Dental Principal Radiographer and Education Lead

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS foundation trust based in Liverpool is seeking a Band 7 Dental Principal Radiographer and Education Lead. This role requires providing clinical expertise in Dental imaging, managing a team, and delivering training to students and staff within the Radiology department. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a relevant degree in Radiography, and experience in clinical settings. This position offers an opportunity to impact training and clinical standards within the organization.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in clinical radiography and education.
• Ability to manage a team and coordinate training.
• Expertise in ensuring compliance with radiation safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical expertise in Dental imaging.
• Act as Education Lead, providing training to various staff.
• Supervise and manage the x-ray department.

Skills

Clinical expertise in Dental imaging

Management responsibilities

Training and development

Strong communication skills

Education

Relevant degree in Radiography

Job description

A Vacancy at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Radiology department based at the Liverpool Dental hospital centre as Band 7 Dental Principal Radiographer and Education Lead.

The successful candidate will be expected to provide clinical expertise in Dental imaging and act as support for Dental Radiographers, Assistant Practitioners and student Radiographers.

You will act as an immediate line manager to Dental Radiographers, producing weekly rotas, investigating incidents, assisting with annual leave requests and other tasks required to aid the smooth running of the department.

You will also act as Education Lead providing Radiographic training to Dentistry students, Dental nurses, Dental Therapists, apprentice and student Radiographers.

Education Lead Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and support for staff within the x‑ray department and support the training of all staff.
• Have management responsibility for junior staff within the department.
• Act as an immediate line manager for a designated group of staff.
• Assist the lead radiographer in the organisation of the weekly rotas.
• Take responsibility for approving and monitoring annual leave for radiographers and support staff as required.
• Maintain a regular clinical radiographic commitment as a senior radiographer, working alongside students and promoting best practice.
• Act as Education Lead providing radiographic training to Dentistry students, Dental nurses, Dental Therapists, apprentice and student radiographers.
• Liaise with the academic leads at the University of Liverpool School of Dentistry and with the Radiology Management Team to ensure integration of the theoretical and clinical education and training, in compliance with regular requirements.
• Co‑ordinate the assessment of clinical skills, technical ability and personal qualities of staff.
• Oversee the calibrated assessment of undergraduates during clinical education in compliance with the required assessment processes at the Dental School.
• Be responsible with the Dean at the School of Dentistry at the University of Liverpool for ensuring that the University Department's requirements regarding undergraduate clinical education are complied with and delivered.

About the Trust

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital and Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.

UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16 800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities – from birth and beyond.

For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Be responsible for the organisation of radiographic work within the Imaging department.
• Work flexibly over 7 days to meet the demands of the service.
• Maintain high standards of radiographic imaging.
• Promote best practice in health, safety and security.
• Plan, monitor and quality‑assure the application of technology for measurement and treatment.
• Ensure that all apparatus is used correctly and in the manner for which it was designed and report immediately any malfunctions.
• Participate in quality‑assurance activities when required.
• Ensure current legislation regarding the use of ionising radiation is adhered to and report any breaches or problems concerning these rules to the lead radiation protection supervisor.
• Carry out radiographic procedures as necessary.
• Arrange for service engineers to attend breakdowns and suitable dates for routine inspections.
• Maintain an accurate record of all service and preventative maintenance visits.
• Supervise and provide support and guidance to the x‑ray team and clinical staff in the dental hospital.
• Practice within the rules set by the Health Care Professions Council.
• Maintain accurate documentation pertinent to the examination.
• Participate in multi‑disciplinary team working.
• Use own initiative in problem solving and decision‑making regarding workflow and IRMER regulations.
• Set up and work to radiographic clinical protocols.
• Act as Radiation Supervisor for the Dental Radiology department.

General Duties

• Ensure smooth running of the Imaging department.
• Produce and manage the weekly rotas for radiographers and support staff ensuring adequate cover is always provided.
• Line‑manage a group of staff, monitor and record attendance and perform annual appraisals.
• Treat all staff, visitors and patients with equal care and consideration.
• Ensure effective communication with patients, carers and all health care professionals regarding all aspects of patient care.
• Maintain and extend good working relationships with all other staff in the x‑ray departments and where relevant, with other staff in the hospital.
• Act as a role model for professionalism, standards and patient safety.
• Lead audit projects promoting ongoing quality of images.
• Develop and deliver training for staff, both practical and theoretical.
• Identify and successfully manage challenging behaviours and attitudes.
• Receive and communicate sensitive information in a competent, professional manner to relevant staff (e.g., portering, radiology colleagues).
• Always observe patient confidentiality and comply with the Data Protection Act and Caldicott recommendations.
• Contribute to the development of the service.
• Have awareness of the need for financial control and making efficient use of resources.
• Participate in the procurement process of new equipment.
• Ensure legislation, policies and procedures are applied within area of work.
• Ensure ISO 9001 procedures are adhered to, notifying the Quality Management Team of any required alterations to documentation.
• Report regularly to the lead radiographer regarding the running of the department, providing information regarding possible developments in the service and an update on any agreed Key Performance Indicators.

Clerical Duties

• Report complaints, accidents/ incidents in line with Trust policy.
• Ensure all equipment is used correctly and report immediately any malfunctions to the relevant company.
• Arrange for service engineers to attend breakdowns and organise suitable dates for routine inspections.
• Ensure current legislation regarding the use of ionising radiation is adhered to and report any breaches or problems concerning these rules to the lead radiation protection supervisor.
• Monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others within your area including radiation safety and protection.
• Maintain an accurate record of all service and preventative maintenance visits.

Planning

• Assist Lead Radiographer undertaking planning/design of appropriate areas of the department.

Education and Training Development

• Attend induction course and complete orientation programme to achieve core competencies.
• Identify own development needs and maintain own personal CPD portfolio.
• Complete all required mandatory and role‑specific training.
• Participate in orientation, instruction of less experienced staff.
• Keep abreast of modern developments, attending study days and lectures as required.
• Comply with all Trust and HCPC policies in relation to all aspects of practice.
• Act always in a manner that upholds the reputation of the Trust and safeguards the wellbeing and dignity of patients and their relatives.
• Share knowledge with team members to develop best practice.
• Identify learning opportunities for self and others within the team.
• Be responsible for working with the University to train and mentor students Radiography/Dental, radiographers, assistant practitioners, Dental Nurses, Dental Hygienists and Dentists in compliance with required processes.
• Be involved in recruitment and selection, as required.
• Take lead roles in clinical audit.
• Co‑ordinate and provide practical training for Dental students.
• Co‑ordinate workload and rotas within the department to ensure Dental Radiographers can provide appropriate training for all students.
• Assist Dental Radiographers on the assessment of technical ability of dental students when advice needed.
• Ensure student calibrated assessment and feedback are completed.
• Participate in Continuing Professional Development and demonstrate a commitment to achieving personal objectives, by maintaining a personal record or portfolio in a relevant professional area.
• Work with the University Radiography lead to monitor records of undergraduates' achievement and progress during clinical education provided by Dental Radiographers.
• Liaise with Liverpool School of Dentistry on all matters relevant to undergraduate training and planning. Be accountable to the Dean for the delivery of the training.

This advert closes on Monday 5 Jan 2026.