Deputy Unit Manager & Nurse Sonographer

Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust; Leigh; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 6 Deputy Unit Manager / Nurse Sonographer for GAU, EPAU and TOP services. The post combines clinical leadership with advanced practice in early pregnancy and ultrasound.

You will provide senior clinical leadership, undertake independent scans, support the Unit Manager, and contribute to excellent women’s health services across the GAU, EPAU and TOP teams across sites in Wigan and Leigh.

Qualifications

• Band 6 Deputy Unit Manager / Nurse Sonographer across GAU, EPAU and TOP services.
• Qualification in gynaecology and early pregnancy ultrasound with the ability to scan independently.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist nursing assessment and care to women with early pregnancy complications and gynecological conditions.
• Independently undertake early pregnancy and gynecological ultrasound examinations.
• Support Unit Manager with leadership and operational management across GAU, EPAU and TOP services.
• Ensure professional governance, safety and adherence to clinical guidelines.

Skills

Nurse Sonographer

Band 6 leadership

Gynaecology ultrasound

Clinical leadership

Tools

Ultrasound equipment

Job description

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is proud to provide high-quality acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, our staff are central to everything we do - we believe thathappy staff make for happy patients, and this ethos underpins our culture and our success. We have a strong, recognised track record in staff engagement and in living our values:

• People at the Heart
• Listen and Involve
• Kind and Respectful
• ONE Team

We are committed to placing patients at the heart of every decision and delivering safe, effective care that protects dignity and enhances experience. We seek to recruit people who share our values, our passion for high-quality care, and our belief in working together as One Team. At WWL, we recognise the strength that comes from a rich and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all sections of society and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

The post holder will work as a senior member of the nursing team, supporting the Unit Manager in the clinical and operational management of the Gynaecology Assessment Unit, Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit and Termination of Pregnancy service. The role combines specialist clinical practice in early pregnancy and acute gynaecology with leadership, management and ultrasound practice. The post holder will provide visible clinical leadership, support the development of junior staff and deputise for the Unit Manager as required. As a Nurse Sonographer, the post holder will independently undertake and report early pregnancy and gynaecological ultrasound examinations within their recognised scope of practice and level of competence, contributing to clinical assessment, diagnosis and ongoing management.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Provide specialist nursing assessment and care to women presenting with early pregnancy complications and acute gynaecological conditions.
• Undertake comprehensive clinical assessment, including history taking, risk assessment, investigations and appropriate escalation.
• Use advanced clinical knowledge and autonomous decision-making skills to contribute to the management of women accessing the services.
• Provide care and support to women experiencing pregnancy loss, including miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy, ensuring sensitive and compassionate communication throughout their care.
• Support the assessment and management of women accessing termination of pregnancy services, providing confidential, non-judgemental and person-centred care.
• Recognise clinical deterioration and initiate appropriate escalation and emergency management in accordance with Trust policies and clinical guidance.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are recognised, appropriately assessed, documented and escalated in accordance with local and national guidance.
• Provide clear information to women regarding their diagnosis, treatment options and ongoing care, supporting informed decision-making.
• Maintain accurate and confidential clinical documentation.
• Work collaboratively with medical, nursing, sonography and wider multidisciplinary colleagues to ensure safe and effective patient pathways.
• Act as a specialist clinical resource and provide advice and support to colleagues within their area of expertise.

Ultrasound Responsibilities

• Independently undertake early pregnancy and gynaecological ultrasound examinations within their professional scope of practice and demonstrated competence.
• Interpret ultrasound findings and produce accurate, timely and comprehensive ultrasound reports.
• Correlate ultrasound findings with the woman's clinical presentation, history and relevant investigations.
• Recognise normal and abnormal ultrasound appearances and appropriately elevate complex, unexpected or concerning findings.
• Communicate ultrasound findings sensitively and appropriately, particularly when delivering difficult or unexpected news.
• Work within local ultrasound protocols, professional standards and relevant national guidance.
• Maintain ultrasound competencies and undertake continuing professional development appropriate to the role.
• Participate in ultrasound audit, peer review and quality assurance processes.
• Recognise the limitations of their own competence and seek appropriate senior or medical review where required.

Leadership and Management

• Support the Unit Manager in the effective day-to-day clinical and operational management of GAU, EPAU and TOP services.
• Deputise for the Unit Manager when required, providing leadership and support to the multidisciplinary team.
• Provide visible and accessible clinical leadership and act as a positive professional role model.
• Coordinate clinical activity, workload and patient flow to support safe and timely care.
• Support safe staffing and appropriate allocation of staff according to patient acuity, workload, competence and service requirements.
• Identify and elevate operational, staffing and clinical safety concerns appropriately.
• Support staff in managing challenging or complex clinical situations.
• Promote effective multidisciplinary communication and collaborative working.
• Support the implementation of Trust policies, procedures, clinical guidelines and service standards.
• Contribute to service planning, development and improvement initiatives.
• Support the Unit Manager with the implementation and monitoring of changes to clinical practice.
• Promote a positive working environment that encourages professionalism, teamwork, learning and staff wellbeing.
• Participate in relevant departmental and multidisciplinary meetings as required., Support the induction, orientation and development of new members of staff.
• Provide clinical supervision, support and guidance to registered nurses, healthcare support workers, students and other members of the team.
• Support staff to achieve and maintain relevant clinical competencies.
• Identify learning and development needs within the team and contribute to education and training.
• Act as a mentor, assessor or supervisor where appropriately qualified.
• Promote reflective practice and continuous professional development.
• Share specialist knowledge relating to early pregnancy, acute gynaecology, pregnancy loss, termination of pregnancy and ultrasound practice.
• Maintain their own professional knowledge and competence through continuing professional development.

Clinical Governance, Quality and Patient Safety

• Promote a culture of safety, openness, learning and continuous improvement.
• Participate in clinical audit, quality improvement and service evaluation.
• Support the investigation and review of incidents, complaints and patient feedback as appropriate.
• Contribute to the development and review of clinical guidelines, pathways, protocols and standard operating procedures.
• Identify risks to patient safety and elevate concerns through appropriate governance processes.
• Support the implementation of actions arising from incidents, audits, complaints and service reviews.
• Ensure practice is evidence-based and consistent with relevant local and national guidance.
• Promote infection prevention and control and ensure appropriate standards are maintained.
• Support the Unit Manager in monitoring standards of care and identifying opportunities for service improvement.

Communication

• Communicate effectively and sensitively with women and their families, recognising that many patients accessing the service may be experiencing distress, uncertainty, pregnancy loss or difficult decision-making.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills when providing complex, sensitive or potentially distressing information.
• Maintain confidentiality, privacy and dignity at all times.
• Communicate effectively with members of the multidisciplinary team and external services to support continuity of care.
• Manage challenging conversations and situations professionally and elevate concerns when appropriate.
• Advocate for women and ensure their individual needs, preferences and circumstances are considered in care planning.

Professional Responsibilities

• Practice at all times in accordance with the NMC Code, Trust policies and relevant professional standards.
• Maintain current NMC registration and fulfil requirements for revalidation.
• Take responsibility for maintaining their own professional competence and recognising the limits of their practice.
• Maintain mandatory and statutory training requirements.
• Demonstrate professional behaviour and act as a role model for other members of the team.
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion, dignity and respect in all aspects of care and employment.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with information governance requirements.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the Band 6 role as required by the Unit Manager and service.

Service Development

The post holder will actively contribute to the ongoing development of GAU, EPAU and TOP services, identifying opportunities to improve patient experience, clinical outcomes, efficiency and accessibility. They will work collaboratively with the Unit Manager and wider multidisciplinary team to implement evidence-based improvements and support the development of innovative, high‑quality nurse‑led services within gynaecology and early pregnancy care.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated nurse to join our Gynaecology Assessment Unit (GAU), Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU) and Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) service as a Band 6 Deputy Unit Manager / Nurse Sonographer. The role is rotational working across site at the GAU at Wigan and EPAU/ TOP service at Leigh. This specialist role combines clinical leadership and operational management with advanced practice in early pregnancy and gynaecological ultrasound. The successful candidate will support the Unit Manager in the day-to-day running of the services, providing visible leadership and acting as a senior clinical resource for the multidisciplinary team. The post holder will undertake and independently report ultrasound examinations within their scope of practice, contribute to clinical decision-making and provide high-quality, compassionate care to women accessing our services. We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced practitioner with strong leadership, communication and organisational skills and a commitment to delivering and developing high-quality women's health services. The post holder will support the Unit Manager in providing effective clinical leadership and operational management across the GAU, EPAU and TOP services. The role also requires a qualification in gynaecology & early pregnancy ultrasound with the ability to scan independently.