Principal Sonographer - Obstetrics and Gynaecology Ultrasound

NHS; Walsall; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity to join Walsall Healthcare Trust as a Principal Sonographer, focusing on Obstetrics and Gynaecology Ultrasound. The role combines clinical expertise and managerial responsibilities, ensuring high-quality service delivery. Candidates should possess extensive ultrasound experience and relevant qualifications to drive improvements and support patient care.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in obstetric and gynaecology ultrasound examinations.
• Evidence of Post Graduate development.
• Experience working in the NHS.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and perform a comprehensive range of obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound examinations.
• Lead the management of staff, facilities, and resources.
• Conduct audits to ensure adherence to standards.

Skills

Managerial skills

Problem solving

Education

DCR/BSc Diagnostic Radiography

Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound

Management qualification or equivalent experience

Master's level in healthcare related subject

Job description

Principal Sonographer - Obstetrics and Gynaecology Ultrasound

An exciting new opportunity arisen to work in the Walsall Healthcare Trust's imaging service. The Principal Sonographer will be responsible for maintaining a high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective Obstetrics and Gynaecology Ultrasound service at Walsall Healthcare. This includes effective management of staff, facilities, and resources to ensure optimal service delivery. The post holder will work within the Obstetrics and Gynaecology ultrasound departments, providing regular feedback to the Radiology Services Manager and the Clinical Support Services Care Group leadership regarding key performance indicators and any service-related issues. Additionally, the role encompasses leading regular audits, ensuring adherence to national screening standards, and contributing to clinical governance, risk management, and research initiatives to continuously improve service quality and patient outcomes.

Main duties of the job

This role involves both clinical and managerial responsibilities within the Obstetrics and Gynaecology ultrasound departments. The post holder will work closely with the Superintendent Sonographer for Ultrasound, supporting effective cross-cover arrangements and ensuring the seamless delivery of services across all ultrasound specialties. The post holder must ensure that all operations align with clinical governance and risk management frameworks, while actively contributing to the continuous improvement of patient outcomes and service delivery.

About us

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is one of the largest employers in the local area with over 3,000 staff. We have a friendly and vibrant Imaging department and we have new and exciting opportunities coming up. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them.

Job responsibilities

Oversee and perform a comprehensive range of obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound examinations, including early pregnancy assessments, anomaly scans, and growth monitoring.

Maintain high levels of specialist expertise in Obstetrics & Gynaecology Ultrasound, applying advanced professional skills in practice.

Ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe, and patient-centred Obstetrics & Gynaecology Ultrasound services.

Lead and support the development of new clinical pathways and service improvements.

Ensure all guidelines, policies, and procedures are adhered to in Obstetrics & Gynaecology Ultrasound and are updated in line with legislative guidance and best practice.

Act as a clinical expert, advising on highly complex Obstetrics & Gynaecology cases and liaising with multidisciplinary teams for optimal patient care.

Participate in direct patient care, including performing ultrasound scans and providing second opinions on highly complex cases.

Perform line management functions, including recruitment, staff appraisals, competency assessments, and management of sickness absence and leave entitlement.

Act as the first point of contact for complaints or concerns related to the Obstetrics & Gynaecology Ultrasound service, investigating incidents and implementing action plans where necessary.

Lead regular audits and act as the Lead Screening Sonographer, ensuring adherence to standards, including FASP 18+0-20+6 weeks foetal anomaly scan and NSC standards for the first trimester screening programmes

Ensure that all aspects of clinical governance, risk management, and audit are delivered and progressed

Person Specification

Qualifications

• DCR/BSc Diagnostic Radiography or equivalent
• Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound
• Recognised management/ leadership qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience
• Master's level in healthcare related subject or evidence of working to that level

Experience

• Extensive experience in performing and interpreting obstetric and gynaecology ultrasound examinations
• Evidence of Post Graduate development
• Experience of working in the NHS
• Ability to lead a team or supervisory experience

Skills

• Demonstration of managerial skills
• Evidence of Post Graduate development
• Plan, organise and manage workload and a multidisciplinary team within their modality.
• Ability and judgement to act independently to resolve complex problems

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.