Job summary
- Main area
- Imaging
- Grade
- Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 430-CC25-114A
- Employer
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Imaging Management (Dept)
- Town
- Milton Keynes
- Salary
- £55,690 - £62,682 Per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 19/01/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Lead Radiographer A&E/Cath Lab/Theatres
Band 8a
At Milton Keynes University Hospital, you will be welcomed into a friendly and supportive environment where teamwork and respect are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to live our Trust values and behaviours every day, creating a culture where everyone feels heard and valued.
MKUH staff's Motivation and Involvement scores are among the highest in our peer group, showing that our people feel inspired and included in decision-making (Staff Survey, 2024).
Our benefits
We believe in recognising and rewarding the amazing contribution of our staff and that is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, work-life balance, and professional growth, including:
- Free on-site parking including EV charging
- Complimentary refreshments
- Flexible working arrangements
- Discounted gym membership
- Salary sacrifice car scheme
- Generous annual leave, with the option to bank holiday entitlement
- Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme
- On-site nursery (charges apply)
- A wide-ranging staff health and wellbeing programme including EAP
- VIVUP products to support your mental, physical, and financial Wellbeing
Job overview
Lead Radiographer- A&E, Theatres and Cath Lab
Department Imaging
Band 8A
Hours: 37.5 hours, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Are you ready for your next exciting step in Radiography? Join our growing Imaging .
Are you looking for a new opportunity in 2026?
We are looking for an experienced Band 8A Lead Radiographer for the A&E, Theatres and Cath lab department, to join our forward-thinking imaging leadership team.
The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety, and patient experience in these specialist areas and across imaging services.
There will also be a requirement to participate in the Out-of-hours service.
It is an exciting time to join Milton Keynes Imaging department as a new scanning department is opening in the Spring of 2026 as well as the development of new Community Diagnostic centres at Whitehouse Park and Lloyds Court.
What is in it for you?
• A supportive environment where your growth is encouraged
• Opportunities to guide and mentor student radiographers from the University of Hertfordshire and apprentices from the University of Exeter
• A team that genuinely values your expertise and unique contribution
We believe in helping our staff reach their full potential and we will be supporting you every step of the way.
Interview date: 2nd February 2026
Main duties of the job
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
“- NHS Survey, 2024''Allied Health Professionals experience a high diverse and equal work environment, supporting this with 8.33 out of 10.
• To lead and manage the radiography workforce supporting A&E, Theatres, and Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratories (i.e., Cath Lab) at MKUH NHS FT. This requires expert knowledge in A&E, Theatres, and the Cath Lab, along with complex decision-making skills and clinical competency for advanced scope of practice within these imaging areas.
• To take overarching responsibility for radiation safety, including coordinating the servicing and maintenance of all radiation and capital equipment required in A&E, Theatres, and the Cath Lab.
• The post holder will lead the operational management of A&E, Theatres, and the Cath Lab, working closely with the Main X-ray, Outpatient X-ray, and Mobiles Lead Radiographer.
• Using in-depth knowledge and experience in A&E, Theatres, and the Cath Lab, the post holder will be expected to develop these imaging areas to meet evolving service needs. This includes the development of training and competency programmes, considering the needs of radiographers, assistant practitioners, apprentices, assistant and the student workforce.
• The post holder will be responsible for planning and developing an A&E, Theatres, and Cath Lab service that meets imaging and divisional requirements, as well as trust targets.
Working for our organisation
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a “Good” rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.
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For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
1. To professionally and legally take responsibility for providing a high standard of clinical care and patient welfare and supporting other staff to do likewise.
2. To assess the clinical justification of imaging referrals received within A&E, Theatres & Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory in line with both national regulations such as ionising radiation (medical exposure) regulations (IRMER) 2017 and local protocols.
3. To act as an ‘Operator’ under IRMER (2017).
4. To act as ‘Practitioner’ under IRMER (2017) for plain film radiography referrals.
5. Ensures that the imaging modalities: A&E, cardiac catheterisation laboratory and theatres adhere and aligns working practices with IRMER (2017) and ionising radiation regulations (2017).
Communication and working relationship skills
1. To deliver safe, efficient and effective patient care and to communicate empathetically with patients prior to, during, and after an examination.
2. In relation to A&E, Cath Lab and Theatres ensure timely communication of professional matters to all appropriate team members within and external to the department.
3. To be able to communicate highly complex, sensitive information and explain both general and specialised procedures to patients, patients’ relatives/ care-providers and staff using verbal and non-verbal communication skills to obtain their informed consent and cooperation.
4. Establish good communication and effective working relationships across internal and external stakeholders who access A&E, Cath Lab and Theatre services.
5. Communicate with wards and departments as appropriate to enable smooth patient throughput, (i.e. ensure correct patient preparation and mode of transportation to department).
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
1. Exercise highly developed specialist judgement in complex and unpredictable clinical situations across A&E, cardiac catheter laboratories and operating theatres.
2. Analyse and interpret a wide range of clinical imaging findings, patient conditions, and procedural requirements to determine the most appropriate radiographic technique or imaging pathway.
3. Evaluate complex information from multiple sources (clinical, technical, staffing, equipment performance and patient safety data) to make timely, evidence-based decisions that support optimised patient management outcomes.
Planning and Organisational Skills
1. Plan, coordinate and prioritise the delivery of high-quality imaging services across A&E, cardiac catheter laboratories and operating theatres, ensuring effective use of staff, equipment and clinical time.
2. Develop and implement service rotas, skill mix plans and on-call arrangements to maintain safe staffing levels and respond to fluctuating emergency and elective workloads.
3. Anticipate and manage service pressures, balancing immediate clinical demands with longer-term service development and training needs.
4. Lead the planning and delivery of new imaging pathways, protocols and technological innovations, ensuring alignment with Trust and departmental strategies.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential criteria
- DCR or BSc Diagnostic Radiographer degree or equivalent
- Current HCPC registration as radiographer
- Post graduate qualification in relevant clinical area or equivalent experience.
- Current knowledge and understanding of the NHS constitution.
- Able to develop and implement strategies for Imaging to gain accreditation to QSI/UKAS BS70000 standards within service areas
- Knowledge of relevant national imaging standards (e.g., IR(ME)R 2017, IRR ’17 and associated codes of practice)
- Evidence of a sound level of computer literacy (MS Teams, Word, Outlook, Power Point and Excel)
- Familiarity with hospital information systems (HIS), radiology information systems (RIS) and picture archiving communications systems (PACS)
- Knowledgeable in the analysis and review of a range of diverse and highly complex and sometimes conflicting information.
- Understand relevant legislation relating to Imaging, Clinical Governance, Health and Safety, NHS codes of conduct and employment law.
- Knowledge of a wide range of best imaging practice and improvement processes within A&E, Cath Lab and Theatre
- Strategic awareness within healthcare
Desirable criteria
- Post graduate management or project management qualification or equivalent experience.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Extensive post-qualification experience in diagnostic imaging, particularly in A&E, Cath Lab, and Theatre environments
- Proven leadership or management experience within an imaging department
- Experience in service development, clinical governance, and quality assurance.
- Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex workflows.
Skills
Essential criteria
- • Able to develop, lead and advise on a program to attain the QSI or UKAS BS70000 accreditation across A&E, Cath Lab and Theatres
- • Evidence of personal achievement of results through strong clinical leadership skills and implementation strategies.
- • Good organizational and time management skills
- • High level of self-motivation and willingness to learn and develop and able to inspire this attribute in others.
- • Logical approach to problem solving.
- • Able to analyze and interpret complex data.
- • Resilient and able to manage as well as prioritize conflicting demands.
- • Proven ability to deliver a high-quality service.
- • Confident to lead on transformation projects and service change or re-design with a focus on productivity and efficiency.
- • Can effectively manage and lead multi-professional teams with a focus on productivity and efficiency.
- • Capable of developing protocols and implementing audits, policies, and procedures
- • Personnel management skills including recruitment and selection and performance management.
- • Manage challenging situations and challenging relationships
- • Contributes to the development of business plans and service development.
Personal and People Development
Essential criteria
- Deputize for Operational Leads as required.
- Effective handling of complaints or incidents with a focus on learning
- Able to teach and present to other staff.
- Willing to coach, mentor, and develop other staff.
- Maintain continued professional development in line with HCPC requirements
Communication
Essential criteria
- Good written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills.
- Proven ability to deal with confidential, stressful, and difficult situations sensitively with a wide range of people and build credibility quickly.
- Ability to work autonomously, collaboratively and as part of a multi-professional team.
- Professional approach to work, appearance, and conduct.
- Excellent report writing skills.
- Strong influencing and negotiating skills to allow divisional strategic objectives to be obtained.
- Flexible in their attitudes and behaviours to support team working and delivery of objectives.
Specific Requirements
Essential criteria
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
- Participates in out of hours & on call working if required.
- Must be able to travel between trust sites and work locations deemed necessary to attend by trust.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Deborah Dolling
- Job title
- Deputy Imaging Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
If you require further information about the role or a chat and tour of our department, please email [email protected] to arrange this.
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