Senior Therapeutic Radiographer

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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Job summary

This role offers an opportunity to be part of the dynamic radiotherapy team at UCLH. The post holder will undertake rotations between the photon and proton departments and will work across a wide range of areas; pre-treatment, treatment-prep, the treatment units and brachytherapy.

UCLH is seeking a committed individual with the energy and focus to continue building on the existing service of excellence.

Radiotherapy services at UCLH are delivered across two departments. The photon department is equipped with Varian TrueBeam systems with advanced imaging packages and 6DoF couches. The department has a comprehensive brachytherapy suite and a Gulmay skin unit. UCLH is one of only two NHS sites delivering proton beam therapy across the NHS. The proton beam therapy (PBT) department is equipped with Varian ProBeam gantries with advanced imaging packages and robotic couches. Both departments have a dedicated CT scanner and the PBT department also has a dedicated MRI scanner.

The department delivers radiotherapy services for a broad spectrum of cancers comprising of common cancers as well as specialist treatments including brachytherapy, molecular radiotherapy and total body irradiation. The PBT department focus's predominantly on head and neck, brain and sarcoma treatment sites. Paediatrics and TYAs make up approximately one third of the patient cohort.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be accountable for own professional actions. They will work autonomously within the legal, ethical and professional framework provided by the professional body. Work within the quality system at all times. They will question and propose changes to procedures when necessary, to maintain the validity and appropriateness of the system.

The post holder will have the ability to deputise for Band 7 radiographers on a regular basis with respect to unit management and delegation. This ensures the continuity of patient flow through the department.

The post will be required to prioritise daily tasks, taking into consideration the patients' needs and the capability of the team. They will react and reorganise the workload in response to unforeseen circumstances, such as machine breakdown, in such a way as to minimise disruption.

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

At UCLH, we have a real 'One Team' ethos, and our values - safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.

Date posted

22 March 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£42,471 to £50,364 a year Per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

309-UCLH-4123

Job locations

UCLH

235 Euston Road

London

NW1 2BU

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Key Result Areas

Work independently, or closely with the Band 7 radiographer, to coordinate the efficient, accurate patient focused planning and delivery of ionising radiation following evidence based protocols.

To reflect upon current practice with the ultimate aim of refining and improving patient focused protocols.

Daily evaluation of the patients condition, drawing on expert knowledge and experience to intervene where necessary. This may include discussion with the wider multi-disciplinary team to devise an appropriate course of action.

Obtain further written informed consent prior to radiotherapy planning.

Develop relationships for up to eight weeks with patients, relatives and carers; offering advice and guidance to explain the management of radiotherapy side effects.

Assess the side effects daily, make appropriate referrals and arrange adequate follow up care.

Use effective communication skills to provide and receive highly confidential, sensitive and complicated patient information. The radiographer must seek and maintain patient cooperation and trust using expert skills to support and empower them through the care pathway.

Always seeking to improve knowledge and skills base via independent research and keeping abreast of the scientific and technological changes in radiotherapy e.g. by reading professional journals.

Being proactive in developing and improving own competence record, in a personal portfolio, in line with continuing professional development objectives required by the professional body.

Work with junior members of the radiographic and medical team to cascade knowledge and experiences to develop their learning.

Participate in research and development and take part in audits to propose changes in practice using an evidence based approach and evaluative skills.

Assist in the development of protocols, documentation systems, standards, policies and clinical guidelines for use by the multi-disciplinary team, meeting the needs of an ever evolving practice in terms of patient management.

Must maintain all patient records accurately within the quality system framework and be involved in weekly checks to ensure accuracy of all staff.

Document, report and evaluate radiation and patient/ staff/ equipment related incidents / near misses.

Work within ICRU 50 / 62 guidelines and ensure all professional parties are adhering to these guidelines in terms of tumour delineation and treatment.

To be compliant with IR(ME)R

Cancer care is one of the top three strategic priorities for UCLH. Our vision is to become Europes premier Cancer centre. An ambitious programme of transformation and investment underpins this vision.

UCLH is seeking a committed individual with the energy and focus to continue building on the existing service of excellence and the ability to lead in their area of expertise.

The role requires liaison with the multi-disciplinary team to ensure best practice with respect to patient care prior to, during and following radiotherapy treatment.

They will facilitate the development, training and integration of junior members of staff.

They will rotate throughout all areas within both the Photon and Proton services and will participate in the departmental on call service in the photon service.

They will be required to continually looking to improve existing methods and create new solutions to optimise the care and service provided to the patients.

The post holder must be extremely competent and comfortable with the use of computer software, e.g. for administering patient treatment, image manipulation, and virtual simulation, in a highly technological environment.

At UCLH (University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) our success starts with you.

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the largest and most successful Foundation Trusts in the UK with an international reputation and a tradition of innovation.

Based in the busy West End of London, we have a lively and vibrant working atmosphere, with quick and easy transport links to all our sites. Our size and resources enable us to offer a range of attractive benefits as well as unparalleled education and development opportunities for staff at all levels. This includes an extensive portfolio of academic and clinical courses and programmes ranging from ongoing personal development through to clinical excellence and leadership skills. UCLH prides itself on its investment in staff both in terms of developing career skills but also its commitment to staff health and wellbeing.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

*In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the second year in a row.

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.