PACS ASSISTANT

Job description

Job responsibilities

Role summary

In the absence of the PACS System Manager, undertake their duties as necessary until their return.

To work in conjunction with the PACS Systems Manager to identify functionality in RIS and PACS systems to enhance departmental workflow.

To promote and maintain high standards of data held on the RIS and PACS systems and effect change to working practices within Radiology.

To interrogate the RIS and PACS systems to provide statistical information for use in departmental audits, financial returns, trust activity information and HSCIC returns.

To act as the escalation, contact for enquiries about and issues with the RIS and PACS systems, using expert knowledge of the systems, to ensure any issues are dealt in a timely manner or escalated to the necessary people.

To have the ability to develop knowledge as new releases of software are released and to test new RIS and PACS releases before upgrades to the live systems and to work with IT system managers to test interfaces into RIS and PACS after system updates.

Ensure Business Processes are enhanced utilising the interfaces between Trust IT systems.

Key responsibilities

Ensure that data and information are stored securely and that transmitted data and information complies with local and national policies and regulations.

Maintain an accurate log of RIS and PACS assets showing their current performance status and system information (including but not limited to IP address, location, and reference number).

Deal with enquiries in a polite, professional, and helpful manner.

Add new equipment into System configuration in PACS and test.

Import all images as requested, contact requestor if images not available; contact other Trusts to send images as required.

Transfer images to other external Trusts as required.

To perform daily, weekly, and monthly statistical reports and complete all daily housekeeping tasks.

Report any incidents that arise and complete relevant forms.

Maintain system access controls and procedures through security and confidentiality of information.

To be fully competent in PACS system administration processes, including patient merges and setting up new modality connections.

Disposal of confidential waste in line with departmental procedures i.e., CD disposal.

Liaise on a regular basis with PACS manager regarding problems or errors identified and any performance issues with the systems so that problems and faults can be escalated through the appropriate channels.

Ensure PACS service runs as smoothly as possible.

Work with PACS team to ensure RIS training and updates are supported.

Conform to the general data protection regulations.

Ensure a safe working environment by following Trust policies.

To make efficient use of resources.

To read and be aware of all Trust policies and procedures pertinent to employees of the Trust.

Provide advice and support for staff daily, and during RIS & PACS upgrades.

To ensure compliance to all Trust Risk Management, Research Governance, and Infection Control Policies.

To take responsibility for the day-to-day organisation and maintenance of the RIS and PACS systems and their data, running statistical reports daily to highlight any problems and communicate the results to the relevant parties.

Be aware of and comply with their data protection and confidentiality obligations under Law and through Trust policy.

Comply with the explicit and implied terms of their contract of employment, or other agreement signed to handle Trust information.

Undertake appropriate Information Governance mandatory training as set out in the Corporate Induction and Mandatory Training Policy.

Coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams on the weekly oncology & monthly MDT meetings, collating scans, making entries for specialist neuroradiology review to be undertaken using equivalent experience on non-routine tasks identifying examinations and correct exam codes on the clinical system.

Identify during housekeeping data quality issues and discrepancy in patient records and flag to the appropriate department & Cheshire & Mersey Trust teams for action.

Support PACS/RIS team including merge of duplicate records on RIS.

Assist CRIS & PACS users in any issues with their account or equipment faults with reporting workstations.

Access national tracing systems to check patient demographics.

Undertake appropriate mandatory training in infection control and comply with all Trust Infection Control policies relevant to the post, particularly regarding the hand hygiene policy.

Co-operate in the Personal Development Review process.

All staff are responsible for ensuring that they are part of providing a quality service for patients that is safe, effective, and personable. Staff are responsible for familiarising themselves with local and trust documentation that relates to quality and improving the patient experience.

Identify staff not performing to the expected standard and advise the PACS/RIS Management.

To problem solve issues ranging from incorrect image store by Radiographers to multiple equipment or system failure by analysing multiple pieces of non-concurring information.

To develop and maintain excellent communication with all parties involved with RIS and PACS, including end users, IM&T, and equipment suppliers, acting as liaison between them when necessary.

Monitor PACS equipment performance (including specialised Radiology reporting workstations) and provide first line system support.

The post holder will be a source of expert knowledge in the transfer of data (both images and reports) between the Walton Centre and all other organisations.

Deal with requests for statistical/analytical data and develop stats to interrogate the RIS system. E.g., Activity figures for finance, departmental audits, advising the end user how to interpret the results.

Authorise System Request for Change (RFC) in the absence of RIS/PACS Manager or Deputy.

Assist in the development and maintenance of disaster recovery plans and contingency plans in case of equipment failure.

To assist in co-ordinating upgrades to the system, whilst minimising service disruption and undertake appropriate communication with providers and users.

To develop and maintain excellent communication with all parties involved with RIS, PACS and VNA, including end users, IM&T, and equipment suppliers, acting as liaison between them when necessary.

Develop access strategies to ensure that images are always available, wherever and whenever they are required.

To validate Radiology data to ensure the output of stats run from RIS system are accurate, using extensive knowledge of Departmental working practices and procedures to ensure data integrity.

To identify and investigate problems and queries relating to data and information processing and management and to take appropriate remedial actions in response.

To take a lead role in the training of staff on a variety of different systems, including RIS, PACS and IEP (Image Exchange Portal).

Produce and maintain training manuals and instructional material to assist all staff with the use of digital imaging equipment / software.

Take part in informal teaching of Radiology Consultants and SpRs in the use of PACS to facilitate the creation of teaching databases.

To have a yearly appraisal to comply with Trust policy.

Take responsibility for managing own health and wellbeing.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree/diploma level or equivalent experience.
• Dicom and HL7 qualification
• Experience in training individuals or large groups.

Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of IT systems, including basic Excel.
• Equivalent knowledge of a range of trust policies and management procedures. requiring on-going job training and experience.
• Appropriate experience in an acute NHS Trust.
• Experience in a patient care environment.
• Experience of validating data and producing reports.
• Experience of accurate and timely data entry.
• Knowledge of Patient Access targets.
• Knowledge of appointment booking systems.
• Communicate on all levels to multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation to include data protection and radiation. protection regulations.
• Understanding of DICOM and HL7, to manage system integrations.
• Time management skills.
• Proven ability to achieve deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to communicate advice, instruction, and training information.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
• Ability to work using own initiative.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to deliver timely and accurate data whilst working under pressure.
• Reliable and committed.
• Professional approach to work and colleagues.
• Able to develop good working relationships.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• IT Literate: ECDL or equivalent knowledge and experience with excellent knowledge of MS Office program.
• Punctual & reliable
• Must comply with Trust uniform policy.

Desirable

• Knowledge of CRIS & PACS
• Clinical radiology knowledge
• Knowledge of radiology workflows.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Walton Centre

Lower Lane

Liverpool

L9 7LJ

Employer's website

https://www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)