Principal Radiographer - Interventional Theatres

NHS; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Liverpool is seeking a Principal Radiographer to oversee Interventional Radiology services. This role involves managing staff, ensuring patient safety, and maintaining high standards of care. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Radiography, HCPC registration, and extensive experience in Interventional Theatres. Join a dynamic team committed to delivering patient-centred care in a modern facility.

Qualifications

• Evidence of CPD and attendance at short course relating to Interventional Radiology.
• Demonstrable experience of working in Interventional Theatres.
• Participation in audit projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the IR Suite, ensuring consistent service delivery across the 24/7 schedule.
• Provide advanced radiographic expertise in a multidisciplinary setting.
• Ensure compliance with HCPC standards.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Good leadership skills

Ability to train/mentor staff

Excellent organisational skills

Education

Degree in Radiography

HCPC registration

Job description

Principal Radiographer - Interventional Theatres

The closing date is 17 November 2025.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and experienced Radiographer with a specialist interest in Interventional Radiology (IR) to join our dynamic team, based at the Royal site.

This role offers a unique opportunity to expand your skills in a team‑based, multidisciplinary environment, working alongside Interventional Radiographers, Nurses, Radiologists, and support staff.

We are looking for a professional who is passionate about delivering high‑quality, patient‑centred imaging services, and who is committed to supporting emergency care through our out‑of‑hours service.

The Interventional Radiology (IR) department is located within the main theatre complex of the New Royal Hospital. Our state‑of‑the‑art facility includes:

• 2 IR theatres, each equipped with Siemens Artis Pheno systems for advanced image‑guided procedures.
• 1 Ultrasound/Multi‑purpose room, supporting a range of diagnostic and interventional services.
• 1 CTIR room, jointly supported by Interventional Radiology and Clinical Support Imaging (CSI) staff.

Our department delivers a comprehensive range of minimally invasive procedures and plays a vital role in supporting multiple specialities. These include:

• Specialist cancer treatments
• Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) sclerotherapy
• Nephrology and urology interventions

We are committed to delivering high‑quality, patient‑centred care through innovation, collaboration, and clinical excellence.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

• Personnel Management: Oversee daily staffing operations including sickness management, rostering, appraisals, and handling HR‑related matters.
• Clinical Competency: Maintain high standards of clinical practice across all areas of Interventional Radiology imaging, including participation in the on‑call rota.
• Capacity & Demand Management: Collaborate with the Nursing Lead to effectively manage theatre utilisation and patient flow within the IR service.
• Interdepartmental Representation: Attend meetings to represent IR and Radiology interests across various specialist fields.
• Recruitment & Staffing: Demonstrate awareness of workforce planning, recruitment processes, and staffing requirements.
• Governance & Safety: Promote and monitor adherence to Trust and national policies to ensure patient safety and quality of care.
• Training & Development: Plan, implement, and evaluate training programmes to support staff development and service excellence.
• Radiation Protection: Act as Radiation Protection Supervisor, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
• Documentation Oversight: Maintain responsibility for radiology‑held documents relevant to IR and its associated specialities.
• Financial Awareness: Possess working knowledge of budgetary requirements, including equipment maintenance, PPE, and consumables.
• Strategic Engagement: Attend and actively contribute to Interventional Radiology and wider directorate meetings to support service development.

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

The Interventional Radiology service is overseen by the Radiology Clinical Director in collaboration with the Head of Operations. The post holder reports directly to the Lead AHP/RN within Interventional Radiology Theatres and holds operational responsibility for their designated units, ensuring the delivery of high‑quality clinical care across a 24/7 service.

This role combines clinical expertise with managerial duties, including providing specialist advice, supporting clinical procedures, and contributing to service development. The post holder will actively participate in the on‑call rota and work closely with the Area Lead and Clinical Lead to manage capacity and demand. They are expected to uphold the standards of the HCPC Code of Professional Conduct and communicate complex information effectively to staff, patients, and carers.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the IR Suite at LUFHT, ensuring consistent service delivery across the 24/7 schedule.
• Provide advanced radiographic expertise in a multidisciplinary setting, supporting services such as Cardiology and Vascular.
• Act as the radiographic lead in alignment with the NHS Long Term Plan.
• Make clinical decisions regarding imaging and contrast media administration.
• Collaborate with lead clinicians to ensure efficient service delivery.
• Participate in patient vetting and appointment scheduling.
• Manage radiology consumables within IR theatres.
• Foster multidisciplinary teamwork and maintain a competent radiography team.
• Support rotation and development of specialist radiographers.
• Ensure compliance with HCPC standards and maintain accurate clinical documentation.
• Supervise and train radiographers across all grades.
• Serve as a Radiation Protection Supervisor.

Radiation Protection

• Ensure patient radiation doses adhere to ALARP principles.
• Follow established radiographic protocols in line with ionising radiation regulations.
• Comply with IR(ME)R 2017 and IRR 2017 standards.

Planning & Development

• Contribute to the design and planning of departmental spaces.
• Participate in equipment evaluation and selection.
• Engage in departmental business planning.
• Influence policy changes affecting Interventional Theatres and broader Radiology services.

About us

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

Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award‑winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women’s Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK’s largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.

For roles at Liverpool Women’s, visit their careers page.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree in Radiography
• Evidence of CPD and attendance at short course relating to Interventional Radiology.
• HCPC registration
• Postgraduate modules in topics relevant to this post

Experience

• Demonstrable experience of working in Interventional Theatres
• Supervision of radiographic staff
• Demonstrable understanding of clinical governance issues in relation to patient care
• Participation in audit projects
• Knowledge of NHS Long Term Plan

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Good leadership skills
• Keep all records up to date in a clear, accurate and concise manner on a day‑to‑day basis
• Ability to work to deadlines
• Ability to manage change
• Ability to train/mentor staff
• Excellent organisational skills – ability to plan and prioritise acting autonomously, able to make a rapid assessment and act appropriately
• IT skills. Word processing, E‑Mail and spreadsheets

Other

• Demonstrate commitment to task
• Works on own initiative
• Works as a team player
• Diplomatic/approachable

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.

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust