Cross Sectional CT Radiographer - Band 6 - Radiology, CT Scanning

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

Would you like to be part of planning a new state of the art Hospital?

Exciting future for CT services beckons

We are looking for CT Radiographers to expand team. We have recently gained a third CT scanner which is due to be completed in June and are replacing our in-hospital scanners, all with the GE Revolution Ascend. We are looking to extend our services to cover CT imaging overnight and are excited to be planning our new hospital.

We are in need of additional staff to extend our working day and provide a formal 24/7 day service. We are currently planning the approved CDC at Newmarket which will open in 2024. This will help to keep our waiting times low and support staff in their work life balance.

Whether you are an experienced CT radiographer looking for a new challenge, a general radiographer who is interested in a change of direction or indeed a new graduate with little experience in the cross-sectional environment and have the desire to learn. We are keen to hear from you.

West Suffolk CT team are a friendly department offering exciting opportunities for Cross Sectional Radiographers. We are fortunate to be able to offer post graduate opportunities with Radiographers who perform and report CTCs and Radiographer CT head reporting. There is the opportunity to attend MDTs, where radiographers are valued by our Radiologists who share interesting cases and learning experiences.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a candidate who is ambitious, a motivated learner, a team player, has a passion for a career in cross sectional imaging with image quality and patient care at the forefront of their practice.

We are keen for candidates to contact us prior to interview to discuss the role and opportunities available at the West Suffolk Hospital.

Many of our staff have worked at the West Suffolk for years creating a real sense of community. We are at an extremely exciting phase in our development with the new hospital designs underway. The department has QSI accreditation which we are extremely proud of, demonstrating our commitment to quality care.

West Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust is a district general hospital in the beautiful market town, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. The surrounding area has plenty to offer for all ages. With easy access to London, Cambridge and Ipswich.

We have to offer :-

3 GE CT Ascend scanners

Training opportunities

Extended days, condensed week working options with 24/7 cover.

Part time/full time options.

We are also planning our new hospital and need keen and ambitious individuals to help carry this amazing project forward.

About us

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

Were a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and childrens ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Date posted

05 May 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£35,392 to £42,618 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9179-23-5011-C

Job locations

West Suffolk Hospitals Nhs Trust

Hardwick Lane

Bury St. Edmunds

Suffolk

IP332QZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the full job description for more detail in supporting information

JOB PURPOSE:

1) A skilled and experienced Radiographer will be an active member of the Cross Sectional Imaging service Computerised Axial Tomography [CT]. They must also be able to assist in performing conventional radiographic procedures.

2) To have a working knowledge of Ionising Radiation Medical Exposure Regulations (IRMER) and safe working practice associated with CT and Radiology.

3) To deliver and assist in day-to-day running of the CT department.

4) To exercise awareness of patient examination targets and manage lists accordingly.

5) To provide a consistent high quality of patient care and have communication skills which reassure anxious patient mix.

6) To perform regular Quality Assurance.

7) To assist and advise in the future procurement of cross sectional equipment.

KEY TASKS:

1) To oversee the day-to-day organisation of cross sectional services, providing leadership and a role model for other radiographers, especially for those rotating through CT.

2) Arrange the daily workload for the team; liaise with ward and departmental staff to organise inpatient transport and ensure all patients are correctly prepared for their scans.

3) Review and create patient information literature to ensure all patients are fully informed for their scans.

4) Frequent management of queries from patients and members of hospital and other medical staff via the telephone. This daily occurrence relates to issues including patients who are extremely anxious about their examination, patients who are keen to know the waiting times for their appointments, medical staff seeking advice with respect to availability of results, appropriateness of cross sectional imaging for specific causes and availability of appointment times.

5) Prioritise workload allowing for clinical need and urgency. Provide timely, efficient and courteous provisions of cross sectional services to the agreed standards of the department.

6) Routinely consent and check patient safety questionnaires. Delicate and personal questions are discussed, such as pregnancy status for any female between the age of 11-54 and other medical history.

7) Effectively communicate with all grades of staff, carers and patients. Adaptation of skills is needed to explain and carry out a variety of procedures. Some patients may be elderly, confused, intoxicated, aggressive, paediatric or have special needs. Claustrophobic patients require special reassurance and persuasion. Empathy, tact and persuasion skills may also be needed for patients undergoing or about to undergo cancer treatment or staging. Leadership communication skills will also be required.

8) To work unsupervised in a specialist area with autonomy making judgements on protocol.

9) To ensure cross sectional waiting times are kept to a minimum and meet government, Trust and departmental targets by assisting with ongoing planning (short and long term) and implementing waiting list initiatives as required. This includes assisting with the co-ordination of a range of other professionals to meet the organisational requirements.

10) To carry out tasks delegated by the Superintendent Radiographer.

11) Work closely with other cross sectional practitioners, superintendent and radiologists to provide a high quality service.

12) Frequent dedicated training to inexperienced radiographers and students rotating through CT.

13) To be involved in discussion and implementation of new policies for the CT scanner.

14) To set and maintain high standards with the cross sectional team. Be able to train and supervise others in working towards those standards.

15) Encourage cohesive working arrangements within a small unit and all other working areas, monitoring patient throughput and redistributing where necessary.

16) To be flexible to cover an extended working week and weekend hours for CT on call. Adhoc shift changes are accepted practice according to service demands.

17) Be proficient in Intravenous Cannulation. Administration of contrast, being aware of reactions and the action/treatment required. Be proficient in using an automated intravenous pump and associated intricate connections.

18) To record all prescribed contrast media in accordance with patient group directives.

19) To request, record and understand patient blood results prior to safe administration of IV contrast media.

20) To demonstrate awareness of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) and incidence with contrast media.

21) Manipulate complex, expensive instruments ensuring safe use of equipment. To be responsible for the management of patient images and data including processing, archiving, copying, image contrast and multi-planar image display.

22) Be proficient in controlling violence and aggression and in employing talk down skills when working single-handed in department during on call.

23) Be proficient in IT skills. Be able to enter patient details, access patient records/history and retrieve images on the Trusts computerised radiography systems and workstations as well as the patient archiving and communication system.

24) Participate in stock control and maintenance. Liaising with scanner engineers by telephone to report faults.

25) Participate in setting up and implementation of quality assurance procedures.

26) To assist the department in audit and facilitating the Imaging Service Accreditation Scheme (ISAS/QSI) accreditation.

27) Accept referrals from other disciplines, adhering to Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposures) Regulation (IRMER), on justification of procedures. Advise other disciplines on the safe use of ionising radiation. Refer to other disciplines where appropriate.

28) Support new staff in induction. Teach and promote awareness and compliance with policies and protocols.

29) Ensure requirements of radiation administration and protection are observed as identified in the department local rules, procedure protocols and guidelines.

30) Record radiation doses on the Trust computer system of patient x-ray records. Record pregnancy status where appropriate.

31) To participate in on-call systems as required, working unsocial hours and independently in unpredictable situations with workload, emergencies and sometimes aggressive, intoxicated and confused patients.

32) Understand how the Undergraduate Radiography course runs to enable teaching and supervision of students on a daily basis.

33) Maintain Continued Professional Development, particularly in cross sectional imaging, visiting specialist centres where appropriate. Participate in formal appraisal programme.

34) Develop sufficient expertise in general and cross sectional radiography to be able to act correctly on the information received.

35) Participate in Governance and support the Governance Radiographer Practitioner in departmental audits, setting up cross sectional audits where necessary.

36) Participate in the STAT alert system(this is a system in which radiographers alert radiologists of management changing pathology)

37) Participate in clinical trials when required.

General Responsibilities

1) Undertake continuing review of professional evidence relating to general radiography.

2) To participate in mandatory training of Fire Safety, Resuscitation and Manual Handling procedures and ensure these are followed.

3) To undertake all Radiation, Health & Safety procedures as applicable to the department and/or Trust.

4) Adhere to department policies on Infection Control and the Handling and Clearing of Bodily Fluids.

5) Adhere to departments COSHH regulations including dealing with a chemical spillage.

Development and Implementation

1) Maintaining an interest in the profession and knowledge of new techniques and protocols, attending courses where necessary. Continued Personal Development planning with guidance for the Appraisal system.

Teaching and Training

1) Expected to participate in the training programme in place for radiography students and, on occasion, other students including school leavers and pre-registered doctors. It is also necessary to teach less experienced radiographers in cross sectional techniques.

Public Relations

1) Remain professional at all times. Listen with other clinical teams to maintain good public relations with the general public and other interest groups.