Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

Principal Sonographer - Obstetrics and Gynaecology Ultrasound

The closing date is 02 July 2025

Job summary

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.

Details

Date posted

19 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£53,755 to £60,504 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

407-WCCSS-7188136-A

Job locations

Walsall Manor Healthcare NHS Trust

Moat Road

Walsall

WS2 9PS


Job description

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

Job description

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

Essential

  • DCR/BSc Diagnostic Radiography or equivalent
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound
  • Recognised management/ leadership qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience

Desirable

  • Master's level in healthcare related subject or evidence of working to that level

Experience

Essential

  • 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

Essential

  • 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
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • DCR/BSc Diagnostic Radiography or equivalent
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound
  • Recognised management/ leadership qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience

Desirable

  • Master's level in healthcare related subject or evidence of working to that level

Experience

Essential

  • 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

Essential

  • 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Walsall Manor Healthcare NHS Trust

Moat Road

Walsall

WS2 9PS


Employer's website

https://walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Walsall Manor Healthcare NHS Trust

Moat Road

Walsall

WS2 9PS


Employer's website

https://walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Radiology Service Manager

Sam Abbott

samuel.abbott1@nhs.net

01922721172

Details

Date posted

19 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£53,755 to £60,504 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

407-WCCSS-7188136-A

Job locations

Walsall Manor Healthcare NHS Trust

Moat Road

Walsall

WS2 9PS


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)