MRI Radiographer

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job responsibilities:

Communication

1. Communicate effectively with all patients, relatives, carers, and other health professionals.

1. Advise patients regarding enquiries concerning their referral and the nature of the examination to be undertaken and results process.

1. Advise medical staff/referrers seeking advice with respect to appropriateness of cross-sectional imaging for specific cases, availability of results and other queries.

1. Be able to adapt communication skills to explain and carry out procedures for groups of patients including those that may be confused, intoxicated, aggressive, anxious. Skills needed to provide patients or relatives with empathy and emotional support for the bereaved, terminally ill, injured, traumatised or those altered by substance use/abuse.

1. Communicate effectively with patients who are anxious regarding the claustrophobic nature of MRI.

1. Be proficient in controlling violence and aggression and in employing talk down skills when required.

Planning and organisational Skills

1. Assist in the day-to-day organisation of workload making changes where necessary to accommodate emergencies and to ensure the smooth running of lists. Liaise with referrers, wards and departments in arrangements regarding appointment times and the appropriate method of transport of patients to the department.

1. Prioritise workload allowing for clinical need and urgency.

1. Liaise with the consultant/duty radiologists in the scheduling of in-patient workload.

1. Liaise with referring departments (particularly A&E), keeping them informed of any delays to patient throughput that might result because of excessive workload, equipment breakdown etc.

1. Keep equipment, work areas and accessories clean and tidy.

1. Ensure all equipment is kept in good working order. Report any faults or hazards to the Service Manager or Deputy, or in their absence deal directly with the appropriate service supplier.

1. Encourage cohesive working arrangements within a small team acting as a role model and providing leadership for more junior staff and staff rotating through the team.

Clinical Duties

1. Work closely with other cross-sectional practitioners, service managers and radiologists to provide a high-quality service.
2. Take responsibility for the welfare and comfort of the patient whilst under the care of the radiology department, prior, during and post their examination. Ensure that they are kept informed of any factors, such as delays, that are likely to affect them.

1. Ensure all patients are positively identified, consented and safety checked using the appropriate questionnaires prior to commencement of any examination, as required by local rules/operational policies.

1. To actively demonstrate knowledge of fatal contraindications in MRI and be assertive enough to refuse examinations if safety cannot be proven.

1. Perform all MRI scans as required following the departmental protocols.

1. Operate and manipulate complex equipment ensuring adherence to MRI safety protocol and procedures as identified in the department local operational policy and MRI safety policy.

1. From the clinical information available on the examination request card or from the Consultant Radiologist or vetting practitioner, select the appropriate scanning protocol required to optimise the diagnostic examination. Modify protocols/parameters where appropriate, taking into consideration patient condition and/or clinical information required to optimise the diagnostic value for each individual patient presentation.

1. Accept referrals from stroke services for MRI brain scans for the clinical indication of TIA/stroke. Advise other disciplines on the safe use of MRI. Refer to other disciplines where appropriate.
2. Be proficient in intravenous cannulation and administration of contrast, being aware of reactions and the action/treatment required. Be proficient in using an automated intravenous pump and associated intricate connections.

1. To participate in cross-sectional out of hours rota including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

1. Travel to satellite sites to deliver MRI services as required.

1. To carry out tasks delegated by the Service Manager or Deputy.

Health, Safety and Governance

1. Be aware of the dangers and effects of high field MR and carry out examinations according to safe practice. Be familiar with the safety procedures concerning MR including magnet quenching, fire and cardiac arrest.

1. Keep up to date and current with MHRA guidelines on implants and safe working practice.

1. Advise referring clinicians on the suitability of patients for MR scans with particular reference to safety of patients with internal cardiac/neurological devices, external mechanical devices and those with communication difficulties.

1. Participate in the STAT alert system, a system in which radiographers alert radiologists of new/changing pathology which may affect/change a patients ongoing management.

1. Adhere to department policies on Infection Control and the Handling and Clearing of Bodily Fluids.
2. Adhere to departments COSHH regulations including dealing with a chemical spillage.

1. To record all prescribed contrast media and anti-spasmodic used in accordance with patient group directives.

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

1. Participate in clinical governance with particular respect to quality, audit and risk management programmes. Support the Governance Radiographer Practitioner with QSI tasks as required.

1. Participate in quality assurance procedures.

Information Resources

1. Be proficient in IT skills. Be able to register patients on the scanner, access patient records/history and retrieve images on the Trusts computerised radiography systems and workstations as well as the patient archiving and communication system.

1. Be proficient in the use of the trust electronic patient record system, updating patient notes when required.

1. Following completion of the examination be responsible for the management of patient images/data including processing, archiving, copying, image contrast and multi-planar image reconstruction

1. Use of the trust Datix system for recording incidents.

1. Record pregnancy status and log MRI specific absorption rates where appropriate.

1. Carry out any initial research and record all relevant information/evidence on patients record regarding MRI implants.

Research, Development, Training and Education

1. Assist in the induction of new starters helping to deliver the required equipment and safety training and ensuring that the appropriate evidence is completed.

1. Teach and promote awareness and compliance with policies and protocols.

1. Provide dedicated training to junior radiographers rotating through MRI

1. Understand how the undergraduate radiography course runs to enable teaching and supervision of students on placements in MRI and, on occasion, other students including school leavers and pre-registered doctors.

1. Maintain, through continuing professional development, an awareness of developments in cross-sectional imaging.

1. Ensure all mandatory training requirements are kept up to date

1. Participate in the Trust appraisal system.

Participate in clinical trials/research when required

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Have a degree or equivalent in Diagnostic Radiography
• Be registered with the HCPC
• Comprehensive, up to date CPD portfolio

Desirable

• Post Graduate courses in MRI

Experience and knowledge

Essential

• Have experience in cross sectional imaging.
• Demonstrate interest and experience in a variety of cross-sectional procedures
• Knowledge of MRI guidelines, in particular MHRA
• Experience in audit and governance processes

Desirable

• Be competent in MRI
• Have experience as a senior radiographer

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Effective communication and organisational skills
• Ability to build and sustain effective working relationships
• Ability to work well in a small team
• Demonstrate assertiveness with cross-sectional safety issues
• Able to use a wide range of IT systems.
• Demonstrate good attention to detail
• Good time management skills
• Good communication and interpersonal skills

Desirable

• Presentation skills
• Leadership skills
• Teaching skills

Personal qualities

Essential

• Occupational health clearance to carry out all physical tasks required with no known implants contraindicated to an MRI environment.
• Ability to travel to all rural locations to carry out post.
• High self-awareness, understanding own emotions, strengths and limitations
• Be able to cope under pressure and deliver against objectives
• Able to respond positively to developmental feedback
• Flexible approach to working with ability to cover extended working days, weekends and Bank Holidays

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Newmarket Community Hospital

56 Exning Road

Newmarket

CB8 7JG

Employer's website

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