Student Sonographer

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Swindon; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Student Sonographer (Band 6) to join the Ultrasound Department in Swindon. This fixed-term role spans 2 years with potential progression to Band 7 after qualification and completing a preceptorship.

The post is full-time (37.5 hours per week) with varied hours across 0800-2000 and some weekends. The successful candidate will train toward a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound with study sponsorship and release from duty.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent for a Health Care related profession.
• Registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) or equivalent.
• Evidence of continued professional development (CPD).
• Evidence of time spent observing in ultrasound.

Responsibilities

• To train to carry out ultrasound scans, including academic and clinical training.
• To produce clinical reports on scans performed under supervision.
• To maintain high quality patient communication, care and imaging.
• To contribute to planning and smooth running of the area, liaising with colleagues and staff.
• Commitment for a minimum of 12 months post-qualification within the department.

Skills

HCPC registration

Ultrasound training

Teamwork

Communication

IT skills

NHS experience

Leadership

CPD

Observation in ultrasound

Education

Health care degree

Job description

Main area Ultrasound Grade Band 6 Contract Fixed term: 2 years (Potential to progress to band 7 post on qualification and completion of preceptorship) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Hours variable between 0800-2000 and some weekends.) Job ref 249-8269696

Employer Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site The Great Western Hospital Town Swindon Salary per annum, pro rata + 5% RRP Closing 22/09/2026 08:00

Student Sonographer

Band 6

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a unique organisation, serving as the sole integrated provider in the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire system. Our scope extends beyond boundaries as we oversee adult community services in Swindon and provide acute care from the Great Western Hospital.

Our 5,500 staff have 1.2m patient contacts a year, with 13,000 operations carried out in our Theatres, around 4,000 babies born, and our emergency attendances are now well over 100,000 per year. Those numbers only tell part of our story about what an exciting time it is to join Great Western Hospitals.

We are cultivating a culture that fosters our ambitions, prioritising equality, diversion, inclusion, wellbeing, and leadership. We aim to create an environment where every member of our team can truly thrive.

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used, then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.

If we receive a high volume of applications, we may close adverts prior to the published closing date. Therefore, we advise you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

Job overview

Join Our Friendly and Supportive Ultrasound Team at Great Western Hospital

At Great Western Hospital, we are looking for kind, caring, and enthusiastic student sonographers to join our welcoming Ultrasound Department. If you are passionate about delivering excellent patient care and enjoy working as part of a supportive team, we would love to hear from you.

An exciting training opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic professional who wishes to train in medical ultrasound.

Candidates must be prepared to undertake study to Post Graduate Diploma level in Medical Ultrasound at a designated University. The successful candidate will be sponsored and supported to complete this study by the directorate (including release from clinical duties to attend the University)..

Selection for this post will include:

• an interview process where candidates will be expected to demonstrate a basic knowledge of medical ultrasound to include assessment of anatomy knowledge
• trial hands on session to assess hand eye co-ordination
• Short 10min power point presentation

Whether you are looking for your next career step or a team where you can truly feel at home, we would be delighted to welcome you to Great Western Hospital.

Come and join a team where kindness, collaboration, and high-quality patient care are at the heart of everything we do.

The interviews will be held face-to-face as you'll be expected to carry out a practical assessment.

Main duties of the job

Our department is made up of 14 sonographers who work closely together, creating a friendly and collaborative environment where everyone is valued and supported. We are proud of the strong relationships we have with our radiologists, nurses, clinical support workers, midwives, and wider allied health professional colleagues. Together, we strive to provide the very best care and experience for our patients.

• To train to carry out ultrasound scans, engaging in both academic and clinical training as directed.
• To produce clinical reports on scans performed, under direct supervision of a Sonographer
• To maintain the highest quality of patient communication, care and imaging
• To contribute to the planning, organisation and smooth running of the area in which you are working, liaising with colleagues, clinicians and other staff within the trust.
• Commitment for a minimum of 12 months of service within the department post qualification.

Working for our organisation

We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group – a formal partnership between Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people.

We are creating a heath and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• To actively engage in all training required; both clinical and academic.
• To learn to perform ultrasound scans including highly specialist techniques and care for patients during these examinations, respecting the rights of privacy and confidentiality, maintaining a high-quality service to patients and clinicians.
• To independently assess each patient and adapt scanning technique according to the needs of the patient
• To produce clinical reports under supervision
• To discuss ultrasound findings with other practitioners and clinicians under supervision of a qualified Sonographer
• To manage their own workload and help others when possible
• To adhere to all Trust policies including the Health and Safety Regulations; COSHH Regulations; the Data Protection Act

Please see the attached job description for full information.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent for a Health Care related profession
• Registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) or equivalent
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Evidence of time spent observing in ultrasound

Experience & Skills

• Ability to work independently and in a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent patient care and good communication skills
• Advanced IT skills
• Self-motivated and committed to learning
• Post-qualification experience working in the NHS
• Evidence of leadership

Thank you for expressing interest in this role. For further employer guidance, please review the attached supplementary applicant information.

Certificate of Sponsorship - Sponsorship can only be offered where the role meets the relevant eligibility criteria, including minimum salary requirements. Please note that not all roles within the organisation are eligible for sponsorship. Eligibility for this role includes:

• Current right to work in the UK, subject to verification

Meeting the Skilled Worker visa criteria, where applicable

From 4 April 2024, UK immigration policy changes increased the minimum salary levels required for Skilled Worker visas. Further information is available on the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Current employees should be aware that this position is advertised as a Great Western Hospitals position and appointment ends any TUPE protection.

Candidates are responsible for covering the cost of their own DBS check if required: £21.50 for a Standard DBS check, recoverable from the first pay, or £49.50 for an Enhanced DBS check, divided and recoverable over the initial two pay periods. Payment for DBS checks for bank posts must be settled prior to commencement. Apprentices are exempt from DBS payment.

We are committed to supporting our staff in achieving a healthy work-life balance through flexible work arrangements. Upon joining the Trust, you have the right to request flexible working, with an unlimited number of requests allowed.

Upon acceptance of a job offer, your information will be transferred to the national NHS Electronic Staff Records System. All communication regarding your application will be conducted via email; please ensure to check your junk/spam folders as emails may occasionally be filtered there.

The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer; all applicants who have a disability can opt to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme, which means that, providing they meet the minimum essential criteria for the post, they will be offered an interview. We are also proudly accredited as a Veteran Aware organisation and have signed The Armed Forces Covenant.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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.