Lead Radiographer A&E/Cath Lab/Theatres

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

1. To professionally and legally take responsibility for providing a high standard of clinical care and patient welfare and supporting other staff to do likewise.

2. To assess the clinical justification of imaging referrals received within A&E, Theatres & Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory in line with both national regulations such as ionising radiation (medical exposure) regulations (IRMER) 2017 and local protocols.

3. To act as an Operator under IRMER (2017).

4. To act as Practitioner under IRMER (2017) for plain film radiography referrals.

5. Ensures that the imaging modalities: A&E, cardiac catheterisation laboratory and theatres adhere and aligns working practices with IRMER (2017) and ionising radiation regulations (2017).

Communication and working relationship skills

1. To deliver safe, efficient and effective patient care and to communicate empathetically with patients prior to, during, and after an examination.

2. In relation to A&E, Cath Lab and Theatres ensure timely communication of professional matters to all appropriate team members within and external to the department.

3. To be able to communicate highly complex, sensitive information and explain both general and specialised procedures to patients, patients relatives/ care-providers and staff using verbal and non-verbal communication skills to obtain their informed consent and cooperation.

4. Establish good communication and effective working relationships across internal and external stakeholders who access A&E, Cath Lab and Theatre services.

5. Communicate with wards and departments as appropriate to enable smooth patient throughput, (i.e. ensure correct patient preparation and mode of transportation to department).

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

1. Exercise highly developed specialist judgement in complex and unpredictable clinical situations across A&E, cardiac catheter laboratories and operating theatres.

2. Analyse and interpret a wide range of clinical imaging findings, patient conditions, and procedural requirements to determine the most appropriate radiographic technique or imaging pathway.

3. Evaluate complex information from multiple sources (clinical, technical, staffing, equipment performance and patient safety data) to make timely, evidence-based decisions that support optimised patient management outcomes.

Planning and Organisational Skills

1. Plan, coordinate and prioritise the delivery of high-quality imaging services across A&E, cardiac catheter laboratories and operating theatres, ensuring effective use of staff, equipment and clinical time.

2. Develop and implement service rotas, skill mix plans and on-call arrangements to maintain safe staffing levels and respond to fluctuating emergency and elective workloads.

3. Anticipate and manage service pressures, balancing immediate clinical demands with longer-term service development and training needs.

4. Lead the planning and delivery of new imaging pathways, protocols and technological innovations, ensuring alignment with Trust and departmental strategies.

Please refer to the job description for further details.

Qualifications and knowledge

Essential

• DCR or BSc Diagnostic Radiographer degree or equivalent
• Current HCPC registration as radiographer
• Post graduate qualification in relevant clinical area or equivalent experience.
• Current knowledge and understanding of the NHS constitution.
• Able to develop and implement strategies for Imaging to gain accreditation to QSI/UKAS BS70000 standards within service areas
• Knowledge of relevant national imaging standards (e.g., IR(ME)R 2017, IRR '17 and associated codes of practice)
• Evidence of a sound level of computer literacy (MS Teams, Word, Outlook, Power Point and Excel)
• Familiarity with hospital information systems (HIS), radiology information systems (RIS) and picture archiving communications systems (PACS)
• Knowledgeable in the analysis and review of a range of diverse and highly complex and sometimes conflicting information.
• Understand relevant legislation relating to Imaging, Clinical Governance, Health and Safety, NHS codes of conduct and employment law.
• Knowledge of a wide range of best imaging practice and improvement processes within A&E, Cath Lab and Theatre
• Strategic awareness within healthcare

Desirable

• Post graduate management or project management qualification or equivalent experience.

Experience

Essential

• Extensive post-qualification experience in diagnostic imaging, particularly in A&E, Cath Lab, and Theatre environments
• Proven leadership or management experience within an imaging department
• Experience in service development, clinical governance, and quality assurance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex workflows.

Skills

Essential

• oAble to develop, lead and advise on a program to attain the QSI or UKAS BS70000 accreditation across A&E, Cath Lab and Theatres
• oEvidence of personal achievement of results through strong clinical leadership skills and implementation strategies.
• oGood organizational and time management skills
• oHigh level of self-motivation and willingness to learn and develop and able to inspire this attribute in others.
• oLogical approach to problem solving.
• oAble to analyze and interpret complex data.
• oResilient and able to manage as well as prioritize conflicting demands.
• oProven ability to deliver a high-quality service.
• oConfident to lead on transformation projects and service change or re-design with a focus on productivity and efficiency.
• oCan effectively manage and lead multi-professional teams with a focus on productivity and efficiency.
• oCapable of developing protocols and implementing audits, policies, and procedures
• oPersonnel management skills including recruitment and selection and performance management.
• oManage challenging situations and challenging relationships
• oContributes to the development of business plans and service development.

Personal and People Development

Essential

• Deputize for Operational Leads as required.
• Effective handling of complaints or incidents with a focus on learning
• Able to teach and present to other staff.
• Willing to coach, mentor, and develop other staff.
• Maintain continued professional development in line with HCPC requirements

Communication

Essential

• Good written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to deal with confidential, stressful, and difficult situations sensitively with a wide range of people and build credibility quickly.
• Ability to work autonomously, collaboratively and as part of a multi-professional team.
• Professional approach to work, appearance, and conduct.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Strong influencing and negotiating skills to allow divisional strategic objectives to be obtained.
• Flexible in their attitudes and behaviours to support team working and delivery of objectives.

Specific Requirements

Essential

• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
• Participates in out of hours & on call working if required.
• Must be able to travel between trust sites and work locations deemed necessary to attend by trust.

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).