Imaging Operational Manager

NHS; Luton; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare organization in Luton is seeking an Imaging Operational Manager to oversee imaging services on the Luton & Dunstable site. The role involves ensuring effective management of services, compliance with safety regulations, and leadership in operational practices. Applicants should hold a degree in radiography and be registered with HCPC, bringing significant experience in radiology. This is a permanent full-time position, offering a competitive salary range of £64,455 to £74,896 per annum.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in radiology at Senior Radiographer/Superintendent level.
• Proven record of senior management and leadership experience.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety and Law relating to Ionising Radiation Protection.

Responsibilities

• Ensure full range of imaging services and 24-hour radiographic cover.
• Support Senior Imaging Team with service redevelopment projects.
• Lead on new ways of working to improve departmental performance.

Skills

Leadership skills

Staff training and development

Education

Degree in radiography or equivalent

State registration with HCPC

Commitment to continuing professional development

Tools

PACS

Radiology information systems

Job description

Job Summary

Band 8b Imaging Operational Manager

Following the reorganisation of the management team within Imaging across the Trust, an opportunity has arisen for the post of Imaging Operational Manager, based at the Luton & Dunstable site. Applications are invited from suitably experienced radiographers to provide specialist radiographic expertise and to be responsible for the clinical and operational performance of Imaging Services on the L&D site.

In addition to leadership and management, the post holder will retain a practicing knowledge of at least one modality and a radiography theoretical or practicing knowledge in the other modalities.

Key Responsibilities

1. To be responsible for providing the full range of imaging services ensuring there is safe and resilient 24‑hour radiographic cover for the department, meeting the immediate and future needs of all service users.
2. Involved in business planning, bids and tenders for the development of the Radiology Service, responding to and initiating service developments, evaluating opportunities and impact on service delivery, assessing impact of local development and internal service plans on radiology.
3. To support the Senior Imaging Team operationally with service redevelopment projects / equipment replacement in Imaging, in conjunction with the Redevelopment and Estates teams.
4. To lead on the implementation of new ways of working, adopting new roles and working practices that improve departmental performance, staff satisfaction and the overall patient experience.
5. To ensure effective modality staffing structures and robust rota management to deliver a safe, resilient and cost effective shift service that meets Trust needs.
6. Oversee the provision of robust and timely information / datasets in support of internal Trust reporting requirements to Finance and Information Departments and in support of clinical activity and audit.
7. Provide performance data in support of clinical activity and service delivery KPIs to Divisional and Directorate meetings, CCGs and other external organisations, e.g. NHSi, CQC, Model Hospital data returns, as required.
8. In liaison with the Clinical Director for Imaging, ensure adequate radiology reporting capacity on a weekly basis to effectively manage reporting queues (both routine and urgent) within required reporting TAT.
9. To lead service provision to ensure maximal efficiency, best use of resources and reducing waiting times.
10. To investigate complaints in a timely & efficient manner, implementing service improvement plans when required.
11. To investigate any adverse or serious incidents and take appropriate actions in order to avoid repetition.
12. To be responsible for the compliance of all radiation protection regulations.
13. To be responsible for the management of health & safety and risk management within the Imaging Department.
14. To be responsible for the development and standards of radiographic techniques within the Imaging Department.
15. To manage all contracts relating to imaging equipment, ensuring performance is in line with contracted requirements and in liaison with the Procurement and Finance Departments.
16. To be responsible for ensuring that there is a maintained plan for the quality assurance and testing of all imaging equipment within the Imaging Department.
17. To be responsible for the procurement of supplies for the department and the maintenance of physical assets, ensuring cost effective management by ensuring optimum efficient utilisation and elimination of waste.
18. Maintain personal CPD with up to date knowledge of managerial, personal, clinical and technological developments in the imaging field.

People, Education, Training and Development of Staff

1. To support the strategy for departmental staff recruitment, development, training and retention. To take an innovative, effective and flexible approach to maximise staff retention and recruitment.
2. To lead, line manage, appraise and manage performance of staff within the department in line with Trust policy and HR guidance.
3. Ensure all staff are competency assessed in line with departmental policy as appropriate within their professional scope of practice and as per professional HCPC policy and regulation.
4. To promote the continued professional development for all staff within radiology ensuring that a training programme for the service is established, implemented, evaluated and reviewed annually. To produce and cost the departmental training plan on an annual basis.

Professional and Legal Responsibilities

1. The post holder will ensure compliance with clinical governance ensuring an effective framework is developed and will take part in any inspection requested by statutory bodies such as Health and Safety or CQC.
2. Update own knowledge and skills in order to develop professionally and to contribute to the improvement of the service.
3. Take responsibility for the safe storage of records and the maintenance of confidentiality.

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• Radiographic professional qualification e.g. degree in radiography or equivalent qualification
• State registration with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) / UK Professional Registration
• Commitment to CPD

Qualifications (Desirable)

• PRINCE2 Practitioner
• Radiation Protection Supervisors qualification
• Postgraduate management / leadership qualification

Experience (Essential)

• Significant experience in radiology at a Senior Radiographer/Superintendent level, including senior management
• Competence across a range of diagnostic imaging, supported by professional and specialist knowledge
• Proven record of senior management and leadership experience

Experience (Desirable)

• Knowledge and experience of undertaking research projects

Knowledge (Essential)

• Knowledge of Health and Safety and Law relating to Ionising Radiation Protection and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Specialist clinical knowledge at expert practitioner level
• Knowledge and experience in medical imaging equipment procurement
• Knowledge of & competency in using PACS and radiology information systems

Skills (Essential)

• Leadership skills and ability to lead change
• Ability to train, motivate and develop staff

Details

Date posted: 15 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: 8b

Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time

Reference number: 418-DTO0153-KA

Job location: Luton, Lewsey Road, Luton, LU4 0DZ

Employer Details

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Luton, Lewsey Road, Luton, LU4 0DZ

Website: https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/

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 the UK Visas and Immigration website. 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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.