Trainee Sonographer (Annex 21)

Transformation Unit; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Trainee Sonographer (Annex 21) for its Ultrasound Departments across the NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group. The role involves training for 24 months starting January 2027, with PgD Medical Imaging (Ultrasound) and multiple hospital site rotations, working toward a formal qualification.

Training spans General, Gynecological, and potentially Obstetric Ultrasound, with progression contingent on academic and clinical

Qualifications

• DCR or Degree in Radiography, Midwifery or Nursing.
• CASE Accredited PGD in ultrasound (including DMU).
• Undertaken other training or CPD related to ultrasound imaging.

Responsibilities

• Perform clinical ultrasound duties as delegated by Lead Sonographer.
• Organise workflow in single-handed units when applicable.
• Maintain high standards of ultrasonography and issue diagnostic reports.
• Communicate effectively with patients and healthcare teams.
• Supervise and assist in training sonography students.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written comms

Prioritisation

Work under pressure

Meet deadlines

Imaging knowledge for patient care

Train/mentor staff

Own initiative

Change management

Education

DCR or Degree in Radiography, Midwifery or Nursing

CASE Accredited PGD in ultrasound (incl. DMU)

Other ultrasound CPD training

Job description

Main area Ultrasound Grade Band 7 (Annex 21) Contract Permanent: Annex 21 Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday 0830-1700 during training and preceptorship only. Working pattern will change to needs of the service post-qualification.) Job ref 287-DTC-167-26

Employer Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site University Hospitals of Liverpool Group Town Liverpool Salary £49,387 - £56,515 per annum (upon Annex 21 training completion) Salary period Yearly Closing 02/10/2026 23:59

Trainee Sonographer (Annex 21)

Band 7 (Annex 21)

Job overview

We are looking an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to train as a sonographer in our Ultrasound Departments across NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group. The training will include clinical education across our multiple hospitals sites (Royal Liverpool, Broadgreen, Aintree, Liverpool Women's and our community sites), whilst undertaking the PgD Medical Imaging (Ultrasound) qualification at a University site working with the North West of England Imaging Academy.

This post is expected to begin from January 2027 and will continue for approximately 24 months. The clinical modules that will be undertaken will include General Medical Ultrasound, Gynaecological Ultrasound, with some candidates undertaking Obstetric Ultrasound and others completing a Negotiated module specialising in Vascular Ultrasound. Employment throughout, and after, the training will be wholly dependent on successful completion of all clinical and academic components of the training.

There will be multiple stages to the selection criteria for this post. These stages will including a statement of interest which must be supplied as part of the application. Shortlisting will then lead to a number of potential candidates being invited to attend a practical scanning whole day session. Final candidates will be invited to formal interview where you will also deliver a planned presentation to panel followed by questions and critique from our panel.

Main duties of the job

Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team helping to deliver a high quality and safe patient focussed service.

Complete and pass the academic and clinical assessments that make up the requirements of the PgD in Medical imaging (Ultrasound) qualification.

Undertake appropriate ultrasound examination under the supervision of a qualified practitioner according to departmental protocols, adjusting technique as necessary according to patient condition

Effectively communicate with the patient. Expand the medical history given through direct discussion with the patient using focused questioning. Give explanations of why the test is being requested/performed, including risks, benefits and conclusions, in context.

Perform a highly skilled ultrasound examination, using a high level of manual dexterity to produce accurate diagnostic images for reporting

Working for our organisation

NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHL Group) was formed on 1 November 2024, born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our communities.

We are one of the largest employers in region, with over 18,900 colleagues who are dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.

For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services that extend to more than two million people in the North West.

We operate from five hospital sites: Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside, and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to several elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital provide specialist services incardiothoracic surgery,cardiology and respiratory medicine, both in the hospital and out in the community. Liverpool Women’s Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK’s largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single en-suite bedrooms and mainly focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

CLINICAL

• Performance of clinical ultrasound duties as delegated by the Lead Sonographer in charge of the Ultrasound Department.
• When working in a single-handed unit to be responsible for the organisation of the workflow.
• Maintenance of a high standard of all aspects of ultrasonography.
• Issuing of diagnostic ultrasound reports according to protocol.
• Rotation to the renal transplant unit and the issuing of free text reports provided the necessary reporting level has been attained according to department protocol.
• To participate in multi-disciplinary team working
• To ensure effective communication with patients, carers and all health care professionals about all aspects of patient care.
• To maintain accurate documentation pertinent to the examination.
• Supervision and assistance in the training of sonography students.

Person specification

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to prioritise
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Knowledge of role of imaging in patient management
• Ability to train/mentor staff
• Works on own initiative
• Ability to manage change

Qualifications

• DCR or Degree in Radiography, Midwifery or Nursing (or other appropriate healthcare group)
• CASE Accredited PGC or PGD in ultrasound (including DMU)
• Undertaken other training or CPD related to ultrasound imaging

Experience

• Supervision of ultrasound students
• Ability to deal with a variety of patient groups
• Experience dealing with a multidisciplinary workforce
• Research experience
• Demonstrable experience in a supportive or technical role within imaging

Candidatesapplying for the role of Healthcare Assistant on the staff bank should note that due to the nature of the role, workers must be aged 18 or above when commencing in post. Applicants are therefore welcome from those aged over 18 or within 3 months’ of their 18 th birthday.

The Trust is committed to promoting a healthy work-life balance and achieve fair, equitable and consistent practice. We welcome flexible working requests and will consider a variety of flexible working arrangements from day one of your employment. Not all roles are suitable for every flexible working opportunity all of the time. Flexible working options may include reduced hours, compressed hours, fixed shifts, time back in lieu and home working.

The Trust is committed to promoting equality and diversity; we value the contribution of individual talent, skills, knowledge and experience and aim for a workforce demography representative of the local community. We encourage applicants from the following groups that are currently under-represented in our workforce black, Asian and minority ethnic, lesbian, gay, bisexual and Transgender (LGBTQ+), disabled, male and age 16-24.

Trust policy requires that the cost of submitting & processing the successful applicant/s DBS application be recovered via salary deduction following start in post. The amount of £26.50 (standard disclosure) or £54.50 (enhanced disclosure) will be deducted from salary, in manageable monthly instalments for up to 3 months following commencement of employment. Bank posts require upfront payment.

From April 2017, Skilled visa applicants and their adult dependant(s) will be required to provide a criminal record certificate from each country they have lived in consecutively for 12 months or more in the past ten years.

Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

This organisation has a zero-tolerance approach to the abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff must ensure they adhere to the organisations safeguarding children and adults’ policy and comply with the Local Safeguarding Children and Adult Board procedures.

Staff should be mindful of their responsibility to safeguard children and adults in any activity performed on behalf of the organisation in line with the requirements of statutory guidance and legislation.

All employees (and volunteers)are expected maintain their safeguarding knowledge and skills by completing mandatory safeguarding training which includes understanding and recognising the signs of abuse and neglect and taking appropriate action.

As an organisation, we have adopted the Merseyside Domestic abuse workplace scheme which supports our staff who are experiencing Domestic Abuse /any forms of sexual violence.

If you have any personal requirements that will enable you to participate in our recruitment process please contact a member of the Recruitment Services by phone on 0151 706 4666 at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable your application for this post.

Please note: new entrants to the NHS will commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.

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.