Job overview

Join our Radiology team as a key first point of contact for patients and visitors attending the X‑ray department. In this fast‑paced, people‑focused role, you’ll rotate across several areas — including main reception, ultrasound, Cauldwell, and the CDC (North Wing) — ensuring every patient receives a warm welcome and a smooth, well‑coordinated experience.

You’ll operate core Radiology information systems (CRIS/PIMS) with accuracy and confidence, helping maintain the flow of essential clinical information. Collaboration is central to this role: you’ll work closely with medical, technical, and administrative colleagues to support the efficient delivery of imaging services across the department.

If you thrive in a dynamic environment, enjoy working with people, and take pride in keeping services running seamlessly, this role offers a meaningful opportunity to make a real difference in patient care.

Main duties of the job

Welcome patients on arrival at reception, providing clear directions to the appropriate waiting area. Handle patient queries sensitively and discreetly, both in person and by telephone. Use specialist knowledge of imaging modalities to advise patients on preparation, including whether they need to change, and offer assistance as required. Employ flexible communication skills to overcome barriers to understanding, referring to professional staff when necessary. Occasionally manage situations involving distressed, unwell, or aggressive patients and their relatives with professionalism and empathy.

Check referral information and personal details with patients on arrival, entering new data or updating existing records on the Radiology information system (CRIS/PIMS), ensuring accuracy and avoiding duplication. Assess baseline requirements on imaging requests, confirming correct patient and clinical information and appropriateness of the request. Use initiative, guided by departmental protocols, to evaluate non‑routine requests and provide basic clinical guidance where necessary.

Monitor patient waiting times proactively, ensuring appointment sessions are fully utilised to prevent breaches of waiting list targets. Identify potential issues early and escalate with possible solutions to the manager to maintain smooth service delivery.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton.  Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

It is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

 

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.