Consultant Radiographer in Breast Imaging

NHS; Bury St Edmunds; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Trust in Bury St Edmunds is seeking a Consultant Radiographer specializing in breast imaging techniques. The role involves independently reporting breast ultrasounds and mammograms, providing expert professional advice, and contributing to service development. The ideal candidate will hold a relevant degree and have substantial clinical experience in breast imaging, along with strong communication and leadership skills. This position offers a permanent contract with a competitive salary and the opportunity to deliver high-quality care.

Qualifications

• Must be a fully qualified Consultant Radiographer.
• Experience in breast ultrasound, intervention, and image interpretation required.
• Leadership training or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Undertake and independently report on breast ultrasound.
• Report mammography images from the screening programme.
• Work autonomously within the breast team.

Skills

Good written and verbal communication skills

Good organisational and leadership skills

Ability to implement evidence-based practice

Good manual dexterity

Education

BSc/DCR Diagnostic Radiography or equivalent qualification

Post-graduate/ Master’s level qualification in breast

Valid HCPC registration

Job description

Job Summary

To undertake skilled clinical practice in all aspects of Breast Imaging techniques, working as part of the breast consultant radiology team to ensure that the symptomatic and breast screening clinics are covered at all times.

To provide a consultant service offering a specialist opinion for breast imaging. This includes mammography interpretation, performing and interpreting breast ultrasound, performing biopsy and localisation procedures under x-ray and ultrasound guidance and recommending further action where necessary.

Provide expert professional advice to other professionals, multidisciplinary groups, patients and carers.

Play a pivotal role in the integration of research evidence into practice by delivering enhanced quality in the areas of assessment, diagnosis and management to improve outcomes for patients.

Undertake research, audit and education activities.

Contribute to the operational and strategic development of breast imaging services whilst ensuring delivery of the clinical governance agenda of the West Suffolk Hospital Trust.

Main Duties

Undertake and independently report on breast ultrasound including further recommendations as appropriate. Perform image guided intervention using ultrasound and x-ray. Critically assess any change in ultrasound practice within the unit, interpreting conflicting information and implement any resulting change in practice. Provide highly specialist advice on service.

Report mammography images originating from the screening programme, symptomatic and breast screening cancer follow-up programmes. Be a source of information and advice for colleagues with regard to abnormal image recognition.

Work autonomously within the breast team and exercise clinical judgement using professional knowledge and skills to ensure clinical practice is carried out correctly, professionally and within the legal framework.

About Us

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and teamwork guide how we work and behave as a team.

Job Details

Date posted: 18 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 8b

Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 a year Per Annum, Pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time

Reference number: 179-7626974-C

Job locations: West Suffolk Hospital, Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• BSc/DCR Diagnostic Radiography or equivalent qualification
• Post-graduate/ Master’s level qualification in breast
• Valid HCPC registration
• Leadership training or equivalent experience
• Comprehensive, up-to-date CPD portfolio related to advances in breast imaging

Desirable

• Post-graduate qualification in leadership and/or management, or equivalent experience
• Fully qualified Consultant Radiographer
• Willingness to work towards a PhD in the future

Experience and Knowledge

• Specialist expertise underpinned by theory and extensive practical experience in all areas – breast ultrasound, intervention and image interpretation
• Significant clinical and leadership experience as a senior radiographer in breast imaging in the NHS
• Understanding of the current challenges within the breast imaging service
• Knowledge of booking and capacity planning
• Previous experience of audit
• Teaching and supervision of students and trainees
• Experience of teaching in formal and informal clinical settings to a variety of clinical staff

Desirable

• Good understanding of the Quality Standard for Imaging (QSI)
• Experience working in a hospital environment that supports a wide range of complex clinical examinations
• Evidence of previous published research/clinical publications

Skills and Abilities

• Good written and verbal communication skills, able to discuss complex information at relevant MDTs
• Good organisational and leadership skills
• Able to implement evidence- based practice
• Able to use a wide range of IT systems effectively
• Ability to use problem solving skills
• Good time management, reliable and trustworthy
• Able to communicate complex sensitive information requiring empathy and reassurance and removes barriers to understanding
• Good manual dexterity

Desirable

• Awareness of all current topics and developments within the field of breast imaging

Personal Qualities

• Ability to motivate and develop others
• Ability to work across professional and organisational boundaries internally and externally
• Ability to undertake challenging conversations with both staff and patients
• Effective role model, demonstrating WSFT Trust values at all times
• High self-awareness, understanding own emotions, strengths and limitations

Desirable

• Able to encourage others to be innovative in finding ways of improving the quality of service

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 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

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

West Suffolk Hospital

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 2QZ

https://www.wsh.nhs.uk