Job responsibilities
Key Duties:
Communication
Provide
and receive routine information requiring discretion, sensitivity or persuasive
skills:
Exchange factual information with patients and other healthcare
professionals using persuasion, reassurance, discretion, sensitivity and empathy
as required.
Assessing communication needs of patients,
anticipate where communication difficulties might make completion of the
examination difficult and overcoming barriers. Implement alternative methods of communication if required.
Provide any required after care.Communicate any delays in a timely manner. Communicate
effectively and empathetically with patients, carers, visitors and members of
the multi-disciplinary team.
Occasionally receive and communicate
sensitive information from/to patients.
Be able to relate to all manner of patients with understanding and care,
respecting their privacy and dignity providing a caring and confidential
service.
Promote the best available departmental environment for all.
Clinical
Develop and maintain a good knowledge of Radiology
exams/procedures and associated requirements i.e preparation, during the exam
and any required aftercare to ensure a safe delivery of practice/service.
Contribute to the smooth running of the various departments on a daily basis as required.
Undertake basic observation for
patients as required i.e Oxygen Saturations and Blood Pressure.
Develop own competence to
deliver effective care and treatments through improving clinical/technical
knowledge / skill, and expertise.
Liaising with other healthcare
professional i.e wards/porters, to arrange the transportation of patients to and from the department in a timely manner.
Assist in patient
care: getting
patients changed, explaining the
undressing/dressing requirements and where necessary assisting the
patient both in and out of the scan table/room.
Promptly and effectively, manage enquires
from both internal and external sources i.e patients,
hospital staff and other healthcare professionals.
Confidently and competently use the
departmental Radiology Information System
Have a flexible approach and assist with any other duties
as requested by the team, within the associated competencies of role.
Assisting
with moving and handling of those patients who require it in a manner that is
safe following the Trust manual handling policy.
Reassuring patients requiring additional support.When necessary,
attending to the patients personal hygiene requirements. Understand the
role of a chaperone.
When working in MRI, be sensitive to patient anxiety regarding the claustrophobic nature of
the MRI scanner and to be able to help patients overcome their anxiety so that
the examination can be performed.
Monitor stock,
operate stock control and order medical equipment, accessories, consumables,
linen as required via the appropriate pathway.
Education
Participate in
the development and promotion of a positive learning environment, which meets
the needs of all learners within the department environment.
Participate in
personal development reviews and work to achieve personal objectives/competencies.
Use reflection of
experience to enhance development of self and others.
Use experience to
support students and other Imaging Assistants through mentorship and local
induction.
To participate in
personal development needs that may be identified by the service leads or in
the appraisal process in an agreed timeframe.
To assist
qualified staff in the evaluation of resources to develop high standards of
patient care and achieve value for money initiatives.
Administrative duties
To include
registering the patient, updating patient records, bookings, extraction of work
lists and all other associated RIS activities.
Maintain
accurate records at all times:
Demonstrate awareness and evidence the importance of
accurate data entry into hospital based systems/patient records.
Maintain accurate records of examination data within RIS,
including additional comments in regards to any change in standard practice.
Understand the
contingencies required when electronic systems fail and support the team as
required.
Equipment duties
Adhere
to the correct manual handling policy as advised during your mandatory training
when moving any equipment.
Understanding
of the basic operation of the specialised radiology equipment following
appropriate training; to include, but not exclusive of, changing of ultrasound
probes, simple in and out/up and down movement of the CT and MRI scanners,
accessing worklists in order to register patients exams on the modality.
Report
any identified faults or concerns to maintain service provision.
Infection
Prevention Control
Ensure
compliance with all Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures
understanding your role in the prevention of infection in patients and staff.
Wear
personal protective equipment when required.
Care for, check and maintain high standards of cleanliness of clinical
equipment to minimise spread of infection.
To ensure
appropriate infection control measures are utilised where necessary, paying
particular attention to personal protection as well as the management of
equipment, waste and linens contaminated by bodily fluids.
Maintaining high standards of
cleanliness in examination rooms to minimise spread of infection and record in line with departmental requirements.
Removing patient
cannulas post procedure in line with Trust policy.
Undertake
hand hygiene audits.
Ensure safe and appropriate handling
of IV and Oral contrast
Governance
Report any
incidents on the Trust risk management system and participate in any
requirements for incident investigations
To ensure
you are aware of your responsibilities, supporting policies and undertake the
appropriate level of training for your role.
Ensure all
equipment is maintained to a high standard and used appropriately.
Basic fault
finding, reporting and documenting faults as per trust requirements.
Maintain
professional boundaries and working relationships with patients and colleagues.
Be aware
and compliant with the principles of safeguarding adults and children and how
to respond to suspected abuse.
Keep accurate and timely records of
own work and that of other members of the radiology team.
Participate in
audit projects, either of their own work, that of the department or others, as
required.
Be responsible
for own mandatory training and ensure it is up to date as per trust
requirements.
To ensure
you remain up to date with department requirements/changes by attending departmental
meetings when required, reading meeting minutes and monthly governance updates.
To be aware
of and comply with all standards of conduct and care related to the Trust in
general and the Department of Radiology in particular.
Act as an
advocate for safeguarding patients; demonstrate courage to speak up when there
are concerns about care.
Demonstrate
commitment to improving care and the patient experience to include
participation in Quality Improvement Programmes.
Deliver a high
standard of care in accordance with WAHT policies and procedures.
Finance,
Information and Resources:
To adhere to and ensure the effective use of resources.
To maintain appropriate stock levels and ordering
additional supplies as required.
Health and safety
Maintain
knowledge of Health and Safety at Work Act, ensuring appropriate measures are
taken in respect of Health and Safety for patients, relatives, visitors,
hospital staff and contractors.
To work at all times in a safe and responsible manner,
ensuring own work practices comply with Trust and Directorate Policies on
Health and Safety, Infection prevention and control ,COSSH, Security and
Radiation Protection, and that any hazards are brought to the attention of the
Radiographer in Charge.
To ensure that you have read, understood and signed local
safety procedures i.e Radiation safety policy, IRMER procedures etc.
Ensuring that all apparatus and equipment, that you are
competent to use, is working satisfactorily and that any malfunction is
reported in line with local requirements.
To work in accordance with all Trust and Clinical Imaging
policies.
Be
aware and able to recognise emergency situations, initiate basic life support
and summon the crash team when necessary.
Be
responsible for the appropriate health, safety and welfare matters affecting
themselves, patients, visitors, professional and non-professional authorised
staff within a designated, controlled or supervised area within the Diagnostic
Imaging Department or the Trust.
Assist patients
in completing any safety forms required as part of their examination.
Following
completion of safety forms, evaluate the information provided to determine if
the examination is safe to proceed. Escalate if necessary.
Working
Conditions
Have frequent use of VDU equipment.
Have occasional exposure to distressing or emotional
situations e.g badly injured patients, cardiac arrest.
Have occasional exposure to body fluids e.g. blood, urine
etc and infection risks., also occasional exposure to intoxicated, aggressive
or abusive patients and relatives.
Other duties
Ensure that they
are aware of and adhere to all Trust and specific Radiology related policies.
assist
in promoting the overall aims of the department.
To
participate in department organisation and workload planning offering proposals
to change department procedures.
Maintain
personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job,
participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff
development and training.
Respect the confidentiality
of all matters that they may learn relating to their employment and other
members of staff.
