Job responsibilities
Please see the full job description for more detail in supporting information
JOB PURPOSE: To provide symptomatic breast imaging and
breast screening services on behalf of the West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust.
The post holder will be a qualified
State Registered Radiographer in possession of the Diploma of the College of
Radiographers, or BSc in Radiography, and hold the Certificate of Competence in
Mammography.
The person will be a self-motivated,
able person with integrity, having good communication skills and possess the
ability to work both individually and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
The person will have specific knowledge
of mammography QA including tomosynthesis and CESM. Will be responsible for
ensuring the safe use of equipment via QA, training of QA and RPS duties
Job
role
Understand
the full range of work procedures and practices, requiring expertise within the
specialism of breast imaging and undertake high quality mammograms in the unit
and at mobile sites
To
be responsible for all Quality Assurance (QA) tests and protocols within the
guidelines set out in the NHSBSP QA Manual.
To
implement QA Programme/compile policies and protocols for the department and
maintain this good practise within breast screening and symptomatic
mammography.
Undertake
QA training in regards staff and equipment
To
produce a consistently high standard of mammographic images.
To
ensure the patient is at the centre of all we do and maintain a high level of
client/patient care
Participate
in NBSS image review.
To be responsible for the safe use of
equipment in breast imaging working under IRMER guidelines at all times.
To undertake any other duties which may
be delegated by the Superintendent Radiographer in Mammography or other senior
staff within radiology
Clinical Knowledge, Training, and
experience
Understanding of the full range of work
procedures and practices, requiring expertise within the specialism of breast
imaging
To be a qualified Radiographer with a
Post Graduate Certificate in mammography
Provide highly specialist mammographic
clinical technical services. To provide a full symptomatic and asymptomatic
mammography service.
Take responsibility for the patient
while in their care, including giving instructions to other members of staff
involved in procedures.
To be responsible for ensuring that a
high professional and technical standard is maintained at all times.
There is a frequent requirement for
concentration, and the work pattern is unpredictable
Through acquired knowledge and
expertise, help identify areas for improvement and contribute to the
modification and improvement to service delivery, protocols and procedures.
There may be occasional exposure to
distressing or emotional circumstances
Capable of operating complex
mammographic equipment
To be able to operate complex machinery
and equipment with a high degree of accuracy and understanding, including all
equipment accuracy and safety tests as laid down by the QA protocols and
National Guidelines
To lead the QA Programme, undertaking
testing of all equipment as per department regime, ensuring optimum conditions
are in place before commencing clinical work.
To have the underpinning knowledge to
interpret QA test results and know when and how to take remedial action.
Organisational Skills
Planning and organisation of own work
load, including breast screening sessions on a mobile unit.
To liaise with all professional groups
throughout the breast and health care environment to ensure an efficient
service which meets the needs and expectations of the service users.
Provide and receive information
relating to the management and imaging of breast imaging patients. This may be
of a complex, sensitive, or contentious nature.
Persuasive, motivational, and
re-assurance skills will be required, in order to achieve agreement and
cooperation from patients where there may be barriers to understanding
To take responsibility for ensuring
that knowledge of Trust and Departmental Policies and Procedures is up to date.
To maintain the high standard of
appearance and hygiene as expected.
Develop strategies for continuing
self-audit, evaluating, and reflecting on own practise to identify training
needs and take a planned approach to develop own skills and knowledge, in line
with service needs.
To liaise with the Breast Screening
Manager to determine methods of improving the acceptability of the service to
the public.
Keep up to date in the field of medical
imaging through clinical practice, journal reading and attendance at local and
national meetings and conferences
QA expertise
To
take delegated responsibility, whilst working on mobile screening units, for
the relevant legislation relating to Health and Safety, Ionising Radiation
Regulations, the Health and Safety Policy of the Unit, and procedures for
ceasing screening when equipment fails to perform to quality and / or safety
standards.
To
know and understand the Regional Breast Screening Data System and be able to
interpret and enter client detail.
To
be responsible for all Quality assurance tests and protocols within the
guidelines set out in the NHSBSP QA manual.
To
implement QA programme/compile policies and protocols for the department and
maintain this good practice within Breast screening and symptomatic
mammography.
To
ensure that QA tests are recorded, evaluated, monitored and results summarised
monthly for the NHSBSP.
To
contribute to the improvement and development of the breast screening service.
Ensure
that essential servicing, maintenance, and repairs are carried out to
satisfaction with limited disruption to service.
Ensure
compliance with radiographic quality control.
Ensure
all QA documents, policies and procedures are in place for the yearly QA visit
by the Regional QA team.
Participates
in the decision-making process when procuring new equipment by undertaking
technical evaluations and making recommendations as to the suitability.
Be
proficient in the completion of and understand the importance of QSIS incident
reporting and how to evaluate risks within the department.
To
help the Superintendent Radiographer with reviewing policies and procedures for
QSI accreditation.
To
be the radiation protection supervisor RPS and to organise physics testing as a
when required.
Research and Development
To participate in the quality assurance
programme and audit programme as appropriate.
Implements policies within breast
imaging, and to be able to propose changes to policies within breast imaging
To help implement new working practices
and policies within the Breast Imaging department, following group/team
discussion, to improve and enhance the service.
To be aware of any new technologies and
application to interventional breast processes
To attend and contribute to case
discussion at regular MDT meetings.
To provide supervision and support to
junior and non-professional staff.
To demonstrate and support the teaching
of mammographic techniques and to be involved in any audit or research projects
as required.
To participate in peer review of films
and work with colleagues to identify trends / problems, devise remedial action
and improve standards.
To provide specialist, in depth
information and support to women, occasionally in the screening environment but
especially during assessment and diagnostic sessions.
To attend study days and update
training courses required to maintain the Certificate in Mammography, undertake
CPD and further training as may be considered necessary to fulfil the
professional role.
To assist, guide and monitor all new
starters, trainee mammographers and assistant practitioners in how to perform
daily, weekly, and monthly QA tests and to show the importance of this.
Maintain a CPD portfolio
Working Conditions
There is exposure to the hazard of
ionising radiation, which is controlled
To
observe and act within IR(ME)R, Health and Safety at Work, COSHH, and
subsequent legislation amendments.
To report accidents, incidents and
complaints to the Superintendent Radiographer.
To ensure that requirements of
radiation administration and protection are observed, as identified through
national guidelines and the departments' Local Rules, updating these as
required.
Responsible for data entry using paper
or computer-based systems
Responsible for documentation into
specifically NBSS relative to breast screening patients.
There may be an occasional requirement
to exert moderate physical effort
Other duties
To work with and support the
Superintendent Radiographer in charge of the breast unit with all aspects of
the service.
To assist with and participate in
continuing professional development within Mammography, being aware of
professional changes in practice.
To be prepared to present audit to the
multidisciplinary team.
To work flexibly should the need of
the service require it from time to time.
Participate in the day-to-day
supervision of junior staff in breast imaging, including imaging assistants
and/or assistant practitioner
