PACS and Information Manager

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary:

Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS) allows Radiology (X-ray) images to be viewed, manipulated, transferred, from internal and external sources, stored and retrieved by users within the NHS Trust and by outside Clinicians. The system is vital to the patient care pathway and needs to be maintained and functioning at optimum performance 24hours a day, 7 days a week.

In conjunction with the PACS Cross Site Lead and Senior Radiology staff, the post holder will lead, manage, co-ordinate and implement new developments and upgrades of PACS and all Radiology systems for the trust, in conjunction with the service provider.

The post holder will have highly specialist knowledge of PACS and its integration with other IT systems, as well as managing connections with existing and new Radiology equipment, e.g. CT scanner, ultrasound.

The post holder will manage and oversee the relevant voice recognition system, the out of hours TeleRadiology system and the transferring of images via the image exchange portal acting as an administrator and trainer for Radiographers, Consultants and other reporting practitioners within the Radiology Department. Training for image transfer (IEP) will also be provided to other Trust staff where appropriate.

Key Result Areas & Performance:

Provide technical support and advice in the provision of a professional, effective and efficient radiography service and to ensure that patients undergoing examinations receive a high standard of care.

Maintain a PACS issue log and ensure faults are resolved by suppliers in a timely manner, this involves liaising with the National Programme for IT or its equivalent.

Monitor the quality of images, technically and radiographically and initiate action required to solve problems.

In conjunction with relevant leads develop, review and communicate an accurate PACS disaster/ recovery plan. Ensure all Users are familiar and able to operate the plan during planned and emergency downtime.

Maintain a comprehensive record of all PACS related computer equipment and network addresses within the Trust.

Responsible for ensuring clinical and information governance issues in relation to the radiology reporting system and PACS are adhered to.

Complies with Health and Safety regulations, infection control, COSHH and local rules within radiology and the hospital, to ensure the safety of patients and staff at all times.

To ensure own knowledge of current Radiology related policies, at Trust and National levels i.e. IR(ME)R 2000, IRR99. To interpret the potential of changes made in departmental policies in relation to PACS, and any changes to PACS and its compliance of policies.

If required, represent the Trust at regional and area PACS stakeholder forums and be pro-active in the sharing of good practice within own area and in close collaboration with other superintendents and the

Service Manager as well as other local Trusts

In conjunction with Senior Staff, responsible for the establishment and adherence of departmental protocols, reviewing and updating as current practises dictate

Ensure own competence to practise within radiography in relation to PACS

Monitor demands made upon the service by all users, escalate any issues when appropriate.

Access working practices and processes initiating improvements as service requirements dictate Lead, coordinate and directly supervise in the training and induction of staff on the QE site to facilitate new members and service upgrades.

Maintain, lead and implement contingency procedures for both planned and unplanned downtime. Responsible for checking the day to day performances and housekeeping of the PACS system by ensuring patient records are correctly matched and identifiable

To ensure accurate recording of patient and examination details on the reporting system, voice recognition system, and PACS , and correct any defects/discrepancies in data integrity

Maintain integrity of the PACS database, ensuring security at all times by performing regular checks, and if necessary documenting and reporting any breaches

Assess hardware integrity and identify potential risks/problems, and escalating this information to the relevant Trust level.

Arrange and ensure regular servicing of PACS equipment and liaise with the IT Department on PACS/RIS/VR/ Tele-radiology upgrades, new equipment or service requirements and Helpdesk issues, whilst remaining reassuring to all users

Assist with fault finding and manage repair /replacement of failed equipment.

Provide regular reports/stats for Head of imaging/clinical director and senior management as required for departmental performance monitoring.

Ensure outside providers have remote access solutions e.g. Trust dial in facilities; this will involve facilitating communication between the provider and the IT Department, at the Trust.

In conjunction with the Cross site PACS Manager, liaise with the National Programme for IT or its equivalent on service development requirements and confidential contract agreements

Establish and oversee quality control procedures in conjunction with the Service Provider

Manage User accounts by establishing new User IDs and passwords for system users and removing old accounts as required.

Produce departmental statistical activity reports on a regular basis to aid management. These could be daily, weekly or monthly

Workforce

• Participate in audit and research projects, to ensure continuing evaluation of service and practice, implementing any required developments, changes and innovations to practice arising from the findings.
• Develop, implement and maintain PACS equipment competencies for all groups of Trust staff. To be the first line support for clinical users and the Service Provider Helpdesk for PACS, IEP and RIS issues.
• Continually monitor and assess working practices, policies and processes implementing improvements as service requirements dictate.

Financial

To provide information/specifications for the purchase of new Imaging equipment to the Clinical Director and Service Manager directly related to PACS issues.

To take a lead role with the Service Manager on the procurement and evaluation of new PACS equipment for the QE site.

To be aware of the constraints of the Departmental budget, following advice from the Service Business Manager

Take responsibility for the use and ordering of consumables relating to PACS and IT services within Radiology

Ensure innovation forms are completed for new practises and ways of working that are initiated

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

• BSc or equivalent in radiography OR Degree level IT qualification or similar.
• Working Knowledge of PACS/ Medical IT system
• PACS Training
• Experience of working in the NHS & Radiology

Desirable

• Relevant Post Graduate qualification Management training
• Working towards or at masters level

Experience

Essential

• 2 years experience at a senior level
• Experience of team management/supervision
• Good leadership skills
• Demonstrate high standards of technical skills
• Involvement in either project management or a change management process
• Experience and enthusiasm for training staff and students
• Progressive attitude to CPD
• Management and prioritisation of workloads
• Experience of Computed and Digital Radiography including PACS

Desirable

• Able to demonstrate an awareness of managing resources
• Experience in personnel management
• Experience in purchasing/commissioning equipment

Knowledge & skills

Essential

• Able to demonstrate knowledge of a broad spectrum of imaging procedures
• Demonstrate ability in the following: to lead and motivate staff
• Good attention to detail, to plan, prioritise and meet deadlines
• Good communications skills
• Computer literate with knowledge of databases, networks, archive storage operations and associated software
• Confident to act on own initiative

Desirable

• Experience of IT developments
• Knowledge of networks and communication protocols
• Understanding of network infrastructure and hardware
• Database administration knowledge
• Analytical approach to problem solving

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Queen Mary Hospital, Frognall Avenue

Sidcup, DA14 6LT

SE18 4QH

Employer's website

https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)