The Role and Significance of an NHS Band 7 Radiography Team Leader
The Band 7 Radiography Team Leader plays a vital leadership role within the NHS, overseeing the delivery of high-quality diagnostic imaging services. This position bridges clinical expertise with managerial responsibilities, ensuring that radiographic services are safe, effective, and patient-centred. Team Leaders at this level are often responsible for supervising staff, implementing protocols, ensuring compliance with regulations, coordinating rotas, supporting professional development, and driving quality improvements.
In terms of salary, the NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) Band 7 pay scale typically ranges from £43,742 to £50,056 per annum (as of the 2024–2025 NHS pay bands). This compensation reflects the responsibility of managing teams, equipment, and service delivery under increasing demands within a modern healthcare system.
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Top 20 NHS Band 7 Radiography Team Leader Interview Questions and Sample Answers
Can you describe your leadership style?
Sample Answer: I take a collaborative and supportive leadership approach, focusing on empowering team members while maintaining accountability. I encourage open communication, provide mentorship, and promote evidence-based practice.
How do you manage conflict within a radiography team?
Sample Answer: I address conflict early using open dialogue, active listening, and mediation techniques. I aim to understand each perspective and find a resolution that aligns with team values and patient care.
What experience do you have with service development or quality improvement initiatives?
Sample Answer: I led a QI project that reduced patient waiting times for CT scans by 25%. I used PDSA cycles to trial scheduling changes and collaborated with other departments for workflow alignment.
How do you ensure compliance with radiation safety regulations?
Sample Answer: I conduct regular audits, ensure all staff complete mandatory training, and collaborate with Radiation Protection Advisors (RPAs) to maintain up-to-date local rules and protocols.
Describe a time you dealt with a challenging staffing issue.
Sample Answer: When we had unexpected sickness absence, I reorganized the rota, contacted bank staff, and ensured priority cases were covered without compromising patient care or overloading staff.
How do you support the continued professional development (CPD) of your team?
Sample Answer: I hold quarterly 1-to-1s, promote CPD resources like e-learning and study days, and encourage participation in peer-led training sessions and journal clubs.
What steps would you take if a team member consistently underperforms?
Sample Answer: I’d start with a supportive one-to-one to understand the root cause, set clear expectations, and offer mentoring or training. If performance didn’t improve, I’d follow HR and capability procedures.
How do you handle high-pressure or emergency situations?
Sample Answer: I stay calm, prioritize critical imaging needs, delegate tasks efficiently, and ensure clear communication across the MDT. Post-event, I debrief with the team to evaluate performance.
Can you give an example of a successful team change you led?
Sample Answer: I led the transition to a new RIS/PACS system. I arranged staff training, gathered feedback during rollout, and created FAQs to smooth the change and reduce anxiety.
How do you stay updated with radiography best practices and innovations?
Sample Answer: I subscribe to journals like Radiography, attend webinars, network via SoR events, and participate in NHS leadership communities.
What’s your approach to clinical governance?
Sample Answer: I embed governance through regular audits, incident reporting, learning from errors, and using feedback for service improvements.
How do you ensure equitable patient care across all demographics?
Sample Answer: I promote inclusive practice, ensure all staff receive EDI training, and monitor imaging access data to address disparities.
Tell us about a time when you improved patient experience.
Sample Answer: I introduced a patient feedback form specific to radiology. Based on responses, we improved signage, reduced noise, and created a child-friendly waiting area.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing radiography today?
Sample Answer: Workforce shortages, increasing imaging demand, and maintaining quality under pressure. Technology adoption and recruitment are key focus areas for me.
How would you manage implementing a new imaging protocol?
Sample Answer: I’d consult stakeholders, trial the protocol, provide training, and monitor KPIs such as scan accuracy, safety, and patient throughput.
How do you ensure your team works effectively with other departments?
Sample Answer: I promote interdepartmental meetings, encourage shadowing, and ensure communication pathways are clear and respectful.
How do you balance clinical and managerial duties?
Sample Answer: I plan my week in blocks, set priorities, and delegate tasks when necessary, ensuring I remain hands-on while maintaining oversight.
How would you deal with a data breach involving patient imaging?
Sample Answer: I would follow the NHS data protection protocol, report to the Caldicott Guardian and IG team, inform affected patients if needed, and lead a root-cause analysis.
What role does audit play in radiography services?
Sample Answer: Audit identifies performance gaps, ensures standards are met, and provides measurable data to improve patient care and efficiency.
Why do you want this Band 7 Radiography Team Leader position?
Sample Answer: I’m passionate about leading high-performing teams and believe my clinical experience, leadership skills, and commitment to service improvement align perfectly with this role’s vision and goals.
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Interview Preparation Tips and Final Encouragement
Securing a Band 7 position is an exciting career milestone. To give yourself the best chance:
✔️ Research the Trust’s values and align your answers accordingly.
✔️ Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for structuring answers.
✔️ Bring specific examples of leadership, change management, and patient care.
✔️ Practice aloud or in mock interviews to build confidence.
✔️ Dress professionally and arrive early (or log in early for virtual interviews).
Finally, believe in your experience and your ability to lead with compassion, integrity, and excellence. You’ve worked hard to reach this point—now it’s your time to step forward and shine in your leadership journey.
Good luck—you’ve got this!
