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Job summary

Main area
Radiology - Ultrasound
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8A
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
218-AHP-B8A-8312936
Employer
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire
Town
Coventry
Salary
£57,528 - £64,750 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
14/10/2026 23:59

Employer heading

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust logo

Clinical Specialist Sonographer, ENT Ultrasound

NHS AfC: Band 8A

Job overview

We are seeking an experienced Clinical Specialist Sonographer to join our established Head and Neck Ultrasound Service at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.

The successful candidate will independently perform, interpret and report specialist Head and Neck ultrasound examinations and undertake ultrasound-guided Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) procedures within a high-volume one-stop diagnostic service. Working as an autonomous practitioner, the post holder will support rapid cancer diagnosis, multidisciplinary decision-making, service development, clinical governance and workforce development.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced sonographer with substantial expertise in Head and Neck ultrasound, advanced clinical reasoning skills and a commitment to delivering high-quality patient-centred care within complex cancer and diagnostic pathways.

The role works closely with ENT Consultants, Radiologists, Pathologists, Clinical Nurse Specialists and wider multidisciplinary teams to provide expert diagnostic services supporting ENT, Maxillofacial and Head & Neck Cancer pathways.

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

  • Independently perform and report specialist Head and Neck ultrasound examinations.
  • Undertake ultrasound-guided Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) procedures.
  • Assess and manage complex Head and Neck diagnostic pathways.
  • Support rapid access and one-stop neck lump and cancer diagnostic services.
  • Review relevant imaging and clinical information to inform patient management.
  • Work collaboratively with ENT, Radiology, Pathology and Oncology multidisciplinary teams.
  • Provide expert clinical advice to colleagues and contribute to MDT discussions.
  • Ensure the delivery of safe, effective and patient-centred care.
  • Support clinical audit, quality improvement projects and service development initiatives.
  • Contribute to clinical governance and maintenance of professional standards.
  • Supervise, mentor and support trainee and junior sonographers.
  • Participate in teaching, training and workforce development activities.
  • Monitor service performance and support delivery of cancer pathway targets.
  • Maintain accurate and comprehensive patient records and reports.
  • Contribute to the strategic development of the Head and Neck Ultrasound Service.

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

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

The Clinical Specialist Sonographer (Head & Neck) will be an autonomous practitioner responsible for delivering a high-quality specialist ultrasound and ultrasound-guided intervention service, supporting both routine and urgent cancer pathways.
The post holder will independently perform, interpret and report complex Head and Neck ultrasound examinations, providing expert clinical assessment and contributing directly to patient diagnosis and management. The role includes undertaking ultrasound-guided Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) procedures within established governance frameworks and supporting one-stop diagnostic clinics.
Working within a multidisciplinary environment, the successful candidate will collaborate closely with ENT Consultants, Radiologists, Pathologists, Oncologists, Clinical Nurse Specialists and allied healthcare professionals to ensure timely investigation and management of patients with suspected Head and Neck pathology.
Key responsibilities include:

  • Independently perform and report advanced Head and Neck ultrasound examinations.
  • Undertake ultrasound-guided Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) procedures.
  • Provide expert clinical opinion and diagnostic support for complex cases.
  • Participate in one-stop neck lump and cancer diagnostic pathways.
  • Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to support patient management.
  • Maintain accurate, timely and comprehensive clinical documentation and reports.
  • Ensure compliance with professional, departmental and Trust policies and procedures.
  • Contribute to service development, pathway improvement and innovation.
  • Participate in clinical audit, quality assurance and governance activities.
  • Support service performance monitoring and achievement of cancer and diagnostic targets.
  • Provide teaching, supervision and mentorship to trainee sonographers, radiographers and other healthcare professionals.
  • Support workforce development through education, training and competency assessment.
  • Contribute to protocol development, standard setting and implementation of best practice.
  • Maintain continued professional development and specialist clinical expertise.
  • Act as a role model for excellent patient care, professionalism and clinical leadership.

This role offers an opportunity to work within an established specialist Head and Neck Ultrasound Service with strong multidisciplinary links, supporting the delivery of high-quality diagnostic services and improving outcomes for patients across ENT and Head & Neck Cancer pathways.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description. 

 

 

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • • BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography • HCPC Registration • Postgraduate Diploma in Medical • Ultrasound (PgDip) or equivalent CASE-accredited qualification. • Substantial specialist training and competency in Head and Neck Ultrasound practice. • Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) relevant to specialist ultrasound practice. • Qualification and competency to independently report ultrasound examinations.
Desirable criteria
  • • Master’s degree in medical Ultrasound, • Advanced Clinical Practice or a related subject. • Qualification in clinical leadership, education or service improvement. • Independent Non-Medical Prescribing qualification. • Teaching, mentorship or clinical assessor qualification.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • • Experience performing ultrasound guided Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) procedures within Head and Neck services. • Significant experience in Head & Neck ultrasound practice as an autonomous practitioner. • Demonstrable expertise in the assessment and reporting of neck lumps, thyroid pathology, salivary gland disease and cervical lymph node abnormalities. • Experience working within Head & Neck cancer pathways, including urgent suspected cancer referrals and one-stop diagnostic services. • Experience contributing to multidisciplinary team (MDT) decision-making. • Experience providing independent ultrasound reports and communicating complex findings to referrers.
Desirable criteria
  • • Experience performing ultrasound-guided core biopsy procedures. • One-stop neck lump clinic experience. • Service development experience. • Research activity. • Teaching and training experience. • Leadership responsibilities within a specialist ultrasound service.

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • • Advanced knowledge of Head and Neck anatomy, pathology and ultrasound imaging techniques. • Detailed understanding of Head and Neck cancer pathways and national cancer standards. • Knowledge of ultrasound-guided FNA procedures and associated governance requirements. • Advanced knowledge of PACS, RIS and ultrasound reporting systems. • Understanding of clinical governance, audit and quality assurance within ultrasound services
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. • Expert Head & Neck ultrasound scanning and reporting skills. • Competence in ultrasound-guided FNA procedures. • Ability to independently manage complex diagnostic pathways. • Ability to prioritise and manage competing clinical demands. • Advanced clinical reasoning and judgement.
Desirable criteria
  • • Experience leading clinical service improvement. • Experience supporting specialist training programmes. • Experience presenting at MDT meetings.

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

No smoking policyAge positiveDisability confident leaderImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Pathway to excellenceCare quality commission - GoodPregnancy Loss PledgeHeart Charter

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Navninder Gill
Job title
General & Ultrasound Superintendent Radiographer
Email address
[email protected]
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