Clinical Specialist Sonographer, ENT Ultrasound (B8A or B7 Trainee)

Job summary
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.

About us
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.

Job 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

• oBSc in Radiography (or equivalent)
• oCurrent HCPC Registration
• oPostgraduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound (or equivalent)
• oCompletion of, or willingness to undertake, a master's level (Level 7) module in ENT Head and Neck Ultrasound
• oWillingness to work towards a full MSc in Medical Ultrasound (or relevant subject), if not already attained

Desirable

• oMSc in Medical Ultrasound (or relevant subject)

Experience
Essential

• oAbility to independently undertake ENT ultrasound scanning for outpatient and GP referrals
• oCompetence in independently performing ENT ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) procedures
• oMinimum of two years' experience in ENT Head and Neck ultrasound
• oAdvanced experience in cross-sectional imaging and its application to clinical decision-making
• oEvidence of clinical audit participation
• oExperience of contributing to MDT meetings

Trainee Appointment (Where Applicable)

• oQualified sonographer with demonstrable competence in general ultrasound practice
• oExperience in head and neck ultrasound desirable but not essential
• oWillingness to undertake training in ENT ultrasound and FNA procedures
• oUnderstanding of clinical audit and willingness to participate
• oExposure to MDT working desirable
• oWillingness to develop cross-sectional imaging interpretation skills to support clinical decision-making

Desirable

• oMSc in Medical Ultrasound (or relevant subject)
• oEvidence of participation in clinical research
• oLeadership experience within a clinical or service setting
• oExperience of service development or pathway redesign
• oExperience of teaching, training, or mentoring staff and/or students
• oEvidence of involvement in quality improvement initiatives or innovation
• oExperience contributing to policy, protocol, or guideline development
• oParticipation in regional or national professional networks (e.g. special interest groups, SOR, BMUS)

Knowledge
Essential

• oEvidence of ongoing continuing professional development and clinical practice
• oKnowledge of national cancer strategy, including the 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard
• oUnderstanding of Two Week Wait (TWW) cancer pathways and their impact on patient management and service delivery
• oAdvanced knowledge of PACS, including image interpretation, reporting workflows, and image archiving

Desirable

• oFurther postgraduate training relevant to Head and Neck/ENT imaging, interventional procedures, or advanced clinical practice
• oAdditional formal training in areas such as leadership, education, research, or quality improvement

Skills
Essential

• oAdvanced communication skills, including the ability to convey complex and sensitive information
• oHighly developed manual dexterity, including competence in ultrasound-guided interventional procedures (e.g. FNA)
• oProven ability to work independently in a fast-paced, high-pressure clinical environment
• oSustained concentration and accuracy in complex diagnostic practice
• oDemonstrates resilience, adaptability, and sound clinical judgement
• oAbility to navigate clinical pathways and appropriately escalate to specialist teams

Trainee Appointment (Where Applicable)

• oDemonstrates the core skills required for safe and effective ultrasound practice, with clear potential to develop to an advanced level
• oGood communication skills and ability to work within a multidisciplinary team
• oDeveloped manual dexterity and coordination appropriate to current scope of practice
• oAbility to work in a busy clinical environment with appropriate supervision
• oDemonstrates resilience, adaptability, and commitment to advanced practice development
• oTrainee candidates will be expected to achieve all advanced (Band 8a) competencies within an agreed timeframe as part of a structured development programme.

Desirable

• oDemonstrable experience in independently performing ultrasound-guided FNA procedures, supported by an appropriate procedural case log

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential

• oMust be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's values. (As detailed in UHCW's Values in Action document below)
• oApplicants applying for job roles with managerial responsibility will be required to demonstrate evidence of promoting equal opportunities through work experience

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).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).