Consultant Radiologist (Cross-Sectional)

Job overview

The Radiology Directorate at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is seeking to appoint substantive Consultant Radiologists with a special interest in oncological cross‑sectional imaging. This post represents an excellent opportunity for candidates who will be eligible for inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register within six months of interview. Interviews are planned for October 2026.

The successful applicant will be based primarily at The Christie’s main site in Withington, with some scope for home working, and will join a well‑established team of 27 Consultant Radiologists. The post holder will be an oncological radiologist with experience across cancer imaging and expertise in CT, MRI, Ultrasound and PET imaging (training in PET‑CT will be provided if required). Experience of chairing Cancer MDTs is expected, and an interest in routine interventional radiology can be supported.

The department undertakes approximately 60,000 examinations per year, delivering services across CT, MRI, Ultrasound, Plain Film, Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine reporting, including regional PET‑CT reporting. Radiologists work closely with oncology and surgical teams and contribute to a wide range of MDTs. Research is integral to the service, with strong involvement in clinical trials, alongside a major educational role supporting the North West School of Radiology and the Christie PET Academy.

Main duties of the job

This is a substantive post of 10 Programmed Activities (PAs) per week, including 2.5 Supporting Professional Activities (SPAs). The role includes participation in the consultant on‑call rota.

Applicants must be on, or eligible for, inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register for Radiology within six months of interview. Appointment is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

When applying, candidates should ensure their CCT date is recorded within the Membership of Professional Bodies section of the online application form, along with their GMC number.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Department Overview The Radiology Directorate comprises 27 Consultant Radiologists, 6 Clinical Fellows and 5 Specialty Trainees (ST2–5). The service is led by a Radiology Service Manager, supported by two Directorate Operations Managers and a Governance Lead. There are three Modality Leads (CT, MRI, and General Radiology/IR/Ultrasound), alongside a Secretarial & Clerical Team Leader and a PACS Manager. The department performs approximately 60,000 examinations per annum, delivering CT, MRI, Ultrasound, Plain Film, Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine reporting. The service also provides reporting for the regional PET‑CT service.

Role Summary The post holder will be based at The Christie and provide senior diagnostic imaging input across CT, MRI, Ultrasound, Plain Film, Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine. They will contribute expert radiological input to multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings across tumour groups within the hospital. The appointee will have access to a shared consultant office with full PACS/CRIS and PC workstation facilities and shared secretarial support.

Clinical Responsibilities As a Consultant Radiologist at The Christie, the post holder will be an oncological radiologist with experience in all aspects of cancer imaging, including expertise in cross‑sectional body imaging (CT, MRI, Ultrasound, with or without PET‑CT) and chairing cancer MDTs. The department currently supports 23 disease‑specific MDT meetings, each led by a consultant and covered by rotas of three to five consultants. The post holder will contribute to at least two MDTs, developing subspecialty expertise in the relevant tumour groups. MDT rotas are reviewed annually to ensure compliance with peer‑review standards and equitable workload distribution. Supporting Professional Activities (SPA) The agreed job plan will include 2.5 SPAs for full‑time consultants, supporting audit, CPD, teaching and research activities. The Trust supports a high‑trust, low‑bureaucracy approach to SPA allocation. SPA timing and location will be agreed with the Clinical Director and reviewed annually through appraisal. SPA output is expected to be productive and evidence‑based.

On‑Call and Emergency Duties The post holder will participate in the consultant on‑call rota (currently 1:26). An on‑call Specialty Trainee provides first‑line cover; consultant attendance is typically limited to complex cases, including selected interventions, complex CT reviews and MRI for suspected spinal cord compression.

Education and Training The department plays an active role in the North West School of Radiology, particularly in oncological subspecialty training, and provides teaching to medical students, foundation doctors and non‑radiology trainees. The post holder will contribute to trainee supervision and undergraduate and postgraduate education as part of their SPA allocation, ensuring junior staff and students receive appropriate support. Compliance with GMC revalidation and College CPD requirements is expected. Consultant involvement in Radiology ST teaching typically averages one hour per week, alongside teaching during clinical lists and supervision of contrast studies.

Research and Audit The Trust strongly supports research through an active Research and Development Committee and Division. The post holder will be encouraged to develop research interests and support ongoing projects. The Trust’s partnership with the University of Manchester and the Manchester Cancer Research Centre provides further opportunities for translational research.

Job Planning Job plans are agreed prospectively and reviewed annually in line with Trust policy. The initial job planning discussion will take place within the first six months of appointment and align to the Trust’s annual review cycle. Reviews will consider clinical activity, education, supervision and professional development objectives.

Job Plan Timetable The timetable below is indicative and will be confirmed on commencement in post.

It is the requirement of the Trust that all new consultant colleagues must have 0.25 SPAs within their job plan to support Trust appraisal and supervision requirements.  This can either be as appraiser or a supervisor for medical staff or Advanced clinical Practitioners.

NB  This timetable is indicative

A typical week would consist of 10 Programmed Activities, typically 7.5 Direct Clinical Care (DCC) and 2.5 Supporting Professional Activities (SPA) or pro rata.  The DCC PAs would broadly comprise 6.5 fixed DCC PAs including 1 PA MDT commitment (variable by week according to rota).  The MDT PA commitment covers the meeting time and preparation time

On call Commitments This role does require participation in the on-call rota. This is currently 1:26. There is an on-call Specialist Trainee, so that consultants are not routinely required to attend the hospital, but are called in where necessary for simple intervention, review of complex CT and for MR of spinal cord compression.