Job summary
- Main area
- Diagnostics
- Grade
- Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 210-2025-534
- Employer
- Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Countess of Chester Hospital
- Town
- Chester
- Salary
- £55,690 - £62,682 pa
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 31/07/2025 23:59
- Interview date
- 19/08/2025
Employer heading
Breast Imaging Lead Radiographer
Band 8a
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.
Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation
Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.
As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.
Job overview
Working Full time : 37.5 hours per week
Are you a dynamic, highly skilled radiographer with a passion for breast imaging and service leadership? We are looking for a forward-thinking individual to join our multidisciplinary Breast Imaging team as the Lead Radiographer. This exciting role provides a unique opportunity to shape and drive high-quality, patient-centred breast imaging services across both symptomatic and screening pathways.
As the Breast Imaging Lead Radiographer, you will be responsible for the operational management, strategic development, and clinical governance of the breast imaging service. You will lead a team of experienced radiographers, champion evidence-based practice, support workforce development, and ensure robust adherence to NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) and Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards. Working closely with radiologists, surgeons, managers, and commissioners, you will be a key figure in enhancing the patient experience and sustaining exemplary diagnostic outcomes.
This role is ideal for a proactive individual with advanced post-registration breast imaging experience, excellent leadership skills, and a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation within breast diagnostics.
Applicants must hold a recognised postgraduate certificate in Breast Imaging or Mammography (NHSBSP accredited) and be eligible to work in the United Kingdom with HCPC registration.
Interviews will be held on the 19th & 21st August 2025
Main duties of the job
· Lead and manage the breast imaging service, overseeing staff, rota planning, resource allocation, and workflow coordination to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality service delivery.
Provide professional and clinical leadership to radiography staff across breast imaging modalities, promoting excellence in patient care and maintaining compliance with NHSBSP and Trust standards.
Maintain advanced clinical competence in mammography, including symptomatic and screening work, supporting diagnostic decision-making and acting as a role model for clinical best practice.
Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, including IRR17, IR(ME)R, Infection Control, Health & Safety, and Information Governance, and lead departmental audits to uphold quality assurance standards.
Drive innovation and service development, participating in strategic planning, developing business cases, and implementing new imaging technologies and pathways to enhance patient care pathways and imaging standards.
Working for our organisation
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:
- The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds
- Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility
- Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Trust employs over 5916 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 411,000. This includes 361,000 residents in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire which has a population of approximately 50,000.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Person specification
Qualification
Essential criteria
- BSc Diagnostic Radiography with HCPC registration
- Post Graduate Certificate in Breast Imaging or Mammography (NHSBSP accredited)
Desirable criteria
- Recognised leadership/management training/qualification
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
- Demonstrate excellent organisational skills in both daily management duties as well as long term planning and development projects.
- Ability to demonstrate the Trust core values and behavioural standards in day-to-day approach to work
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant post-qualification experience in mammography, including both screening and symptomatic work
- Experience in a senior or supervisory radiographic role
- Strong leadership and team management capabilities with a proactive approach to departmental development
- In-depth knowledge of breast imaging techniques, equipment, and associated QA processes
- Excellent working knowledge of NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP), symptomatic breast pathways, and cancer referral protocols
Desirable criteria
- Leadership experience
- Evidence of staff supervision/management
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
- Alison Miller
- Job title
- Deputy Radiology Services Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01244 366260
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