Job responsibilities
The
successful candidate will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing
specialist radiotherapy MRI scanning, planning & patient support, in line
with Trust and departmental policies and procedures. Working as a specialist
with proven MRI skills, organising the unit activity and staff on a daily
basis. The post holder is responsible for performing with the highest
standard of patient care and technical practice in their clinical area while
scanning patients. The post holder
will provide a source of specialist clinical expertise in MRI,
offering
advice and support as a key member of the radiotherapy pre-treatment team.
The post holder will be involved in the development of the departmental RI
for radiotherapy. The post holder will ensure the safe operation of high risk
MRI equipment. The radiotherapy department delivers treatment care packages to
approximately 6,500 patients with cancer per year. As experienced
professionals, specialist practitioners are expected to maintain the
efficient, effective and safe flow of workload in their clinical area.
MRI
specialist practitioners are expected to work in the radiotherapy
pre-treatment team, using their specialist MRI expertise to contribute to the
efficient, effective and safe flow of workload. The post holder will be
expected to work in partnership with the therapeutic specialist practitioners
based in MRI and deputise for the relevant team leader as required. The
post-holder is expected to use their experience in supporting and training
other qualified professionals, trainees and visitors. MRI Specialist
practitioners may be required to make clinical judgments which fall outside
of protocol. They will be required to use their experience, specialist
knowledge & initiative in order to achieve the
expected
results within professional codes of practice, referring to their team leader
or appropriate advanced practitioners as appropriate.
The
post holder is expected to use specialist knowledge to take action on
technical and patient related issues on a daily basis in their allocated
area. They must be competent in a variety of situations, referring issues outside
their scope of practice to their relevant advanced practitioners.
PRINCIPAL
DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Technical
/ Clinical
Provide specialist knowledge in MR scanning and safety
Responsible for maintaining the highest standards of technical practice and
patient care while scanning and supporting patients.
Responsible for the review / subsequent clinical decisions of radiotherapy
MRI images.
Develop highly specialised skills/knowledge in MRI in radiotherapy planning
in order to further develop the service and in order to train other staff.
Work as a specialist practitioner for the practical and associated aspects of
radiotherapy practice in the MRI pre-treatment area. Ensure own clinical
decisions (including non-standard / outside protocol) are underpinned and
evaluated by theoretical knowledge and relevant
practical
experience.
Responsible for keeping up to date with technical practice in MRI &
radiotherapy & offering support, guidance and encouragement to others to
do the same.
Responsible for ensuring all equipment is used appropriately and safely,
including administrative and management systems, monitoring equipment
performance and reporting faults.
Ensure that departmental standards and procedures are followed on the unit,
supporting implementation of procedure changes, and suggesting changes
required to optimise the quality of radiotherapy MRI practice/service.
Take an active role in audit, development and research as required,
particularly in own area of specialism
Patient
Care
Responsible for screening patients and ensuring patient safety in MRI
Responsible for the care of the patient whilst undergoing MRI scans.
Assess and monitor patient care needs and organise care including both
referral to other disciplines and support by other practitioners.
Responsible for developing specific care plans / pathways (with other
disciplines) by providing specialist clinical advice.
Provide appropriate advice and information to patients and carers at all
stages of radiotherapy, referring issues to senior staff as appropriate.
Representing the views of team members and peers at meetings and workgroups
and reporting information back to the team, and seeking
feedback
as appropriate.
Actively participate in and support activities in promoting and recruiting to
the profession.
To work flexibly as required by the service / patient need
Carrying out additional duties as requested by the Head of Radiotherapy,
management team or team leader, commensurate with the grade of the post.
Postholder will be accountable to the head of radiotherapy via the
radiotherapy MRI advanced practitioner and radiotherapy principal
radiographers.
Post holder will be managerially accountable to the head of radiotherapy and
professionally accountable to the head of profession for radiography
(diagnostic).
Health
and Safety/Risk Management
All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and
improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service
users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals
NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by
following agreed safe working procedures, and reporting incidents using the
Trust Incident Reporting system.
Additionally
for MRI in radiotherapy
Complying with statutory Magnetic Resonance Imaging legislation. Responsible
for prompt reporting of incidents, equipment, patient and
safety
related incidents in accordance with departmental / Trust procedures. Also
identifying and reporting any areas of perceived risk.
Management
Deputise for the team leader when appropriate (e.g Annual leave), managing
the unit and staff to maintain efficiency whilst promoting best
practice.
Assist the team leader in managing the workload of the unit, re-organising
clinical workloads when machine breakdown occurs, and
ensuring
that schedules run effectively and safely, prioritising as appropriate.
Participate in the clinical training and assessment of junior staff,
students, returners, assistants and any other learners on the unit.
Responsible for assisting with quality assurance procedures.
Responsible for ensuring that clinical and technical information, and all
information relating to each treatment course undertaken on the unit, is
accurately and fully recorded and reported.
HEALTH
AND SAFETY / RISK MANAGEMENT
All
staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and
improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service
users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals
NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by
following agreed security and safer working procedures, and reporting
incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system
TRAINING
AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The
jobholder must take responsibility in agreement with his/her line manager for
his/her own personal development by ensuring that
Continuous
Professional Development remains a priority. The jobholder will undertake all
mandatory training required for the role.
COMMUNICATION
& WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
An ability to provide and receive complex and sensitive information to / from
cancer patients in an empathetic, reassuring and professional
manner.
Assess potential communication barriers and demonstrate where necessary
persuasive, motivational and negotiating skills, referring to
senior
staff where appropriate.
To recognize the potential for conflict in relationships and seek to minimize
this, and contribute to effective communication and team working.
To promote and maintain effective communication and relationships with
immediate colleagues, the multi-disciplinary team, patients and visitors.
PLEASE
SEE THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE ADVERTISED
POST
