This is a developmental post in the Head & Neck Ultrasound Service at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, for a sonographer who wants to move towards independent specialist practice. The work centres on supervised head and neck scans and, in time, reporting them, along with training in ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration. It sits within a structured competency programme that supports ENT and head and neck cancer pathways alongside Radiologists and ENT clinicians. Applicants need a diagnostic radiography degree, HCPC registration and a CASE-accredited ultrasound qualification.
What the job involves
- Undertake supervised Head & Neck ultrasound examinations under a defined competency framework
- Develop the skills to independently perform and report Head & Neck ultrasound investigations
- Take part in specialist training in ultrasound-guided procedures, including Fine Needle Aspiration
- Support ENT, Head & Neck Cancer and Rapid Diagnostic pathways, including one-stop and urgent cancer pathways
- Review clinical information and imaging to support patient assessment and management
- Work with Sonographers, Radiologists, ENT Consultants, Pathologists, Clinical Nurse Specialists and multidisciplinary teams
- Provide high-quality, patient-centred care throughout the diagnostic pathway
- Keep accurate and timely patient records and produce diagnostic reports
- Take part in audit, quality assurance, service evaluation and clinical governance
- Complete continuing professional development, required competencies and academic programmes
- Support departmental teaching, learning and service development
- Contribute to a safe, responsive and effective diagnostic imaging service
What’s required
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography
- Postgraduate certificate or diploma in medical ultrasound (CASE accredited)
- Ongoing ENT (Head & Neck) continuing professional development
Registration & licences
- HCPC registration
Experience
- Significant post-qualification ultrasound experience, including autonomous practice
- Experience of independent ultrasound reporting within current scope of practice
- Demonstrable interest in head and neck pathology, cancer pathways or interventional ultrasound
- Advanced clinical decision-making and management of complex patients
- Experience of multidisciplinary working
Skills & knowledge
- Advanced knowledge of head and neck anatomy, pathology and ultrasound imaging techniques
- Understanding of head and neck cancer pathways and national cancer standards
- Knowledge of ultrasound-guided FNA procedures and associated governance
- Advanced communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands
Other
- Behaviours consistent with the Trust's values
- Commitment to developing towards autonomous Clinical Specialist practice in Head & Neck ultrasound
Nice to have
- Additional training or professional development in Head and Neck ultrasound
- Attendance at specialist Head and Neck courses, study days or conferences
- Teaching, mentorship or assessor qualification
- Experience undertaking Head and Neck ultrasound examinations
- Experience assessing neck lumps, thyroid pathology, salivary gland disease or cervical lymph nodes
- Experience working within cancer pathways
- Experience supporting ultrasound-guided interventions
- Experience working within one-stop diagnostic services
What’s offered
- Wide range of learning and development opportunities
- Structured clinical training, supervision and competency assessment programme
- Clear progression pathway towards Clinical Specialist Sonographer practice
- Possible progression to Band 8a positions, subject to qualifications, competencies and service needs
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