Highly Specialist Radiographer (XR06)

Job description

Job responsibilities

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Clinical Responsibilities:

To act as Operator Practitioner and where necessary, Referrer within their own scope of practice by clinically justifying examinations as defined in the IR(ME)R 2000 and local departmental protocols. To undertake the comprehensive assessment and appropriate examination of patients including those with diverse/complex/multi pathological presentation. This may necessitate the use of advanced investigative and analytical skills to assess, and evaluate different imaging options to obtain the best outcome for the patient. To expedite the reporting of images where an abnormality that would affect patient management has been detected.To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients within this specialist field and organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and allocation of resources. To work effectively to provide the optimum level of service, with an unpredictable work load.To liaise with the referrer when clarification regarding selection of the most clinically appropriate imaging examination is required.To ensure a high standard of clinical care for patients within the department including monitoring & ensuring the standard of care delivered by other staff.To provide clinical guidance, advice and assistance relating to specialised MRI techniques & procedures, to medical staff, junior radiographic staff, student radiographers and helpers/assistants, developing their clinical knowledge and skills. To provide advice to patients regarding their referral, and their hospital attendance for example; MRI safety issues, Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), Interpretation services and freedom of information services.To act in the patients best interests in relation to MRI safety measures.To assess individual patients understanding of the diagnostic procedure, ensuring valid consent to the procedure is obtained, working within the legal framework for patients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment.Applying a high level of manual dexterity in the acquisition of accurate, high quality diagnostic images, whilst accommodating a full range of patient presentations and adapting standard technique when necessary. This may include performing some extremely specialised and rarely performed techniques.To match the clinical indications presented by the referrer to the most appropriate departmental protocol and act as a source of advice to others in the request & selection of the most appropriate imaging series.Liaise with appropriate bodies in matters of patient safety for example, child protection team. To operate advanced software on specialist Radiological equipment, requiring excellent hand-eye co-ordination and manual dexterity. To review images (own and others) to ensure that appropriate additional images are taken prior to the patient leaving the department.Demonstrates and encourages reflective practice based on knowledge and skills.To ensure that images are presented for reporting purposes in a timely and accurate mannero recognise, and act upon radiographic abnormalities detected and those brought for advice, within the appropriate system of work.To work, without supervision, taking legal responsibility and accountability for all aspects of work.To ensure appropriate infection control measures are implemented and utilised where necessary, using appropriate personal protection measures; including the safe management of equipment and linens contaminated by bodily fluids. Where necessary, seeking professional advice. To ensure that workload is scheduled to minimise the infection risk to others.To be responsible for the care, comfort and clinical well being of the patient, during their examination in the x-ray department. This includes the use of monitoring equipment or the administration of oxygen or suction as required.To use evidence based practice to enhance the radiographic service.

Operational Responsibilities:

As delegated by the team manager/advanced practitioner, be responsible for the management of workflow, responding to changes in demand for radiology services, this may include liaising with other clinical and non-clinical departments within and outside the hospital to provide a service.

Day to day organisation of staff and workload to provide an effective and efficient service.

To act as liaison between the team manager and other staff members

Be able to address and provide solutions to service delivery problems, in unforeseen circumstances, using the available resources effectively to maintain smooth delivery of service/patient care.

To provide guidance to external users of the service regarding the deployment of radiographic resources e.g. Theatre and ward usage.

To participate in the safe transfer of patients and equipment within the department and hospital, using Trust manual handling guidelines and risk assessments.

Support the team manager, in the management of change which affects the specialist services.

To supervise and monitor systems of work, reporting/notifying areas for improvement to the superintendent/appropriate manager.

To attend, lead and contribute to regular departmental meetings.

Disseminate information to others in specialist clinical areas.

To report deficits in the data integrity of IT systems in use within Radiology and the trust.

Undertake first line fault investigations within the department for system and equipment faults.

To ensure (including the monitoring of others) that the input of patient data into Radiology IT systems within the specialist area is accurate.

To support and assist in the training of radiology, clerical and medical staff on Radiology IT systems.

To be able to implement back up measures in times of system failure, ensuring that accurate patient and examination data is recorded.

Be able to retrieve photographic and digital images including image manipulation/ recovery from radiology systems.

Ability to manoeuvre equipment to within fine tolerances in confined and/or sterile environments

Able to operate, give guidance and support in the operation of manual handling equipment and Radiology equipment.

Initiate remedial action to address equipment faults, malfunction. Notifying and taking appropriate action where necessary.

In departments with analogue imaging systems, and using processing chemistry, the appropriate protective equipment will be utilised. This must be in accordance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CoSHH) 1999.

Liaise with teams which are not part of radiology to manage work flow effectively; for example, portering, domestic services, A&E floor managers and contractors.

Managerial Responsibilities:

To support the team manager, and in their absence, assist in the running of the department.

As delegated by the team manager under take additional duties as reasonably requested that are commensurate with the grade of the post.

Participate in the day to day organisation of staff and workload to provide an effective and efficient service

To support the team manager in the maintenance of records and in the organisation of training programmes

To assist in the monitoring and co-ordination of annual leave and off duty to ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained.

To provide cross-cover at certain times of the day to ensure colleagues have entitled periods of rest.

As delegated by the team manager, undertake staff performance development reviews, and participate in the professional development process, including the production of individual personal development plans, that link to the Knowledge & Skills Framework (KSF).

To accurately document via DATIX clinical and non-clinical incidents in line with Trust and departmental risk management policies, taking appropriate measures to reduce or remove risks in the future.

To ensure that equipment faults are reported to the team manager, communicated with the vendor engineer by the help-desk and documented appropriately.

To recognise damaged or dangerous equipment and remove it from clinical use as soon as possible

To assist in Quality Assurance (QA), including equipment testing.

Assist in the recruitment, selection of junior staff as delegated by the team manager radiographer

Day to day organisation, of departmental workload reflecting clinical need.

To coordinate the operation of the MAJAX procedure, when required

To undertake first-line complaint handling, dealing with problems in the absence of the Lead CMR Radiographer

To be aware of targets/co-ordination and escalation polices in use within the dept/trust

Person Specification

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Communication skills enabling the radiographer to work with varying patient groups with differing imaging needs
• Understanding of imaging referral criteria
• Ability to work in a team and demonstrate a positive team building approach
• Demonstrates The Leeds Way values
• Be aligned with the Leeds seven commitments

Desirable

• Ability to work independently and use own initiative to solve problems and make decisions
• Ability to demonstrate independent contributions to service and team building

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of clinical practice and CPD to an appropriate level
• Understanding of specific legislation or guidance appropriate to MRI
• MRI modality experience

Desirable

• Cardiac Imaging experience
• Experience of quality assurance and audit programmes
• Significant post qualification experience
• Experience in supervision/direction of students and assistants

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc (or equivalent) in Diagnostic Radiography
• Diploma of the College in Radiographers (Diagnostic)
• Registration (HPC)
• Evidence of commitment to undergo in-post training requirements

Desirable

• Research module at degree level or evidence of research in practice
• Post Graduate Qualification or equivalent in specialist area
• Contribution to CPD programme
• Completion of IV cannulation training
• Cardiac MRI knowledge

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

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Employer's website

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