Job Vacancies

Interventional Radiology Band 5 Nurse

NHS AfC: Band 5

• Interventional radiology
• NHS AfC: Band 5
• Permanent: M-F varying days, 0800-1800 (9.25 hour shifts)
• • Full time
  • Part time
• 418-DTO1371-KA

• Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHSFT
• Luton
• £31,049 - £37,796 pa pro rata
• Yearly
• 23/11/2025 23:59
• 02/12/2025

Job overview

The Interventional Radiology team at Luton and Dunstable Hospital is seeking experienced Band 5 Nurses to join our dedicated unit, delivering high-quality care to patients undergoing a range of IR procedures.

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 using their initiative to provide excellent patient care. 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

Circulate for open vascular surgery

Able to stand for long periods

Able to work a mix of shifts/varied days

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

Safely administer sedation after receiving sedation training

Work closely with the Nurse in charge to ensure the day's list runs efficiently

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

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 supervisor for Nursing students, support MDT students

To take a Link Nurse role

Working for our organisation

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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The patient group consists of outpatients and inpatients from within every clinical area of the hospital receiving diagnostic and interventional radiological procedures.

The department performs various vascular and non vascular procedures/surgical interventions in theatres (e.g. angioplasty, IVC filter, EVAR, thrombectomy, Nephrostomy, percutaneous biopsy, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drain/stenting (PTBD/S). More complex cases are performed under GA, there is a requirement for Nurse administered sedation for others.

The IR team also work in the radiology department - CT and Ultrasound (for biopsies, drainages). The post holder will be required to circulate in vascular theatres.

Combined surgical cases are performed in the theatre suite alongside the surgical theatre team. The department experiences continually changing lists, which are altered according to patient urgency and capacity, staff must have the ability to adapt to changing situations.

The post holder will be involved in working in all of the above areas.

Responsible for setting up the theatre/room and necessary equipment for a procedure, preparing sterile trolleys for procedures.

The post holder will be expected to perform as a scrub nurse assisting the radiologist by preparing specialist equipment and handling and receiving it throughout procedures whilst anticipating the requirements of the operator. The scrub nurse must maintain the sterile field at all times.

The circulating nurse will be responsible for monitoring the patient, providing the scrub nurse & operator with necessary sterile and specialist equipment, maintaining excellent documentation and administering medications and providing reassurance to the patient throughout the procedure. Communicate changes in patient condition. The sedating Nurse will monitor the patient’s condition, administer IV sedation, IV analgesics, antibiotics etc.

To communicate with patients and significant others with empathy and reassurance regarding their assessment, care and treatment using a user centred care approach. Some patients may be anxious/distressed.

Care for patients with barriers to communication, may lack capacity or whose first language is not English.

To be responsible for the unsupervised assessment of patient care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of plans of care, ensuring high standards of evidence based care. To provide pre procedure information and ‘what to expect’ to patients. We use an Integrated care pathway document to guide assessment and care of patients.

Communicate with clinical areas about preparation and follow up care for patients.

Recover interventional department patient post procedure and escort to wards/day case unit, give effective post procedure handover.

Nurse led discharge of biopsy patients, following discharge criteria.

Specialist knowledge is essential when experienced. To achieve IR/Theatre Nurse competences within designated time frame.

All Nursing staff need to have a good knowledge of the intra-procedural equipment available.

Adhere to the Radiation Safety and Protection Regulations IR(ME)R (2000) and the Health & safety at work act.

Achieve and Maintain ILS (immediate life support) qualification.

Achieve and maintain Blood transfusion competence.

Achieve and maintain competence to use medical devices such as IV pumps, blood glucose monitor, coaguchek, obs machine, capnograph, PCA, hoist, bair hugger, fluid/contrast warmer, suction, oxygen, lithotripsy device, thrombectomy device, electric trolleys.

To maintain accurate nursing records using appropriate documentation in accordance with the NMC recommendations and Trust guidelines.

To flag issues with compliance/patients who may lack capacity for procedures

Organise own workload to ensure efficiency.

Participate in clinical audit and research as required.

Safe medicines management including administering/ordering controlled drugs.

With appropriate support and training supervise unqualified staff, to ensure that they have the knowledge, skills and resources to carry out delegated aspects of care.

Utilise & role model good communication and a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care.

To assist in the maintenance of a safe environment for all staff, patients and visitors and ensure that all equipment is in safe working order. Report malfunctioning equipment and remove from use.

Participate in the implementation of new initiatives.

Assist in the maintenance of stock and pharmacy stores.

To ensure confidentiality and safekeeping of patient records.

To be responsible for reporting incidents and potential risks to the Nurse in charge/lead nurse.

To act as an effective role model to all levels of staff.

To assist with the orientation of new members of the team & students.

Attend mandatory training and demonstrate a commitment to personal continuing professional development and actively participate in Performance Review/appraisal.

To assist with the education of pre registration students and health care assistants in collaboration with the rest of the team.

Assist in providing relevant health education and information for patients including advice and care on discharge.

Contribute to a well motivated team who are committed to learning and improvement

To always behave in a manner that is professional, positive and polite.

Develop the role by using evidence-based practice and continuously improve own knowledge, following SOP’s and guidelines.

The post holder is required to act in accordance with NMC Code of Professional Conduct with particular reference to limitations of competence and conduct.

Accessing blood results and Nervecentre EPMA/patient clinical history & information, evolve patient records system, IPM patient management system, online rota system, Opera/theatre management system.

Communicate with the Nurse in charge regarding patient condition, workload issues and personal development.

Physical requirements:

Frequent moving & handling of patients using PAT slides and slide sheets, hoist when necessary.

Wearing lead aprons for radiation protection for much of the day often for long periods of time (2hrs+).

Prolonged periods of standing particularly when scrubbed or circulating during procedures.

Prolonged periods of concentration particularly when scrubbed for lengthy procedures.

Dexterity to use wires/syringes/balloons/embolization coils/particles, stents etc.

Exposure to radiation.

Exposure to bodily fluids.

Exposure to sharps.

Person specification

Skills

Essential criteria

• competent scrub Nurse
• competent IR scrub Nurse for vascular and Non vascular
• IV drug administration competence
• pre assessment capability
• Recovery skills competent
• Cannulation competence
• Safely monitors & responds to NEWS2 observations
• BLS competent

Desirable criteria

• Sedation trained/competence (UK safe sedation/Sedate:UK or equivalent) or willing to undertake
• Student assessment qualification (SSSA/MSPP)/willing to undertake
• Active in previous link Nurse role
• Experience of Criteria based (Nurse led) discharge
• ILS trained or willing to undertake
• Blood product administration competent

Attitude & communication

Essential criteria

• Evidence of working well in a team to achieve goals
• Self aware of impact of own behaviour on others
• Self motivated to achieve team workload and goals
• Professional attitude displayed
• Excellent communication skills- e.g. verbal, non verbal, via phone, in writing, online systems
• IT competent in patient management systems, e-roster, emails

Desirable criteria

• Conflict resolution/de escalation training
• Experience of training other team members
• willing to undertake further training

Training

Essential criteria

• NMC registration
• Up to date with mandatory training

Desirable criteria

• Student teaching/assessing- MSPP/SSSA or equivalent
• Completed training course within last 2 years
• IR specific qualification

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Awareness of RCN Radiology Nursing Guidelines
• Can discuss preparation & equipment needed for a range of IR procedures

Desirable criteria

• Has attended radiation protection training

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

• Name
• Emily Metcalfe
• Job title
• Interventional Radiology Lead Nurse
• Email address
• emily.metcalfe@ldh.nhs.uk
• Telephone number
• 01582 718174
• Additional information

• please email if you would like to arrange an informal visit to see the department and team

If you have problems applying, contact

• Address
• Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust
  Lewsey Road
  Luton
  Bedfordshire
  LU4 0DZ
  
• Telephone
• 01582 497325

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