Lead Radiographer A&E/Cath Lab/Theatres

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in Milton Keynes is looking for an experienced Lead Radiographer to oversee A&E, Theatres, and Cath Lab services. This pivotal role involves ensuring high standards of quality and safety within imaging services. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of new services, including a new scanning department opening in 2026. If you're ready for a challenge in radiography and want to make an impact, this is the opportunity for you.

Benefits

Supportive environment for growth

Mentorship opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience leading a radiography team in clinical settings.
• Familiarity with ionising radiation regulations (IRMER 2017).
• Proficient in coordinating healthcare delivery in emergency scenarios.

Responsibilities

• Lead the radiography workforce supporting A&E, Theatres, and Cath Lab.
• Ensure adherence to radiation safety standards and regulations.
• Plan and manage imaging services in collaboration with other departments.

Skills

Expert knowledge in A&E

Complex decision-making skills

Clinical competency for advanced scope of practice

Effective communication skills

Education

Relevant healthcare qualification

Tools

Radiation safety equipment

Job description

Lead Radiographer – A&E, Theatres and Cath Lab

Department Imaging

Band 8A

Hours: 37.5 hours, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

Are you ready for your next exciting step in Radiography? Join our growing Imaging.

Are you looking for a new opportunity in 2026?

We are looking for an experienced Band 8A Lead Radiographer for the A&E, Theatres and Cath lab department, to join our forward‑thinking imaging leadership team.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety and patient experience in these specialist areas and across imaging services. There will also be a requirement to participate in the out‑of‑hours service.

It is an exciting time to join Milton Keynes Imaging department as a new scanning department is opening in the Spring of 2026 and the development of new Community Diagnostic centres at Whitehouse Park and Lloyds Court.

What is in it for you?

• A supportive environment where your growth is encouraged
• Opportunities to guide and mentor student radiographers from the University of Hertfordshire and apprentices from the University of Exeter
• A team that genuinely values your expertise and unique contribution

We believe in helping our staff reach their full potential and we will be supporting you every step of the way.

Interview date: 2nd February 2026

We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute

"- NHS Survey, 2024. Allied Health Professionals experience a high diverse and equal work environment, supporting this with 8.33 out of 10."

Key Leadership Responsibilities

• To lead and manage the radiography workforce supporting A&E, Theatres, and cardiac catheterisation laboratories at MKUH NHS FT. This requires expert knowledge in A&E, Theatres and Cath Lab along with complex decision‑making skills and clinical competency for an advanced scope of practice within these imaging areas.
• To take overarching responsibility for radiation safety, including coordinating the servicing and maintenance of all radiation and capital equipment required in A&E, Theatres and the Cath Lab.
• To lead the operational management of A&E, Theatres and the Cath Lab, working closely with the Main X‑ray, Outpatient X‑ray and Mobiles Lead Radiographer.
• To develop these imaging areas to meet evolving service needs, including the development of training and competency programmes for radiographers, assistant practitioners, apprentices, assistants and the student workforce.
• To plan and develop an A&E, Theatres and Cath Lab service that meets imaging and divisional requirements as well as trust targets.

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting‑edge research and education. With a “Good” rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium‑sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state‑of‑the‑art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.

Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24‑bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.

Clinical Responsibilities

1. To professionally and legally take responsibility for providing a high standard of clinical care and patient welfare and supporting other staff to do likewise.
2. To assess the clinical justification of imaging referrals received within A&E, Theatres & Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory in line with both national regulations such as ionising radiation (medical exposure) regulations (IRMER) 2017 and local protocols.
3. To act as an “Operator” under IRMER (2017).
4. To act as “Practitioner” under IRMER (2017) for plain film radiography referrals.
5. Ensures that the imaging modalities: A&E, cardiac catheterisation laboratory and theatres adhere and aligns working practices with IRMER (2017) and ionising radiation regulations (2017).

Communication and Working Relationship Skills

1. To deliver safe, efficient and effective patient care and to communicate empathetically with patients prior to, during and after an examination.
2. In relation to A&E, Cath Lab and Theatres ensure timely communication of professional matters to all appropriate team members within and external to the department.
3. To be able to communicate highly complex, sensitive information and explain both general and specialised procedures to patients, patients’ relatives / care‑providers and staff using verbal and non‑verbal communication skills to obtain their informed consent and cooperation.
4. Establish good communication and effective working relationships across internal and external stakeholders who access A&E, Cath Lab and Theatre services.
5. Communicate with wards and departments as appropriate to enable smooth patient throughput, (i.e. ensure correct patient preparation and mode of transportation to department).

Analytical and Judgmental Skills

1. Exercise highly developed specialist judgement in complex and unpredictable clinical situations across A&E, cardiac catheter laboratories and operating theatres.
2. Analyse and interpret a wide range of clinical imaging findings, patient conditions and procedural requirements to determine the most appropriate radiographic technique or imaging pathway.
3. Evaluate complex information from multiple sources (clinical, technical, staffing, equipment performance and patient safety data) to make timely, evidence‑based decisions that support optimised patient management outcomes.

Planning and Organisational Skills

1. Plan, coordinate and prioritise the delivery of high‑quality imaging services across A&E, cardiac catheter laboratories and operating theatres, ensuring effective use of staff, equipment and clinical time.
2. Develop and implement service rotas, skill‑mix plans and on‑call arrangements to maintain safe staffing levels and respond to fluctuating emergency and elective workloads.
3. Anticipate and manage service pressures, balancing immediate clinical demands with longer‑term service development and training needs.
4. Lead the planning and delivery of new imaging pathways, protocols and technological innovations, ensuring alignment with Trust and departmental strategies.

Please refer to the job description for further details.

This advert closes on Monday 19 Jan 2026