As someone who has supported thousands of UK professionals in advancing their careers over the past 25 years, I know just how vital it is to present yourself with a CV that stands out. If you are aiming to secure a role as a NHS Radiography Assistant, your CV is your most powerful tool for opening doors to interviews and exciting career opportunities within the NHS. This role plays a crucial part in patient care and diagnostic services, and employers will be looking for candidates who demonstrate technical knowledge, compassion, and the ability to work under pressure.
The importance of the NHS Radiography Assistant role
An NHS Radiography Assistant works closely with diagnostic radiographers to prepare patients for imaging procedures such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans. You’ll be responsible for supporting patients physically and emotionally, maintaining equipment, handling patient records, and ensuring strict health and safety standards are met. This is a hands-on role that requires empathy, attention to detail, and excellent communication skills.
Salary expectations for an NHS Radiography Assistant typically range from £22,383 to £24,336 per year (Band 2 to Band 3 on the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale). With experience, training, and progression, this can rise further. Beyond salary, this role offers job security, the opportunity to work in a respected healthcare profession, and a pathway to further qualifications and senior NHS careers.
Why your CV matters more than ever
Competition for NHS roles can be fierce. Recruiters and hiring managers may receive hundreds of applications for a single role. A tailored cv template that is well-structured, compelling, and keyword-optimised will make all the difference in getting shortlisted. Remember, your CV is not just a record of your work history – it is your personal marketing document. It tells your story, demonstrates your passion for patient care, and proves your suitability for the role.
Crafting an interview-winning NHS Radiography Assistant CV
When preparing your cv example, the goal is to showcase the skills, experience, and values that the NHS expects. Here’s how to do it step by step.
Start with a strong professional profile
The first section of your CV should be a concise personal statement – around 4–6 lines that highlight who you are, your experience, and what you bring to the role. This is your elevator pitch. For example, you might highlight your passion for patient support, your hands-on experience in healthcare environments, or your knowledge of diagnostic imaging processes.
Highlight relevant skills and competencies
NHS recruiters will be scanning for evidence of key skills such as:
Excellent patient care and communication skills
Ability to follow health and safety procedures
Technical knowledge of imaging equipment
Teamwork and collaboration
Administrative accuracy in maintaining records
Your CV should include a dedicated skills section where you list these clearly. Use bullet points for easy readability and mirror the language used in the job description.
Professional experience – showcase your impact
In your work history section, always start with your most recent role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe your responsibilities and achievements. For example:
Supported radiographers in preparing over 40 patients daily for imaging procedures, ensuring a compassionate and professional approach.
Assisted in maintaining diagnostic equipment to comply with NHS safety standards, reducing downtime by 15%.
Coordinated patient records with 100% accuracy, streamlining administrative processes.
This not only demonstrates what you did but also the positive results of your actions.
Education and training
List your qualifications in reverse chronological order. Include GCSEs, A-levels, or BTECs if applicable, as well as any healthcare-related diplomas, NVQs, or CPD training you have completed. If you’ve attended NHS training sessions or completed e-learning modules, mention these too.
Additional sections that boost your CV
Professional development – showcase any short courses, certificates, or voluntary NHS training.
Achievements – highlight recognition, awards, or standout moments.
Interests – mention hobbies that reflect teamwork, resilience, or a caring nature (e.g., volunteering, sports, or community work).
Advice for graduates entering the NHS
If you are a graduate or someone without direct healthcare experience, don’t worry. Focus your CV on transferable skills such as communication, organisation, and teamwork. Draw from experiences in education, part-time jobs, or volunteering. For example, retail jobs demonstrate customer service, while volunteering in care homes shows empathy and commitment. Emphasise your passion for healthcare and willingness to learn.
Advice for middle management applicants
If you have worked in healthcare for a few years and are looking to move into a supervisory or senior assistant role, your CV should reflect leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Show evidence of training new staff, managing rotas, or contributing to departmental improvements. Employers want to see not only your technical ability but also your potential to take on greater responsibility.
Advice for senior professionals
For those at senior assistant level or looking to step into radiography leadership, highlight your expertise in mentoring, policy compliance, and strategic thinking. Demonstrate how you’ve improved patient care processes or contributed to efficiency savings within the NHS. Senior CVs should balance technical detail with leadership achievements.
General CV structure for success
A winning NHS Radiography Assistant cv template should be structured as follows:
Contact details (name, phone, email, LinkedIn)
Professional profile (personal statement)
Key skills section
Professional experience
Education and qualifications
Additional sections (achievements, training, interests)
Keep it to 2 pages maximum, well formatted, and easy to scan quickly.
The do’s and don’ts of a Radiography Assistant CV
Do’s:
Tailor your CV to the NHS job description.
Use action words like “supported,” “assisted,” and “delivered.”
Quantify achievements where possible.
Keep formatting clean and professional.
Proofread carefully for spelling and grammar.
Don’ts:
Never send a generic CV. NHS recruiters can spot one instantly.
Don’t overcrowd the page with long paragraphs – make it skimmable.
Avoid jargon or abbreviations that may confuse non-clinical HR staff.
Don’t exaggerate – honesty is key in healthcare applications.
Final tips for creating an NHS Radiography Assistant CV
Remember, your CV should reflect both your technical ability and your human side. NHS employers want staff who are caring, reliable, and motivated by patient wellbeing. Every section of your CV is an opportunity to reinforce these values.
If you’re applying through the NHS Jobs portal, ensure your CV matches the application form. Consistency between the two documents will strengthen your application. And always keep your LinkedIn profile updated to mirror your CV – employers often check.
A persuasive call to action for your career success
Creating a standout CV is not easy, but it is essential if you want to secure that interview and progress your NHS career. With over 25 years of career coaching experience, I specialise in helping healthcare professionals like you craft CVs that truly get noticed.
If you’d like expert support in transforming your cv example, polishing your LinkedIn profile, and increasing your chances of securing your next NHS role, I’d be delighted to help.
👉 Book an appointment today and let’s work together to create a CV that gets you interviews and opens the doors to your next career opportunity.
