Job responsibilities
Principal
Duties & Areas of Responsibility
Clinical
Responsibilities
To
act as Operator, Practitioner and, where necessary, Referrer within their
own scope of practice, by clinically justifying examinations as defined in
IR(ME)R 2017 and local protocols.
To
be able to justify imaging request cards in accordance with IR(ME)R 2017
Section 6 Paragraph 5 and, in the absence of a Radiologist advise referring
clinicians of the most appropriate investigation.
To
collaborate with cardiologists and Lead CMRI Radiologists in the planning and
evaluation of imaging protocols for patient examinations, in addition develop
new protocols and techniques in line with technical advances in area of
speciality and to ensure all staff within the department are trained
accordingly.
To
match the clinical indications presented by the referrer to a departmental
protocol with the freedom to modify protocols where appropriate to optimise
diagnostic information in view of clinical indications, imaging findings or
patient condition.
To
work as an autonomous practitioner using specialised skills to ensure optimum
quality using lowest possible radiation doses where appropriate.
To
have a high degree of professional/personal autonomy with the ability to make
clinical judgements/decisions using knowledge, skills and experience with
freedom/discretion to act independently.
To
recognise and act upon unexpected critical findings on imaging in the absence
of a radiologist, e.g. patients requiring acute admission or referral to
specialist outpatient clinics.
To
provide, receive and conclude highly sensitive and complex information.
To
participate in clinical research projects relevant to the speciality.
Dependant
on the area of speciality, the post holder will be able to perform roles
previously undertaken by radiologists e.g interpret images/data to provide
provisional and /or authorised reports, and / or undertake interventional
procedures, e.g. biopsies / line insertions.
To
ensure that infection control procedures and observation of sterile fields are
utilised when necessary, paying particular attention to the protection of
clients, staff and equipment during handling of pathological specimens if
required.
To
administer the appropriate drugs, radiopharmaceuticals, contrast agents by the
correct method within their scope of work as authorised by the Trust.
To
be aware of any contraindications to the above substances and the appropriate
actions to take.
To
assess and evaluate special needs of individual patients and tailor positioning
and procedures to their clinical needs, which involve overcoming barriers to
understanding.
To
anticipate where patient communication difficulties might make completion of
the pre examination checklist impossible and to implement alternative methods
to ensure patient safety is maintained at all time.
To
communicate effectively and empathetically with patients, in particularly be
sensitive to patients anxieties.
To
provide a safe environment for patients within their clinical area using safe
handling guidelines and risk assessment procedures.
To
act as point of advice and guidance for patient enquires regarding their
referral and act as patient advocate.
To
act as a point of advice for patient enquires regarding their referral /
appointment, for and Liaison Service (PALS), Interpretation Services and
hospital Transport.
Liaise
with teams which are external to radiology, e.g. ward, clinics, hotel services
and facilities.
To
be aware of National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines
appropriate to their speciality and be able to use this knowledge to steer
patients through all issues relating to hospital attendance, e.g. radiation
protection issues, Patient Advice the heath care pathway.
Operational
Responsibilities
Take
a leading role in the development and implementation of work policies and
protocols within the specialist area.
To
participate in the production of complex staffing rosters and workload.
Plan
and prioritise workload including liaison with other disciplines.
To
be responsible for setting and maintaining the standards for the radiographic
service and ensuring junior staff comply with departmental and professional
standards of practice.
To
supervise imaging Quality Assurance tests, analyse and evaluate results and
liaise with physicists and equipment engineers.
To
encourage and develop all radiography staff by being responsible for monitoring
their performance and implementing training and development programmes.
To
be able to use expert knowledge and clinical judgement to determine the
alteration of an examination from the departmental protocols without
consultation with Cardiologists.
Delivery
of service on a day to day basis, deputising for the Lead CMRI Lead Service
manager when necessary.
Liaise
with other departments and colleagues to ensure smooth and efficient service
delivery and patient care.
To
participate in the safe transfer of patients and equipment within the
department and hospital using trust manual handling guidelines and risk
assessments.
Collect,
collate and analyse workload or other statistics required for departmental
purposes or for service review.
To
devise, implement and feedback on audit projects and promote evidenced based
practice in order to develop and maintain a high quality patient focussed
service.
Managerial
Responsibilities
As
delegated by the Lead CMRI Radiologists, undertake staff performance
development reviews, and participate in the professional development process,
including the production of individual personal development plans, that link to
the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF).
Provide
guidance and support to all grades of staff.
To
establish, monitor and maintain effective working relationships with staff from
other disciplines in order to further the aims of radiology.
Support
the superintendent in the day to day organisation and supervision of staff and
equipment, taking into account workload and skill mix across the department.
Deploy
resources effectively and efficiently to provide a high quality service to the
patient.
To
identify, record and prioritise faults on imaging equipment, reporting them to
the appropriate authority, e.g. the equipment manufacturer. In addition take in
to account the effect on the service to the patient and re-arrange the work
lists accordingly to ensure minimum inconvenience to the patient.
To
critically evaluate new equipment and accessories prior to procurement as
delegated by the superintendent radiographer.
Assist
in the recruitment and selection of new staff as delegated by the
superintendent Radiographer.
To
undertake first line complaint handling, dealing with radiographic problems in
the absence of the Superintendent Radiographer.
To
be aware of targets / co-ordination and escalation policies in use within the
department / Trust.
Education,
Training, Research and Development.
To
facilitate the education of other health professionals and possibly the general
public, in health promotional activities and the uses of the different forms of
radiological imaging modalities.
Take
a lead role in training within the specialist field.
Collaborate
with education providers in the co-ordination and delivery of clinical training
for student CMRI radiographers, CMRI graduate radiographers and post graduate
radiographers from within and external to the trust.
The
post holder may be required to organise, lecture or act as external examiner
for undergraduate and / or post graduate courses both at LTH or outside. E.g.
Universities.
Provide
written assessments of junior staff in accordance with each academic
institutions requirements.
Keep
abreast of current literature and opinion in order to maintain best practice in
accordance with clinical governance principles.
The
post holder will undertake all mandatory training required of the role.
Maintenance
of expert knowledge in their specialised field by continuing professional
development in accordance with the Health Professions council.
To
assist in the development of CMRI Radiographer extended role initiatives and
participate in the development of the CMRI Radiographer Assistant / Assistant
Practitioner programme.
To
assist in the training of junior medical staff, particularly with regard to the
technical and / practical aspects of specialised examinations.
To
provide safety training in specialist areas for staff both within and external
to Radiology, e.g. ICU staff.
In
conjunction with superintendent radiographer evaluate on-going clinical
competence of radiographic staff as required.
To
formulate and review a comprehensive induction / training programme for all
staff new to the specialist area.
To
be aware of innovations in techniques, equipment and applications in the field
of radiography.
Other
Duties
Information
and Record Keeping
Ensure
written and electronic records are maintained accurately and timely for self
and others.
Be
responsible for the integrity of data on the image related computer data bases
held by the department.
Use
PC to provide departmental documents, procedures and images for training
purposes.
Contribute
to the departmental web site.
Be
fully competent in the operation of the Trust Radiology Information System.
Participate
in audit projects, including gathering evidence for best practice assessment,
either of own work, or that of the department or others.
The jobholder must respect patient confidentiality at
all times adhering to the Data Protection Act.
