Job responsibilities
Job
Title: Specialist Radiographer
Reports
to: Radiographer Service Manager
Accountable
to: Professional Lead
Band:
band 6
Unit/Department:
Radiology
Directorate:
Radiology and MIS
Location
LTHT
AfC
Job No: 735c
JOB
PURPOSE
Undertake
all the professional, technical requirements of the post as a State
Registered qualified radiographer with the Health Care Professions Council
(HCPC), while working as an autonomous practitioner within Leeds Teaching
Hospitals NHS Trust Radiology Directorate.
To
perform a wide variety of specialised radiographic procedures and
examinations within and outside the X-ray department, eg, on wards and
specialised operating theatres. Patients presenting for examination have
diverse backgrounds and may have complex physical and/or psychological
conditions.
To
manage personal workloads, authorising and prioritising radiological
examinations as appropriate for clinical need.
To
work as a clinical specialist as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing
high standards of patient care, whilst following policies and procedures as
specified by the Radiology Management Team.
The
post holder also undertakes the supervision and specialist clinical training
of radiographer, undergraduate students and other staff as appropriate.
JOB
DIMENSIONS
The
post-holder will be responsible for their own workload for a defined area or
particular patient type working on their own initiative without direct
supervision, managing their own case load. Specialist radiographers will work
within their own scope of practice as defined by the HCPC.
To
contribute to the development and delivery of an effective and responsive
radiology service.
Undertake
practical training and clinical supervision of radiographers, student
radiographers, assistant practitioners and radiographer helpers/assistants as
appropriate, according to department protocols and schemes of work.
To
assess, justify, plan, implement and evaluate a wide range of specialist
radiographic examinations and duties as an autonomous practitioner in this
specialist field.
Maintain
high level of technical and theoretical skills though personal Continual
Professional Development (CPD), in accordance with the requirements of the
HCPC.
KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Attributes
Essential Desirable
Qualifications
BSc
(or equivalent) in Diagnostic Radiography
or
Diploma of the College of Radiographers (Diagnostic)
State
Registration (HPC)
Knowledge
and Experience
Substantial
postgraduate experience, working as a radiographer (or willing to work
towards a training programme under annex 21)
Demonstrates
in-depth knowledge of a wide range of general and specialised radiography.
Knowledge
and insight of current trends in radiographic practice and wider NHS issues.
Attainment
of postgraduate competence as outlined in LTHT Radiography Competency
Framework or equivalent competency based link grade agreement
Computer
skills
Training
Commitment
to undergo all training requirements of the post.
Attendance
at professional lectures, study days & workshops
Evidence
of ongoing CPD, in relation to HCPC requirements.
Expand
upon core knowledge using Evidence Based Practice(EBP)
Personal
Effective
interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability
to work independently and as part of a team.
Professional
and patient focused
Occupational
Health Clearance
Motivated
Team-worker
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
CORE
BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
To
be aware of, comply with all standards of conduct, dress codes and patients
care that relates to radiography acting within the approved guidelines of the
Trust.
To
act professionally, as representatives to the radiology department and their
profession.
To
value team working by effective communication.
Establish
and maintain a professional interest in teaching and learning using a variety
of resources and media
To
be aware of and participate in research
CORE
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Radiographers
will have achieved the range of clinical, professional and personal
competencies such as below
Demonstrate
and expand effective leadership skills.
Assess,
plan, implement and evaluate the specialised clinical examination in order to
produce high quality images.
Have
an understanding of the organisational structure and working practices of
this specialist area
To
have a working knowledge of the professional standards set out by the College
and Society of Radiographers, Health Professions Council and other National
Standards e.g. National Service Frameworks.
PRINCIPAL
DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical
Responsibilities:
To
assess clinical authorisation of radiology referrals in line with the
National Regulations, Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations
(IR(ME)R), 2000, Nuclear medicines and MRI safety and local protocols as
appropriate to the imaging speciality.
Act
in the role of an Operator and Practitioner, within own scope of practice, by
clinically justifying imaging requests from the clinical information provided
referring to the work areas Protocols & Technique Guidelines as a
reference if necessary. As defined in IRMER 2000
To
work without supervision, taking legal responsibility and accountability for
all aspects of your own work.
To
liaise with referral source where clarification is required regarding
selection of the most clinically appropriate imaging examination.
To
act as a point of advice for imaging referrers.
To
act as a point of reference for patient enquiries regarding their referral,
for all issues relating to hospital attendance eg; radiation protection or
MRI safety issues, Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), Interpretation
services and freedom of information services.
To
act as a patient advocate in radiation protection,Nuclear Medicine, drug
safety and MRI safety issues.
To
ensure patients have given informed consent prior to radiographic
examinations and have the knowledge to work within a legal framework with
patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
Applying
a high level of manual dexterity in acquiring accurate, high quality
diagnostic images, whilst accommodating a full range of patient
presentations, adapting standard technique when necessary.
To
undertake the comprehensive assessment and appropriate examination of
patients including those who present with multiple pathologies/conditions.
These patients require the use of advanced investigative and analytical
skills to select and utilise the most appropriate approach to their imaging.
To
cannulate patients and administer medicines under appropriate clinical
prescription or Patient group directive.
Risk
assess potential patient safety issues on a case by case basis (eg MRI safety
screening or medicines administration).
The
ability to work in a stressful environment imparting contentious/difficult
information on a daily basis.
The
ability to deal effectively with emotional and/or aggressive patients and/or
carers on a daily basis. This will necessitate the use of effective
communication skills e.g. to motivate and reassure
To
use a range of verbal and nonverbal communication tools to communicate
effectively with patients about their treatment and examination. This will
include patients who have difficulties in understanding or communicating
Liaise
with relevant teams on aspects of patient safety, eg, child protection team.
To
operate advanced software on specialist Radiological equipment, requiring
excellent hand-eye co-ordination and manual dexterity.
To
review images and ensure that additional images are undertaken where
appropriate, prior to patient departure from the department.
Demonstrate
reflective practice based on knowledge and skills so as to formulate and
deliver diagnostic imaging based on sound knowledge of evidence based
practice and imaging options using clinical assessment, reasoning and skills
and knowledge of other techniques.
To
ensure that images are presented for reporting purposes in a timely and
accurate manner.
Identify
and act upon any abnormalities detected and those brought to you for advice,
using the appropriate system of work.
To
participate in the delivery of an out of hours service.
To
ensure appropriate infection control measures are implemented and utilised
where necessary. Paying particular attention to personal protection and the
management of equipment and linens contaminated by bodily fluids and where
necessary seek professional advice.
To
represent the radiography service at multi-disciplinary team meetings to
ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary service and
diagnostic service.
To
be responsible for a high standard of care, comfort and clinical wellbeing of
the patient, during their examination in the the Radiology departments. This
will involve on occasion delivering some elements normally undertaken by
nursing colleagues.
Operational
Responsibilities:
To
liaise with other clinical and non-clinical departments within the hospital
and various external sources to provide a quality service to patients and
clinicians.
To
effectively liaise with all staff within and outside the Radiology
departments, giving support when necessary.
To
show initiative in being able to provide solutions to service delivery
problems
