Sonographer/Midwife Sonographer | Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust; Walsall; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is seeking a dedicated Sonographer to join their ultrasound department. The role requires strong clinical skills, the ability to train and supervise others, and a commitment to high-quality patient care, with NHS experience preferred. The position involves independent reporting of ultrasound examinations and participation in service improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• NHS experience preferred, training provided for non-NHS candidates.
• Demonstrated high level of expertise in ultrasound.
• Maintain fitness to practice with Professional Code of Conduct.

Responsibilities

• Supervise junior staff and trainees in ultrasound.
• Independently perform ultrasound examinations.
• Provide mentorship to less experienced sonographers.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Team leadership

Clinical expertise in ultrasound

Education

Degree in relevant healthcare field

Tools

Radiology Information System

PACS System

Job description

Overview

The post holder will be highly committed, enthusiastic and innovative with excellent clinical and communication skills and willing to join our expanding friendly team. The post holder will work within the Obstetric and Imaging ultrasound departments, in line with competency, to provide a high quality ultrasound service, prioritising the workload and producing comprehensive independently written ultrasound reports. The post holder will communicate complex information to clinicians and patients, and will take part in the training of others in this modality. All members of the Sonographer team will be responsible for the management and delivery of ultrasound services ensuring high standards of ultrasound provision in terms of quality, safety and access to services, providing the Professional Lead for Ultrasound with regular feedback regarding agreed key performance indicators for this service.

Current NHS experience is preferred, however we encourage perspective candidates with experience from other sectors to apply. Any successful candidate without NHS experience would be required to undergo a 3 to 6 months period of training at band 6 level, during which time they will receive direct supervision.

PLEASE NOTE, WE MAY CLOSE THIS VACANCY EARLY IF WE RECEIVE HIGH NUMBERS OF APPLICATIONS.

Responsibilities

• To supervise the activity of more junior staff and trainees within the department
• To be responsible for maintaining professional and technical standards relevant to ultrasound services
• To take part in the planning, coordinating and implementation of new services and strategies concerning patient care to enhance, develop and improve patient pathways
• To keep the Professional Lead for Ultrasound fully informed of issues within ultrasound and pertaining to the delivery of the service
• To attend relevant meetings as directed, both internally and externally to the Trust
• To establish and maintain effective communication with all members of the Imaging and multidisciplinary team, in particular those associated with ultrasound.
• To challenge, in a positive manner, current working practices and promote a culture of continuous improvement and development.
• To participate with the recruitment and selection of staff.
• To coordinate routine maintenance of equipment and management of breakdowns liaising with external companies.
• To independently undertake and use analytical and judgemental skills to report on ultrasound examinations, differentiating between normal and pathological findings.
• To use analytical and judgemental skills to view the scan images taken, to assess their technical quality and to have the ability to identify reasons for performing additional views appropriately.
• To be aware of the importance of other diagnostic investigations. To make recommendations when reporting for further imaging assessment and referral where necessary after consultation / discussion with a Radiologist.
• Maintain fitness to practice with Professional Code of Conduct and through CPD.
• To inform appointment scheduling and be responsible for one’s own caseload.
• To prioritise patients independently and to organise workload from a range of referral pathways, within a pressurised environment.
• To receive telephone enquiries from patients, ward or medical staff regarding clinical procedures or results.
• To maintain patients dignity whilst frequently undertaking examinations of an intimate nature, where there is a high risk of exposure to bodily fluids.
• To deal with a range of operational pressures and developments within ultrasound on a day to day basis providing specialist support to staff.
• To independently assess and justify examinations using department protocols / guidelines.
• Ensure the implementation of examination protocols.
• Attend appropriate clinical meetings, feeding back to the team and informing service improvement as appropriate.
• To maintain a flexible approach to working hours such as extended days and weekend working to promote a 7 day service.
• Acts as a role model to all other staff.
• To assist in developing a learning environment within the Department by maintaining an up to date professional knowledge through CPD and demonstrate a proactive commitment to improving standards of service and maintaining standards.
• Train, supervise and assess Undergraduates, Post Graduates and clinicians in the specialist field of ultrasound and the use of high specification ultrasound equipment.
• Provide guidance, support and mentorship to less experienced sonographers.
• Accountable for own professional activities using a high degree of autonomy within the limitations of personal expertise and skill.
• To possess a high level of knowledge over a range of ultrasound procedures and /or a high level of expertise in a particular area of ultrasound.
• To give specialist and expert opinion to a wide range of Health Care professionals. To give information that can directly affect diagnosis or treatment.
• To supervise the activity of less experienced sonographers, assistants and trainees within the ultrasound workplace. To undertake prolonged periods of intense concentration to obtain, interpret and record suitable images in a dynamic environment. To maintain concentrations during frequent interruptions from patients and staff.
• To have well developed hand / eye coordination combined with special awareness which enables precise acquisition of diagnostic images.
• To relate to and communicate with all patients and visitors in a sensitive and empathetic manner. To give clear explanations to patients about ultrasound examinations including risk, accuracy and limitations especially regarding procedures that require consent. To use appropriate levels of tact and persuasion when dealing with aggressive behaviour, cultural differences, special needs and those with newly diagnosed illnesses.
• To promote best practice when advising and disseminating knowledge to the profession and beyond.
• To be competent in the operation of the Radiology Information System / PACS System.

Qualifications

• Current NHS experience is preferred. • Successful candidates without NHS experience will undergo a 3 to 6 months period of training at band 6 level with direct supervision. • Maintain fitness to practice with Professional Code of Conduct and through CPD. • Demonstrate high level of expertise in ultrasound. • Provide CPD and proactive commitment to improving service standards.

This advert closes on Wednesday 22 Oct 2025