Radiographer (XR05)

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

1. JOB DETAILS

Job Title: Radiographer

Reports to: Team Manager

Band: 5

Department: Radiology

Location Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust

AfC Job No: 300a

2. JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY

The Radiology Service delivers a diagnostic and treatment service for approximately 600,000 patients a year. The Service comprises several imaging modalities, each with up to 100 staff, providing a high quality clinical radiology service for patients.

The Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust provides tertiary and secondary care and covers a wide geographical area. Radiology Services are provided on several sites across Leeds. The post holder may be required to practice their skills at various sites across the trust, in order to provide and maintain a high quality patient focussed service.

The job holder will be a state registered Radiographer with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and work as an autonomous Radiographer Practitioner undertaking a wide range of general radiographic examinations and fluoroscopy procedures.

The job holder will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing a high quality radiology service for patients, adhering to policies and procedures as specified by the Trust and Radiology Management Team.

The job holder is responsible for performing with the highest standard of patient care and technical practice in their clinical area whilst imaging patients and will adhere to the codes of conduct of behaviours of the professional body, The College of Radiographers and the HCPC. They will ensure the interests of the patient are maintained at all times, including acting as a patients advocate as necessary.

There is a requirement to participate in the out of hours service.

3. Organisational chart - See attached JD & PS

4. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Clinical:

Comply with LTHT Radiation Safety policies including Local Rules and Employers Procedures in line with National Regulations eg IRR17 and IRMER2017

Work to local protocols.

Act in the role of Operator* while carrying out all aspects of clinical imaging employing the appropriate work areas Protocols *as defined in IR(ME)R 2017

Following entitlement will act in the role of Practitioner* in accordance with LTHT IR(ME)R Employers procedures and following departmental protocols to justify and authorise medical exposures

Act as a patient advocate in radiation protection issues.

Ensure patients have given informed consent prior to radiographic examinations and where necessary advise them of the potential risks.

Apply a high level of manual dexterity in acquiring accurate, high quality diagnostic images, adapting standard technique when necessary.

Operate advanced software on specialist radiological equipment, requiring excellent hand-eye co-ordination and manual dexterity.

Review images and where necessary, to seek advice when additional images may be required, prior to patient departure from the department.

Ensure that images are presented for reporting purposes in a timely and accurate manner.

Recognise and identify radiographic abnormalities, following training and authorisation and using the appropriate scheme of work (Red Dot / Comments)

Prepare and clear away preparation trolleys for contrast examinations.

Ensure appropriate infection control measures are utilised, paying particular attention to personal protection as well as the management of equipment and linen contaminated by bodily fluids.

Responsible for the care, comfort and clinical well-being of the patient during the radiological examination. This includes the monitoring or administration of pre-prescribed oxygen under direct supervision

Liaison with safeguarding and external agencies when suspicion of patient in danger, for example, child protection team

Taking an active role in audit, development and research (on an occasional basis)

Understand the emergency procedures in the departments worked in and responsibilities in a MAJAX

Administrative/Operational Responsibilities:

Effectively liaise with all disciplines of staff.

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

Communicate negotiated changes to staff rosters to a senior radiographer.

Organise personal workload in line with clinical priorities.

Report deficits in the data integrity of the Radiology Information System (RIS) and Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS).

Report clinical, non-clinical and radiation incidents in line with Trust and departmental risk management policies.

Enter accurate patient and examination data into RIS and

Maintain accurate records at all times.

Understand the contingencies required when electronic systems fail.

Familiar with the range of technical applications available on Imaging Equipment.

Ensure that equipment faults are reported to the relevant Senior Radiographer.

Assist in regular Quality Assurance (QA), including equipment testing.

Equipment duties:

Wear personal protective equipment when required

Care for, check and maintain high standards of cleanliness of clinical equipment to minimise spread of infection

Maintaining high standards of cleanliness in examination rooms to minimise spread of infection

Ensure safe disposal of linen and clinical waste from the department

As part of the radiology team ensure all equipment is maintained to a high standard and used appropriately.

Multi-disciplinary Team working and Communication Skills:

Assess specific communication needs of individual patients, where there may be barriers with communication e.g. complex/sensitive nature of information.

Communicate effectively and empathetically with patients and their escorts prior to, during and after an examination.

Work as part of the multi-disciplinary team within and without the radiology department, taking responsibility for defined tasks as determined by a Senior Radiographer.

Act as a source of information for Radiology Assistants and students.

Maintain effective verbal and/or written communication and working relationships, with patients, colleagues, other hospital staff, relatives and visitors

Recognise the potential for conflict in relationships and seek to minimise this and contribute to effective communication and team working.

Ensure that the confidentiality of all information gained in the course of undertaking the role is safeguarded and maintained in accordance with professional, local and national guidelines and regulations e.g. Data Protection Act (1998).

Recognise and report when a patients well-being may be at risk by reporting to safeguarding.

Information and Record Keeping:

Ensure written and electronic records are maintained accurately and timely for self and others.

Ensure the computerised picture archiving and communication system is the accurate record of the examinations undertake on every patient imaged.

Participate in ethically approved audit projects, including gathering evidence for best practice assessment, either of their own work, that of the department or others, as required.

Other duties:

Assist in promoting the overall aims of the department.

Assist in the supervision and clinical instruction of undergraduate radiography students and other trainees.

When required provide mentorship and/or preceptorship support

Complete formalised weekly report forms for under-graduate radiography students, in accordance with University requirement

Work with others to evaluate use of resources to develop high standards of patient care and achieve value for money initiatives.

Maintain and develop an appropriate level of professional knowledge and understanding to enable the safe delivery of practice.

Participate in the individual performance review system.

Participate in personal development needs that may be identified by the team manager or in the appraisal process in an agreed timeframe.

Responsible for own mandatory training and ensure it is up to date

Supervise safe work practices of NHS staff and students in a hazardous environment.

Attend departmental meetings when required.

Additional duties as requested by the management team, commensurate with the grade

5. THE LEEDS WAY VALUES

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

Patient-centred

Collaborative

Fair

Accountable

Empowered

All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values. Additionally the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:

Commitment to ensure high quality care is delivered.

Commitment to working in a multi-disciplinary team.

Commitment to promoting a positive working environment.

6. WEST YORKSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF ACUTE TRUSTS (WYAAT)

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients.

By bringing together the wide range of skills and expertise across West Yorkshire and Harrogate we are working differently, innovating and driving forward change to deliver the highest quality care. By working for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust this is your opportunity to be a part of that change.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc (or equivalent) in Diagnostic Radiography or equivalent. (or pending)
• State Registration (HCPC).
• Commitment to undergo all training requirements of the post.
• Expand upon core knowledge using Evidence Based Practice (EBP).
• Evidence of on-going CPD to satisfy HCPC.

Desirable

• Attendance at courses such as IV cannulation, Student Assessment, Red Dot etc
• Attendance at professional lectures, study days and workshops

Skills & Behaviours

Essential

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Professional in attitude and appearance.
• High standards in hygiene, manner, attendance and competence at all times.
• Ability to maintain a safe working environment, following trust and national policies and procedures
• High level of manual dexterity required.
• Ability to work in all clinical areas including high dependency and intensive care units
• Computer skills e.g. advanced keyboard and mouse skills.

Desirable

• Commitment for career progression
• Communication skills enabling the Radiographer to work with varying patients with different needs

Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of radiographic equipment and its use in different clinical environments
• IR(ME)R (2017) and IRR(2017)

Desirable

• Awareness of Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)

practical skills or Additional Requirements

Essential

• Ability to wear lead rubber radiation protection (8kg) for long periods of time, along with radiation monitoring PPE device.
• Ability to carry radiographic equipment across the hospital site i.e radiographic cassettes (5kg)
• Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post, including clearance on blood borne viruses in compliance with Trust Policy

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.

UK Registration

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

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

Wharfedale General Hospital

Newall Carr Road

Otley

West Yorkshire

LS21 2LY

Employer's website

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