Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Trainee Sonographer

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust View all jobs


North East England
Permanent
Radiographer
GBP 39,959 - 56,515 per year

Posted 10 hour(s) ago

Reference: 2452321


Job summary

Working Full time: 37.5 hours per week

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated individual to train as a Sonographer in the Ultrasound Department at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Trust.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in pursuing a career in ultrasound. Our comprehensive training programme combines both academic study with hands- on clinical experience ensuring you receive structured, comprehensive training, enabling you to gain the skills relevant to become a highly competent independent practitioner in ultrasound.

Throughout your training you'll be supported by a friendly, knowledgeable team dedicated to mentoring and helping you succeed.

Main duties of the job

Practical training will be delivered by the experienced Ultrasound Department and will cover general medicine, gynaecology and obstetric ultrasound modules. Academic requirements will entail applying to a CASE accredited post graduate ultrasound course at the University of Cumbria. The course start date will be January 2027.

Please note this is a Band 6 AFC pay scheme training position. The job description provided is that of a fully qualified Sonographer. You do not need an existing ultrasound qualification to apply for this role. The full job specification will only apply once you have successfully completed your training and are qualified. Uplift to a Band 7 AFC pay scheme will apply following a successful period of preceptorship once qualified.

About us

The Trust's services are provided from three locations:

o The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.o Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.o Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.

The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery

Details
Date posted

27 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £56,515 a year pa

Contract

Training

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

210-2026-801

Job locations

Countess of Chester Hospital

Liverpool Road

Chester

CH2 1UL

United Kingdom


Job description
Job responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service.Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application.

Job description
Job responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service.Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application.

Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
  • Minimum 2:2 Bsc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography.
  • Current HCPC registration.
Desirable
  • Relevant postgraduate study.
Knowledge and experience
Essential
  • Minimum of 2 years post-qualification clinical experience.
  • Previous experience working within a diagnostic imaging environment.
  • Understanding of patient-centred care and professional practice within a healthcare environment.
  • An understanding of the principles of the development and modernisation of the NHS, particularly in relation to imaging and the education of the healthcare workforce.
Desirable
  • Prior IT experience; familiarity with computer use for Radiology Information Systems.
  • Evidence of keeping informed of current techniques and practices.
  • Knowledge of relevant national standards e.g. IR(ME)R 2017, IRR 2017 and associated codes of practice.
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
  • Minimum 2:2 Bsc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography.
  • Current HCPC registration.
Desirable
  • Relevant postgraduate study.
Knowledge and experience
Essential
  • Minimum of 2 years post-qualification clinical experience.
  • Previous experience working within a diagnostic imaging environment.
  • Understanding of patient-centred care and professional practice within a healthcare environment.
  • An understanding of the principles of the development and modernisation of the NHS, particularly in relation to imaging and the education of the healthcare workforce.
Desirable
  • Prior IT experience; familiarity with computer use for Radiology Information Systems.
  • Evidence of keeping informed of current techniques and practices.
  • Knowledge of relevant national standards e.g. IR(ME)R 2017, IRR 2017 and associated codes of practice.
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

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Countess of Chester Hospital

Liverpool Road

Chester

CH2 1UL

United Kingdom


Employer's website

https://www.coch.nhs.uk/working-with-us.aspx (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details
Employer name

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Countess of Chester Hospital

Liverpool Road

Chester

CH2 1UL

United Kingdom


Employer's website

https://www.coch.nhs.uk/working-with-us.aspx (Opens in a new tab)