Senior Radiographer

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To ensure that the highly complex pre-treatment radiotherapy imaging equipment is safe and accurate to operate, both for staff and patient, undertaking the appropriate machine checks and reporting any variances, faults and malfunctions.

Using highly complex equipment such as CT simulators and MR scanners, including the administration of contrast, to provide accurate radiotherapy planning scans, in order to plan radiotherapy treatment for a diverse range of patients

Providing accurate written instructions of treatment set-up to ensure accurate treatment reproducibility ensuring that radiotherapy may be delivered accurately and reproducibly and in accordance with the quality system.

Using highly complex equipment and software for virtual simulation of radiotherapy treatments in order to produce accurate treatment plans in accordance with the quality system.

Electronic dispatch of pre-treatment images to relevant sections of the radiotherapy and treatment planning departments

Cannulation of patients for IV contrast and competence for relevant PGD for contrast media and emergency drugs for the management of side effects in accordance with trust policies

Monitor and assess patients condition and liaise with the multidisciplinary team to ensure appropriate care, referral, information and support is offered to all patients. Administer appropriate drug prescriptions as prescribed by clinicians.

Produce highly complex immobilisation devices for use in radiotherapy treatment to ensure accurate treatment and reproducibility so that radiotherapy may be delivered accurately and reproducibly and in accordance with the quality system

Ensure the team follows appropriate systems and working methods to achieve the safe, timely achievement of workload targets.

Ensure the team keeps accurate records and comply with necessary policies and procedures

Analyse systematically and evaluate all data and information relevant to patients diagnosis, ensuring the patient and their relatives are treated with dignity and respect at all times.

Communicate confidential sensitive information, and provide emotional support, to patients and their carers/relatives including children and the terminally ill.

Provide information to patients and their carers with regard to the radiotherapy pathway and expected side effects.

To communicate accurate and timely information with all other disciplines involved along the patients pathway.

With the team in the assigned area, patients and the wider multidisciplinary team manage areas of conflict and escalate as necessary.

To provide, receive and use sensitive information maintaining patient confidentiality at all times in line with information governance legislation

Apply safe and effective moving and handling skills in order to protect patients and staff, abide by Health and safety legislation in the work place.

Minimise risk of cross infection through contamination by bodily fluids/matter. In accordance of the infection control policy

To implement the procedures and work instructions described for the department in ISO9001/2015 and report any variances.

Maintenance of treatment skills and knowledge and understanding of advanced radiotherapy techniques and technology including VMAT, IMRT, FFF, Stereotactic and protons

Contribute to development of the quality system by reviewing and writing work instructions and operating procedures.

Ensure all work and actions comply with local rules and current UK Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 and IRMER Regulations 2018.

Be aware of and participate in the audit and research within the department and the implementation of new processes and techniques.

Undertake training and competency to dispense medication under Patient Group Direction (PGD)

Participate in the extended shift system, bank holidays, weekend working and on-call.

Any other duties negotiated with the post holder, to develop their role in the organisation

To achieve all the competencies as outlined by the pre-treatment manager within a suitable and agreed time frame. . Awareness of the process to report safeguarding issues and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Apply and abide by trust principals and behaviours. Awareness of the process to report safeguarding issues and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

Supervisory & managerial

As a Senior Radiographer you will be expected to lead, co-ordinate, supervise and manage a team of staff operating in radiotherapy pre-treatment and act as lead practitioner, making assessments and key decisions in regard to workload management, patient care and treatment.

Teaching and training

• As a Senior Radiographer you will be expected to provide mentorship and guidance for rotational staff, irrespective of grade and be a good role model.
• Act as a mentor cannulation of patients for IV contrast and a link worker for relevant PGD for contrast media and emergency drugs for the management of side effects in accordance with trust policies
• Participate in an annual Personal Development Review.
• Attend all essential training and clinical updates as required.
• Be capable of assimilating new ideas and techniques and have an ability to assess their value.
• Assist in the supervision and training/teaching of pre-registration students and new members of staff and all learners.
• Highlight to line manager all issues of inadequate performance, including capability and poor professional standards, for students and employees. Provide evidence where necessary and requested.
• Take personal responsibility for compliance with essential training.

Qualifications

Essential

• DCR(T) or BSc (Hons) Therapeutic Radiographer State Registered Therapeutic Radiographer
• HPC Registration

Desirable

• Further post-graduate qualification/intention for further study or evidence of continued educational development
• Management/leadership training
• ECDL/equivalent

Experience

Essential

• Wide experience with equipment and techniques
• Working with ISO 9001/20015 or equivalent
• Evidence of clinical placements
• Extensive pre-treatment and treatment experience
• Experience of on-the-job teaching new technologies to other qualified staff

Desirable

• Clinical experience gained in more than one department
• Evidence of participation in research and-or radiotherapy development work
• Evidence of active role in the setting and maintenance of quality standards

Skills

Essential

• Ability to communicate well; individual, team, multidisciplinary team
• Ability to supervise and motivate junior staff, support workers and Student Radiographers, lead by example
• Ability or willingness to learn to cannulate patients for IV contrast
• Ability to deal effectively with predictable and routine problems using defined and familiar procedures and guidelines
• Able to adapt skills to all areas of department
• Reliability to work well under pressure
• Organised but flexible and adaptable approach to work

Desirable

• Demonstrate ambition in personal development and in service development
• Ability to produce a range of immobilisation devices for radiotherapy

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge and understanding of current pre-treatment radiotherapy technologies including CT, virtual simulation, MR scanning, PET scanning
• Maintenance of knowledge and understanding of advanced radiotherapy techniques and technology including VMAT, IMRT, FFF, Stereotactic and protons
• Knowledge and understanding of advanced radiotherapy techniques and technology including Stereotactic and protons
• Experience of radiotherapy virtual simulation planning
• Detailed knowledge of anatomy, oncology, radiobiology and physics
• Knowledge of Ionising Radiation Medical Exposure Regulations (IRMER) and other relevant policies and regulations

Desirable

• Knowledge of current Health Service and Oncology specific legislation and DoH plans e.g. Cancer Plan, NICE guidelines and how these impact on services

OTHER

Essential

• Flexibility in working hours, given appropriate notice
• Patient focused
• Demonstrate tolerance, sensitivity & empathy with staff and clients
• Enthusiastic and well-motivated with a commitment to providing a high standard of service
• Ability to co-ordinate work to meet the demands of the established and developing service
• Attention to detail and accuracy

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).