Advanced Practitioner Sonographer | North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

The Sonographer will provide highly specialised, autonomous ultrasound practice across a broad range of examinations, delivering expert clinical assessment, diagnosis and reporting to support high-quality patient care. The post-holder will act as a source of specialist knowledge within the Radiology service, contributing to the development of evidence-based practice, service improvement and clinical governance.

Working across all Trust sites, the post-holder will independently manage a complex clinical caseload, communicate findings sensitively to patients and clinicians, and ensure that all examinations are performed to the highest professional and technical standards. The role includes supervising and supporting junior staff, contributing to training and education, and promoting a positive, collaborative multidisciplinary environment.

The Sonographer will demonstrate strong leadership, uphold Trust values, and play an active role in audit, quality improvement and service development to ensure the delivery of a safe, efficient and patient-centred ultrasound service. This role involves cross site working and applicants must be able to drive to get to all trust sites.

The Sonographer provides highly specialised, autonomous ultrasound practice across a broad range of examinations, delivering accurate imaging, interpretation and reporting to support safe, effective and patient-centred care. The post holder independently manages a complex caseload in accordance with national and local protocols, exercising advanced clinical judgement to assess referrals, determine appropriate examinations and contribute to timely clinical decision-making.

Working across all Trust sites, the post holder ensures high standards of patient safety, dignity and experience, including the sensitive communication of scan findings to patients and clinicians, and the delivery of complex or distressing information when required. The role requires effective prioritisation of workload, appropriate use of radiology information systems, and adherence to clinical governance, infection control, health and safety and information governance standards.

The post holder acts as a clinical role model and a source of specialist advice within the multidisciplinary team, supporting service delivery through teaching, supervision and professional leadership. The role includes active participation in audit, quality improvement, research and service development, contributing to the ongoing improvement of ultrasound services and the achievement of Trust and NHS performance standards.

At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, we want our organisation to be the best place to work with the right staff, in the right roles, at the right time, to ensure we deliver exceptional patient care and experience. We will support staff through providing an inclusive and supportive workplace with health and well-being initiatives, staff benefits and opportunities for personal and professional development.

Exercise the highest standard of patient care and actively improve the patient experience within the Ultrasound department. To carry out Obstetric, Gynaecological, Abdominal, DVT, MSK, Carotid, Head & Neck and Small Parts Ultrasound examinations to agreed national and departmental protocols and standards. To undertake Ultrasound examinations competently, providing accurate and informative reports to support patient management.

To verbally communicate scan results to patients when appropriate, including occasions where findings may be unwelcome, distressing, or inconclusive and require careful explanation. This responsibility also extends to delivering difficult news in Obstetric cases. To prioritise patient welfare and safety at all times, adapting and modifying Ultrasound imaging techniques in response to individual patient needs and clinical conditions.

Ensure that all Ultrasound referrals are vetted, justified and prioritised according to departmental protocol and clinical information. Seek clinical clarity where Ultrasound requests are ambiguous. To use the Radiology systems, CRIS and PACS appropriately to record patient examination details and images, abiding by the rules of patient confidentiality and GDPR.

To rotate through all sites within the Trust: Stockton, Hartlepool & Peterlee sites, as and when required. To be expected to work weekends and extended days. Deliver teaching, clinical training, and knowledge-sharing to student sonographers, midwives, student radiographers, radiology registrars, and obstetrics & gynaecology registrars. This includes supervising and supporting junior staff and contributing to an efficient workflow to ensure a high-quality, effective service.

To take responsibility for professional conduct, acting as a role model within the department by upholding high standards of patient care and professionalism, and fostering the growth of a resilient and collaborative multidisciplinary team. To report any accidents, incidents or complaints to the Ultrasound Manager and record as per Trust policy. To take care of expensive Ultrasound equipment, reporting faults and breakdowns as per department guidelines.

To participate in and undertake clinical research / audit / continuing professional development. To maintain effective communication within all disciplines of Radiology and with staff external to the department. To ensure high standards of infection control are maintained in compliance with the Trust policies and procedures. To ensure that Health and Safety standards are maintained in compliance with the trust policies and procedures. To support equality and diversity in compliance with the Trust policies and procedures. To manage resources to achieve NHS targets.