Superintendent Radiographer - MRI

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity for either a MRI Radiographer with management experience or a Senior MRI Radiographer wishing to make their next career move the opportunity to join a dynamic, skilled and supportive team of three MRI Superintendent Radiographers, working alongside the MRI Lead Superintendent at the Denmark Hill site. As part of the Superintendent team, you will be leading a large, highly skilled group of dedicated MRI Radiographers delivering a 24-hour service across six Siemens scanners. This role offers an excellent opportunity to help shape and operationally lead a busy, complex, and evolving service.

The department is equipped with two state-of-the-art Siemens Sola 1.5T, 3T Siemens Vida and three Siemens Aera 1.5T scanners. A project is underway to replace the Siemens Aera units with new, state-of-the-art equipment, further enhancing service capability.

We perform a comprehensive range of examinations, including cardiac (CMR), neuro, gynaecology, musculoskeletal (MSK), vascular, HPB, breast, paediatric, and interventional MRI.

The roster supports a maintaining a healthy work-life balance with Superintendent Radiographers working four 10-hour days, Monday to Friday.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be an expert in the field of MRI and will maintain that expertise at the highest level. They will demonstrate strong clinical leadership and be responsible for the supervision, training, and ongoing competency assessment of all staff working within the MRI service. The role involves day-to-day operational management, ensuring the timely, efficient, and cost-effective delivery of MRI services while upholding the highest standards of patient care. The post holder will work closely within a multidisciplinary team and will deputise for the MRI Lead Superintendent Radiographer as required.

In addition to their clinical responsibilities, the post holder will lead on the development and delivery of the MRI training programme for radiographers and student radiographers, ensuring it is regularly reviewed and updated.

As a member of the Radiology Management Team, the post holder will contribute to the strategic direction of the department, including the formulation and implementation of local, Trust-wide, and national policies and guidelines. They will also play a key role in workforce recruitment, retention, and staff development, including leading appraisals, managing sickness and performance, and supporting the wellbeing of staff across the service.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide timely, efficient and courteous provision of radiographic services to the agreed standards of the department, taking account of the patients’ clinical, physical, and cultural needs.
• Demonstrate a logical, flexible, and innovative approach to problem-solving on a daily basis.
• Contribute to departmental guidelines; ensure policies and procedures are up to date, available, and developed in line with Trust and national standards.
• Support the Lead Superintendent with auditing image quality, working alongside vendor applications and MRI physicists when required to improve sequences and develop future MRI innovations and system upgrades.
• Apply in-depth knowledge of anatomy, pathology, and equipment to determine appropriate imaging techniques for individual patient conditions.
• Be responsible for the safe use and maintenance of complex, high capital cost specialist imaging equipment.
• Monitor key performance indicators, identify trends, and take action to maintain acceptable performance levels. Escalate issues to the Lead Superintendent Radiographer – MRI
• Support the investigation of complaints, incidents, PALS enquiries, and near misses, ensuring learning and improvement opportunities are implemented..
• Contribute to service improvement and redesign in line with the NHS Long Term Plan and local service strategies.
• Monitor, report and act on equipment faults, assessing severity and impact on service delivery.
• We support flexible working applications. However, there is a requirement for the post holder to be on site for at least 80% of the working week to ensure visible leadership, timely support for staff, and effective on-site problem solving.

Management Responsibility

• Lead, coach and manage the performance of the team, ensuring excellence is recognised and underperformance is addressed.
• Act as team leader, providing support and leadership to radiographers working within MRI.
• Conduct appraisals and objective-setting for radiographers and assistant practitioners in line with Trust processes.
• Ensure team compliance with all statutory, mandatory, and professional training requirements.
• Manage staff absences, including sickness, ensuring appropriate return-to-work processes, accurate e-rostering, and minimal disruption to service delivery.
• Participate in recruitment and selection of staff, working alongside the Lead Superintendent.
• Identify and develop talent within the team, supporting succession planning and internal development.
• Review skills mix and job descriptions regularly to optimise resource utilisation and allocation.
• Maintain staff wellbeing, support morale, and champion a culture of zero-tolerance for bullying and harassment.
• Support new staff through their induction programme.
• Ensure compliance with all Trust and local policies, protocols, and procedures.

Communication

• Deal sensitively with patients and carers under emotional stress, including the terminally ill and bereaved.
• Communicate complex information relating to MRI procedures and associated risks to patients, carers, and staff.
• Collaborate effectively with Radiologists, Cardiologists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals during procedures.
• Liaise with independent sector providers as needed to support patient flow and service continuity.
• Promote and demonstrate Trust values through effective communication and team engagement.
• Ensure effective communication between all staff within and outside the department to support service delivery.

Professional and Practice Development, Training, and Education

• Act as a role model and clinical expert to facilitate learning through example and education.
• Provide professional support to other radiographers.
• Lead training and development of radiographers, student radiographers, and radiology registrars/fellows in the use of complex MRI equipment.
• Develop, deliver, and update MRI training packages in collaboration with senior colleagues.
• Attend management meetings and contribute to the strategic direction of the MRI service.
• Ensure the MRI environment and equipment are managed in line with Trust Health and Safety policies.
• Work with the Lead Superintendent to manage relationships with third-party providers, ensuring seamless service integration.
• Review and develop protocols to improve service planning and quality.
• Maintain personal CPD and support the CPD needs of others; participate in the department’s CPD programme and attend internal/external training events.

Knowledge, Training, and Experience

• Act as an MRI Authorised Supervisor and Operator in accordance with MHRA guidelines, overseeing equipment and patient safety in the MRI environment.
• Assess clinical justification of referrals and ensure safety throughout the imaging process.
• Provide expert consultation to the multi-disciplinary team on MRI imaging matters.
• Operate advanced MRI software and lead on protocol development.
• Perform a wide range of MRI procedures, including specialised cardiac imaging, to a high professional standard.
• Be familiar with MRI-specific emergency procedures, including quench, fire, and cardiac arrest protocols.
• Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and escalate appropriately to the Lead Superintendent.
• Support coordination of MRI services in collaboration with the admin team.
• Safely administer contrast media via injector pumps and other drugs according to protocol.
• Maintain competency in line with departmental frameworks and take responsibility for personal development.