Job Description
Job overviewThe 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- Lead and coordinate Obstetric Ultrasound education within the Peninsula Sonography Hub, supporting trainee Sonographers, Radiologists and student Radiographers.- Deliver high‑quality, practice‑based training, supervise clinical learning, and provide structured feedback, assessment and pastoral support.- Develop and maintain strong links with education providers, SWITA, NHSE and local Sonography Leads to ensure training meets regional and national standards.- Plan, organise and deliver specialist Obstetric Ultrasound teaching, including lectures, skills development and preceptorship support for newly qualified staff.- Perform and independently report a wide range of Obstetric, Gynaecological and General ultrasound examinations, ensuring safe, high‑quality patient care.- Contribute to clinical governance, quality assurance, incident learning and continuous improvement within the hub.- Support operational delivery by helping manage workflow, maintaining equipment standards, and ensuring compliance with trust policies and QSI/CQC requirements.- Participate in service development, workforce planning, recruitment, and strategic discussions relating to ultrasound training across SWITA.- Engage in audit, research, and evidence‑based practice to enhance training quality and clinical standards.- Maintain professional registration, CPD and high standards of practice, acting as a role model for the ultrasound workforce.Working for our organisationWe 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.Detailed job description and main responsibilitiesEDUCATION 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 specificationQualificationsEssential criteria- 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 bodyDesirable criteria- Qualification in educationKnowledge & ExperienceEssential criteria- Comprehensive and extensive proven knowledge and demonstrable experience in the gynaecological and obstetric ultrasound modalities- Significant demonstrable experience at Enhanced practice levelDesirable criteria- Proven knowledge and demonstrable experience across the range of ultrasound examinationsAptitude & AbilitiesEssential criteria- Calm, confident, non-judgemental and patient- Excellent organisational and time management, planning and prioritisation skillsDesirable criteria- Research and development skillsPLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY INCLUDING YOUR JUNK FOLDER. If you need support with the online application process or require reasonable adjustments with the application and/or interview process please contact the Recruiting Manager for this post.
We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants about less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. We recommend contacting the manager of the role prior to applying and we commit to giving requests full consideration. We welcome and encourage applicants who identify with all protected characteristics to apply for our roles.
We believe that diversity strengthens our teams and improves our patients' experience. At UHP we aim to create an inclusive workplace and hospital where everyone feels they belong and included.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.Providing false information is an offence & could result in the application being rejected or summary dismissal/police action if an applicant is successful.Please note that if you are successful in your application & accept the position you agree that the Staff Health and Wellbeing Department can access your health records from your current/previous employer in order to check the status of your inoculations & screening tests.
This is an automated process & the information will only be used for these purposes prior to your taking up the position with us.For Doctors Roles:Unsolicited CVs and Candidate Profiles/DetailsUniversity Hospitals Plymouth has a commitment to sourcing candidates directly and as such we do not accept speculative CVs from agencies.We do, however, work with a defined list of preferred HTE Framework suppliers who may be invited to support us in sourcing candidates for particular roles.In line with our preferred supplier list, we only pay agency fees where we have a signed agreement in place and an agency has been instructed by a member of the Trust’s Medical Workforce team.We do not pay agency fees where speculative and unsolicited CVs are submitted to the Trust or Trust employees by any other means than the official route above. Where this is not observed the Trust reserves the right to contact these candidates directly and initiate discussions without payment of any agency fee.Any candidate details (whether written or spoken) or CVs that are referred directly will not constitute an introduction. The Trust will under no circumstances be responsible for any recruitment fees in relation to these contacts.Submission of any unsolicited CVs, candidate’s details and/or proposals to the Trust will not be considered further and will be deemed evidence of full and unlimited acceptance of this Agency Protocol.In order to establish and maintain good working relationships with the Trust’s agency suppliers, we ask that this Protocol is adhered to and thank you for your co-operation.