Job summary
The South West Imaging Training Academy (SWITA) is expanding Obstetric Ultrasound training across the region, and we are seeking an experienced Sonographer to lead high-quality education within the Peninsula Sonography Hub. Working closely with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS FT and regional Sonography Leads, you will play a key role in shaping the future Obstetric Ultrasound workforce.
In this role, you will coordinate and deliver specialist Obstetric Ultrasound training for trainee Sonographers, Radiologists and multi-professional staff, ensuring excellent supervised learning and robust clinical governance. Alongside your educational responsibilities, you will contribute to clinical service delivery by performing and independently reporting a wide range of Obstetric and Gynaecological examinations.
We are looking for a confident educator and strong communicator who can move seamlessly between the roles of mentor, coach, trainer and clinical leader. You will represent SWITA in regional forums, support workforce development and work collaboratively with Trust and Academy leadership teams.
This is a weekday, core-hours post (9am-5pm), with flexible working and job-share options available.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
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Lead and coordinate Obstetric Ultrasound education within the Peninsula Sonography Hub, supporting trainee Sonographers, Radiologists and student Radiographers.
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Deliver high-quality, practice-based training, supervise clinical learning, and provide structured feedback, assessment and pastoral support.
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Develop and maintain strong links with education providers, SWITA, NHSE and local Sonography Leads to ensure training meets regional and national standards.
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Plan, organise and deliver specialist Obstetric Ultrasound teaching, including lectures, skills development and preceptorship support for newly qualified staff.
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Perform and independently report a wide range of Obstetric, Gynaecological and General ultrasound examinations, ensuring safe, high-quality patient care.
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Contribute to clinical governance, quality assurance, incident learning and continuous improvement within the hub.
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Support operational delivery by helping manage workflow, maintaining equipment standards, and ensuring compliance with trust policies and QSI/CQC requirements.
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Participate in service development, workforce planning, recruitment, and strategic discussions relating to ultrasound training across SWITA.
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Engage in audit, research, and evidence-based practice to enhance training quality and clinical standards.
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Maintain professional registration, CPD and high standards of practice, acting as a role model for the ultrasound workforce.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
EDUCATION and TRAINING
- To develop links with internal and external education providers, and other external parties.
- Supervise and structure practice-based learning, bringing together academic theory, workplace practice and help trainees to develop skills and competencies towards learning outcomes, assessment and qualification.
- Identify funding opportunities for sonographers, working with the SWITA Radiography Education Lead and NHSE.
- Signpost staff to educational and development opportunities and act as advocate to ensure access to these opportunities
Responsible for allocated trainee sonographers, radiologists and student radiographers, - assist with their education and clinical appraisal (assess training needs and set objectives, review of written work, act as appraiser and carry out assessment giving constructive performance feedback and review of achievements).
Liaise with ultrasound leads and designated appraisers to report progress of trainee/ preceptee.
Work collaboratively with trainees and educational providers to ensure students can access help and support, including raising concerns related to the trainees wellbeing and/or mental health, in a pastoral care element to the role.
Formulate a preceptorship programme and provide guidance on what is expected of sonographers as they develop in their career, support them as newly qualified sonographers during their preceptorship period
Support the Induction for new substantive staff and locums within the Academy hub.
Take a lead role in training colleagues in new or supplementary Obstetric techniques
Work collaboratively to identify, plan and deliver programmes to meet personal and professional development needs of self and others, including acting as an Appraiser for the department.
For further details please see attached JD&PS.
Job description
Job responsibilities
EDUCATION and TRAINING
- To develop links with internal and external education providers, and other external parties.
- Supervise and structure practice-based learning, bringing together academic theory, workplace practice and help trainees to develop skills and competencies towards learning outcomes, assessment and qualification.
- Identify funding opportunities for sonographers, working with the SWITA Radiography Education Lead and NHSE.
- Signpost staff to educational and development opportunities and act as advocate to ensure access to these opportunities
Responsible for allocated trainee sonographers, radiologists and student radiographers, - assist with their education and clinical appraisal (assess training needs and set objectives, review of written work, act as appraiser and carry out assessment giving constructive performance feedback and review of achievements).
Liaise with ultrasound leads and designated appraisers to report progress of trainee/ preceptee.
Work collaboratively with trainees and educational providers to ensure students can access help and support, including raising concerns related to the trainees wellbeing and/or mental health, in a pastoral care element to the role.
Formulate a preceptorship programme and provide guidance on what is expected of sonographers as they develop in their career, support them as newly qualified sonographers during their preceptorship period
Support the Induction for new substantive staff and locums within the Academy hub.
Take a lead role in training colleagues in new or supplementary Obstetric techniques
Work collaboratively to identify, plan and deliver programmes to meet personal and professional development needs of self and others, including acting as an Appraiser for the department.
For further details please see attached JD&PS.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- PG study and qualification in General Medical, gynaecological and obstetric ultrasound specialist fields studied at Masters level
- Registration - HCPC or Register of Clinical Technologists (RCT) or other professional body
Desirable
- Qualification in education
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Comprehensive and extensive proven knowledge and demonstrable experience in the gynaecological and obstetric ultrasound modalities
- Significant demonstrable experience at Enhanced practice level
Desirable
- Proven knowledge and demonstrable experience across the range of ultrasound examinations
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential
- Calm, confident, non-judgemental and patient
- Excellent organisational and time management, planning and prioritisation skills
Desirable
- Research and development skills
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- PG study and qualification in General Medical, gynaecological and obstetric ultrasound specialist fields studied at Masters level
- Registration - HCPC or Register of Clinical Technologists (RCT) or other professional body
Desirable
- Qualification in education
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Comprehensive and extensive proven knowledge and demonstrable experience in the gynaecological and obstetric ultrasound modalities
- Significant demonstrable experience at Enhanced practice level
Desirable
- Proven knowledge and demonstrable experience across the range of ultrasound examinations
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential
- Calm, confident, non-judgemental and patient
- Excellent organisational and time management, planning and prioritisation skills
Desirable
- Research and development skills
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.
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 be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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 be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
