Lead Specialist Sonographer - General

Job overview

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust (LGT) are looking for a dynamic and highly motivated individual to be the Lead Sonographer for general Ultrasound on the Lewisham Hospital Site . This is a  fantastic opportunity to work in a busy and demanding clinical environment and to be part of an innovative, dynamic Ultrasound service at a time when it is expanding.

The Ultrasound  service is based on our acute sites, at University Hospital Lewisham (UHL) and Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) and the Community Daignostic Centre (CDC) and provides a full range of diagnostic studies.  The post holder will be responsible for the General Ultrasound Department based at Lewisham Hospital

This role will be suitable for someone who is looking for a new challenge as an Sonographer and has a proven interest in managing an Ultrasound service, teaching and clinical governance. It is a great opportunity to make an impact at an exciting time, and to lead and inspire your own team to provide exceptional services to patients.

The post holder will be a highly experienced Sonographer, able to work autonomously within General Ultrasound

Main duties of the job

The Lead Sonographer for General Ultrasound is responsible for the day-to-day operational management and clinical leadership of the general ultrasound service at Lewisham Hospital. This includes managing the workforce, maintaining high standards of patient care, optimising service delivery, and ensuring service resilience in response to growing demand.

The post-holder will act as the primary point of contact for general ultrasound at Lewisham, working autonomously to oversee clinical practice, rota management, staff development, and service planning. They will also provide cross-cover for the obstetric lead sonographer during periods of leave.

This role involves close collaboration with radiologists, radiographic department assistants (RDAs), clerical teams, outpatient departments, A&E, and inpatient services to support the timely and efficient delivery of ultrasound services.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Management

• Provide day-to-day leadership and support for the general ultrasound team at Lewisham Hospital.
• Act as line manager for sonographers, supporting their welfare, professional development, and performance.
• Maintain the ultrasound rota, working in partnership with the admin team to maximise capacity and ensure adequate cover across all lists.
• Provide cross-cover for the obstetric ultrasound service during periods of absence.
• Lead on recruitment, induction, and retention strategies for general ultrasound staff.
• Monitor and manage sickness, absence, and annual leave requests fairly and in line with Trust policy.

Service Delivery & Planning

• Plan and implement additional capacity to meet increases in patient demand, including during periods of pressure on diagnostic targets.
• Monitor ultrasound capacity and work with admin teams to optimise appointment booking and reduce inefficiencies.
• Ensure safe, effective, and responsive service delivery across all general ultrasound lists, including support to A&E and inpatient services.
• Contribute to long-term service planning in collaboration with the Cross-Site Modality Lead and Radiology Service Manager.

Clinical Governance & Quality

• Maintain high clinical standards in ultrasound practice in line with national and local guidelines.
• Support audit, incident reporting, and service improvement initiatives.
• Uphold infection prevention and control standards and ensure safe use of ultrasound equipment.

Workforce Development

• Support the training and development of new sonographers, students, and other health professionals.
• Facilitate the upskilling of existing sonographers in extended clinical skills (e.g., MSK, head & neck).
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and support in-house training initiatives in partnership with radiologists and the wider team.

Operational & Financial Management

• Act as budget holder for general ultrasound at Lewisham Hospital.
• Monitor expenditure, ensuring stock levels are maintained and the department operates within budget.
• Maintain appropriate equipment, consumables, and supplies to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with radiologists to support joint working and service development.
• Liaise with RDAs, clerical teams, and service users (e.g. outpatient departments, A&E, ward staff) to ensure coordinated care and smooth workflows.
• Represent the department in meetings and communicate effectively with wider radiology and Trust teams.