MRI Clinical Specialist Radiographer

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical

1. Performance of clinical MRI duties as designated by the MRI / CT Lead Radiographer.
2. Work efficiently without supervision, organising and prioritising work, and liaising with clinics and wards to optimise service.
3. Maintain high working standards in clinical MRI imaging.
4. To participate in multi-disciplinary team working.
5. To address the patients health and wellbeing. This includes modification of techniques, involving the manipulation of patients and equipment, to obtain diagnostic information.
6. To carry out all duties to a high standard, appropriately utilising MRI protocols.
7. To take the lead in improving and encouraging good working practices, and to investigate improved ways of working with staff from other disciplines in the MRI service.
8. To take a lead in the training and refreshing of staff and students in MRI.
9. To undertake practical scanning duties as appropriate and undertake any training required.
10. Professionally take responsibility to ensure a high standard of clinical care and patient welfare for all patients whilst in the department and under their management, supporting more junior staff to do likewise by technical excellence.
11. Assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within the legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment.
12. Maintain accurate and concise records of all dose administration received by the patient using the relevant computerised system.
13. Use and promote correct manual handling techniques to all staff in the work area.
14. Ensure that all members of staff and students under post holders supervision follow the MRI local rules and the Trusts MRI Safety policies.
15. Ensure that all members of staff and students under post holders supervision follow the Infection control policies and procedures within the work area.

Managerial/Leadership

1. Act as Deputy to the MRI / CT Lead Radiographer as required.
2. Provide professional and clinical leadership, fostering a culture of support, empowerment, and a progressive attitude to work.
3. Radiography equipment management: support in maintaining comprehensive equipment list and report any faults to the appropriate parties.
4. Alongside the MRI / CT Lead Radiographer to regularly monitor and evaluate the MRI service delivery with particular regard to patient waiting times in line with Government and Trust targets.
5. To lead and actively encourage audit on a regular basis, improving the service for staff and patients.
6. Support the development of annual MRI service action plans, ensuring deliverables are achieved by target dates, taking remedial action where appropriate and informing the MRI / CT Lead Radiographer where there is deviation from the agreed plan.
7. Contribute to the development of guidelines and policies for the MRI service.
8. Assist the MRI / CT Lead Radiographer in managing the team of radiographers in the MRI service maintaining accurate personnel records, monitoring sickness and absence.
9. Ensure full documentation regarding induction of new imaging staff within MRI.
10. Take a lead in organizing the MRI training and refreshing rosters alongside the MRI / CT Lead Radiographer.
11. Work with other service professional staff leads, other modality Leads to ensure the training needs of MRI technical staff are met.
12. Take a role, as required, in the recruitment and selection of radiography/technical staff for MRI, in consultation with the MRI/ CT Lead Radiographer.
13. Ensure a high level of knowledge and expertise is achieved by implementing support strategies so all members of the MRI service meet their training needs and improve their clinical skills.
14. Where required appraise staff, providing recommendations for an individuals need for development and PDR.
15. As required, investigate, and respond to complaints in the MRI service.
16. To assist the MRI / CT Lead Radiographer in implementing any resultants changes made because of complaints.
17. Provide statistics to support service development and changes within the MRI service as required.
18. Be involved in monthly meetings with all imaging staff.
19. To deputise for the MRI / CT Lead Radiographer as required.
20. To assist the MRI/ CT Lead radiographer in maintaining stock levels and assist in organization of the additional lists in MRI if required.

Clinical Governance

1. To comply with trust Health & Safety policies, including attendance at specified mandatory training sessions.
2. To comply with departmental and organisational policies and procedures, including reporting of all accidents and incidents.
3. To contribute to the implementation and promotion of quality service, with continuous re-evaluation of working practices and protocol reassessment when necessary.
4. Identify potential hazards by monitoring the condition of equipment within the department and reporting any defects in a timely manner.
5. All employees of the Trust are required to carry out their duties with due regard to the fair access policy and respect the cultural beliefs and customs held by clients and staff.

Education, Experience and Research

1. Act as a mentor to band 6 radiographers and trainees within the MRI Department.
2. To demonstrate professional expertise and knowledge acquired through degree and HCPC registration, supplemented by short specialist courses and CPD.
3. Participate in appropriate personal development programmes as required and maintain a continuous CPD portfolio.

Organisational

1. Ensure effective co-ordination of Imaging staff in the delivery of the MRI service.
2. Ensure appropriate work systems and processes are in place and that these are followed by all staff and completed to facilitate the monitoring of workload activity levels.
3. In conjunction with MRI / CT Lead Radiographer, rotate staff across to/from other modalities to ensure service needs are met.
4. In conjunction with MRI / CT Lead Radiographer, advise and co-ordinate future developments of services, initiating and managing agreed changes.
5. Ensure all staff use equipment appropriately, that it is maintained and tested with corrective action instigated in a safe and timely manner, ensuring minimal downtime.
6. Ensure Health and Safety regulations are complied with, and risk assessments are undertaken and reviewed.
7. Responsible for reporting incidents and near misses and establishing changes in the MRI service as a response to incidents.
8. Responsible for the induction of MRI Radiographers.
9. Use a logical approach to provide effective problem solving, both technical and administrative.

Communication

1. To maintain a polite, courteous and professional attitude to staff and patients at all times.
2. To maintain effective and efficient communication links within the department and with other directorates, thus promoting a positive image of the department.
3. To communicate highly sensitive information to patients and family, with empathy, providing reassurance and understanding.
4. Develop and maintain relationships and effective communication mechanisms with staff and their representatives in a multi-disciplinary team to provide an effective and efficient MRI service.
5. Effectively liaise with all user groups specifically in the development of core services within MRI.
6. Communicate effectively by taking an active role through verbal, electronic or written methods with professional colleagues, attending meetings as required by the Lead MRI/ CT Radiographer, providing feedback on service progress and departmental planning and to ensure that information is disseminated throughout the whole team.
7. Provide clinicians and non-clinical staff with technical expertise in the field of MRI imaging.
8. Attend and participate in departmental and hospital meetings where appropriate.
9. Support the provision and updating of patient information leaflets for the MRI service.
10. Frequently use both verbal and non-verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with patients who often present with complex barriers to effective communication, including aggressive and abusive behaviour. This will include providing advice to patients, carers and family members in order to promote understanding of the aims of the imaging procedure.
11. Communicate with patients and clients through the use of advocates, information leaflets and if necessary, family members in an appropriate manner to their level and understanding.

Professional

1. To lead by example and demonstrate a high standard of personal work and managerial ability in all duties undertaken through active participation.
2. Maintain own continuing professional development (CPD) and career pathway by attending appropriate post graduate training courses, meetings, lectures, and training sessions to develop, implement and maintain high clinical and operational standards within the MRI service.
3. To actively seek evidence-based practices developed elsewhere, which could be used to develop service delivery.
4. Undertake internal and external training where required (incl. IV cannulation, Induction training, CPR, manual handling, infection control and COSHH and any other appropriate managerial, professional, and technical course) and utilise these skills in the supervision and teaching of others and application of the knowledge gained.
5. Be a reflective practitioner and participate in the staff appraisal scheme and Personal Development Review (PDR) as an appraisee and appraiser.
6. To be able to undertake and implement recommendations from performance review meetings and to identify individual needs for development.
7. Provide direct clinical supervision and training of all MRI practitioners at Liverpool Womens hospital.
8. To support excellent interpersonal communication skills and relations within the team, developing and maintaining these skills within Imaging and other directorates.

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc Diagnostic Radiography or DCR
• HCPC Registration
• Completed IV cannulation course and the injection of contrast agents under PGD.

Desirable

• Leadership / Management training / experience.
• Post graduate qualification in MRI (or working towards).

Experience

Essential

• Extensive clinical experience in MRI with specialist cross sectional knowledge.
• Deputise for CT / MRI Lead when required.
• Participation in Quality Assurance, Clinical Governance programmes as well as Risk and Incident Management.
• Wide experience of MRI scanning techniques and equipment.
• Day to day operational management
• Supervision and training of less experienced radiographers and radiography students

Desirable

• Experience of current trends in MRI and an awareness of developing trends.
• Experience of implementing evidence based practice
• Current experience of research and audit.
• To have participated in implementing change to a service or department.
• Experience of post graduate teaching.

Skills, Knowledge & Aptitudes

Essential

• Extensive experience as a MRI radiographer performing a wide range of MRI examinations.
• Evidence of recent CPD relevant to the role.
• Ability to train/mentor staff and to adapt teaching / training styles in response to the needs of the trainee.
• Good IT skills eg. Word processing, E-Mail and spread sheets.
• Evidence of participation in audit and service improvement.
• An awareness of general issues facing NHS
• Ability to recognize service development and improvement opportunities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including good command of English language. Ability to organize and prioritise workload and delegate when required.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• To have effective problem solving skills.
• Ability to organize and prioritise workload and delegate when required.
• Ability to meet deadlines and use own initiative.
• Good time management
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Desirable

• Good analytical and organizational ability.
• Experience of research.
• Knowledge of management theory including personnel management, incident & Risk Management and Health & Safety.
• Ability to initiate and implement change
• Experience as a Radiation Protection Supervisor.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Demonstrates commitment to task.
• Demonstrate positive attitude.
• Works on own initiativeWorks as a team player
• Demonstrates a positive and empathetic approach to patient care.
• Able to lead, support and motivate other members of the team.
• Able to demonstrate Trust values and behaviors in day-today approach to work.
• Commitment to the continuous development of staff and self.
• Commitment to developing culture of openness and partnership.
• Able to act as an ambassador for the service and department.

Physical Attributes

Essential

• Professional appearance
• Able to operate manual handling aids as provided by the department including patient slide boards, sheets, hoists and trolleys.
• Able to wear radiation protective equipment for short periods if required.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).