Trainee Sonographer

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

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Job Overview

Are you a looking to progress your career into obstetric and non-obstetric sonography, working with a dynamic and diverse team of experienced NHS sonographers?

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a suitably qualified State Registered radiographer/ clinical practitioner to join our ultrasound team to undertake a Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound.

The range of work would include all aspects of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, General Abdominal Ultrasound and Small parts (this can be included as credits and/or as part of in-house training).

You will have the opportunity to train with our highly skilled team of Sonographers in specialties such as general, testes, gynaecology, all obstetrics including early pregnancy, all inpatients, including ITU, same day emergency care and renal transplant scans in theatre.

Find out more about the team in our departmental video:

Imaging at North Bristol NHS Trust

Please note that the vacancy may close early if sufficient applications are received

Main duties of the job

Successful Post Holders Must Hold

• BSc in Radiography or equivalent.
• A current Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration or be on the RCT (Register of Clinical Technologists).
• To have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 in English Language.
• This role requires you to have good hand eye coordination, the ability to process complex information, good written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to work with colleagues from support staff to consultants, keeping the patient’s best interest at the centre of what you do.
• Ultrasound lists take place at Southmead Hospital, as well as in community sites in Cossham Hospital, Clevedon Hospital and Yate Westgate Centre.
• You will be expected to undertake an 18-to-24-month training programme at master’s post-graduate level at one of the reputable universities either University of the West of England (UWE), leading to the successful completion of a post-graduate diploma in medical ultrasound.
• The aim being to undertake and independently report general medical, gynaecology, small parts, obstetric and early pregnancy ultrasound examinations to a high standard.
• Provide direct care and facilitate patient management, seeking assistance when required.
• Self-directed learning at masters level 7 in own time
• Attend clinical governance mornings for training and feedback interesting cases.
• Be involved in CPD, including attending courses as needed.
  
  

Working for our organisation

We currently are a team of 40 Sonographers, 15 specialists in obstetric, 5 in MSK, 4 in head and neck and 5 in baby hips ultrasound, with 3 trainee sonographers. As well as our ultrasound Lead Practice Educator, who supports our ultrasound trainees through their learning and preceptorship.

Our award-winning Brunel Building includes a large rooftop terrace, staff only zone, with an outdoor seating area with views across the city. Working in a new modern building, we recognise that staff enjoy comfortable, light filled areas to work, and rest is important.

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

For full details of the job description and responsibilities please see the attached job description.

• To undertake practical training in obstetric, gynaecological, small parts and general ultrasound procedures.
• To complete the Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound provided by University of the West of England ( UWE).
• To attend the taught modules on the PgD in Medical Ultrasound
• To ensure that practice is carried out in accordance with Trust and departmental policies and protocols.
• To undertake all ultrasound procedures delegated by the Lead Sonographer to acquire a good level of skill and knowledge of ultrasound in all aspects of ultrasound encountered on the departmental rotation
• To use acquired skills and knowledge to influence your own practice.
• To support all members of the team within your direct span to assist the delivery of the service and achieve individual and group objectives.
• To ensure that patients receive a high standard of care.
• To communicate with other staff members to ensure the smooth running of the Department.
• 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.
• To report and record all equipment faults. To be able to assist with the diagnosis and remedy of routine faults.
• To undertake any other duties which may be appropriate to the post.
• To comply with, and be able to demonstrate and instruct, safe manual handling techniques.
• To comply with and be able to demonstrate safe infection control measures.
• The post holder will be required to actively participate in a periodic performance appraisal, in accordance with the Trust guidelines.
• Ensure all communication, which may be complex, contentious or sensitive, is undertaken in a responsive and inclusive manner, focusing on improvement and ways to move forward.
• Ensure all communication is presented appropriately to the different recipients, according to levels of understanding, type of communication being imparted and possible barriers such as language, culture, understanding or physical or mental health conditions.
• The role requires individual accountability for independently performing and reporting routine and complex ultrasound examinations in accordance with the ultrasound departmental guidelines and relevant professional body's code of conduct.
• Understanding the clinical significance of ultrasound findings in the context of the clinical question and patient’s clinical history, reflecting this in the report.
• Ability to analyse relevant clinical information, including other test results and use this to perform and / or adapt the techniques required to undertake a satisfactory examination and diagnosis.
• Provide advice on future patient management to clinicians and / or relatives where appropriate.
• Ability to communicate scan findings directly to patients and clinicians in an empathetic and sensitive manner. Occasionally having to impart highly distressing information and unpleasant news sensitively and providing counselling and reassurance.
• As a Trainee in Ultrasound, you will take on the role of training within certain specific areas of ultrasound including obstetrics (NT and early pregnancy work), General, small parts and pelvic scans. You will be responsible for attending the designated University days and undertaking study days.
• Effectively using private study time allocated to participate in performing and collating the acquired course work, audit, and dissertations required. The aim is to develop your clinical work, examination reports and professional development.
• Upon gaining the ultrasound modules you will be expected to work and report independently producing reports for patients whilst still seeking advice and mentorship from other qualified members of staff within the ultrasound department. You will provide professional support, support service development and undertake reflective evaluation of practice, support clinical governance and work as part of a team with other disciplines towards shared objectives.
• As a trainee you will still be required to maintain and update professional skills and clinical knowledge as part of a continuous process of professional development and to provide evidence of this.
• The core hours will be Monday-Friday from 8.30-5pm, however the department operates an extended working day and weekend work is performed. Once qualified the post holder would be expected to participate in the extended working day.
  
  

Person specification

Meet all essential requirments

Essential criteria

• BSc acheiving 2:1 or higher from CASE accredited university
• Experiance working in hospital setting for minimum 2 years
• Minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 in English Language, if English not 1st language
• Experiance working as part of a team
  
  

Desirable criteria

• BSc in radiography from CASE accredited university
• Registration with the HCPC (or equivalent statutory regulator)
• Familiar with imaging modalities and ability to understand basic cross-sectional imaging
• Experience working in an Imaging Department
  
  

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
• Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.
  
  

Important

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.