Radiographic Department Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary:

1. To work in designated clinical sections of the diagnostic imaging department on a daily basis. Whilst fostering a safe and efficient environment for patients, staff and visitors.

2. To provide assistance to the Sonographers, Radiologists, Nurses, and Radiographic staff of the Diagnostic Imaging Department as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

3. To participate in both diagnostic and interventional procedures as necessary to ensure an efficient and effective Imaging service.

Organisational Chart

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical/Operational

To assist the Sonographers and Superintendent in order to facilitate the smooth running of the scanning departments on a daily basis.

Organising the daily throughput of the department in conjunction with the sonographers by ensuring that all request cards for each day are correct, noting any special instructions regarding patient preparation.

Liaising with wards to arrange the transportation of patients to the department, and likewise liaising with the porters.

To assist in patient care, getting patients changed, giving oral preparation, assisting patients in and out of the scan room and on and off the scanner table.

To set up the trolleys and assist the radiologists with biopsies, drainages and any other interventional procedures.

To answer the telephone and deal promptly with enquires from patients, doctors and other hospital staff.

To ensure the availability of adequate supplies by monitoring stock levels and reordering when necessary.

To be able to use the departmental radiology information computer to register and track patients, to check results and appointments.

To have a flexible approach and assist generally with any other duties as requested by the Superintendent radiographer and clinical manager. Healthcare provision takes place in a constantly changing environment, and the RDA role will be reviewed and may be amended from time to time to reflect the changing need of the service.

Professional

Ensure all examinations and work practices are carried out in a professional and appropriate manner in keeping with:

Local Rules

COSSH Regulations

Hospital and Directorate Clinical Governance Strategy

Data Protection Act

To observe all manual handling criteria when;

Moving patients from waiting areas into the scanning rooms

Transferring patients on and off the couches

Positioning patients into the correct scanning position

Moving the scanning equipment

To undertake the departmental and Trust induction programme and all annual statutory training

To train new staff and facilitate their development.

To maintain own level of competence through continuing professional development through participation in internal and external development opportunities.

To take part/perform/supervise clinical trials and audits as required.

Monitor performance of all associated equipment and act upon all reported potential and actual faults and hazards.

Report and take appropriate action where necessary/possible, to deal with all undue events with a potentially adverse outcome in keeping with the Department and Trust incident reporting policy.

The post-holder will 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.

Communication

To develop and maintain appropriate intra and interdepartmental communication channels.

To overcome barriers to understanding patients with special needs. To communicate sensitive/complex information to some patients.

To be able to relate to all manner of patients with understanding and care, respecting their privacy and dignity to provide a caring and confidential service.

Promote and ensure the best available departmental environment for patients, visitors and staff.

Physical Effort & Working Conditions

The post holder will: -

Have frequent use of VDU equipment.

Have regular exposure to distressing or emotional situations on a daily basis e.g. caring for terminally ill or badly injured patients, giving feedback of a negative nature to trainees.

Have regular exposure to highly distressing situations e.g. severe trauma cases, cardiac arrest, discovering cancers.

Have frequent exposure to body fluids e.g. blood, urine etc and infection risks and occasional exposure to fleas/lice.

Have occasional exposure to intoxicated, aggressive or abusive patients and relatives.

Have daily exposure to unpredictable workload.

Be required to position and manoeuvre patients and equipment on a daily basis. In any clinical situation, patients may be ambulant, in a wheelchair, or on a bed or stretcher. Transfer to an X-ray couch is necessary. Movement of wheelchairs, stretchers/beds over short distances throughout the working period is required.

Other

Job Holders are required to:

1. 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.

2. Always keep requirements in mind and seek out to improve, including achieving customer service performance targets.

3. Adhere to Trust policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities, and No Smoking.

4. Act in such a way that at all times the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults is safeguarded. Familiarisation with and adherence tothe Safeguarding Policiesof the Trust is an essential requirementfor all employees. In addition, all staff are expected to completeessential/mandatory training in this area.

5. Respect the confidentiality of all matters that they may learn relating to their employment and other members of staff. All staff are expected to respect conform to the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998, including the responsibility to ensure that personal data is accurate and kept up to date.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Literacy, Numeracy and keyboard skills
• ICT skills
• Desire to deliver compassionate hands on care in the hospital environment

Desirable

• NVQ 2 (or equivalent) in care or modules relevant to the area.
• Level 2 English and Maths
• To be articulate in expressing ideas
• Good Standard of Education
• Knowledge of the NHS

Experience

Essential

• No previous experience is necessary but previous experience within a hospital setting is desirable.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Effective patient care skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Good organisational skills
• Good attention to detail.

Desirable

• Motivation to meet the patients needs for self and others.
• Ability to demonstrate confidentiality and trustworthiness.
• A willingness to be flexible and part of a team.
• Ability to juggle many priorities at one time, whilst remaining calm

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Address

Queen Alexandra Hospital

Southwick Hill Road

Cosham

Portsmouth

PO6 3LY

Employer's website

https://www.porthosp.nhs.uk/work-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)