Job Summary
The Obstetric Sonographer will provide a high-quality diagnostic antenatal ultrasound service within the Fetal Medicine Unit at Southend University Hospital. The role is focused on the independent performance, interpretation, documentation and reporting of obstetric ultrasound examinations in accordance with national screening standards, Trust policies and professional guidelines.
The post holder will work alongside Trust-employed staff in a busy specialist imaging environment and will be responsible for managing a complex antenatal caseload, identifying abnormalities, escalating findings appropriately and ensuring the highest standards of patient care, safety and clinical governance.
This role supports the reduction of ultrasound waiting lists and increased demand within maternity services through the provision of safe, effective and patient-centred diagnostic imaging.
Hours
Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00, with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break (7.5 hours productive clinical time per day).
Additional evening or weekend sessions may be required subject to service demand and contractual agreement.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The post holder will:
Clinical Responsibilities
- Perform and independently report diagnostic obstetric ultrasound examinations.
- Undertake:
- Fetal Anomaly Scans (FASP compliant)
- Uterine Artery Doppler Studies
- Fetal Growth Scans
- Dating Scans
- Nuchal Translucency (NT) Scans
- Twin Pregnancy Anatomy Scans
- Twin Pregnancy Growth Scans
- Produce accurate and timely ultrasound reports using Trust-approved digital reporting systems.
- Ensure all patient records are completed on the day of attendance.
- Maintain compliance with national screening programme requirements and local maternity pathways.
- Provide compassionate and professional care to women and their families throughout the scanning process.
Escalation and Clinical Decision-Making
- Identify suspected fetal abnormalities and abnormal findings.
- Review and verify findings before escalation.
- Escalate concerns immediately to the appropriate:
- Consultant Fetal Medicine Specialist
- Obstetric Consultant
- Designated Senior Sonographer
- Trust Clinician
- Ensure escalation occurs before the patient leaves the department.
- Maintain comprehensive documentation of all escalations within Trust systems.
- Participate in audits of escalated cases and governance reviews where required.
Governance and Compliance
- Work in accordance with:
- NHS Standards
- FASP requirements
- DQASS requirements
- HCPC standards
- BMUS and SCoR guidance
- Trust policies and procedures
- Report incidents through DATIX where appropriate.
- Participate in quality assurance and audit activities.
- Ensure patient confidentiality and Information Governance compliance at all times.
- Maintain mandatory training compliance.
Caseload and Complexity
The service delivers a varied and clinically demanding obstetric ultrasound caseload requiring advanced diagnostic skills and autonomous clinical judgement.
Scan TypesExamination TypeDurationObstetric Anomaly Scan including Uterine Artery Dopplers45 minutesFetal Growth Scan30 minutesDating / NT Scan30 minutesTwin Pregnancy Anatomy or Growth Scan60 minutesClinical Complexity
Although consultant-led fetal medicine consultations and specialist interventional procedures are excluded, the post holder will routinely encounter:
- Suspected fetal abnormalities.
- Abnormal fetal growth.
- Fetal growth restriction.
- Multiple pregnancies.
- Maternal risk assessment cases.
- Cases requiring urgent referral into fetal medicine pathways.
- Screening assessments subject to national quality standards.
- Time-sensitive escalation of clinically significant findings.
The role requires a high level of professional autonomy and confidence in recognising abnormal anatomy, growth concerns and screening abnormalities.
Expected Caseload
Based on a mixed clinic model, sonographers will typically undertake:
- Approximately 10 to 12 ultrasound examinations per full clinic day.
- Higher complexity sessions containing anomaly and twin pregnancy assessments may reduce daily throughput.
- Caseloads will consist of a combination of routine and complex obstetric examinations requiring detailed assessment and reporting.
Service Capacity
From September 2026:
- Up to 2 scanning rooms operating simultaneously.
- Up to 2 sonographers required per day.
From October 2026 onward:
- 1 scanning room operating Monday to Friday.
- 1 sonographer required per day.
Person SpecificationEssential Qualifications
- HCPC Registration (Radiographer) or equivalent recognised professional registration.
- Postgraduate qualification in Medical Ultrasound:
- DMU
- PgDip Medical Ultrasound
- Or equivalent CASE-accredited qualification.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
For NT Practitioners
- Current Nuchal Translucency Licence.
- Active participation in DQASS.
- No current DQASS performance concerns or red flags.
Essential Experience
- Significant experience in obstetric ultrasound.
- Independent obstetric reporting experience.
- Experience undertaking:
- Fetal anomaly scans
- NT screening examinations
- Growth assessments
- Twin pregnancy surveillance
- Experience identifying and escalating abnormal findings.
- Experience working within NHS maternity or fetal medicine services.
Essential Knowledge and Skills
- Detailed knowledge of FASP standards.
- Knowledge of DQASS requirements.
- Excellent anatomical and pathological recognition skills.
- Ability to work autonomously.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong clinical decision-making skills.
- Competence in digital reporting systems and electronic patient records.
- Understanding of safeguarding, governance and patient safety requirements.
Mandatory Requirements
Prior to commencement, all practitioners must:
- Provide an up-to-date CV for Trust approval.
- Complete Trust induction requirements.
- Complete IT systems training.
- Hold all mandatory NHS training certificates including:
- Safeguarding Adults
- Safeguarding Children
- Information Governance
- Fire Safety
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Moving and Handling
- Conflict Resolution
- Comply with DTAC requirements where applicable.
- Participate in a supervised first shift with the Trust's Screening Support Sonographer.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
The post holder will be expected to achieve:
- 100% completion of scan reports on the day of attendance.
- 100% compliance with Trust digital reporting systems.
- 100% same-day escalation of significant abnormalities.
- Compliance with FASP and DQASS standards.
- Positive audit outcomes and governance compliance.
- Delivery of safe, compassionate and high-quality patient care.
Overall Role Complexity
Complexity Rating: Moderate to High
This position requires an experienced Obstetric Sonographer capable of managing a diverse antenatal caseload, independently reporting complex obstetric scans, recognising abnormalities and facilitating urgent clinical escalation within a specialist fetal medicine environment.
Pay: £80,000.00 per year
Application question(s):
- Did you obtain your sonography qualification in the UK?
Experience:
Work Location: In person
