Job responsibilities
Job Summary:
To conduct a wide range of CT/MR scans upon a range of patient types, both as an autonomous practitioner and as part of a multi-professional team, in a manner that meets profession, departmental and legal standards and requirements
To proactively assist in the management of the MRI and CT scanning departments on a daily basis whilst fostering a safe and efficient environment for patients, staff and visitors.
To supervise, and teach junior radiographers, student radiographers and RDAs and to actively help, teach and support training SPRs
Ensure patient safety is maintained and patient experience is positive by treating all patients, relatives and colleagues with respect, dignity and courtesy in accordance with Trust values.
Ensuring that at all times you act within your sphere of competence.
Key Responsibilities:
Clinical/Operational
To co-ordinate effectively with the Superintendent radiographer in order to be responsible for staff and resources within a designated clinical area.
To carry out all aspects of general and specialised CT and MRI scanning, and to manage their own workload.
To check completed scans against accepted diagnostic standards, including patients details and to act appropriately according to the findings.
Ensure all systems processes are completed accurately and appropriately.
To undertake CT and MR scans in the absence of a radiologist according to agreed protocols.
To undertake IV injections with no supervision ensuring a patient allergy history is always obtained.
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. To ensure that a positive identification is obtained from all patients prior to their examination.
To participate in the night shift rota covering CT scanning and on call MRI.
Be responsible for the consumable stock control necessary to support designated clinical areas, within the agreed financial limits.
Undertake any duties assigned by the Management Team commensurate with the post.
Deal with complaints and grievances from staff and patients within the department.
Demonstrate specialised keyboard skills required for image manipulation and workstation development.
Promote optimal, accurate and correct use of PACS and other associated digital technology within the Diagnostic Imaging Department and the Trust to effectively contribute towards the achievement of key service and corporate objectives. To be able to use the departmental radiology information computer to register patients, to check results and appointments.
Participate in the management of performance, both of the service and of individuals, as appropriate and in liaison with the Management Team.
To actively influence and implement changes to clinical practice using clinical knowledge and expertise with the long-term aim of developing best practice. Contribute towards service development and optimal use of resources.
Support and advise team members in best clinical practice.
Encourage and facilitate learning in others.
Promote and ensure the best available departmental environment for patients, visitors and staff.
Co-ordinate maintenance programmes for the CT and MR scanners and associated equipment, including the reporting of faults and liaising with engineers.
To undertake quality control procedures within CT and MR, including Quality Assurance on a daily basis to test for image quality, equipment safety, and to help with clinical audits within the scanning department.
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 authorized staff within a designated, controlled or supervised area within the Diagnostic Imaging Department or the Trust.
Professional
To autonomously manage a designated clinical area within the diagnostic imaging department, leading a team of radiographers, student radiographers, and RDAs.
To train new staff, to mentor junior staff and facilitate their development.
To provide an active learning environment for all grades.
Make effective use of non-medical staff in delivery of departmental service requirements. Including planning rotas and allocating staff.
Assist the appropriate Superintendent in identifying staff training and development needs. Including RIS, PACS, and scanning technique training.
Ensure all examinations and work practices are carried out in a professional and appropriate manner in keeping with:
Ionising Radiation Regulations and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposures) Regulations
Local Rules
COSSH Regulations
Hospital and Directorate Clinical Governance Strategy
Data Protection Act
MR Safety Rules
To observe all manual handling criteria when;
Moving patients from waiting areas into the scanning rooms
Transferring patients on and off the scanner tables
Positioning patients into the correct scanning position
Moving the scanner 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 and to maintain a portfolio of evidence in support of CPD undertaken.
To undertake and participate in clinical audit and research and to act on the findings where possible.
Communication
To communicate effectively and appropriately, with all users of the service, across all age groups and abilities, observing confidentiality and information governance. This will include: -
- Patients, Carers & Relatives: to explain procedures, pre and post care, to check allergies and other contra indications, follow up procedures, radiation issues; appointments. To overcome barriers to understanding patients with special needs. To communicate sensitive/complex information to some patients.
- Radiologists: to discuss examination techniques, results and outcomes, appointments,
- Other Health Care Professionals: to discuss patient examinations, preparation and post procedure care, diagnostic results; radiation issues, appointments; service issues and problems
- Wards/Depts: on any issues involving patients; on any issue affecting the provision of the CT/MR service
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.
- Encourage and participate in active feedback of ideas, concerns and suggestions to the appropriate level and in an appropriate forum.
- Ensure all staff have access to the appropriate communication forum and are familiar with the Departments objectives, plans and relevant Trust issues.
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.
