Job responsibilities
The post holder will provide and facilitate an expert
level of care to patients presenting with or who are at risk of breast disease,
including the assessment and diagnosis of patients. They will exercise the highest
degree of professional autonomy in the decision
making process that will improve
overall patient outcomes. They will support the Breast
Imaging Service in developing Breast Services in line with best practice and
national imperatives.
An administration and audit session
will provide an opportunity to confer with Consultant Radiologists reciprocally for difficult or
equivocal cases.
Clinical duties may be undertaken at the
Worcestershire Royal Hospital and Alexandra Hospital. Clinical duties may
also be undertaken at GP practices within the county.
The post holder must adhere
to the Health Professions Council
and the Society
of Radiographers Code of Professional Conduct, local trust
policies, protocols and guidelines and be actively involved in clinical
supervision and peer review.
The Consultant Radiographer will work totally autonomously in day to day practice with his/her own case
load.
This will include
screening film reading,
assessment clinics issuing
reports on mammograms, performing and issuing reports on breast ultrasound examinations
and performing image guided biopsies
and pre operative localisation procedures.
As a core member of the
breast multi disciplinary team, the post-holder will present their
own caseload and support
breast MDT meetings across the county.
Clinical practice
Be an expert
practitioner and act as a Consultant in all aspects
of breast imaging
diagnosis
Provide and facilitate an expert level of care to
patients presenting with, or who are at risk of, breast cancer and other breast disease
including the assessment and diagnosis of patients and to advice on the role and
appropriateness of further complex imaging such as MRI in the evaluation and
workup of breast problems.
Exercise a high degree of personal and professional
autonomy on a par with a Consultant Breast Radiologist,
demonstrating clinical leadership, advanced clinical
competence, decision making and a knowledge base beyond those
associated with conventional radiographer roles.
To provide clinical
leadership, consultancy and professional education
as part of a
multidisciplinary approach to patient care.To work within and adhere to Standards and operational
policies relating to the provision of a Quality Imaging Service, producing
and developing protocols , procedures and training manuals reflecting evidence based best
practice.
Play a key role in delivering the National Health
Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) Quality assurance and audit programmes including implementation of agreed
actions.Support the multidisciplinary team in delivering patient care, particularly with regards to imaging
findings, ensuring sound clinical and ethical decision making in relation to
breast diagnosis.
To regularly undertake and report a wide range
of breast imaging
examinations ( mammograms, breast ultrasound and
interventional breast procedures)
Undertake assessment of women recalled from the NHSBSP
according to all guidance and quality standards. This will involve
concurrent use of mammographic interpretation, ultrasound investigations and invasive biopsy skills in
conjunction with excellent abilities in patient communication and support.
To provide advice
for appointment scheduling if required.
Ensure that Trust standards are maintained and monitored to improve the quality and total care of all who come into contact with
services provided by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (WAHT)
Liaise with radiologists regarding annual leave and during
times of increased workload, ensuring
clinical workload commitments are covered to maintain continuity of service in
both the screening and symptomatic service.
Maintain and promote
team working with other health
professionals with expertise
in the fielde.g. Clinical Nurse Specialists, Radiologists, Surgeons, Pathologists, and Oncologists.
Continually assess, monitor
and report clinical
risk and challenge own and others
practice.
At all times adhere to the Health Professions Council and the Society of Radiographers Code of Professional
Conduct, local Trust policies, protocols and guidelines and be actively
involved in clinical supervision and peer review.
To communicate complex, sensitive/distressing
information to patients
and their relatives
and actively seek to overcome barriers
to effective communication. To give expert
advice, support and
information to patients and their relatives being aware of their psychological
/ emotional needs and responding accordingly.
Operational / Managerial
To promote excellent working relationships between all
staff within imaging as well, as develop good
relationships with health
professionals external to the Trust in order to promote
an efficient breast imaging
service which places the needs of the patient at the centre of all activities.
Act as a mentor and provide leadership to Advanced Practitioners
To liaise with other radiographers, Managers, Nursing
staff, radiologists, Secretarial and A & C
and support workers within imaging as well as Clinicians, Nurses within and
without the Trust
Plans own workload
and that of other mammographic staff.
Attend radiology governance meetings, contributing to the development of policies and pathways and governance issues such
as complaints and risk management.
Work with the Director of Breast screening and the
Programme Manager in formulating policies and
protocols, providing evidence,
monitoring and reviewing
against relevant national
standards in order to influence development.
Contribute to the strategic and operational development of the breast
imaging service within
the Trust working closely with all relevant interested parties.
To contribute to the service
planning function of the service
and support any changes
that become necessary.
To ensure compliance with the Ionising
Radiation regulations IR(ME)R.
Technical
To be fully competent with the operation of all
appropriate imaging equipment within the department and responsible for its safe use by the post holder and other members
of staff.
To be fully
competent with the operation of all additional equipment within the department.
Participate in Ultrasound and X-ray equipment evaluation, testing and quality assurance, providing relevant feedback to
WAHT.
Actively participate in all aspects
of the NHSBSP QA programme, follow
national guidelines and meet all specific NHSBSP quality
targets.
To be competent
with the operation of the
Trust information systems
e.g. Radiology Information system, CRIS, PACS and NBSS.
Education and Training
Lead on the integration of education, research
and practice development within the speciality, developing effective links
with other individuals, teams and organisations.
Encourage the development of and provide expert assistance to junior colleagues and act as a role model to all members of staff.
Assist Consultant radiologist colleagues in teaching
junior medical staff and specialist radiology trainees and to organise suitable educational
experiences within the breast service for medical and other health professional
students.
Be able to train health
professionals in advanced
mammography practice.
Be a registered practitioner under IR(ME)
R and as such be responsible for the justification and authorisation of medical exposures to ionising radiation.
Be up to date with current breast issues in all
aspects of screening and maintain an extensive and contemporary knowledge of
breast imaging and disease by participating in on-going education and continuing self-development, including regular reviews
of performance and a high
level of critical awareness.
Undertake annual performance review / appraisal and develop personal
development plans for film reading and interventional
advanced practitioners.
Promote a reflective questioning approach to clinical practice
and support the use of clinical supervision to enhance patient
care.
Practice Development and Research
Lead on the integration of education, research
and practice development within the speciality, developing effective links
with other individuals, teams and organisations to support these initiatives.
Undertake research development and audit in collaboration with others in order to contribute the existing evidence base in relation to
breast imaging.
Contribute towards integration of the screening, assessment and symptomatic services with due regard to the importance of
communication in a split site service.
Actively disseminate experiences through professional and academic publications and major national
conference proceedings.
Support the development of integrated care pathways relating
to the care of patients with breast
problems requiring breast imaging.
To participate in in regional
QARC audits and visit
To participate in national film reading QA performance (PERFORMS) audits and other CPD
activities.
Professional Leadership
Provide clinical and professional advice
and support to the breast
MDT within WAHT
Create links with other consultant radiographers / advanced
practitioners and those involved
with developing and advancing breast imaging services
thus promoting a local, regional and national profile for breast imaging.
Provide clinical and professional leadership to
support and inspire colleagues with regard to improving patient / client services in breast imaging
and contribute to strategic planning
of the breast imaging service
and the development of professional practice.
