Job overview
Trainee Nurse Sonographer – Developmental role - St Thomas’ Hospital
The Early Pregnancy and Acute Gynaecology Unit (EPAGU) is a purpose-built, nurse-led service that opened in 2003, providing high-quality, patient-centred care to women from the diverse communities of Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham.
The unit manages approximately 1,600 patients per month and offers a walk-in and referral service seven days a week. Located adjacent to the 27-bed gynaecology ward, the unit benefits from close multidisciplinary working and a supportive clinical environment.
The Trainee Nurse Sonographer will be supported to develop advanced clinical and ultrasound skills within early pregnancy and acute gynaecology. The post holder will work within a nurse-led model of care, using evidence-based practice to support assessment, diagnosis, management, and counselling of women attending the unit.
The role requires a motivated, forward-thinking nurse who is committed to professional development, high standards of care, and collaborative multidisciplinary working.
We would particularly encourage Clinical Specialist Nurses with extensive experience in Early Pregnancy and Acute Gynaecology Units who are keen to develop ultrasound skills and work at an advanced level within a nurse-led service to apply.
Additional contract details Trainee Nurse sonographer will be paid as Band 6 while undertaking the accredited ultrasound course. Progression to Band 7 upon successful completion of the ultrasound qualification and required competencies. Successful candidate will commence ultrasound scanning course in 2027.
Closing date: 10 May 2026 at Midnight
Main duties of the job
Trainee Nurse Sonographer
This post is designed to work alongside clinicians, nurse practitioners and Clinical Specialist Nurses within the Early Pregnancy and Acute Gynaecology Unit (EPAGU) to deliver a high-quality, safe, and effective ultrasound scanning service while also providing advanced clinical nursing care. The role is pivotal in ensuring timely access to diagnostic investigations to support accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment planning for patients with early pregnancy and acute gynaecological conditions.
1. Provide ultrasound scanning services for patients attending EPAGU, supporting a 7-day service, with the majority of activity occurring during core working hours
2. Undertake ultrasound examinations under supervision in line with training requirements, including: Early pregnancy scans Emergency ultrasound scans Baseline gynaecological scans to assess pelvic pathology
CSN:
3. Demonstrate developing specialist clinical expertise in early pregnancy and emergency gynaecology nursing
4. Undertake comprehensive patient assessments, including history taking, clinical examination, and pre-assessment
5. Provide nurse-led management where appropriate, in line with agreed pathways and protocols
6. Deliver high-quality, patient-centred counselling.
7. The post holder will be appointed at Band 6 while undertaking the accredited ultrasound qualification and required competencies
8. Progression to Band 7 will be supported upon successful completion of the ultrasound qualification.
Working for our organisation
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best known hospitals – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.
We are among the UK’s busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.
We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and – as part of King’s Health Partners – we are one of England’s eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research’s biomedical research centres, established with King’s College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. Operational Responsibilities:
9. Be a clinical expert in emergency gynaecology, with excellent assessment and interpersonal skills. Evidence of extensive professional development and supervision are essential, supported by education at a higher level to perform this advanced practice role
10. Act autonomously and have the skills to support in the development of protocols and care pathways.
11. Continually monitor and audit the existing scanning protocols. Update, review and develop research based protocols alongside the EPAGU unit managers and nurse practitioner.
·To carry out gynaecological and early pregnancy ultrasound examinations in accordance with the EPAGU’s protocol and provide a detailed diagnostic report.
12. Assess, implement and evaluate individualised strategies to manage the physical, psychosocial and emotional needs of patients who present to the unit
13. To be responsible for the daily organisation and examination consistency of ultrasound scanning within the emergency gynaecology unit
·To maintain and promote high professional standards ensuring that imaging referrals are evaluated and prioritised according to departmental protocol, and that service requirements are met in line with clinical urgency.
·To supervise students within the EPAGU / ultrasound departments
·To actively strive towards improving the patient experience in EPAGU acting as an advocate for the women who attend the EPAGU
·To liaise with manufacturers concerning faults and maintenance service dates and to ensure accurate records are well documented and kept.
·To oversee the ordering of relevant ultrasound supplies used within EPAGU.
·To participate in the transfer of patients and equipment within the department and the hospital where required and according to current manual handling guidelines
·To ensure that regular and required Quality Assurance of all equipment is carried out and monitored.
·Work closely with the EPAGU managers and nurse practitioner to cover shortfalls in provision of the scanning services across EPAGU and other departments in Womens Health which may be cross site.
2. Managerial Responsibilities:
·To promote effective communication amongst all groups of people that benefits from and use the EPAGU and Ultrasound service.
·To liaise with other departments/wards within the hospital and various external sources in order to provide a quality service to patients and clinicians.
·To demonstrate an awareness of the needs of individual team members and give support and guidance where necessary.
·To participate in departmental meetings and in meeting related to the ongoing review and evaluation of the service.
·To develop quarterly patient and technically focussed audits, providing figures where required.
·To develop awareness of the strategic development of Women’s Services and the EPAGU.
·To undertake other duties as and when required by the demands of the service.
3. Professional Leadership:
·Support colleagues in the EPAGU, and strive to continually improve standards, quality of care and to develop professional practice. Provide cross cover and lead in the development of scanning strategies sonographer led discharge with the EPAGU multidisciplinary team.
·Act as a resource to staff and patients in the unit
·Actively participate in clinical governance, providing expert input to secure quality improvement plans.
·Work collaboratively and in partnership with practitioners from other disciplines and across organisational, professional and academic boundaries
4. Education, Training and development:
·Contribute both formally and informally to the education, training and development of nurses and other professional groups within the directorate
·To establish systems of work, that are constantly evaluated to ensure that competency can be measured and proven, including the evaluation of scanning competency of existing EPAGU staff.
·To work alongside the EPAGU nurse practitioner and EPAGU managers in the development and introduction of nurse and Sonographer lead patient discharge and other innovative services.
·To work with main ultrasound to develop a competency framework to assess all staff who undertake scanning within the EPAGU and to participate in assessments against this framework.
·To become involved in presenting case study reviews to other staff.
·To carry out regular personal audit and to participate, and present in the regular departmental audits across Womens services.
·To use and maintain proficiency in computerised and manual methods regarding patient documentation and image recording
·To lead on and participate in auditing the services provided by the Womens Services.
·To participate in the EPAGU, Directorate and Trust meetings that are relevant to the Unit’s service provision.
·To undertake administrative and any other duties as required by the Gynaecology Matron
·To liase with all disciplines of staff within the Trust and various external sources in order to provide a quality service to women and clinicians.
·To undertake other duties as and when required by the demands of the service, or by the Head of Nursing and Midwifery.
5. Practice, service development, research and evaluation
The post holder will in conjunction with the unit managers:
·Lead in the promotion of evidence-based practice, whilst reviewing the evidence base for clinical practice within this specialist field. Lead from the sonographer role.
·Participate in developing protocols, as the minimum standard, with care pathways and guideline for the assessment, management and treatment of women presenting with emergency gynaecology problems. Be the primary lead for ultrasound protocol with the EGU nurse practitioner.
·Participate in research, related to the area of emergency gynaecology
·Participate, conduct and support audit and continually audit own practice and outcomes.
·To participate in auditing the services provided by the Women's Services.
·To participate in meetings arranged by the Foetal Medicine Unit, the Directorate or Trust that is relevant to the Unit’s service provision.
·To participate in personal and professional CPD and maintain registration status.
7. General
The post holder will:
·Act in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct, and other professional and statutory codes and initiatives as appropriate
·Ensure the provision and planning of services is non discriminatory and appropriately reflects the needs of a diverse patient population
·Ensure that the working environment is free from discrimination and provides equality of opportunity to a diverse workforce.
·Observe the confidentiality of patients’ information at all times in accordance with the data protection act.
·Adhere to Trust policies, guidelines and current legislation including health and safety, equal opportunities and the no smoking policy.
·Work in accordance with Directorate and Corporate objectives
·Any other duties which are commensurate to the role
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
14. Evidence of co-ordination of a multi disciplinary team to achieve efficient health care delivery, including evidence of workforce planning and financial management
15. Experience of audit / research based nursing practice/Experience of involvement in developing & reviewing guidelines/ protocols and care pathways
16. Experience on counselling, History taking, patient assessment, pre assessment and nurse led management
17. Extensive experience working in EPAGU as a Clinical Specialist Nurse (CSN)
Desirable criteria
18. Experience in gynaecology service/Women's health
19. Experience of resource management/mentor/preceptor
Qualifications
Essential criteria
20. Nursing Diploma/Degree RN1
21. Registered on NMC Register
22. Evidence of ongoing professional development in relevant area of specialty( Gynaecology course, M&K assessment course, EGEL course, Endometriosis course, Bereavement training)
Desirable criteria
23. Evidence of management duties/ PDR/ Health roster/ 1:1/Incident management
Skills and Attributes
Essential criteria
24. Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to work across professional health care boundaries
25. Experience of working autonomously at an advanced level
26. Shows evidence of counselling patients and supporting them in an emergency situation
Desirable criteria
27. Recognise and actively seeks appropriate support
28. Excellent IT skills (EPIC, MS office, Astraia)
Values and Behaviours
Essential criteria
29. How would you demonstrate our Trust Values (Caring, Ambitious and Inclusive)
30. Able to show evidence of working collaboratively with MDT and patients
Desirable criteria
31. Evidence of Quality or service improvement
Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.