Job summary
We are looking to recruit a
committed, patient focused Senior Therapeutic Radiographer (band 6) to come and
join our friendly team here at the Worcester Oncology Centre for a fixed term
of 12 months to cover maternity leave.
As a senior radiographer you will
be working with and deputizing for a team leader on set or in the pre-treatment
area
Where are we? We are based in a
new bespoke purpose built building on the Worcestershire Royal Hospital site,
with beautiful views of the Malvern Hills and the Cotswolds. Worcester is a
thriving city on the banks of the River Severn, close to areas of outstanding
natural beauty. We have close links to the M5; Birmingham, Cheltenham and
Bristol are all within easy reach.
Who are we? We are a small
friendly team of approximately 35 radiographers. We have 3 Elekta Linacs 2 of
which are capable of 4DXVI as well as a superficial unit and a Cannon wide bore
CT scanner. We are paper light utilizing Mosaiq which is currently shared with
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire and our own Raystation planning
system
We strive to ensure that all
patients are treated in a supportive and calming environment. As a result, we
offer excellent facilities for patients including Radiographer led clinics as
well as site specialist radiographers.
We provide placements for
undergraduate students from Birmingham City University.
For an informal
discussion or visit please contact Claire Bode Claire.Bode1@nhs.net
Tel 01905 761431
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be an experienced practitioner rotating through the Radiotherapy Department providing clinical technical services using a range of highly specialist Radiotherapy Treatment and planning equipment.
The post holder will work with and deputise for the treatment or pre-treatment Team Leaders (band 7) in managing the caseload, staff and equipment of their designated unit maintaining associated records and delivering evidence based, patient centred care.
The department provides clinical placements for student Radiographers and the post holder will be expected to participate fully in the supervision, training and assessing of students.
About us
Our purpose is simple - Putting Patients First. We are looking for exceptional colleagues who can help us achieve this.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.
The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester
Our workforce is nearly 6,800 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision - working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities, leading and supporting our teams to move 4ward. Our 4ward behaviours, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.
Our objectives are simple:
- Best services for local people
- Best experience of care and best outcomes for our patients
- Best use of resources
- Best people
Better never stops, and our Clinical Services Strategy provides a clear future vision for our Trust, our hospitals, our services and our role in the wider health and care system.
We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Duties:
Clinical/Technical
- Take responsibility for the correct interpretation, application and delivery of routine and complex Radiotherapy treatment prescriptions using advanced clinical skills
- Ensure that highly specialist Radiotherapy equipment is used safely and accurately within the tolerances defined for the technique/ procedure and in accordance with manufacturers guidance and departmental protocols.
- Undertake verification processes evaluating the accuracy of treatment using portal imaging or CBCT, ensuring that results are systematically analysed to maintain treatment accuracy.
- Clinically justify any deviation from department protocols or predetermined tolerances keeping appropriate records and calling on other members of the multidisciplinary team for further advice / action as necessary.
- Ensure that in-vivo dosimetry measurements are undertaken for patients receiving external beam treatment and act on measurements that are out of tolerance.
- Undertake treatment localisation and verification using CT scanner and virtual simulator acquiring appropriate images and ensuring that all setup information is recorded accurately and unambiguously, including undertaking cannulation and IV contrast administration.
- Identify and undertake appropriate pre-treatment processes including:
- Patient scheduling
- Production of vsim treatment plans
- Input and checking of treatment critical data using the patient management system (Mosaiq)
- Transfer of images
- Electronic checking of complex treatment prescriptions
- Collation of all treatment accessories and requirements prior to the patients first visit
- Evaluate results of these processes and take appropriate action in line with departmental procedures.
- Liaise with other members of the multidisciplinary team to coordinate treatment related processes to ensure a seamless pathway for the patient. This will include:
- Arranging the manufacture of immobilisation devices, lead masks and other treatment accessories
- Scheduling of patients to comply with Chemotherapy / Radiotherapy clinical trials
- Transport arrangements
- On treatment reviews and follow up appointments
- Undertake Out of Hours and On-Call duties to support full service delivery.
Patient care
- Provide written and verbal information to patients and carers on all aspects of Radiotherapy treatment and its associated side effects and reactions ensuring that explanations are appropriate to the patients comprehension and level of understanding
- Plan and implement an appropriate supportive care package for patients liaising with other departments, professionals and agencies to optimise support before during and after treatment
- Educate, motivate and reassure patients to ensure compliance with treatment regimens assessing the patients physical and emotional state on a daily basis to ensure that it is appropriate to proceed with treatment
Management
- Supervise, train and assess less experienced staff and students in the workplace, setting high standards and enabling them to develop their professional skills
- Deputise for the Team Leaders in all technical aspects of work within the treatment room, in the day to day management of the treatment unit (including management of junior staff and students) and its workload / appointments
Professional Development
- Undertake training / updates required to operate all equipment safely, effectively and to maximise its therapeutic / diagnostic potential
- Participate in Continuing Professional Development activities including Trust Mandatory training, sharing knowledge and cascade training where appropriate
- Be involved research and development within the department as required facilitating the implementation of evidence based practice
Quality Assurance
- Ensure that all diagnostic and therapeutic equipment is used according to manufacturers guidelines and departmental policies seeking advice from appropriate
- Contribute to the development, implementation and audit of radiotherapy quality procedures and work instructions
- Be familiar with quality assurance tests for designated equipment, performing the tests as required to assess the units fitness for clinical use, reporting any deviations or faults in line with departmental protocols
- Report all Clinical incidents in line with departmental policy
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Duties:
Clinical/Technical
- Take responsibility for the correct interpretation, application and delivery of routine and complex Radiotherapy treatment prescriptions using advanced clinical skills
- Ensure that highly specialist Radiotherapy equipment is used safely and accurately within the tolerances defined for the technique/ procedure and in accordance with manufacturers guidance and departmental protocols.
- Undertake verification processes evaluating the accuracy of treatment using portal imaging or CBCT, ensuring that results are systematically analysed to maintain treatment accuracy.
- Clinically justify any deviation from department protocols or predetermined tolerances keeping appropriate records and calling on other members of the multidisciplinary team for further advice / action as necessary.
- Ensure that in-vivo dosimetry measurements are undertaken for patients receiving external beam treatment and act on measurements that are out of tolerance.
- Undertake treatment localisation and verification using CT scanner and virtual simulator acquiring appropriate images and ensuring that all setup information is recorded accurately and unambiguously, including undertaking cannulation and IV contrast administration.
- Identify and undertake appropriate pre-treatment processes including:
- Patient scheduling
- Production of vsim treatment plans
- Input and checking of treatment critical data using the patient management system (Mosaiq)
- Transfer of images
- Electronic checking of complex treatment prescriptions
- Collation of all treatment accessories and requirements prior to the patients first visit
- Evaluate results of these processes and take appropriate action in line with departmental procedures.
- Liaise with other members of the multidisciplinary team to coordinate treatment related processes to ensure a seamless pathway for the patient. This will include:
- Arranging the manufacture of immobilisation devices, lead masks and other treatment accessories
- Scheduling of patients to comply with Chemotherapy / Radiotherapy clinical trials
- Transport arrangements
- On treatment reviews and follow up appointments
- Undertake Out of Hours and On-Call duties to support full service delivery.
Patient care
- Provide written and verbal information to patients and carers on all aspects of Radiotherapy treatment and its associated side effects and reactions ensuring that explanations are appropriate to the patients comprehension and level of understanding
- Plan and implement an appropriate supportive care package for patients liaising with other departments, professionals and agencies to optimise support before during and after treatment
- Educate, motivate and reassure patients to ensure compliance with treatment regimens assessing the patients physical and emotional state on a daily basis to ensure that it is appropriate to proceed with treatment
Management
- Supervise, train and assess less experienced staff and students in the workplace, setting high standards and enabling them to develop their professional skills
- Deputise for the Team Leaders in all technical aspects of work within the treatment room, in the day to day management of the treatment unit (including management of junior staff and students) and its workload / appointments
Professional Development
- Undertake training / updates required to operate all equipment safely, effectively and to maximise its therapeutic / diagnostic potential
- Participate in Continuing Professional Development activities including Trust Mandatory training, sharing knowledge and cascade training where appropriate
- Be involved research and development within the department as required facilitating the implementation of evidence based practice
Quality Assurance
- Ensure that all diagnostic and therapeutic equipment is used according to manufacturers guidelines and departmental policies seeking advice from appropriate
- Contribute to the development, implementation and audit of radiotherapy quality procedures and work instructions
- Be familiar with quality assurance tests for designated equipment, performing the tests as required to assess the units fitness for clinical use, reporting any deviations or faults in line with departmental protocols
- Report all Clinical incidents in line with departmental policy
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in Radiotherapy (or equivalent)
- HCPC registration
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Leadership training
- Cannulation / IV contrast qualification
Experience
Essential
- Post qualification experience using current Radiotherapy equipment and verification systems
Desirable
- Acting up experience at band 6 level
- Previous experience / training on Elekta Linacs or Mosaiq
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Caring and empathetic
- Works well as part of a team
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of a wide range of Radiotherapy techniques and associated requirements for patient care
- Awareness of IR(ME)R regulations and their implication for Radiotherapy practice
- Able to communicate complex or sensitive information in a manner which aids understanding and compliance
- Able to work under pressure
- Good organiser able to prioritise tasks for self and others
- Able to motivate and enable junior staff to work to their full potential
Desirable
- Knowledge of new developments in Radiotherapy treatment
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in Radiotherapy (or equivalent)
- HCPC registration
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Leadership training
- Cannulation / IV contrast qualification
Experience
Essential
- Post qualification experience using current Radiotherapy equipment and verification systems
Desirable
- Acting up experience at band 6 level
- Previous experience / training on Elekta Linacs or Mosaiq
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Caring and empathetic
- Works well as part of a team
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of a wide range of Radiotherapy techniques and associated requirements for patient care
- Awareness of IR(ME)R regulations and their implication for Radiotherapy practice
- Able to communicate complex or sensitive information in a manner which aids understanding and compliance
- Able to work under pressure
- Good organiser able to prioritise tasks for self and others
- Able to motivate and enable junior staff to work to their full potential
Desirable
- Knowledge of new developments in Radiotherapy treatment
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).
Additional information
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).
