Radiotherapy Specialist Practitioner Radiographer (XR06)

Job description

Job responsibilities

To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing specialist radiotherapy treatment & patient support, in line with Trust and departmental policies and procedures. Working as a specialist with proven skills and experience in using a variety of radiotherapy equipment and treatment techniques, organizing the unit activity and staff on a daily basis.

The post holder is responsible for performing with the highest standard of patient care and technical practice in their clinical area while treating patients

JOB DIMENSIONS

The radiotherapy department delivers treatment care packages to approximately 6,500 patients with cancer per year. As experienced professionals, specialist practitioners are expected to maintain the efficient, effective and safe flow of workload in their clinical area.

Specialist practitioners are usually required to rotate through all areas within the radiotherapy service (unless the service requirement is for a static placement), and deputise for the relevant team leader as required. The post-holder is expected to use their experience in supporting and training other qualified professionals, trainees and visitors.

Specialist practitioners may be required to make clinical judgments which fall outside of protocol. They will be required to use their experience, specialist knowledge & initiative in order to achieve the expected results within professional codes of practice, referring to their team leader or appropriate advanced practitioners as appropriate.

The post holder is expected to use specialist knowledge to take action on technical and patient related issues on a daily basis in their allocated area (including amendments to treatments). They must be competent in a variety of situations, referring issues outside their scope of practice to their relevant advanced practitioners.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Technical / Clinical

Responsible for maintaining the highest standards of technical practice and patient care while treating and supporting patients.

Responsible for the checking / calculation of doses and prescriptions in accordance with departmental procedures.

Responsible for the review / subsequent clinical decisions of radiotherapy images.

Develop highly specialised skills/knowledge in specific area of practice in order to further the develop the service and in order to train other staff.

Work as a specialist practitioner for the practical and associated aspects of radiotherapy practice in the clinical area. Ensure own clinical decisions (including non-standard / outside protocol) are underpinned and evaluated by theoretical knowledge and relevant practical experience.

Responsible for keeping up to date with technical practice and offering support, guidance and encouragement to others, to do the same.

Responsible for ensuring all equipment is used appropriately and safely, including administrative and management systems, monitoring equipment performance and reporting faults.

Ensure that departmental standards and procedures are followed on the unit, supporting implementation of procedure changes, and suggesting changes required to optimise the quality of radiotherapy practice/service.

Take an active role in audit, development and research as required, particularly in own area od specialism

Management

Deputise for the team leader when appropriate (e.g Annual leave), managing the unit and staff to maintain efficiency whilst promoting best practice. Assist the team leader in managing the workload of the unit, re-organising clinical workloads when machine breakdown occurs, and ensuring that schedules run effectively and safely, prioritizing as appropriate.

Participate in the clinical training and assessment of junior staff, students (via SHU assessor training scheme), returners, assistants and any other learners on the unit.

Responsible for assisting with quality assurance procedures.

Responsible for ensuring that clinical and technical information, and all information relating to each treatment course undertaken on the unit, is accurately and fully recorded and reported.

Patient Care

Responsible for the care of the patient whilst undergoing treatment.

Assess and monitor patient care needs and organise care including both referral to other disciplines and support by other practitioners.

Responsible for developing specific care plans / pathways (with other disciplines) by providing specialist clinical advice.

Provide appropriate advice and information to patients and carers at all stages of radiotherapy, referring issues to senior staff as appropriate.

General

Representing the views of team members and peers at meetings and workgroups and reporting information back to the team, and seeking feedback as appropriate.

Actively participate in and support activities in promoting and recruiting to the profession.

To work flexibly as required by the service / patient need

Carrying out additional duties as requested by the Head of Radiotherapy, management team or team leader, commensurate with the grade of the post.

Person Specification

Skills and Behaviour

Essential

• Good interpersonal and communication skills at all levels
• Standard keyboard skills

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc in Therapy Radiography or equivalent
• Current State Registration (HCPC)

Experience

Essential

• Significant post graduate experience with evidence of acquired specialist knowledge.
• Organisational skills/decision making
• Proven skills / experience with a variety of R/T equipment and specialist techniques
• Awareness of current trends in R/T
• Basic IT skills
• Proven team working/people skills

Desirable

• Recent experience at senior radiographer level
• Experience of similar radiotherapy equipment
• Awareness of wider cancer issues
• Evidence of personal development, course based team/people management

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).

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)