of wide ranging experience within specialty

Skills/knowedge/experience

• Mentorship of junior staff and trainees
• Ability to perform a comprehensive range of examinations including general abdominal, obstetric, gynaecology, paediatrics, vascular, small parts, head and neck, and breast Ultrasound
• Academic teaching experience
• deputise for lead - clinical and managerial leadership

Other

• Demonstrates attention to detail and professional attitude towards completion of application form

Patients come first at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

Our vision is to be:

• The healthcare provider of first choice for the people of East Sussex.

Our mission is to:

• Deliver better health outcomes and an excellent experience for everyone we provide with healthcare services.

Our strategic objectives are to:

• Improve quality and clinical outcomes by ensuring that safe patient care is our highest priority.
• Play a leading role in local partnerships to meet the needs of our local population and improve and enhance patients’ experiences.
• Use our resources efficiently and effectively for the benefit of our patients and their care to ensure our services are clinically, operationally and financially sustainable.

Our aims are that all services delivered by the Trust are:

• Safe
• Effective
• Caring
• Responsive and
• Well led

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.