Radiology IR Nurse - Band 6

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Luton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Trust in Luton seeks an experienced Radiology IR Nurse to provide high-quality care and lead a dedicated team during procedures. Candidates should have acute hospital experience, strong patient assessment abilities, and effective communication skills. The role involves coordinating with medical staff and supporting students. Join a friendly team committed to excellence in patient care.

Benefits

Access to training and development programs

Supportive clinical environment

Commitment to equality and diversity in recruitment

Qualifications

• Must have experience in an acute setting, including care for clinically unstable patients.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse patient population.
• Willing to maintain and develop competencies in nursing practice.

Responsibilities

• Care for patients undergoing procedures and provide emotional support.
• Assist in the preparation of sterile fields and equipment.
• Oversee safety and comfort of patients before, during, and after procedures.

Skills

Patient assessment and observation skills

Experience in acute hospital setting

Scrub nursing support

Effective communication

Time management

Emergency decision-making

Education

Active NMC registration

Completed SSA qualification or willing to work towards

Tools

Radiology management system

IV sedation

Job description

Go back Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Radiology IR Nurse - Band 6

The closing date is 03 October 2025

The Interventional Radiology team at Luton and Dunstable Hospital is seeking experienced Band 6 Nurses to join our dedicated unit, delivering high-quality care to patients undergoing a range of IR procedures. This role also involves coordinating our close-knit team during shifts to ensure smooth and effective service delivery.

We pride ourselves on being a small, friendly team committed to excellence in patient care and experience. In the coming year, we will be relocating to a cutting-edge Hybrid theatre, expanding our capacity to provide both vascular and non-vascular interventional radiology services.

We are looking for individuals with strong patient assessment and observation skills, who are confident leading during procedure lists. To be considered, candidates must have experience in an acute hospital setting, including caring for clinically unstable patients and providing scrub nursing support for both vascular and non-vascular IR procedures.

As part of a small team within a larger department, the ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively is essential. If you are passionate about delivering exceptional care and thrive in a dynamic clinical environment, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

Care for patients undergoing procedures, monitoring obs, administering medications, insert cannula, monitor CBG, provide emotional support to patients

Pre-assess patients for interventional radiology procedures using pre assessment criteria, provide patients with information about their procedure

Care for patients & monitor them post procedure, transferring to recovery/wards

Assist with the preparation of sterile fields and specialist equipment, Scrub Nursing, circulating (nephrostomy, biliary stenting, angioplasty, embolisation)

Assist with CT and Ultrasound biopsy and drainage procedures in the Imaging department

Able to stand or long periods

Able to work a mix of shifts, the longest shift being 0700 - 1900

Wear lead aprons during fluoroscopy cases which can be for long periods

Safely administer sedation after receiving sedation training

Work closely with the IR lead Nurse to uphold standards and develop the team

Work independently to organise, co-ordinate and prioritise own daily workload

To encourage time keeping and efficiency during list times

Liaise with Radiologists about procedures, make bookings via booking clerks, liaise with bed managers, specialist Nurses and wider team to facilitate smooth procedures

Act as a practice assessor for Nursing students, support students from the MDT

Delegate tasks to other team members when leading the list, problem solve issues during the shift. To deputise for lead Nurse when they are away

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities

Assist with the organisation, delivery and evaluation of nursing care for patients undergoing procedures within the IR theatre and Imaging department. this includes vascular and non vascular cases, CT and ultrasound biopsy and drains. This includes caring for terminally ill, disabled, elderly and confused patients

Oversee the safety and comfort of patients before, during, and after procedures, discharge of patients if stable using discharge criteria.

Recognise and act effectively in both medical and non-medical emergencies.

Make decisions to ensure safe patient care with support from IR consultant/lead Nurse, use problem solving skills

To assist with the development of other staff & team members, upholding high clinical and professional standards

Communicate effectively and sensitively verbally, face to face and by telephone with a wide range of clinical technical and administrative staff across the Trust, patients, relatives/Carers and visitors to the department. This will include patients whose first language may not be English.

Assist the Radiologist in diagnostic procedures according to professional training and departmental protocols

To arrange imaging appointments as required, liaising with wards, radiographers, theatres, staff and patients, dispensing any necessary preparation and instructions

Assist in the co-ordination of the reception, transfer or admission of patients in conjunction with medical and bed management team

Assist with arranging transfers of patient information to other hospital site within the trust to arrange procedures cross site

Act as sedating/monitoring nurse, scrub Nurse, and circulating Nurse (sedation training can be provided)

Practice and monitor the correct wearing of PPE (lead aprons) where necessary

Preparation of sterile trolleys including the correct labelling of drugs in syringes, assisting in the use of guide wires, catheters and interventional equipment whilst maintaining sterility/asepsis

Participate in the assessment, planning and implementation of moderate sedation, administering sedative drugs and monitoring sedated patients (sedation training can be provided)

To frequently deal with unpleasant conditions within the clinical environment. This will include bodily fluids, unpleasant odours, and disposal of bedpans.

Safe moving and handling of patients and equipment

Wearing lead apron for prolonged periods when in fluoroscopy environment

To accurately input details on to the Radiology management system; to update patient details, record information post procedure and scan all documents on system.

Assist in ensuring that equipment is kept clean, faults reported and defective equipment removed from use

The post holder is expected to be able to use their initiative while in this busy environment and be prepared to continually improve their practice, assisting with the introduction and implementation of procedures, protocols and other documentation.

Assist with the maintenance and monitoring of stocks and materials within the clinical areas, ensuring that adequate stock levels maintained, to include drugs

Ensure that infection control precautions are upheld within the care environment

Inform Lead Nurse / Imaging Operations Manager of any matters affecting professional standards of patient care and work with them to solve issues

Assist in the checking, ordering and administration of Controlled and other Drugs within the clinical environment

Responsibility for the co-ordination of Student Nurse Placements (with lead Nurse)

To be professionally accountable for all aspects of own work including the management of own workload

To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice, maintain and develop personal portfolio

Responsibility to maintain IRMER regulations and be aware of radiation protection regarding staff and patients

Participate in the development of professional practice within the Imaging Department, to encourage and uphold high standards of professionalism

Participate in the training and education programme for all departmental staff, assist with training new staff

Be able to demonstrate and supervise nursing procedures to/by qualified and unqualified staff

Attend and actively participate in staff meetings

Adopt and adapt to new initiatives & introduction of new procedures in the department

Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with all members of the multi-disciplinary team

Participate in the Trust appraisal system and maintain a personal development plan

Be involved in audit and clinical governance processes within the department

Participate in the achievement of departmental objectives

Maintain awareness of and adhere to Trust and local policies and procedures; ensure that they are complied with at all times.

Relevant documentation issued by statutory bodies be adhered to.

Participate in the utilisation of research and development

Person Specification

Experience

• Radiology theatre experience
• Experience in theatres/radiology/cath lab or similar within last 18 months

Professional registration

• Active NMC registration
• Current registration

Qualifications

• Completed SSA (Standards for Student Supervision & Assessment)/MSPP/student assessor qualification or willing to work towards ASAP
• Evidence of student assessor role
• Works effectively in a team
• Self aware, of impact of own behaviours on the team and the patient
• Positive outlook, values all team members
• Evidence of positive team contributions
• evidence of diplomacy in difficult conversations

Skills

• Evidence of good attitude self awareness and contributing to positive environment at work
• Able to preassess patients
• Calm and professional during emergencies
• Immediate life support (or willing to undertake ASAP)
• Good attitude and self awareness demonstrated at interview
• Experience in EVAR/embolisation/thrombectomy
• Recovery experience
• Blood product administration
• IV drug administration
• IV sedation (moderate sedation) qualified- national safe sedation/sedate:UK or equivalent

Evidence of CPD

• course attended within last 2 years, in house or external
• keeps up to date with mandatory training
• Revalidation maintained
• Link Role Contributions

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.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust