Lead Sonographer

Imperial; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Flexible working

Wellbeing programme

Staff recognition scheme

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is seeking a Lead Sonographer to provide expert obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound across QCCH and SMH. The post holder will independently perform and report ultrasound examinations, ensuring safe, patient-centred care and contributing to service delivery and governance.

The role includes supervising sonographers and trainees, supporting training/CPD, and deputising for the Ultrasound Services Manager as required.

Qualifications

• DCR/BSc in Diagnostic Radiography or equivalent.
• PgDip/MSc in Medical Ultrasound or equivalent.
• Registered with HCPC or equivalent.
• Evidence of ongoing CPD activities.
• Leadership development experience or training.
• Teaching, mentoring or assessor qualifications.
• FASP-related qualifications or screening training.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound practice across QCCH and SMH.
• Independently undertake, interpret and report ultrasound examinations within scope.
• Support safe, patient-centred care and communicate findings clearly.
• Provide clinical leadership, supervision, mentoring and line management for sonographers and trainees.
• Support training, competency assessment, CPD and workforce development across ultrasound service.
• Lead and contribute to audits, image/reports review, QA, governance and service improvement.
• Support antenatal screening requirements including FASP standards.
• Contribute to equipment maintenance, evaluation and replacement planning.
• Work with obstetric, fetal medicine, midwifery, admin and management teams.
• Deputise for Ultrasound Services Manager as required.

Skills

Obstetric ultrasound

Gynaecological ultrasound

Clinical leadership

Mentoring

Audits & governance

Education

DCR/BSc in Diagnostic Radiography

PgDip/MSc in Medical Ultrasound

HCPC registration

CPD evidence

Leadership development

Teaching/assessor qualification

FASP-related qualifications

Job description

Fulfil your potential in hospitals that make history:

Charing Cross, Hammersmith, St Mary’s, Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea and Western Eye.

With five world-renowned hospitals, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is full of opportunity if you are looking to develop your healthcare career.

We are an NHS Trust of approximately 16,000 people, providing care for over a million and a half patients from north west London and beyond every year.

We have a rich heritage and an ambitious vision for the future of our patients and local communities.

With our partners, Imperial College London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, we form Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre, one of 6 academic health science centres in the UK, working to ensure the rapid translation of research for better patient care and excellence in education.

We are proud of our heritage in innovation and we are early adopters of new insights in technologies, techniques and treatments for improving health.

Job overview

The Lead Sonographer provides clinical leadership and expert obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound practice across Maternity Ultrasound at QCCH and SMH.

The role includes undertaking and independently reporting ultrasound examinations, supporting safe and effective patient care, and contributing to service delivery, quality assurance, audit, governance, training and workforce development.

The postholder supports sonographers, trainees and multidisciplinary colleagues, promotes high professional standards, contributes to service improvement, and deputises for the Ultrasound Services Manager as required.

Main duties of the job

• Provide expert obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound practice across QCCH and SMH.


• Independently undertake, interpret and report ultrasound examinations within scope of practice.


• Support safe, effective and patient-centred care, including sensitive communication of findings.


• Provide clinical leadership, supervision, mentoring and line management for sonographers and trainees.


• Support training, competency assessment, CPD and workforce development across the ultrasound service.


• Lead and contribute to audit, image and report review, quality assurance, governance and service improvement.


• Support antenatal screening requirements, including FASP standards and DQASS processes.


• Contribute to equipment maintenance, evaluation and replacement planning.


• Work collaboratively with obstetric, fetal medicine, midwifery, administrative and management teams.


• Deputise for the Ultrasound Services Manager as required.

Working for our organisation

At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care.

Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You’ll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career.Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share. Please talk to us at interview.

Environmental sustainability
Climate change and poor air quality is a health emergency that harms people’s health and wellbeing and widens health inequalities. The Trust is also committed to reducing its impact on the environment by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero by 2045. All our employees have a role to play, and we have an active green network that supports staff to act in ways that ensures that our services are efficient, sustainable and reduce our impact on the environment www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/our-strategy/green-plan .

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.

For both overviews, please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

Person specification

Education and professional qualifications

• DCR/BSc in Diagnostic Radiography or other relevant healthcare qualification (e.g. Midwifery, Nursing or equivalent).


• Postgraduate qualification in Medical Ultrasound (PgDip/MSc or equivalent).


• Relevant professional registration (HCPC, NMC or equivalent).


• Evidence of ongoing CPD.


• Evidence of leadership and management development.


• Teaching, mentoring or assessor qualification.


• FASP-related qualifications or specialist screening training.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years post qualification experience in obstetric and gynaecological, ultrasound


• Advanced obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound practice.


• Independent ultrasound reporting.


• Clinical leadership and supervision of staff and trainees.


• Appraisal, mentorship and performance management.


• Audit, governance and quality assurance.


• Service development and improvement.


• Policy implementation.


• Multidisciplinary working.


• Supporting antenatal screening standards and quality requirements.


• Training and competency assessment of clinical staff.


• Experience of:


• DQASS processes.


• Screening Support Sonographer or similar screening leadership role.


• Business case development and equipment procurement.


• Research activity.


• Budget management.


• Change management.


• Complaints management.

Skills/knowledge/ abilities

• Expert knowledge of obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound.


• Ability to independently interpret ultrasound findings and produce concise diagnostic reports.


• Knowledge of FASP standards and quality assurance processes.


• Knowledge of governance, risk management and audit principles.


• Ability to lead and motivate a team.


• Ability to supervise, support and assess trainees and staff.


• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing clinical, educational and managerial demands.


• Ability to work flexibly to meet service requirements, balancing clinical activity, staff support, education, audit and leadership responsibilities.


• Effective communication, counselling and interpersonal skills.


• Ability to communicate highly sensitive information compassionately and professionally.


• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment.


• Ability to use and maintain clinical IT systems including Astraia, PACS and electronic patient record systems.


• Ability to identify risks and take appropriate action.


• Ability to meet deadlines and maintain accurate records.


• Maintain accurate records


• Experience undertaking root cause analysis.


• Experience leading quality improvement programmes.


• Experience presenting audit, governance or service development work.

Right to work

If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please visit the Home Office website for information on sponsorship and visa status before you fill in your application form. Due to recent changes in the UK immigration rules which affect Skilled Worker Visas, Global Business Mobility, Higher Skill Level and Increased Salary Thresholds, please ensure that you are able to meet the requirements to live and work in the UK before applying. Further information about eligibility is available on UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK

We operate a joint recruitment hub across the North West London Acute Provider Collaborative Group. As part of this, your application and personal data may be shared with partner trusts within the group for recruitment and workforce purposes, in line with general data protection regulation (GDPR).

Vacancy Closing Date

This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.

Please ensure you check your emails regularly as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process. If you are shortlisted you will be contacted by email and text message (if you provide a mobile contact number).

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.