Working in the UK as a Sonographer

The UK has a long history of recruiting skilled healthcare professionals from overseas, and due to an ever-growing and ageing population this trend is set to continue.

Qualified and experienced sonographers are currently in high demand across most areas of the UK. If you are a sonographer considering a move from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe, or elsewhere, you'll be pleased to hear that we have hundreds of temporary and permanent healthcare jobs in the UK available on our platform right now.

Registering to work in the UK

If you live overseas and wish to work in the UK, you'll need to follow the new immigration processes put in place following the UK's exit from the European Union. Whether you're moving to the UK permanently or just seeking a temporary working holiday, you'll need to apply for a work permit in advance. Some visas require an offer of employment before you can live and work in the UK. The exception is the Youth Mobility Scheme visa, which is covered in more detail below.

Requirements for sonographers working in the UK

To be eligible for employment as a sonographer in the UK, you'll need to meet the following requirements.

Qualifications

Whilst there is no legal requirement to hold a recognised ultrasound qualification, the great majority of sonographers currently working in the UK have a Diagnostic Radiography degree, and/or a postgraduate certificate/diploma in medical or clinical ultrasound. If you wish to apply for employment from overseas, you will need to ensure that your native qualifications and experience are equivalent and appropriate for the UK.

The Health and Care Professions Council

Once living and working in the UK, sonographers may be required to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Regardless of whether HCPC registration is required by a potential employer, you may choose to register with the Voluntary Register of Sonographers, which is administered by The Register of Clinical Technologists.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

To work as a sonographer in the UK, you will need appropriate professional indemnity insurance. This can be arranged once you have arrived in the country.

Visas

You can choose to apply for either a temporary or permanent visa to work in the UK. Whichever route you take will depend on your long-term plans and goals. Some healthcare professionals opt to [come to the UK for a working holiday, perhaps for a year or two, while others are looking to settle permanently.

Working in the UK on a permanent visa

If you want to settle permanently in the UK, you should apply for a Skilled Worker visa or a Health and Care Worker visa. In each case, an application fee is payable, and you will need to have a job offer lined up before your visa is granted. Your salary must be at least the national pay scale rate for the sonographer jobs you’ll be doing to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa. The application fee for jobs on the shortage occupations list costs £464 for up to three years, and £928 for more than three years. You will also need to pay a healthcare surcharge of £624 per year, and you'll need to have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself when you first arrive in the UK. Many sonographers wishing to relocate to the UK decide to visit for a holiday initially. This gives the opportunity to apply for suitable jobs and attend interviews, in preparation for making a permanent working visa application. A permanent visa usually allows dependants and spouses to accompany you to live in the UK.

Working in the UK on a temporary visa

Temporary visas are designed for people wishing to work in the UK on a non-permanent basis. There are several types of temporary visas. The following are the most relevant for sonographers looking to work in the UK temporarily.

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa

This visa is the most common solution for young professionals wishing to live and work temporarily in the UK. A replacement for the working holiday visa, it offers the opportunity to live and work in the UK for up to two years. It is worth noting that fewer British commonwealth countries are now eligible for the YMS visa than was previously the case. Citizens from the following countries may apply: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Monaco, San Marino, and Iceland. To be eligible for the YMS visa, you must be aged between 18 and 30, and you will need savings of at least £2,530. Dependents and spouses are not permitted to accompany the visa holder to live and/or work in the UK with this visa.

The Temporary Work - Government Authorised Exchange visa

This one or two year visa is designed for people wishing to engage in temporary work experience, training, research or fellowship programmes. To satisfy the requirements, you will need to obtain a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor before you apply for your visa. Your work experience or training must be relevant to the work of your sponsor organisation. Your sponsor can be an approved exchange scheme organisation, a higher education institution, or a government agency. In addition to the work described in your certificate of sponsorship, you are allowed to work a second job for up to 20 hours per week. You are also permitted to apply for part-time job roles listed on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list (which includes healthcare professionals such as sonographers) for up to 20 hours per week. You can apply for this visa up to three months before the day you are due to start work or training in the UK. Dependants and spouses of temporary visa holders are usually allowed to live in the UK temporarily, provided they are eligible.

Temporary visa fees

An application fee of £244 per person (reduced by £55 for EU nationals) is payable for temporary visas, and an additional £624 healthcare surcharge per person is payable for each year you are resident in the UK.

How long does a temporary visa application decision take?

Once you have submitted an application, proved your identity, and provided any other documents required, you should get a decision on your temporary visa within three weeks. You are then permitted to enter the UK up to 14 days before the start date of your job.

Life as a sonographer in the UK

Sonography is a very flexible career choice, especially working as a locum, so it's possible to find employment that suits your lifestyle. You may find yourself working as a private practitioner, or within a public health service trust. Many sonographers work in high pressure, fast-paced environments within a hospital setting. Sonographers are required for both hospitalised patients and outpatients, and sometimes they're needed in the emergency department. Some sonographers prefer to work in permanent roles, whilst others prefer the variety of locum work. A staffed sonographer will have the advantage of getting to know their team and their workplace well, and will be familiar with the processes and policies within their department. Locums will often need to fit into the working culture more quickly, and will need to establish rapport with their team members. On the other hand, locum work is usually more flexible, and may offer a higher hourly rate and a broader range of experiences than permanent sonographer jobs. A locum sonographer will usually perform many of the same duties as a staff member. They may be required to work as a general sonographer, scanning a wide variety of organs or areas of the body, or they may be needed for a highly specialised role. Sub-specialties for sonographers can include obstetrics/antenatal, paediatrics, oncology, breast, cardiac, vascular, muscoskeletal, and renal.

Accommodation

If you plan to stay in the UK permanently, you may wish to make long-term arrangements for your accommodation, such as purchasing a home. A short-term rental may be the best option if you plan to work as a Locum in a specific area for a year or more. Larger hospitals or clinics may be able to advise on temporary lodgings near your workplace. Speak with a [specialist consultant] (https://www.globelocums.co.uk/contact) at Globe Locums for more details about this. If you plan to work and travel across the country during your stay in the UK, this may be the best way to find suitable accommodation without being tied into a longer-term rental contract. Some jobs may offer accommodation on-site or close by as part of your contract, though this tends to be more common with short-term, temporary positions.

Bank accounts

To be paid for your work in the UK, you'll need an eligible bank account to receive your salary payments. However, opening an account with a major UK High Street bank can be challenging if you don't yet have a permanent proof of address in the UK. Fortunately, some online banks, such as Revolut and Monzo, offer international bank accounts, and this may be a particularly good option for those planning to stay in the UK on a temporary working holiday visa. Online bank accounts are usually easy to set up and manage too.

Salary range for sonographer jobs – UK

The average salary for sonographers in the UK ranges from £40,056 to £53,218 (as of January 2022). Salaries vary according to a number of factors, including a candidate's level of experience and qualifications, whether unsocial hours are worked, whether the employer operates within the private or public healthcare sector, the urgency of the placement, whether it's a locum or permanent position, and the job location. For example, sonographers in private healthcare roles, working in cities such as London or Manchester, may receive much higher than average pay, while those working in more rural areas may receive a lower rate for comparable roles.

Sonographer jobs - UK NHS pay range

For sonographers working in NHS jobs in the UK, remuneration varies according to the level of experience and seniority. According to the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale, salaries can range from £30,000 to £51,000, from the bottom to the top end of the scale. A newly qualified sonographer would be considered Band 5, and might expect to earn around £35,000 per annum. However, a more experienced, senior sonographer with management or teaching responsibilities would usually be classified as Band 7, and may expect to earn in excess of £45,000 per annum.

Locum work pay rates

Sonographers are currently in great demand, and locum sonographers can expect to earn a higher hourly rate than a permanent employee. A locum sonographer might expect to earn £40-55 per hour, even with just a couple of years' experience. A willingness to work unsocial hours can greatly enhance a locum's salary. Particularly in NHS Trusts, locum sonographers working in certain specialties are often required for regular weekend, nights, and evening work. In private settings, locum sonographers may also be required for regular weekend work. When working with Globe Locums, you will not only benefit from hearing about all the UK and worldwide opportunities as they become available, but you will also benefit from the excellent rates we pay our candidates.

Wrapping Up

Are you a qualified sonographer seeking a new job opportunity in the UK? Whether you're seeking career progression or a lifestyle change, Globe Locums can support you in finding healthcare jobs that match your experience and qualifications. From temporary placements to long-term career moves, we can pair you with your ideal role.