Radiographer (XR05)

Job description

Job responsibilities

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.

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

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.

Person Specification

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Professional in attitude and appearance
• Ability to maintain a safe working environment, following trust and national policies and procedures

Qualifications

Essential

• A BSc Diagnostic Radiography, DCR or equivalent and be registered (or be about to register) with the Health Care Professions Council
• Evidence of on-going CPD to satisfy HCPC

Desirable

• Attendance at professional lectures, study days and workshops

Experience

Essential

• NHS experience working in different clinical environments
• Ability to use radiographic equipment for departmental, portable and theatre examinations
• Applying IR(ME)R (2017) and IRR(2017)

Additional requirements

Essential

• Ability to wear lead rubber radiation protection for long periods of time
• IT skills

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

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Employer's website

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