Lead Sonographer

Imperial College Healthcare Nhs Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Flexible working

Wellbeing programme

Staff recognition scheme

Cycle to Work

Car lease schemes

Season ticket loan

Onsite leisure facilities

Job summary

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is seeking a Lead Sonographer to provide clinical leadership and expert obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound across the Maternity Ultrasound service at QCCH and SMH. You will undertake and report ultrasound examinations independently, support safe patient care, and contribute to service delivery, quality assurance and workforce development.

You will supervise sonographers, trainees and multidisciplinary colleagues; promote high professional standards;

Qualifications

• DCR/BSc in Diagnostic Radiography or other relevant healthcare qualification.
• Postgraduate qualification in Medical Ultrasound (PgDip/MSc or equivalent).
• Current professional registration (HCPC, NMC or equivalent).
• Evidence of ongoing CPD and leadership development.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound practice across QCCH and SMH.
• Independently undertake, interpret and report ultrasound examinations.
• Support safe, patient-centred care and communicate findings clearly.
• Provide supervision, mentoring and line management for staff and trainees.
• Lead training, CPD and workforce development across ultrasound services.
• Contribute to audit, governance and service improvement initiatives.
• Deputise for the Ultrasound Services Manager when required.

Skills

Ultrasound expertise

Leadership

Independent reporting

Teaching and mentorship

Governance and QA

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Communication skills

Education

DCR/BSc in Diagnostic Radiography or equivalent

PgDip/MSc in Medical Ultrasound or equivalent

HCPC/NMC registration

Tools

Astraia

PACS

Electronic patient records

Job description

Job summary

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.

About us

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 sustainabilityClimate 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.

Job 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

Essential

• 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.

Desirable

• Formal management qualification.
• Teaching, mentoring or assessor qualification.
• FASP-related qualifications or specialist screening training.

Experience

Essential

• 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.

Desirable

• 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

Essential

• 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

Desirable

• Experience undertaking root cause analysis.
• Experience leading quality improvement programmes.
• Experience presenting audit, governance or service development work.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name: Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

Address: Queen Charlottes Hospital, London, W12 0HS, United Kingdom

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact: Ultrasound Services Manager, Suzanne Beattie-Jones, [e-mail]