Subspecialty: Interventional Radiology

In short: Interventional radiology (IR) uses imaging guidance to diagnose and treat disease through minimally invasive procedures, from biopsies and drains to embolisation, angioplasty, stenting and tumour ablation. In the UK it is the only GMC recognised subspecialty of clinical radiology: an indicative six years of training (ST1 to ST6) leading to a CCT in clinical radiology with interventional radiology subspecialisation. It is procedural, patient facing and has heavier on call than diagnostic radiology.

Written by Yiannis Skarparis, Consultant Interventional Radiologist. Last checked: 23 September 2026.

What interventional radiologists do

• Vascular: angioplasty, stenting, embolisation for haemorrhage, aneurysm repair (EVAR) with vascular surgery, venous intervention
• Oncological: thermal ablation, transarterial chemoembolisation, radioembolisation, biopsy and port insertion
• Non vascular: drainage of collections, biliary and urinary intervention, gastrostomy, vertebral augmentation
• Emergency: trauma embolisation, GI bleeding, postpartum haemorrhage, at any hour

A typical week

Procedure lists most days, a clinic or ward round for pre assessment and follow up, MDTs (vascular, hepatobiliary, oncology), some diagnostic reporting and on call. IR consultants consent their own patients, review them after the procedure and manage complications.

Training route in the UK

• Indicative six years, ST1 to ST6. The first three years follow the clinical radiology curriculum and the same FRCR examinations. The next three follow the interventional radiology curriculum.
• Two routes in. IR designated posts can be preferenced at ST1 national recruitment. Registrars on other posts can apply competitively for IR subspecialty training from ST4.
• Certificate. Under the current GMC framework there is no CCT in IR itself; the subspecialty is recorded against a CCT in clinical radiology.
• Post CCT fellowships are common for subspecialised work such as neurointervention or complex aortic.
• EBIR (European Board of Interventional Radiology) is an optional additional qualification, not a UK CCT requirement.

Check the current interventional radiology curriculum and recruitment guidance on the RCR and NHS England websites; the structure has changed in recent years.

Key competencies

• Vascular access, wire and catheter skills
• Image guidance across ultrasound, fluoroscopy, CT and cone beam CT
• Consent, communication and pre and post procedural care
• Radiation protection for staff and patients
• Decision making in emergencies

Lifestyle

Pros: hands on treatment, direct patient impact, a varied caseload and a strong job market: the RCR 2025 census reports a 27% shortfall of vascular and non vascular IR consultants. Cons: more on call than diagnostic radiology, physical demands of lead aprons and long procedures, occupational radiation exposure, and emergency work at unsocial hours. Many find the procedural satisfaction worth it. Decide with your eyes open.

Is IR for you

Probably yes if you want procedural work, direct patient contact, variety and pressure. Probably not if predictable hours are your first priority, you dislike physical work, or you prefer analysis to practical skill.

Getting started

• Tell your training programme director early
• Arrange IR taster sessions during core radiology years
• Attend BSIR events and IR courses
• Build ultrasound guided procedural skills
• Shadow IR registrars and consultants on call

Common questions