Job summary
- Main area
- Radiology
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 218-AHP-B8A-8060791-A
- Employer
- University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Univeristy Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire
- Town
- Coventry
- Salary
- £49,387 - £64,750 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 13/08/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Clinical Specialist Sonographer, ENT Ultrasound (B8A or B7 Trainee)
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Job overview
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust is a large teaching Trust serving over one million people across Coventry and Rugby, working in partnership with Warwick Medical School to deliver high-quality care, education, and research.
This is an opportunity to join a Consultant-led specialist imaging service delivering Head and Neck (ENT) and Maxillofacial Ultrasound within a dynamic team committed to excellence and service development.
We are seeking a motivated Clinical Specialist Sonographer to support a highly specialised service, with a focus on cancer pathways including Two Week Wait (TWW) and the 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard. The role includes independent ultrasound practice, reporting, and interventional procedures such as fine needle aspiration (FNA), alongside MDT contribution.
The post holder will support a 7-day ultrasound service, including weekends and bank/public holidays.
Trainee Option:
Where a fully trained candidate is not identified, applications are welcomed from qualified sonographers who wish to develop into this role through a structured training pathway with progression on completion.
Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will deliver a high-quality, specialist Head and Neck (ENT) ultrasound service, including independent scanning, reporting, and ultrasound-guided interventional procedures such as fine needle aspiration (FNA). The role supports timely diagnostic pathways, particularly within cancer services, including Two Week Wait (TWW) and the 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard.
Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the post holder will collaborate with Radiologists, ENT clinicians, Cytology, and oncology teams to support one-stop pathways and contribute to MDT decision-making.
The post includes clinical leadership within the sonography workforce, supporting training, supervision, and development of junior staff, alongside contributing to education for Radiology Registrars and other learners.
The role contributes to service development, quality improvement, and clinical audit, supporting ongoing advancement of the Head and Neck ultrasound service. It also requires application of advanced clinical reasoning and cross-sectional imaging knowledge to inform patient management.
There is an expectation to contribute across the four pillars of advanced practice: clinical practice, leadership, education, and research.
Trainee Option:
Where appointed at Band 7, the post holder will undertake a structured training programme, progressing to independent practice and full competency in Head and Neck ultrasound and FNA procedures.
Working for our organisation
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.
We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.
Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.
We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence® designated organisation – please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence ® - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)
By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.
The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- Deliver high-quality, patient-centred care at all times.
- Independently perform and report specialised ENT Head and Neck ultrasound examinations, including complex and routine cases.
- Undertake ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) procedures where clinically indicated.
- Review relevant cross-sectional imaging to support vetting, procedural planning, and clinical decision-making.
- Work in partnership with Cytology to support and develop one-stop diagnostic pathways.
- Maintain effective multidisciplinary working with radiologists, pathologists, oncologists, and clinical nurse specialists.
- Communicate complex and sensitive information appropriately, ensuring informed consent is obtained.
- Supervise, support, and develop junior sonographers and contribute to the training of Radiology Registrars and students.
- Participate in and promote clinical audit, quality improvement, and service innovation.
- Act as a clinical role model, promoting CPD and professional standards across the sonography
For further details of the role please see the attached job description.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- • BSc in Radiography (or equivalent) • Current HCPC Registration • Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound (or equivalent) * • Completion of, or willingness to undertake, a master’s level (Level 7) module in ENT Head and Neck Ultrasound • Willingness to work towards a full MSc in Medical Ultrasound (or relevant subject), if not already attained *For trainee candidates, appointment will be subject to enrolment on and successful completion of a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound as part of a structured training pathway.
Desirable criteria
- • MSc in Medical Ultrasound (or relevant subject)
Experience
Essential criteria
- • Ability to independently undertake ENT ultrasound scanning for outpatient and GP referrals • Competence in independently performing ENT ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) procedures • Minimum of two years’ experience in ENT Head and Neck ultrasound • Advanced experience in cross-sectional imaging and its application to clinical decision-making • Evidence of clinical audit participation • Experience of contributing to MDT meetings Trainee Appointment (Where Applicable) • Qualified sonographer with demonstrable competence in general ultrasound practice • Experience in head and neck ultrasound desirable but not essential • Willingness to undertake training in ENT ultrasound and FNA procedures • Understanding of clinical audit and willingness to participate • Exposure to MDT working desirable • Willingness to develop cross-sectional imaging interpretation skills to support clinical decision-making • MSc in Medical Ultrasound (or relevant subject) • Evidence of participation in clinical research • Leadership experience within a clinical or service setting • Experience of service development or pathway redesign • Experience of teaching, training, or mentoring staff and/or students • Evidence of involvement in quality improvement initiatives or innovation • Experience contributing to policy, protocol, or guideline development • Participation in regional or national professional networks (e.g. special interest groups, SOR, BMUS)
Desirable criteria
- • MSc in Medical Ultrasound (or relevant subject) • Evidence of participation in clinical research • Leadership experience within a clinical or service setting • Experience of service development or pathway redesign • Experience of teaching, training, or mentoring staff and/or students • Evidence of involvement in quality improvement initiatives or innovation • Experience contributing to policy, protocol, or guideline development • Participation in regional or national professional networks (e.g. special interest groups, SOR, BMUS)
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- • Evidence of ongoing continuing professional development and clinical practice • Knowledge of national cancer strategy, including the 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard • Understanding of Two Week Wait (TWW) cancer pathways and their impact on patient management and service delivery • Advanced knowledge of PACS, including image interpretation, reporting workflows, and image archiving
Desirable criteria
- • Further postgraduate training relevant to Head and Neck/ENT imaging, interventional procedures, or advanced clinical practice • Additional formal training in areas such as leadership, education, research, or quality improvement
Skills
Essential criteria
- • Advanced communication skills, including the ability to convey complex and sensitive information • Highly developed manual dexterity, including competence in ultrasound- guided interventional procedures (e.g. FNA) • Proven ability to work independently in a fast-paced, high-pressure clinical environment • Sustained concentration and accuracy in complex diagnostic practice • Demonstrates resilience, adaptability, and sound clinical judgement • Ability to navigate clinical pathways and appropriately escalate to specialist teams Trainee Appointment (Where Applicable) • Demonstrates the core skills required for safe and effective ultrasound practice, with clear potential to develop to an advanced level • Good communication skills and ability to work within a multidisciplinary team • Developed manual dexterity and coordination appropriate to current scope of practice • Ability to work in a busy clinical environment with appropriate supervision • Demonstrates resilience, adaptability, and commitment to advanced practice development • Trainee candidates will be expected to achieve all advanced (Band 8a) competencies within an agreed timeframe as part of a structured development programme. • Demonstrable experience in independently performing ultrasound-guided FNA procedures, supported by an appropriate procedural case log
Desirable criteria
- • Demonstrable experience in independently performing ultrasound-guided FNA procedures, supported by an appropriate procedural case log
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential criteria
- • Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust’s values. (As detailed in UHCW’s Values in Action document below) • Applicants applying for job roles with managerial responsibility will be required to demonstrate evidence of promoting equal opportunities through work experience
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Navninder Gill
- Job title
- General & Ultrasound Superintendent Radiographer
- Email address
- [email protected]
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