Clinical Trials Radiographer (MRI) in Manchester

Main area Clinical Support & Specialist Surgery Grade Band 6 Contract Permanent Contract Hours 37.5 hours per week (Full time permanent contract) Job ref 413-111981-RI-RS

Site Radiology Research - Q01558 Town Manchester Salary £39,959 - £48,117 Pro rata, per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 19/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

Are you a highly skilled diagnostic MR Radiographer with an interest in research? Seeking an opportunity to make a difference in cancer care? We are looking to appoint an MR Clinical Trials Radiographer (CTR) to join our experienced team in supporting over 450+ cancer research studies.

As an MR radiographer, you will play a crucial role in the accurate and timely diagnosis of cancer patients. Collaborating with a team of experienced radiologists, oncologists and healthcare professionals, you will perform a range of radiographic procedures using state of the art equipment and techniques. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced radiographer with an interest in research looking to further develop their knowledge and skills.

The CTRs liaise with staff across the Research & Innovation directorate to ensure an effective radiology clinical trials service. As part of your role you will be provided with training to extend your scope of practice by participating in radiographer led screening for brain metastases in MRI, as well as vetting and protocolling MR requests.
The Christie People & Culture Plan actively supports AHPs to engage in advanced clinical practice and research from postgraduate through to doctorate level education. Examples include PG Cert opportunities.

This post is 1.0 WTE, this will be split 0.5 FTE with the clinical trials team and 0.5 FTE clinically in the diagnostic MR department.

Main duties of the job

To undertake MR imaging and to support the efficient delivery of the clinical service. To participate in CPD and other developmental activities. Clinical supervision of radiography students.

Communication requirements
To assist in ensuring there is effective communication between the various teams involved with the MR scanning service.
To ensure that patients understand complex information related to their scans. This may involve patients with learning difficulties or other disabilities.

Analytical skills
Assess patient’s clinical condition with relation to the level of risk of giving intravenous contrast.
Adapt radiological techniques/protocols for patient/imaging improvements

General duties
Drive the implementation of new technologies and techniques, staying at the forefront of advancements in MR radiography.
Participation in weekend working and on-call when required by the service.

Research
Participate in departmental audits, research projects and quality improvement initiatives to enhance service delivery.
The successful candidate will have excellent organisational and communication skills, and should be IT literate, with experience of working with spreadsheets and data management. Attention to detail is very important.
An understanding of, or previous experience with, clinical trials processes is desirable but not essential.

Working for our organisation

The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, looking after more than 64,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 25% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.

We are the largest radiotherapy provider in the NHS with one in 20 treatments delivered at The Christie. We have up to 15 linear accelerators operating across our network of sites. We operate the largest chemotherapy unit in the UK on our main site and treatments are also provided at 13 other networked sites, and in patients homes. And as a specialist tertiary surgical centre, we focus on rare cancers, complex procedures, and multidisciplinary approaches to cancer surgery, specialising in colorectal, peritoneal, gynaecological, urological and plastic surgery.

We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We have been named by the UK’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), as one of the best hospitals providing opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research studies, with more than 800 studies open at any time, caring for over 3,000 patients.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Duties:

• Vetting of imaging and biopsy requests to assess compliance with trial protocols, IRMER guidelines and other clinical regulations.
• Scanning of patients in MR.
• Preparation of patients for scanning – including preparation and administration of contrast and moving and handling of patients, where required.
• Provision of specialist care of patients, to ensure their comfort and safety in the department.
• Supporting clinical and research activities delivered in the MR department.
• Consenting patients to radiology led clinical trials and carrying out appropriate clinical trial activities.
• Recognise abnormal images and discuss with the radiologist the necessity for further imaging. Use professional judgement to act autonomously to adjust scanning parameters to ensure high quality imaging to ensure a smooth patient pathway.
• To act as a referrer for orbital x-rays prior to MR imaging, which involves independently assessing the risks and benefits to the patient.
• To undertake all MRI examinations as directed to an acceptable standard and seek guidance as appropriate. Aim to achieve and promote “quality” in all aspects of the radiology service.
• To ensure safety of self, staff and patients/visitors about the use of MRI scanning equipment and adhering to local Operational guidelines, MHRA and local safety screening guidelines.

Communication requirements

• Ensure there is effective communication between the various teams who have input into the radiology services such as diagnostic radiology staff, students, medical physics staff, clinicians, nursing staff, engineers, and others.
• Ensure that patients understand complex information related to their examinations/procedures and to encourage patients to cooperate fully in the process. This may involve patients with additional needs.
• Log incidents via the Trust incident system (DATIX).
• Accurate input of patient data into any Trust system.

Planning and organisational duties

• Review research protocols, imaging protocols, study amendments and modifications, and other related trial documents making judgements regarding imaging investigation requirements and regulatory compliance e.g. Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R), Health Research Authority (HRA) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and other appropriate regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with national standards.
• Ensure compliance within the radiology service of the agreed clinical trials protocols, confirming staff knowledge/skills, specialised equipment compatibility, availability and frequency of imaging.
• Translate complex clinical trial imaging and scheduling requirements into work practices. This may require discussion with Consultant Radiologists and Principal Radiographers for the specific trials, to enable assessment of skills and resources required.
• Act as the main liaison between radiology and R&I for a multitude of projects including organising meetings regarding trial specific requirements, attending site initiation visits, site specific questionnaires, and trial specific training with relevant stakeholders.
• Liaise with Trust Medical Physics Experts (MPE) regarding estimated radiation dose for clinical trials and investigate and record breaches of ethical radiation dose constraints.
• Liaise with Principal Radiographers to ensure maintenance records and calibration of equipment utilised for the purposes of research are maintained in accordance with clinical trial requirements.
• Undertake and update technical evaluations and risk assessments on equipment utilised for trial scanning and inform R&I of any changes.
• Work in a specialist role with accountability for own actions to work independently using own initiative to plan and prioritise own workload
• Ordering of equipment and consumable items.
• Checking patient details prior to examination and ensuring all relevant details are on the request card as per the IR(ME)R regulations. Ensuring pregnancy is excluded in female patients of childbearing years.
• Maintenance of the standards of imaging set by the department.
• Ensuring that any faults in equipment, fixtures, fittings, or fabric of any of the departments are recorded and notified to the appropriate persons, complying with and enforcing current Health and Safety and Moving and Handling regulations.
• Ensure that all relevant radiation protection and safety measures for each department are adhered to, e.g., MR local rules, ionising radiation regulations, IR(ME)R, departmental dose reduction strategies etc.
• Maintaining practices in keeping with departmental and Trust Board policies, e.g., fire regulations, patient confidentiality etc.

Analytical skills

• Adapt radiological techniques and protocols in accordance with the condition of the patient and their mobility.
• Assess patient’s clinical condition regarding the level of risk of giving intravenous and oral contrast medium when relevant.

Responsibilities for information resources

• Possesses advanced IT skills e.g. manipulating databases, working with the full MS suite of software including MS Excel and be competent at report writing.
• Maintain the radiology clinical trials database, including accurate patient data entry, dose limitations, imaging costs for individual patient examinations, and resolution of discrepancies between Trust information systems (CRIS, SECTRA PACs, etc.).
• Ensure patient confidentiality, privacy, data protection, safety and security at all times.

Research and Training

• Take an active role in the training of qualified radiographers, radiography students and students/staff from other disciplines including visiting engineers and clinical trainee staff.
• Maintain expertise in intravenous cannulation techniques.
• To participate in the departmental Continuing Professional Development programme, including participating in appraisal and personal development planning.
• Supervision of junior radiographic staff and radiographic aides as required. Including clinical supervision of radiography students.
• To work with the Radiologists, Clinical Specialist Radiographers and other senior staff in the department to review working practices, identify new ways of working and find solutions to problems.
• Develop and run specific Radiology research training sessions for Christie Radiology Staff and R&I based staff including RECIST reporting, image transfer, induction training to understand the imaging modalities, protocols and procedures within radiology for clinical trials and any other training as needs arise.
• Support departmental audits involving Radiology research, with the ability to lead independent audits and present results to the department.
• Facilitate external audit and inspection visits conducted in relation to research on behalf of the radiology department. Escalating any issues or concerns to the radiology services manager and clinical director, Head of Quality for research.
• Produce, review and adhere to required standard operating procedures (SOP’s) and relevant policies to support the work practice of the post holder to ensure a robust quality assurance (QA) process is in place.
• Maintain and update own practice/expertise and CPD portfolio as per Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration requirements and adhere to the Society and College of Radiographer’s Professional Code of Conduct.
• Continued learning MR specific scanning methods in an oncology setting.
• Contribute to future development and improvement of the radiology clinical trials service in the MR department.
• If an unplanned incident or event occurs that causes a disruption to normal service, you may be required to support radiology scanning clinically.

Physical effort

• Long periods using Display Screen Equipment (DSE).
• Long periods of concentration required.

There is a contractual requirement to participate in weekend working and on call when required.

Any other duties, which after discussion, might be reasonably requested to maintain the smooth running of the department.

Person specification

Qualifications

• DCR (R) or BSc Radiography
• HCPC registration
• Previous relevant course or post graduate study
• Interested in post graduate study
• Competent in administration of IV contrast

Experience

• Good level of MR scanning experience
• Experience in a variety of other Trusts / Departments of Radiology
• Experience of working in an oncology setting
• Experience of or interest in clinical trials
• Experience with training radiography students

Skills

• Analytical skills
• Planning and organisational skills
• Time management
• Self-motivated
• Ability to use initiative
• Ability to work under pressure
• Experience of Microsoft Excel
• Experience of managing workload
• Participation in audit

Knowledge

• Radiography knowledge
• Oncology knowledge
• Knowledge of College of Radiographers policies, and policies that affect the NHS.

Values

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Other

• Reliable
• Ability to use own initiative
• Good general health and attendance record
• Calm under pressure
• Sensitivity and tact
• Smart professional appearance
• Ability to work flexibly
• Desire to work within an oncology hospital
• Desire to improve radiology services

The closing date for this post may be extended if there are insufficient applicants or brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.

We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the government website.

Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with NHS Employment Check Standards . These include:

• Identity verification
• Right to work check
• Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role, payment of this will be the applicants responsibility)
• Professional registration and/or qualification check
• Occupational health assessment
• Employment history and reference validation

All applicants external to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their HMRC employment history to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history andreferences.

If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current government guidance. If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.

If You're Offered the Role - you will be agreeing to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.

The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and will form part of the recruitment process. In the event that you are successful following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.

No Smoking Policy - You should be aware the Trust operates a No Smoking Policy and therefore employees are not permitted to smoke at work.

Additional Information - We want to ensure that everyone who works at the Christie or uses our services is welcomed, valued and treated with dignity and respect.The Christie values diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all and fair representation across the organisation at all levels. In support of these commitments, we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority people and people with disabilities for this post. Appointment will be only on merit.

We are committed to creating a balanced and diverse workforce. As such we welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Together we will foster inclusion and tackle inequity and health inequalities in cancer care.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity in all our activities. We have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery in any of its forms, including slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and human trafficking. We are fully committed to acting ethically and with transparency in all our business dealings and relationships, and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our organisation or supply chains.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Name Ryan-James Roberts Job title Radiology Research Manager Email address Ryan.roberts1@nhs.net Telephone number 0161 918 2487 Additional information

For further information or to arrange an informal visit, please contact Ryan-James Roberts, ryan.roberts1@nhs.net

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