Ultrasound Practice Educator | Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Company:	The Great Western Hospitals NHS FT
Salary:	£57,528 - £64,750 per annum, pro rata
Hours:	Part-time
Location:	Swindon, SN3 6BB
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	27 Jul 2026
Closing date:	26 Aug 2026

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Summary

Ultrasound Practice Educator - Southwest Imaging Training Academy

Fixed Term for 2 Years

This is an exciting new role for GWH and comes with a dedicated training space. The post holder must be very experienced in performing ultrasound examinations in an NHS setting, have excellent clinical skills and knowledge and the ability to teach this to an array of learners.

The post holder will work closely with the department to improve and enhance the recruitment, retention and training for the Sonography workforce by managing and facilitating the GWH spoke of SWITA Sonography hub, liaising with regional services and supporting all identified trainees (multi-professional).

The post holder is required to clinically educate and support all identified trainees. They are responsible for the clinical governance and day to day running of the spoke, in partnership with the Lead Sonographer and GWH protocols and guidelines. They will lead and enhance delivery of clinical education, being responsible for organising and co ordinating all the educational and training requirements necessary for all staff (multi-professional) in the GWH Ultrasound spoke. The post holder will link to the SWITA training hub and provide regional training as required by SWITA. The post holder will be responsible for the metrics and data required by SWITA and NHSe regarding the spoke activities.

We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group – a formal partnership between Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people.

We are creating a health and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.

EDUCATION and TRAINING

• To develop links with internal and external education providers, and other external parties.

• Supervise and structure practice-based learning, bringing together academic theory, workplace practice and help trainees to develop skills and competencies towards learning outcomes, assessment and qualification.

• Identify funding opportunities for sonographers, working with the Lead sonographer, SWITA Radiography Education Lead and NHSE.

• Signpost staff to educational and development opportunities and act as advocate to ensure access to these opportunities

• Responsible for allocated ultrasound trainees - assist with their education and clinical appraisal (assess training needs and set objectives, review of written work, act as appraiser and carry out assessment, giving constructive performance feedback and review of achievements).

• Liaise with ultrasound leads and designated appraisers to report progress of trainee/ preceptee.

• Work collaboratively with trainees and educational providers to ensure students can access help and support, including raising concerns related to the trainees’ wellbeing and/or mental health, in a pastoral care element to the role.

• Formulate a preceptorship programme and provide guidance on what is expected of sonographers as they develop in their career, support them as newly qualified sonographers during their preceptorship period.

• Lead the induction for new substantive staff and locums within the GWH SWITA sopke.

• Take a lead role in training colleagues in new or supplementary techniques

• Work collaboratively to identify, plan and deliver programmes to meet personal and professional development needs of self and others, including acting as an Appraiser for the department.

• Teach and deliver specialist training in ultrasound, undertake lectures and presentations to groups, both internal to GWH and external within the SWITA region

• Contribute to the strategic planning around education and training of the ultrasound workforce for SWITA

• Familiar with theAHP Practice Placement Sustainability Framework and self-evaluation tool.

• Develop and improve quality of training to meet any issues identified by incident reporting.

• To promote the department by receiving visitors by arranging programmes, Open Days and presentations as appropriate.

• Be a source of advice to other GWH employees regarding US training and development opportunities

CLINICAL

To performa comprehensive range of examinations which may include(but not limited to) General Medical, Gynaecology, Obstetrics and vascular ultrasound

· To provide a high-quality service and standards of care, demonstrate expertise in the use of medical ultrasound equipment and techniques, and to show a thorough understanding of their application for the range of ultrasound examinations, on all sites as allocated.

· To communicate and interpret complex information using skills and developed specialist knowledge of anatomy and pathology underpinned by theory and practice.

· Assess the clinical condition of the patient against contra-indications of procedures.

· To issue reports providing a diagnosis and further management advice on all examinations within the sub-specialty field, adhering to the local trust guidelines and governance.

• To be fully accountable for ultrasound examinations and exercise a high degree of professional autonomy in the decision-making process that will improve overall patient outcomes.

· To have high level awareness and understanding of local and national clinical guidelines and protocols.

· To formulate an appropriate diagnosis and provide a timely, accurate comprehensive and diagnostic report of examinations, and in relevant cases treatment, according to departmental protocols

· Use judgement skills as to when to discuss unusual or questionable appearances with Consultant Radiologist

· Communicate complex information regarding patient management based on best available evidence and practice, by ensuring requests are appropriate, investigation is guided by clinical presentation and subsequent findings, results are conveyed in a timely manner and appropriate onward referral is undertaken.

· Vet request forms, interpret clinicians’ requirements and determine / modify technique when appropriate.

· Assess clinical history, interpret images and refer patient for further imaging if required to support ultrasound findings, in accordance with departmental protocols

· Communicate complex information and liaise with patients, clinicians, other healthcare professionals and representatives as part of a multidisciplinary team, in an effective manner to ensure high standards of patient care and an efficient service

· Adhere to principles of informed consent

· Attend appropriate MDT meetings

OPERATIONAL & MANAGEMENT

· Collaborate with the Lead Sonographer and Medical staff to ensure a good throughput of patient examinations is achieved across all sites (daily and weekly) and help make adjustments for unpredictable situations.

· To contribute to the service business planning, especially with regard to workforce and training within the GWH spoke.

· Work with the GWH lead sonographer and contribute to the strategic direction of the GWH spoke and the organisation, ensuring an effective and responsive radiology service.

· Work with the SWITA Radiography Education Lead and GWH Lead Sonographer to take responsibility for clinical governance of trainees and preceptors

· The post holder will be responsible for the line management of students within the department in line with GWH policies and take appropriate action if necessary

· Support the GWH lead sonographer with equipment purchase to enable delivery of strategic training needs

· To ensure images are correctly identified, data entry is correct and reports and other documents are stored, transported and handled securely, in accordance with the Trust’s confidentiality policy

· Be competent in the range of ultrasound imaging equipment and Picture Archive Communication Solution (PACS) enabling quality image acquisition, efficient review and transmission of images and scanning documents

· Participate in maintaining an ultrasound QA programme and associated governa to ensure consistency of operator and equipment, report potential malfunctions and liaise with equipment suppliers for maintenance of equipment

· Be familiar with and adhere to Trust / Departmental policies and procedures including Infection control, Manual Handling and Fire regulations, Risk Management strategy including Repetitive Strain Injury, Supporting Attendance, Performance Management etc, taking necessary action to reduce risk.

· Work with the SWITA Radiography Education Lead and GWH Lead Sonographer with HR processes when required e.g. investigating complaints and grievances

· Participate in interview process for recruitment and selection within the GWH spoke.

· The post holder will be responsible for accessing pay and non-pay training budgets and monitoring the utilisation of allocated funding, ensuring pay and non-pay expenditure is appropriately used and budgets not exceeded

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

· Actively search for evidence of new developments and technological advances, critically appraise evidence and identify opportunities to apply new knowledge to own and others’ practice.

· Engage in research and development to contribute to the evidence base and share best practice, publish and disseminate findings

· Participate in audit of own practice and wider professional audit/clinical research as required by SWITA, evaluate clinical practice and implement change.

· Promote a culture of continuous improvement.

PROFESSIONAL

· Maintain professional standards as defined by College of Radiographers policies and Code of Conduct and the Local Trust Values

· Maintain professional registration at all times where applicable

· Take professional responsibility for his/her own actions

· Recognise limits of professional competence and be responsible for limiting actions to within an agreed range of competencies and identify areas where further training is required

· Maintain a CPD portfolio and participate in the appraisal process

· Maintain knowledge of technological and clinical advances to remain conversant with current practice

· Maintain an awareness of developments in the NHS and their impact on imaging.

· Commit to developing self and others

· Maintain a good public image both verbally and visually

· Maintain and extend good working relationships with all departments and personnel in the Great Western Hospital and its service users such as GPs etc

This advert closes on Sunday 9 Aug 2026

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