Job summary

St Hughs Hospital is seeking experienced and motivated Bank Sonographers to join our Diagnostic Imaging Department.

This is an excellent opportunity for autonomous, patient-focused Sonographers looking for flexible bank working within an independent hospital environment.

The successful candidate will provide a safe, effective and high-quality diagnostic ultrasound service, undertaking examinations independently within their agreed scope of professional practice. You will be responsible for interpreting ultrasound findings, producing accurate and timely diagnostic reports, and ensuring that significant or unexpected findings are appropriately escalated.

We are looking for a confident and compassionate practitioner who is committed to clinical excellence, patient safety and delivering an outstanding patient experience.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Independently undertaking diagnostic ultrasound examinations within their documented scope of competence.

• Assessing referrals and relevant clinical information to determine the appropriate examination.

• Exercising autonomous clinical judgement and adapting examination techniques to individual patient needs.

• Interpreting ultrasound findings and producing accurate, clinically meaningful diagnostic reports.

• Recognising normal and abnormal appearances and promptly escalating significant or unexpected findings.

• Providing compassionate, professional and individualised patient care, maintaining dignity, privacy and confidentiality.

• Obtaining appropriate consent and explaining examinations clearly to patients.

• Maintaining accurate clinical records and ensuring reports are completed within agreed timescales.

• Adhering to clinical governance, safeguarding, infection prevention and control and patient safety requirements.

• Contributing to clinical audit, peer review, quality improvement and service development.

About the role

The scope of practice will be determined by the successful candidate's qualifications, experience and demonstrated competencies.

Depending on individual expertise, this may include:

Abdominal ultrasound

Pelvic ultrasound

Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound

Renal and urinary tract ultrasound

Testicular ultrasound

Small-parts ultrasound

Musculoskeletal ultrasound

Thyroid and neck ultrasound

Vascular ultrasound

Details

• Date posted: 06 November 2026
• Closing date: 15 November 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £29.34 an hour
• Contract: Bank
• Working pattern: Flexible working
• Reference number: B0318-26-0027
• Job locations: St. Hughs Hospital, Peaks Lane, Grimsby, DN32 9RP, United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

• Independently undertake diagnostic ultrasound examinations within their agreed scope of practice and demonstrated competence.
• Assess referrals and relevant clinical information to determine the appropriate examination and imaging approach.
• Exercise autonomous professional judgement during examinations and adapt techniques according to the patient's clinical presentation and individual needs.
• Independently interpret ultrasound findings and produce clear, accurate and clinically meaningful diagnostic reports.
• Recognise normal and abnormal appearances and identify findings requiring urgent or immediate clinical escalation.
• Escalate significant, unexpected or potentially serious findings promptly to the referring clinician, consultant or other appropriate healthcare professional.
• Recommend further investigation, imaging or clinical review where this falls within the practitioner's agreed scope of practice.
• Recognise the limitations of ultrasound and of their own professional competence, seeking appropriate clinical advice or onward referral where required.
• Maintain accurate, comprehensive and contemporaneous patient records.

2. Patient Care and Experience

The Autonomous Sonographer will ensure that patients attending St Hughs receive a professional, compassionate and individualised service.

Responsibilities will include:

• Providing clear explanations of examinations and obtaining appropriate consent.
• Maintaining the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of patients at all times.
• Communicating sensitively with patients who may be anxious or receiving investigations for potentially serious conditions.
• Adapting communication to meet individual patient needs.
• Providing appropriate reassurance while ensuring information communicated to patients remains within the practitioner's professional remit.
• Recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns, deterioration or other clinical risks.
• Supporting St Hughs commitment to delivering a positive patient experience throughout the diagnostic pathway.

3. Clinical Reporting and Communication

The postholder will:

• Independently produce and authorise diagnostic ultrasound reports within their agreed scope of practice.
• Ensure reports are accurate, clinically relevant and completed within agreed hospital reporting timescales.
• Clearly document examination limitations, areas of uncertainty and recommendations for further investigation where appropriate.
• Communicate urgent or significant findings directly to the appropriate clinician in accordance with St Hughs escalation arrangements.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of significant verbal communications and clinical escalations.
• Develop effective working relationships with consultants, GPs, nursing teams and other healthcare professionals involved in the patient's care.

4. Clinical Governance and Patient Safety

The Autonomous Sonographer will contribute actively to St Hughs clinical governance framework and promote a culture of patient safety and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities will include:

• Working in accordance with St Hughs Hospital policies, procedures and clinical governance arrangements.
• Maintaining practice in accordance with relevant professional standards, guidance and evidence-based practice.
• Participating in clinical audit, peer review and quality assurance activity.
• Participating in discrepancy and learning processes where applicable.
• Reporting incidents, near misses and clinical concerns through the hospital's agreed reporting arrangements.
• Contributing to investigations, complaints and clinical reviews where appropriate.
• Ensuring learning arising from incidents, complaints, audits or peer review is incorporated into clinical practice.
• Adhering to infection prevention and control requirements.
• Ensuring ultrasound equipment is appropriately maintained and that equipment faults or concerns are escalated promptly.
• Applying recognised principles for safe ultrasound practice, including appropriate consideration of acoustic exposure.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Recognised professional healthcare qualification appropriate to the practitioner's route into ultrasound practice.
• Appropriate postgraduate qualification in Medical Ultrasound, such as PgCert, PgDip, MSc or recognised equivalent.
• Appropriate professional registration where applicable.
• Demonstrable experience of independent ultrasound practice.
• Evidence of competence in independently undertaking and reporting examinations relevant to the St Hughs service.
• Evidence of ongoing continuing professional development.
• Excellent knowledge of anatomy, pathology and ultrasound appearances within the practitioner's specialist areas.
• Ability to recognise and appropriately escalate significant and unexpected findings.
• Strong autonomous clinical decision-making skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage an independent clinical workload safely and efficiently.
• Understanding of clinical governance, patient safety, safeguarding, consent and confidentiality.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and within a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

• Experience working within an independent hospital or healthcare provider.
• Experience across several ultrasound specialties.
• Experience of NHS and private patient pathways.
• Experience of clinical audit, peer review and quality improvement.
• Experience in service development.
• Teaching, supervision or mentoring experience.
• Evidence of advanced or extended clinical 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.

UK Registration

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

About us

St Hughs Hospital is committed to delivering high-quality healthcare, excellent clinical outcomes and a positive patient experience.

Joining our bank team provides an opportunity to contribute to a responsive diagnostic imaging service, working alongside experienced healthcare professionals in a supportive clinical environment.

We value professional expertise, clinical accountability, teamwork and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Employer details

• Employer name: Healthcare Management Trust – St Hugh’s Hospital
• Address: St. Hughs Hospital, Peaks Lane, Grimsby, DN32 9RP, United Kingdom
• Employer's website: https://hmtsthughs.org/