Job summary

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.

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

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 anenvironment 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.

Details

Date posted

30 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£57,528 to £64,750 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

218-AHP-B8A-8312936

Job locations

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire

Clifford Bridge Road

Coventry

CV2 2DX

United Kingdom

Job description

Job 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.

Job description Job 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

• oBSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography oHCPC Registration oPostgraduate Diploma in Medical oUltrasound (PgDip) or equivalent CASE-accredited qualification. oSubstantial specialist training and competency in Head and Neck Ultrasound practice. oEvidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) relevant to specialist ultrasound practice. oQualification and competency to independently report ultrasound examinations.

Desirable

• oMaster's degree in medical Ultrasound, oAdvanced Clinical Practice or a related subject. oQualification in clinical leadership, education or service improvement. oIndependent Non-Medical Prescribing qualification. oTeaching, mentorship or clinical assessor qualification.

Experience

Essential

• oExperience performing ultrasound guided Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) procedures within Head and Neck services. oSignificant experience in Head & Neck ultrasound practice as an autonomous practitioner. oDemonstrable expertise in the assessment and reporting of neck lumps, thyroid pathology, salivary gland disease and cervical lymph node abnormalities. oExperience working within Head & Neck cancer pathways, including urgent suspected cancer referrals and one-stop diagnostic services. oExperience contributing to multidisciplinary team (MDT) decision-making. oExperience providing independent ultrasound reports and communicating complex findings to referrers.

Desirable

• oExperience performing ultrasound-guided core biopsy procedures. oOne-stop neck lump clinic experience. oService development experience. oResearch activity. oTeaching and training experience. oLeadership responsibilities within a specialist ultrasound service.

Knowledge

Essential

• oAdvanced knowledge of Head and Neck anatomy, pathology and ultrasound imaging techniques. oDetailed understanding of Head and Neck cancer pathways and national cancer standards. oKnowledge of ultrasound-guided FNA procedures and associated governance requirements. oAdvanced knowledge of PACS, RIS and ultrasound reporting systems. oUnderstanding of clinical governance, audit and quality assurance within ultrasound services

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. oExpert Head & Neck ultrasound scanning and reporting skills. oCompetence in ultrasound-guided FNA procedures. oAbility to independently manage complex diagnostic pathways. oAbility to prioritise and manage competing clinical demands. oAdvanced clinical reasoning and judgement.

Desirable

• oExperience leading clinical service improvement. oExperience supporting specialist training programmes. oExperience presenting at MDT meetings.

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

Person Specification Qualifications Essential oBSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography oHCPC Registration oPostgraduate Diploma in Medical oUltrasound (PgDip) or equivalent CASE-accredited qualification. oSubstantial specialist training and competency in Head and Neck Ultrasound practice. oEvidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) relevant to specialist ultrasound practice. oQualification and competency to independently report ultrasound examinations. Desirable oMaster's degree in medical Ultrasound, oAdvanced Clinical Practice or a related subject. oQualification in clinical leadership, education or service improvement. oIndependent Non-Medical Prescribing qualification. oTeaching, mentorship or clinical assessor qualification. Experience Essential oExperience performing ultrasound guided Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) procedures within Head and Neck services. oSignificant experience in Head & Neck ultrasound practice as an autonomous practitioner. oDemonstrable expertise in the assessment and reporting of neck lumps, thyroid pathology, salivary gland disease and cervical lymph node abnormalities. oExperience working within Head & Neck cancer pathways, including urgent suspected cancer referrals and one-stop diagnostic services. oExperience contributing to multidisciplinary team (MDT) decision-making. oExperience providing independent ultrasound reports and communicating complex findings to referrers. Desirable oExperience performing ultrasound-guided core biopsy procedures. oOne-stop neck lump clinic experience. oService development experience. oResearch activity. oTeaching and training experience. oLeadership responsibilities within a specialist ultrasound service. Knowledge Essential oAdvanced knowledge of Head and Neck anatomy, pathology and ultrasound imaging techniques. oDetailed understanding of Head and Neck cancer pathways and national cancer standards. oKnowledge of ultrasound-guided FNA procedures and associated governance requirements. oAdvanced knowledge of PACS, RIS and ultrasound reporting systems. oUnderstanding of clinical governance, audit and quality assurance within ultrasound services 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. oExpert Head & Neck ultrasound scanning and reporting skills. oCompetence in ultrasound-guided FNA procedures. oAbility to independently manage complex diagnostic pathways. oAbility to prioritise and manage competing clinical demands. oAdvanced clinical reasoning and judgement. Desirable oExperience leading clinical service improvement. oExperience supporting specialist training programmes. oExperience presenting at MDT meetings. 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

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

UK Registration

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

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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. Certificate of Sponsorship 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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Address

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire

Clifford Bridge Road

Coventry

CV2 2DX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.jobsatuhcw.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Address

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire

Clifford Bridge Road

Coventry

CV2 2DX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.jobsatuhcw.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)