About this role
Job summary
Are you looking for an exciting leadership role in Obstetric Ultrasound?
Musgrove Park hospital (MPH) is looking for an experienced obstetric scanning professional to lead the existing obstetric ultrasound team.
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a dynamic and experienced Lead Obstetric Sonographer to join our Radiology team based at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton. The hospital operates 4 obstetric scanning rooms at MPH. This post provides an exciting opportunity to take overall clinical and operational responsibility for obstetric ultrasound services within the maternity setting.
The successful candidate will lead and manage a dedicated team of sonographers, uphold national screening standards, and serve as the Screening Support Sonographer (SSS) for the NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme. A balance of clinical scanning and leadership duties is expected, with protected time for administrative, governance, and service development responsibilities.
Main duties of the job
Lead the day-to-day delivery of the obstetric ultrasound service across Musgrove Park Hospital and peripheral clinics.
Act as the local Screening Support Sonographer (SSS), ensuring adherence to FASP and National Screening Committee standards.
Undertake advanced level obstetric scanning (minimum 16 hours per week) and provide expert clinical advice.
Supervise and support the training of sonographers, radiographers, midwives, students, and medical staff.
Manage clinical governance, incident reporting, and service audit to uphold imaging quality and patient safety.
Represent the service at Trust meetings, contributing to strategic planning and service improvement.
Oversee staffing, sickness, appraisals, recruitment, and performance monitoring within the ANC ultrasound service.
Lead multidisciplinary image review sessions and liaise with DQASS on quality improvement and training outcomes.
Coordinate departmental resources including staff rotas, ultrasound equipment usage, and escalation planning.
Support audit, research, and data submission to maintain high clinical and operational standards.
Ensure accurate documentation and data entry via hospital IT systems, including statistical analysis for performance reports.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and lifeNHS pension scheme for long-term financial securityGenerous annual leave allowance to recharge and relaxA strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potentialAdditionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details of duties and responsibilities.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Current HCPC or NMC registration Accredited by the Fetal Medicine Foundation and FASP for Nuchal Translucency Proven experience of working in either an NHS Ultrasound or Maternity department
Desirable
Postgraduate Diploma in Management or equivalent experienceSignificant post-registration experience in obstetric ultrasound
Experience Essential
Proven leadership or management in a healthcare settingIn-depth understanding of obstetric scanning and FASP standards and awareness of NHS screening programme requirementsKnowledge of clinical governance and quality standards (e.g. UKAS, CQC)Advanced clinical scanning and autonomous reporting
Desirable
Please see the attached JD
Additional Criteria Essential
Ability to manage a team and complex service deliveryWell organised with ability to prioritise and work under pressureCommitted to service improvement and patient-centred careExcellent communication and empathetic counselling skills
Desirable
Please see the attached JD
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).
Employer details Employer name Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Musgrove Park Hospital
Musgrove Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 5DA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)