Deputy Superintendent Sonographer | Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Band 8 a Deputy Superintendent Sonographer - (plus HCAS) with additional Recruitment & Retention Premium (RRP)

Our Ultrasound department consists of 16 rooms: 6 General, 6 Obstetrics, 1 EPAU, 1 ACU 1 ACU and 1 satellite clinic. All our rooms are all equipped with the latest GE machines. We are a busy and dynamic department doing a wide variety of examinations such as Obstetric, Gynae, General Abdominal, Small Parts, Vascular, Paediatric and MSK ultrasound.

We have a culture which fosters innovation and supports new ideas whilst also ensuring our people are well supported so that they have high rates of employee satisfaction and are professionally developing to be the leaders of tomorrow.

The successful candidate will work mainly at the Chelsea and Westminster site but may cover West Middlesex Hospital site when services require.

The minimum scanning requirements for this role: Obstetrics US (FASP & GAP knowledge and application), Gynaecology and general abdominal ultrasound is essential. This includes scanning, independent reporting and onward recommendation of all modalities in line with national and local guidelines and protocols. Small parts, MSK, vascular and paediatrics (including GRAF hips) ultrasound skills are desirable.

Previous candidates need not apply.

• The post-holderwill be a sonographer who is keen to be part of an imaging service with a difference. Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust’s (CWHFT) imaging directorate is going through a period of transformational change where innovation is at the forefront of what we do.
• We are seeking an experienced, sonographer who wishes to work at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital so that they are surrounded by people who put patients first but are also keen to invest in themselves and the organisation.

•

• The post holder will be responsible for assisting the US Superintendent in providing the operational management and coordination of the General Radiology Ultrasound service under Clinical Support Services.

•

• The post holder will partake in effective management and deployment of staff and will assist with all aspects of the day to day management.
• The post holder will be responsible for assisting the superintendent with coordination of the Quality Standards for accreditation.
• Operationally they will be responsible for coordinating continual improvement of Patient Experience and Quality of Care improvement projects including and reviewing patient pathways.
• We have a culture which fosters innovation and supports new ideas whilst also ensuring our staff are well supported so that they have high rates of employee satisfaction and are professionally developing to be the leaders of tomorrow.
• Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children’s services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.

We are committed to equal opportunities and believe that diversity drives innovation and excellence. As part of our dedication to equity, we actively welcome applications from individuals from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that diverse teams bring and are committed to creating an environment where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered to succeed.

If you haven’t heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful.

Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.

Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.

Key responsibilities

• To assist the Ultrasound Superintendent sonographer in day to day running of the ultrasound department to ensure the department operates smoothly and efficiently.
• To maintain close communication with the Ultrasound Superintendent sonographer, the Services Manager, consultants and other staff members to develop the ultrasound service to excel.
• To assist in planning and arranging ultrasound rotas of sonographers, healthcare assistants and Radiologists, to ensure all lists are covered
• Active involvement in training of student sonographers.
• To assist the Ultrasound Superintendent sonographer in inducing new staff and carrying out yearly PDRs
• • To communicate with patients and relatives in a professional and reassuring manner, especially in difficult or emotional circumstances.
• • To deliver distressing news/results to patients with empathy.
• · Proactively demonstrate interest in developing oneself professionally by proposing QI projects, collecting data and presenting at inter/national conferences.
• • Participate in research studies conducted at CWHFT, including those as part of Imperial College.
• · Comply with, and be able to demonstrate and instruct, safe manual handling techniques.
• · Comply with and be able to demonstrate safe infection control measures.
• · To demonstrate flexibility and adaptability with rostering requirements to ensure a robust and safe imaging service across the Trust.
• · Maintain a high level of commitment to, and take responsibility for continuing professional development (CPD). The post holder is encouraged by the department to attend both personal and professional development activities that assist in their role and the service
• · The post holder will be required to actively participate in a periodic professional development review, in accordance with Trust guidelines.
• · To undertake any other duties which may be appropriate to the post.
• · To collaboratively work with their colleagues at West Middlesex site to continually improve patient care and pathways.
• Judgement and Analysis
• To offer an assessment, interpretation and report from images produced by themselves or junior staff. Offer education and support with relation to image interpretation and primary diagnosis.
• The post holder will be expected to analyse information pertaining to clinical issues and resource management within their own modality.
• Organisational Skill
• · To escalate the fault to the suppliers service department if fault not rectified by simple troubleshooting.
• · To ensure safe practice and operation of ultrasound equipment by all users. To report and record all equipment faults and co-ordinate engineers.
• Physical Skills and Requirements
• • To demonstrate and employ the high degree of dexterity required to position complex equipment used in the acquisition of images. To be able to accurately manipulate and position patients to ensure most accurate diagnosis.
• • To comply with, and be able to demonstrate and instruct, safe manual handling techniques and apply those techniques to both patients and equipment.
• To comply with, and be able to demonstrate and instruct, safe manual handling techniques, with access to annual manual handling training.
• To manipulate complex machinery with speed and accuracy in routine and emergency conditions.
• The post holder will be required to organize the manoeuvring of heavy or non-ambulant patient using appropriate manual handling techniques, with the assistance of the multi-disciplinary team caring for these patients.
• Direct Patient Care
• The post holder will be accountable for the delivery of clinical care in their area
• To maintain high professional standards of clinical skill and patient care.
• To work with the Radiology Services Manager to identify improvements within their area keeping the needs of the patient central as per department / Trust philosophy.
• To assist the Radiology Services Manager and the Clinical Director of Obstetrics in ensuring that all national programmes involved in improving patient care and the patient environment are implemented.
• Service Development
• To lead or assist in service audit within the modality and implement recommendations from audit
• To ensure that all agreed Local Rules and protocols (including the Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme) are adhered to and updated as required.
• To ensure that an ultrasound specific quality assurance (QA) program is in operation and to audit this program.
• To work with departmental staff, equipment suppliers and the manufacturers engineers to ensure that all imaging equipment is safe and meets all required standards.
• To participate in Clinical Governance and to maintain a programme of risk assessment and clinical incident reporting. Where necessary to assist with incident review with the aim to improve service provision.
• Budgetary Responsibilities
• To deliver a high quality service within budgetary constraints.
• The Professional Modality Manager will be heavily involved with the procurement of capital equipment and is expected to assist with the development, and presentation of a business case pertaining to this.
• To be responsible for the monitoring of all supplies / consumables and ensure adequate stocks to meet service demands at all times.
• Personal
• To set and monitor standards of performance of the ultrasound and associated technical staff.
• To be actively involved in recruitment and retention for the ultrasound department, performing interviews and raising the profile of the department.
• To be responsible for the day-to-day management of ultrasound staff
• To undertake annual staff appraisal / independent performance reviews, for staff whom the post holder has responsibility.
• Take responsibility for the rostering of staff to ensure that staffing levels are adequate to meet service requirements at all times.
• To plan effective modality specific induction programs for all new staff and monitor these programs.
• The post holder will be required to actively participate in a periodic performance appraisal, in accordance with the Trust guidelines.
• The post holder is encouraged by the department to attend both personal and professional development activities that assist in their role and the service.
• IT Skills
• To ensure that all staff training records are maintained and up to date.
• To have the skills required to operate highly complex, software driven, imaging equipment.
• Develop skills to use departmental reporting systems.
• Basic to intermediate skills in excel, word and power point.
• Research
• To initiate, coordinate and facilitate research activity among the Ultrasound staff.
• To support and actively contribute to departmental research programs.
• Autonomy
• To offer an assessment, interpretation and report of images produced by themselves orjunior staff.
• The post holder must have the ability to adapt and modify procedures and examinations based on initial scan findings and clinical information.
• It is imperative that the post holder can operate independently and without supervision taking full responsibility for all aspects of their service.
• Emotional and Mental Requirements
• To assist in the investigation of complaints, incidents or accidents within any area of the department.
• Ability to deal with frequent clinical and managerial interruptions in order to maintain service delivery.
• To be able to maintain service delivery at times of disruption due to equipment failure or increased demand.
• To deal with highly complex, sensitive and emotional situations, and to react calmly and professionally under pressure.
• To demonstrate empathetic skills and to teach those skills in sensitive areas, such as breaking bad news.
• Working Environment
• To be able to work with a range of patients and conditions. To communicate with patients and relatives in a professional and reassuring manner, especially in difficult or emotional circumstances.
• To ensure that the rules and procedures of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 are strictly adhered to, and that all working areas are kept clean and safe and in accordance with H&S regulations.
• Other Requirements/Responsibilities
• 1. To strive to achieve competencies required to progress within their role and beyond.
• 2. To maintain a commitment to, and take responsibility for personal development utilising principles of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and the knowledge and skills framework (KSF). The post holder is encouraged by the department to attend both personal and professional development activities that assist in their role and the service.
• Key Working Relationships
• · All members of the Imaging Department.
• · Clinicians, patients and members of the public that they come into contact with during the course of their work
• • He/she will develop a particularly close relationship with the Ultrasound Superintendent Sonographer, Services Manager, consultants and senior nursing and administrative staff
• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• The post holder is required to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself/herself and other persons who may be affected by their action or omission at work
• Co-operate with the employer in ensuring that all statutory and other requirements are complied with.

This advert closes on Wednesday 20 May 2026