Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the dynamic and forward thinking Medical Imaging and Medical Physics directorate as a PACS Radiographer. The post will be open to Band 5 radiographers with little or no relevant prior PACS experience, or Band 6 radiographers with substantial relevant PACS experience, including AGFA Enterprise Imaging. PLEASE NOTE - THIS POST IS AT AFC B5 UNTIL TRAINING IS COMPLETE, AT WHICH POINT THE POST HOLDER WILL BE UPLIFTED TO B6.
The post-holder works throughout the Trust to ensure that clinical images and reports are available; at the point of care, throughout the organisation and the wider health network. This is essential for effective patient management. The PACS Clinical Practitioner role is key to this process and the post holder is required to liaise closely with staff of all grades and disciplines on a daily basis.
The clinical imaging systems must be regularly monitored and maintained to ensure they are fully functional to meet their required performance. The PACS Clinical Practitioner plays a key part in this via daily duties and is often required to work in clinical areas to resolve problems, train staff and to ensure that staff gain the maximum possible benefit from the systems.
Main duties of the job
The PACS Clinical Practitioner is required to take a lead role in the effective and efficient management of the PACS/RIS data to ensure the best possible data quality to support clinical outcomes.
The overriding purpose is to support the provision of the highest quality patient care through personal actions and continuous improvement.
JOB PURPOSE
Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) are used for the storage, and distribution of clinical images for review and diagnosis. At STH; PACS is used by Medical Imaging & Medical Physics, Breast Screening, Metabolic Bone Unit and more recently Diagnostic Cardiology.
ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT
To provide a high quality, responsive PACS/RIS service as part of a multi-disciplinary team, whilst maintaining a high standard of data quality and above all to support patient care.
To maintain positive professional links with other medical and non-medical staff and promote good service and standards.
About us
You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.
Radiology Information Systems (RIS) are used for the day-to-day information needs of the Imaging Departments including receipt of electronic requests, vetting and scheduling of examinations and the generation of clinical reports. RIS integrates with PACS and the Patient Administration System. PACS images can be accessed directly from the systems or via links from other clinical systems, such as PAS (Lorenzo), Integrated Clinical Portal and the electronic requesting and results system at STH (Sunquest ICE).
PACS and RIS are used in combination to support Clinical Imaging Systems that are widely used throughout the organisation, documenting and storing images and reports for over 600,000 studies per year and accessed by over 5,000 users throughout STH and the wider health community. These systems are managed and supported by the PACS Team, which is multi-disciplinary team incorporating staff from both Clinical and Admin & Clerical backgrounds.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This vacancy is advertised on a fixed term contract basis for the maximum period of 6 months. Where there is potential, the secondment/fixed term contract may finish early, or in the first instance, the secondment/fixed term contract may be extended due to the internal/external secondment of the substantive post holder. The fixed term contract status of the post holder will be reviewed in accordance with the Trust's legal obligations regarding fixed term contracts and secondments in relation to the substantive post holder.
Please also note any secondment must first be agreed with your current line manager.
Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical & professional
To be professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of their practice, working within National legislation and Departmental policies, Codes of Conduct and Professional guidelines.
To monitor and maintain a safe working environment with specific regard to QA, Infection control and general health and safety issues.
Manage the housekeeping of PACS/RIS data in a timely fashion.
Health and safety
Be aware of the responsibilities placed on him/her under the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974 and subsequent Health and Safety legislations ensuring that the agreed safety procedures are carried out in order to maintain a safe environment for staff and visitors.
Be familiar with and promote local procedures including Fire Alarm procedure, Cardiac Arrest and Major Accident
Adhere to all Trust and Directorate policies and procedures, with particular reference to Health and Safety, infection control, Risk Management, Moving and Handling and patient confidentiality
Training and education
Keep abreast of developments in Clinical Imaging Systems and maintain a professional portfolio that demonstrates reflective learning.
Assist with provision of training to end users of all grades and disciplines, ensuring that a properly co-ordinated PACS/RIS training programme is delivered effectively across the health community in conjunction with Trust Core Trainers.
Participate in mandatory study days
Clinical governance
Participate in a Trust-wide PACS quality assurance and audit programme to optimise the clinical potential of the PACS service in collaboration with Medical Physics Clinical Scientist colleagues.
Have an awareness of the Trusts and Directorates strategy, objectives and targets and work to achieve them.
Ensure confidentiality of all information gained is safeguarded and maintained in accordance with professional, local and national guidelines and regulations.
Management
Ensure that the service is delivered in accordance with the necessary protocols
Deputise for the Deputy PACS Manager, as required, to ensure continual smooth running of the service whilst undertaking the supervision of more junior staff, including PACS practitioners
Take a proactive role in problem solving and in dealing the daily operational requirements of running the department.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This vacancy is advertised on a fixed term contract basis for the maximum period of 6 months. Where there is potential, the secondment/fixed term contract may finish early, or in the first instance, the secondment/fixed term contract may be extended due to the internal/external secondment of the substantive post holder. The fixed term contract status of the post holder will be reviewed in accordance with the Trust's legal obligations regarding fixed term contracts and secondments in relation to the substantive post holder.
Please also note any secondment must first be agreed with your current line manager.
Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical & professional
To be professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of their practice, working within National legislation and Departmental policies, Codes of Conduct and Professional guidelines.
To monitor and maintain a safe working environment with specific regard to QA, Infection control and general health and safety issues.
Manage the housekeeping of PACS/RIS data in a timely fashion.
Health and safety
Be aware of the responsibilities placed on him/her under the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974 and subsequent Health and Safety legislations ensuring that the agreed safety procedures are carried out in order to maintain a safe environment for staff and visitors.
Be familiar with and promote local procedures including Fire Alarm procedure, Cardiac Arrest and Major Accident
Adhere to all Trust and Directorate policies and procedures, with particular reference to Health and Safety, infection control, Risk Management, Moving and Handling and patient confidentiality
Training and education
Keep abreast of developments in Clinical Imaging Systems and maintain a professional portfolio that demonstrates reflective learning.
Assist with provision of training to end users of all grades and disciplines, ensuring that a properly co-ordinated PACS/RIS training programme is delivered effectively across the health community in conjunction with Trust Core Trainers.
Participate in mandatory study days
Clinical governance
Participate in a Trust-wide PACS quality assurance and audit programme to optimise the clinical potential of the PACS service in collaboration with Medical Physics Clinical Scientist colleagues.
Have an awareness of the Trusts and Directorates strategy, objectives and targets and work to achieve them.
Ensure confidentiality of all information gained is safeguarded and maintained in accordance with professional, local and national guidelines and regulations.
Management
Ensure that the service is delivered in accordance with the necessary protocols
Deputise for the Deputy PACS Manager, as required, to ensure continual smooth running of the service whilst undertaking the supervision of more junior staff, including PACS practitioners
Take a proactive role in problem solving and in dealing the daily operational requirements of running the department.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Imaging related subject (e.g. BSc (Hons) in Radiography, Clinical Technology (Nuclear Medicine) or Clinical Physiology (Cardiology))
- Evidence of relevant post graduate training or education.
- Registration with relevant Professional Body, where necessary to practice professionally (e.g. HCPC)
Desirable
- ECDL or IT qualifications
Experience
Essential
- Relevant clinical experience in a varied hospital environment.
- Evidence of participation in professional lectures, study days and workshops.
- Current CPD portfolio of relevant evidence.
Desirable
- Experience of use of RIS and/or PACS
- Experience with digital imaging modalities.
- Attendance at relevant professional lectures, study days and workshops.
Further Training
Essential
- Commitment to undertake ALL training requirements of the post.(inc audit) to achieve required competencies.
- A commitment to expand on core knowledge using evidence based practice.
Desirable
- Evidence of training and mentoring junior staff.
- A willingness to accept and promote service change to meet the demands of health service delivery.
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
- Computer and computer systems literacy
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Effective interpersonal skills
- Ability to work as a team Member and take responsibility for team development
- Providing and promoting a caring attitude.
- Ability to work closely with other professions to establish, maintain, and improve service and be open to changing working practices which can improve the same.
- Ability to produce high quality work in a tight timescale.
- Good organisational skills. Ability to take daily responsibility for, and direct, the organisation and workflow within designated team.
- Ability to act on own initiative.
- Ability to support, contribute to and work as part of a team delivering projects and change.
- To utilise clinical knowledge to enhance patient management/care
- Knowledge of relevant legislation to include data protection and radiation protection regulations
Desirable
- Basic understanding of IT network infrastructure and computer hardware.
Other factors
Essential
- Personal values in line with those of the Trust and able to demonstrates all STH PROUD Behaviours
- Occupational Health, CRB clearance and 2 suitable references (work permit as required).
- Emotional and physical health sufficient to meet the demands of the position.
- Ability to work flexible hours to meets the needs of the service
- Multi-site working: must be able to meet the travel requirements of the post.
- Willingness and ability to participate in on-call service.
Desirable
- Current driving Licence and car owner
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Imaging related subject (e.g. BSc (Hons) in Radiography, Clinical Technology (Nuclear Medicine) or Clinical Physiology (Cardiology))
- Evidence of relevant post graduate training or education.
- Registration with relevant Professional Body, where necessary to practice professionally (e.g. HCPC)
Desirable
- ECDL or IT qualifications
Experience
Essential
- Relevant clinical experience in a varied hospital environment.
- Evidence of participation in professional lectures, study days and workshops.
- Current CPD portfolio of relevant evidence.
Desirable
- Experience of use of RIS and/or PACS
- Experience with digital imaging modalities.
- Attendance at relevant professional lectures, study days and workshops.
Further Training
Essential
- Commitment to undertake ALL training requirements of the post.(inc audit) to achieve required competencies.
- A commitment to expand on core knowledge using evidence based practice.
Desirable
- Evidence of training and mentoring junior staff.
- A willingness to accept and promote service change to meet the demands of health service delivery.
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
- Computer and computer systems literacy
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Effective interpersonal skills
- Ability to work as a team Member and take responsibility for team development
- Providing and promoting a caring attitude.
- Ability to work closely with other professions to establish, maintain, and improve service and be open to changing working practices which can improve the same.
- Ability to produce high quality work in a tight timescale.
- Good organisational skills. Ability to take daily responsibility for, and direct, the organisation and workflow within designated team.
- Ability to act on own initiative.
- Ability to support, contribute to and work as part of a team delivering projects and change.
- To utilise clinical knowledge to enhance patient management/care
- Knowledge of relevant legislation to include data protection and radiation protection regulations
Desirable
- Basic understanding of IT network infrastructure and computer hardware.
Other factors
Essential
- Personal values in line with those of the Trust and able to demonstrates all STH PROUD Behaviours
- Occupational Health, CRB clearance and 2 suitable references (work permit as required).
- Emotional and physical health sufficient to meet the demands of the position.
- Ability to work flexible hours to meets the needs of the service
- Multi-site working: must be able to meet the travel requirements of the post.
- Willingness and ability to participate in on-call service.
Desirable
- Current driving Licence and car owner
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
