Job summary The Lancashire Cardiac Centre is a tertiary cardiac provider for the people of Lancashire & Cumbria. The centre has well-established invasive and non-invasive services covering a wide range of diagnostic and treatment including; Cardiac intervention, Structural cardiac procedures including:TAVI, ASD & PFO closure, device implants including ICD's and CRT's, EP & mapping procedures. We are looking to recruit a highly experienced cardiac sonographer who will relish the challenge of leading the team, to take our outstanding echocardiography unit forward into the future. The successful candidate will work closely with clinical and management teams to manage and develop this busy service. The successful candidate will work with the highly specialised team to perform over 13,000 TTE's 650 Dobutamine & Exercise Stress Echocardiography each year as well as the advanced techniques within Cardiac Ultrasound such as, Transoesophageal & Contrast Echocardiography. As part of our tertiary centre work we also provide Paediatric and Adult Congenital Echocardiography in partnership with Liverpool and Alder Hey. You should be BSE accredited, possess BSc in clinical physiology or equivalent and have extensive advanced clinical knowledge and skills. We are looking for an individual with proven leadership and management experience to lead the highly skilled team. Main duties of the job To autonomously manage, co-ordinate and direct all activities associated with the Echocardiography Service in the Lancashire Cardiac Centre at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals. The post-holder will be responsible for the cardiac physiologists working within the speciality. They will be the expert technical lead for the Lancashire and South Cumbria (LSC) region and develop patient pathways and protocols for service delivery. The postholder will be a highly experienced, knowledgeable, and skilled cardiac physiologist working as an independently practitioner to directly deliver patient care and well-being for the patients across LSC. This post will require 50% clinical commitment. To have some responsibility of the management of the Cardiac Investigations Unit (CIU) with the other Specialist Area Managers. To be committed to the development of all individuals, providing a strong sense of direction for all the Echocardiographic team To organise and lead departmental meetings, training programmes and other developmental sessions To implement departmental audit to ensure compliance with and development of professional and local policies, ensuring high quality service delivery To be responsible for setting standards and to develop and update these to incorporate current professional recommendations and evidence based practice To attend Trust, Regional and National meetings relating to issues of service provision About us The Lancashire Cardiac Centre is a stand alone centre serving our own population and that across our network. The Cardiac Investigations Unit is a professional and friendly diagnostic service with over 60 staff, based within the modern centre. We have a dedicated and successful cardiac physiology training academy toencourage/support ongoing education and development of our staff. Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated on the west coast of Lancashire, and offers a full range of district hospital services and community health services to a population of 1.6 million in Lancashire and South Cumbria. Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is ideally situated just a forty-five-minute drive from Manchester. The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire, as well as specialist tertiary care for Cardiac, Haematology and Cystic fibrosis patients. Date posted 31 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £53,755 to £60,504 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 382-TER04-25 Job locations Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Whinney Heys Road Blackpool FY3 8NR Job description Job responsibilities To act as an advanced technical specialist in the field of echocardiography demonstrating a high standard of technical proficiency in a wide range of techniques and providing technical advice as required. To perform routine and highly specialist, complex investigations such as transoesophageal echo, stress echo, 3D echo, contrast studies and biventricular assessment and optimisation, interpreting the results and producing a clinical report by applying advanced theoretical knowledge. To carry out the range of standard and advanced techniques as an independent practitioner in accordance with BSE guidelines and department protocols and be able to deviate from policy as required to obtain accurate clinical data. To provide specialised diagnostic reports to the appropriate level and highlight any urgent problems. To provide expert Echo technical support during invasive cardiac procedures e.g. TAVI, ASD/PFO closures and valvuloplasties. To review Echo studies and reports performed by others and provide highly specialised advice on interpretation and reporting. To demonstrate a high standard of technical proficiency in Echocardiography and actively maintain competency. To be responsible for own clinical practice and that of others for all Echo investigations. Keep abreast of developments in echocardiographic technology across the broad range of manufacturers, acting as a point of contact for company representatives. To provide specialist advice to patients regarding outcome of clinical procedures and next steps in care pathway as appropriate. To provide specialist advice to clinicians regarding procedure results to enable development of individual care plans as appropriate. Setting up and safe usage of expensive and complex medical equipment or any apparatus within the department. To understand the risks of some highly specialised echo procedures and ensure investigations are delivered safely. To undertake complex troubleshooting and maintenance of recording equipment or any apparatus within the department. Perform and interpret a variety of non-invasive cardio logical procedures such as ECG and blood pressure monitoring as may be required during various echo procedures. Interpret a variety of invasive cardio logical procedures such as left and right angiography for use in performing stress echocardiography. To review and prioritise inpatient requests for echo investigations, liaising with ward staff and clinicians, ensuring availability of technical staff and resources. To participate and actively support research and development activities and clinical trials within the department as required. To deliver appropriate and individualised patient care at all times. To provide input to the departmental databases for audit and analysis of procedures and results and ensure that these are updated by all users. Responsible for maintaining the efficiency of routine administrative procedures within the echo department. Collaborate and actively assist the technical service manager when creating business plans for improvement and development of new services in echocardiography. Is the lead Sonographer for paediatric echoes. Advanced knowledge of congenital abnormalities as required for the performance and assessment of paediatric echocardiograms, as there is no clinical lead for this service.The paediatric directorate relies heavily on the echocardiography department to provide them with a diagnosis in critically ill children.An accurate, factual report is provided which may impact on the clinical management of the child or baby Job description Job responsibilities To act as an advanced technical specialist in the field of echocardiography demonstrating a high standard of technical proficiency in a wide range of techniques and providing technical advice as required. To perform routine and highly specialist, complex investigations such as transoesophageal echo, stress echo, 3D echo, contrast studies and biventricular assessment and optimisation, interpreting the results and producing a clinical report by applying advanced theoretical knowledge. To carry out the range of standard and advanced techniques as an independent practitioner in accordance with BSE guidelines and department protocols and be able to deviate from policy as required to obtain accurate clinical data. To provide specialised diagnostic reports to the appropriate level and highlight any urgent problems. To provide expert Echo technical support during invasive cardiac procedures e.g. TAVI, ASD/PFO closures and valvuloplasties. To review Echo studies and reports performed by others and provide highly specialised advice on interpretation and reporting. To demonstrate a high standard of technical proficiency in Echocardiography and actively maintain competency. To be responsible for own clinical practice and that of others for all Echo investigations. Keep abreast of developments in echocardiographic technology across the broad range of manufacturers, acting as a point of contact for company representatives. To provide specialist advice to patients regarding outcome of clinical procedures and next steps in care pathway as appropriate. To provide specialist advice to clinicians regarding procedure results to enable development of individual care plans as appropriate. Setting up and safe usage of expensive and complex medical equipment or any apparatus within the department. To understand the risks of some highly specialised echo procedures and ensure investigations are delivered safely. To undertake complex troubleshooting and maintenance of recording equipment or any apparatus within the department. Perform and interpret a variety of non-invasive cardio logical procedures such as ECG and blood pressure monitoring as may be required during various echo procedures. Interpret a variety of invasive cardio logical procedures such as left and right angiography for use in performing stress echocardiography. To review and prioritise inpatient requests for echo investigations, liaising with ward staff and clinicians, ensuring availability of technical staff and resources. To participate and actively support research and development activities and clinical trials within the department as required. To deliver appropriate and individualised patient care at all times. To provide input to the departmental databases for audit and analysis of procedures and results and ensure that these are updated by all users. Responsible for maintaining the efficiency of routine administrative procedures within the echo department. Collaborate and actively assist the technical service manager when creating business plans for improvement and development of new services in echocardiography. Is the lead Sonographer for paediatric echoes. Advanced knowledge of congenital abnormalities as required for the performance and assessment of paediatric echocardiograms, as there is no clinical lead for this service.The paediatric directorate relies heavily on the echocardiography department to provide them with a diagnosis in critically ill children.An accurate, factual report is provided which may impact on the clinical management of the child or baby Person Specification Education and Qualification Essential BSc Clinical Physiology or Equivalent Teaching or assessors' qualification NHS Management qualification BSE Adult Proficiency Accreditation British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) Register Academy of Health care Scientists (AHCS) Experience and Knowledge Essential Extensive post graduate qualification experience Proven expertise in advanced Echocardiography Evidence of ongoing personal development Management experience Evidence of NHS leadership role Personal development in areas of Leadership Skills and Ability Essential Dynamic & Enthusiastic Advanced Clinical Practice Skills Autonomous practitioner at an advanced level High level of decision-making skills Interpretation of investigations and findings Computer literate Excellent verbal and written communication Excellent Interpersonal skills Able to produce structured and relevant reports Problem-solver/Lateral thinker Excellent time management Able to demonstrate success in managing and motivating people Evidence of expanded Clinical Skills Effective staff management skills Effective change management Ability to maintain satisfactory level of attendance Person Specification Education and Qualification Essential BSc Clinical Physiology or Equivalent Teaching or assessors' qualification NHS Management qualification BSE Adult Proficiency Accreditation British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) Register Academy of Health care Scientists (AHCS) Experience and Knowledge Essential Extensive post graduate qualification experience Proven expertise in advanced Echocardiography Evidence of ongoing personal development Management experience Evidence of NHS leadership role Personal development in areas of Leadership Skills and Ability Essential Dynamic & Enthusiastic Advanced Clinical Practice Skills Autonomous practitioner at an advanced level High level of decision-making skills Interpretation of investigations and findings Computer literate Excellent verbal and written communication Excellent Interpersonal skills Able to produce structured and relevant reports Problem-solver/Lateral thinker Excellent time management Able to demonstrate success in managing and motivating people Evidence of expanded Clinical Skills Effective staff management skills Effective change management Ability to maintain satisfactory level of attendance 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) . From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) . UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) . From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) . 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 Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Whinney Heys Road Blackpool FY3 8NR Employer's website https://www.bfwh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab) Employer details Employer name Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Whinney Heys Road Blackpool FY3 8NR Employer's website https://www.bfwh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab). Location : Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Whinney Heys Road, FY3 8NR Blackpool, United Kingdom