Job responsibilities
Key
Duties:
Maintain clinical competency at Band7 level and
take on the full responsibilities of that role when required. Such as being able to operate radiotherapy
equipment safely and accurately interpreting and applying radiation
prescription plans, using clinical judgement to justify deviation from
protocol.
Be clinically competent to safely and
efficiently manipulate all complex and specialised equipment associated with
the planning and treatment of patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment with
ionising radiation.
Ensure all post graduate and undergraduate
radiographers have access and understanding of radiotherapy development and
practices here at Worcestershire Oncology Centre.
Support newly qualified staff and
international recruits utilising a preceptorship programme.
Lead on the training of apprentices
within the radiotherapy team.
Act as the placement liaison between the
department and higher education institutes
Attend meetings within the trust, wider
ICB and WM region relating to training/education.
Main
duties and Responsibilities:
Education and Development
Liaise
with the Radiotherapy Service Manager, Clinical Lead Radiographers, treatment
and pre-treatment Radiographers, Medical Physicists and Clinical Oncologists,
to identify the development and training needs of the current and future
radiotherapy workforce, in line with individual staff needs and service
requirements.
Devise support mechanisms and assessment criteria in all aspects
of training within the treatment and pre-treatment areas to ensure a common
standard.
Develop,
implement and evaluate competency based training programmes and facilitate
learning opportunities to meet the educational and skills development needs of
Therapeutic Radiography staff (including apprentices) and HCAs within the
Radiotherapy Department.
Facilitate
and support the development and implementation of preceptorship programmes for
newly appointed staff.
Provide coaching and mentorship for
Radiotherapy staff throughout their career to enable them to realise their full
potential.
Participate
in curriculum development and joint professional development activities with
other agencies e.g. CHEC learning and development team and Birmingham City University.
Provide educational support for student radiographers (including
apprentices) to maximise the learning opportunities available throughout their
clinical placements. Liaise with HEIs to
ensure any additional requirements for learners are met whilst on clinical
placement.
Ensure
that there are effective mechanisms for managing and recording training and
assessment. Provide and present reports as appropriate.
Ensure
that Trusts Statutory and Mandatory training requirements for therapeutic
radiographers and HCAs within radiotherapy are met.
Ensure
that annual PDRs are undertaken in a timely manner
Provide
support for return to practice
Clinical/Technical
Take
responsibility for the correct interpretation, application and delivery of
routine and complex Radiotherapy treatment prescriptions using expert 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.
Approve
and 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.
Take
responsibility for ensuring that in-vivo dosimetry measurements are undertaken
for patients receiving external beam treatment and acting on measurements that
are out of tolerance.
Undertake
treatment routine and complex localisation procedures using a CT scanner.
Ensure
that the most appropriate technique / modality is selected to meet the needs of
the patient and the requirements of their treatment plan.
Identify
and undertake appropriate pre-treatment processes for both simple and complex
treatments ensuring that they are completed in a safe and timely fashion. This
will include:
o Production of vsim
treatment plans
o Input and checking of
treatment critical data using the patient management system (Mosaiq)
o Electronic checking of
complex treatment prescriptions
o Collation of all
treatment accessories and requirements prior to the patients first visit
Undertake
final check of all treatment parameters and processes to ensure that they are
correct, complete and compliant with department protocols prior to the
initiation of treatment. Take appropriate corrective action in the event of an
error or non-conformance ensuring that any process failures or training needs
are identified and addressed.
Provide
clinical / technical advice on Radiotherapy treatment to members of the
multidisciplinary team and other professionals within and external to the Trust
Take
individual professional responsibility for the accurate delivery of treatment
to radiotherapy patients ensuring that the requirements of all ionising
radiation regulations are adhered to.
To
undertake Out of Hours and On-Call duties to support full service delivery.
Patient care
Take
responsibility for ensuring patients medical condition and progress is
monitored during treatment and any significant changes are reported to the
appropriate consultant or Macmillan Review Radiographer.
Plan
and implement an appropriate supportive care package for patients liaising with
multidisciplinary, team, other departments, professionals and agencies to
optimise support before during and after treatment.
Provide
written and verbal information to patients and carers on all aspects of
Radiotherapy treatment and its associated side effects ensuring that
explanations are appropriate to the patients comprehension and level of
understanding.
Educate,
motivate and reassure patients to ensure consent to and compliance with
treatment regimens which may be arduous and poorly tolerated, assessing the
patients physical and emotional state on a daily basis to ensure fitness for
treatment.
Clinical Leadership
Act
as a clinical role model for effective clinical leadership enabling and
facilitating others to take forward initiatives.
Attain
continuous improvements to service provision by maintaining current/up to date
knowledge of best practice and by creating an environment of trust and respect.
Work
collaboratively with other professional groups to maximise development
opportunities and inter-professional learning opportunities.
Maximise
opportunities to share good practices and innovations with colleagues locally
and nationally.
Quality
Management/Clinical Governance
Be responsible and accountable for own
actions in accordance with the HCPC Radiographers Professional Code of Conduct
To understand and comply with
professional, statutory and trust policies and procedures (e.g. SCOR Code of
Professional conduct)
Facilitate the development,
implementation, monitoring, evaluation and audit of Radiotherapy policies,
protocols, guidelines and standards ensuring that they meet current practice
and professional regulations.
Work with QA Lead Radiographer to ensure
that training and development documentation and processes are in line with
national and local requirements.
Act as a resource for staff to access
and raise awareness of national and local policies that will impact upon them
and affect the delivery of patient care.
Ensure that quality standards are set
and monitored and that clinical risk management and clinical audit are an
integral part of practice developments.
Facilitate the implementation of
national and local quality initiatives to improve service delivery.
Report and be part of the investigation
team for Clinical incidents in line with departmental policy.
Undertake the development,
implementation and audit of radiotherapy quality procedures and work
instructions proposing changes as appropriate to ensure that they represent
best practice.
Represent the Trust on external
professional groups and network with colleagues from other organisations as
appropriate.
Professional Development / Practice
Undertake
training /updates required to operate all equipment safely, effectively and to
maximise its therapeutic potential.
Participate
in Continuing Professional Development activities including Trust Mandatory
training, sharing knowledge and cascade training where appropriate.
Regularly
undertake research, development and audit within the department as required
facilitating the implementation of evidence based practice.
Promote
research/evidence based practice and audit outcomes to inform clinical practice
and set clinical standards.
Instigate
or contribute to research initiatives and clinical audit programmes as
appropriate.
Management of Resources
Promote
a culture where staff are valued, supported and deliver high quality care
Understand,
manage and be accountable for the use of resources in a cost effective way
Participate
in the recruitment, selection and retention of staff
Actively
support the quality improvement initiatives within the Department and across
the wider Trust.
