NHS Radiography Interview Questions (UK) — full prep guide 2026
NHS radiography interviews are structured, scored and predictable — if you know what to look for. Panels work through a scoring grid mapped to the person specification, marking each answer against essential and desirable criteria. This guide covers the 30 questions you're most likely to face across Band 5, 6 and 7, what each one is actually testing, and the STAR structure that consistently scores top marks.
How NHS interview scoring really works
Most trusts use a scoring grid (0–3 or 0–5) for each question, mapped to one or more criteria from the person spec. Your job is to evidence each criterion explicitly — being 'good in general' won't score.
Panels are usually 2–3 people: a senior radiographer or modality lead, a service manager, and often an HR observer for safeguarding the process. Sometimes a service user representative.
Tie-breaks come down to two things: how well you mapped to essential criteria, and how clearly you showed CPD and reflective practice.
Clinical & technical questions (10)
1. Walk us through the IR(ME)R duty holders and your responsibilities as an Operator.
2. How do you justify a non-trauma CT head request out of hours?
3. What's your approach to ALARP in paediatric imaging?
4. A junior radiographer images the wrong patient. Walk us through the next 60 minutes.
5. How do you check a request for clinical justification?
6. Describe your approach to imaging a confused or non-compliant patient.
7. What infection control steps would you take after imaging a patient with a confirmed transmissible infection?
8. How do you manage a contrast reaction in CT?
9. Talk us through your role in the WHO surgical safety checklist in theatre imaging.
10. How do you stay current with new imaging guidance (e.g. NICE, RCR, SCoR)?
Behavioural & values-based questions (10)
11. Tell us about a time you challenged a senior clinician.
12. Describe a time you delivered difficult feedback to a peer.
13. Give an example of leading a service improvement.
14. Tell us about a complaint you handled.
15. Describe a time you went above and beyond for a patient.
16. Tell us about a mistake you made and what you learned.
17. Give an example of multidisciplinary working.
18. Describe a time you supported a colleague who was struggling.
19. How do you handle conflict in a busy department?
20. Tell us about your most significant CPD activity in the last year.
Service, governance & leadership (10) — Band 6 & 7 focus
21. How would you induct a Band 5 onto an unfamiliar modality?
22. Describe a clinical governance issue you've raised. What changed?
23. How do you prioritise an over-booked CT list?
24. Walk us through how you'd lead a Datix investigation.
25. How would you build a business case for a new piece of equipment?
26. How do you balance throughput targets with quality?
27. Tell us about a time you mentored a student or new starter.
28. Describe a service redesign you'd propose for this department.
29. How do you ensure equality and inclusion in patient care?
30. Where do you see your career in 3 years?
STAR answer framework that scores top marks
Situation: one sentence — where, when, your role.
Task: what you specifically had to achieve, with the standard or policy that applied.
Action: 3–4 bullets of what YOU did — verbs, decisions, escalations. Never 'we'.
Result: measurable outcome + the change or learning you embedded. This is where most candidates lose marks.
Final 48-hour prep checklist
Print the person spec. Map one STAR story to every essential criterion.
Prep 3 questions for the panel — about CPD support, modality rotation, and team structure.
Re-read the trust's most recent CQC report (free on cqc.org.uk) — quote one finding back.
Practise out loud, not in your head. Time each answer at 90–120 seconds.
Get the route, parking, and dress code locked in 48 hours before.
Practise NHS interview questions live
Run an AI interview simulator with panel-style questions and STAR feedback.
Start a practice interviewFrequently asked questions
How long is a typical NHS radiography interview?
30–45 minutes for Band 5, 45–60 minutes for Band 6/7. Many include a short presentation or scenario task — confirm with the recruiter before the day.
Should I bring a portfolio?
Always. Even one A4 folder with your CPD log, a recent audit, and any reflective writing demonstrates the habits panels score highly. Bring three copies — one per panellist.
Can I ask about salary at the interview?
AfC pay is fixed so there's nothing to negotiate, but it's reasonable to confirm starting pay point, unsocial hours rota and any retention premia near the end of the interview.