Radiographer (XR06)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Undertake all the professional and technical requirements of the post as a State Registered qualified radiographer with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), while working as an autonomous practitioner within Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Radiology Directorate.

To perform a wide variety of specialised radiographic procedures and examinations within and outside the X-ray department, for example on wards and specialised operating theatres. Patients presenting for examination have diverse backgrounds and may have complex physical and/or psychological conditions.

To manage personal workloads, authorising and prioritising radiological examinations as appropriate for clinical need.

To work as a clinical specialist as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing high standards of patient care, whilst following policies and procedures as specified by the Radiology Management Team.

The post holder also undertakes the supervision and specialist clinical training of radiographer, undergraduate students and other staff as appropriate.

4. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The post-holder will be responsible for their own workload for a defined area or particular patient type working on their own initiative without direct supervision, managing their own case load. Specialist radiographers will work within their own scope of practice as defined by the HCPC.

To contribute to the development and delivery of an effective and responsive radiology service.

Undertake practical training and clinical supervision of radiographers, student radiographers, assistant practitioners and radiographer helpers/assistants as appropriate, according to department protocols and schemes of work.

To assess, justify, plan, implement and evaluate a wide range of specialist radiographic examinations and duties as an autonomous practitioner in this specialist field.

Maintain high level of technical and theoretical skills though personal Continual Professional Development (CPD), in accordance with the requirements of the HCPC.

CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

To be aware of and comply with all standards of conduct, dress codes and patients care that relates to radiography and act within the approved guidelines of the Trust.

To act professionally and as representatives to the radiology department and their profession.

To value team working by effective communication.

Establish and maintain a professional interest in teaching and learning using a variety of recourses and media

To be aware of and participate in research

CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Radiographers will have achieved the range of clinical, professional and personal competencies such as below

Demonstrate and expand effective leadership skills.

Assess, plan, implement and evaluate the specialised clinical examination in order to produce high quality images.

Have an understanding of the organisational structure and working practices of this specialist area

To have a working knowledge of the professional standards set out by the College and Society of Radiographers, Health Professions Council and other National Standards e.g. National Service Frameworks.

Clinical Responsibilities:

To assess clinical authorisation of radiology referrals in line with the National Regulations, Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R), 2000, Nuclear medicines and MRI safety and local protocols as appropriate to the imaging speciality.

Act in the role of an Operator and Practitioner*, within own scope of practice, by clinically justifying imaging requests from the clinical information provided referring to the work areas Protocols & Technique Guidelines as a reference if necessary. *as defined in IRMER 2000

To work without supervision, taking legal responsibility and accountability for all aspects of your own work.

To liaise with referral source where clarification is required regarding selection of the most clinically appropriate imaging examination.

To act as a point of advice for imaging referrers.

To act as a point of reference for patient enquiries regarding their referral, for all issues relating to hospital attendance for example; radiation protection or MRI safety issues, Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), Interpretation services and freedom of information services.

To act as a patient advocate in radiation protection,Nuclear Medicine, drug safety and MRI safety issues.

To ensure patients have given informed consent prior to radiographic examinations and have the knowledge to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

Applying a high level of manual dexterity in acquiring accurate, high quality diagnostic images, whilst accommodating a full range of patient presentations and adapting standard technique when necessary.

To undertake the comprehensive assessment and appropriate examination of patients including those who present with multiple pathologies/conditions. These patients require the use of advanced investigative and analytical skills to select and utilise the most appropriate approach to their imaging.

To cannulate patients and administer medicines under appropriate clinical prescription or Patient group directive.

Risk assess potential patient safety issues on a case by case basis (for example MRI safety screening or medicines administration).

The ability to work in a stressful environment imparting contentious/difficult information on a daily basis.

The ability to deal effectively with emotional and/or aggressive patients and/or carers on a daily basis. This will necessitate the use of effective communication skills e.g. to motivate and reassure

To use a range of verbal and nonverbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients about their treatment and examination. This will include patients who have difficulties in understanding or communicating

Liaise with relevant teams on aspects of patient safety, for example, child protection team.

To operate advanced software on specialist Radiological equipment, requiring excellent hand-eye co-ordination and manual dexterity.

To review images and ensure that additional images are undertaken where appropriate, prior to patient departure from the department.

Demonstrate reflective practice based on knowledge and skills so as to formulate and deliver diagnostic imaging based on sound knowledge of evidence based practice and imaging options using clinical assessment, reasoning and skills and knowledge of other techniques.

To ensure that images are presented for reporting purposes in a timely and accurate manner.

Identify and act upon any abnormalities detected and those brought to you for advice, using the appropriate system of work.

To participate in the delivery of an out of hours service.

To ensure appropriate infection control measures are implemented and utilised where necessary. Paying particular attention to personal protection as well as the management of equipment and linens contaminated by bodily fluids and where necessary seek professional advice.

To represent the radiography service at multi-disciplinary team meetings to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary service and diagnostic service.

To be responsible for a high standard of care, comfort and clinical wellbeing of the patient, during their examination in the any of the Radiology departments. This will involve on occasion delivering some elements normally undertaken by nursing colleagues.

Operational Responsibilities:

To liaise with other clinical and non-clinical departments within the hospital and various external sources in order to provide a quality service to patients and clinicians.

To effectively liaise with all disciplines of staff within and outside any of the Radiology departments, giving support when necessary.

To show initiative in being able to provide solutions to service delivery problems, in unforeseen circumstances, using the available resources effectively to promote smooth delivery of service/patient care.

To provide guidance to external users regarding the deployment of radiographic resources e.g. Theatre usage.

To participate in the safe transfer of patients and equipment within the department and hospital, using manual handling guidelines and risk assessments.

To communicate negotiated changes to staff rosters to appropriate staff.

To organise personal and departmental workload in line with clinical priorities.

To show initiative, adapt and quickly respond to changes in service, patient or departmental need.

To report deficits in the data integrity of the IT systems in use in Radiology & the Trust

To contribute to regular departmental meetings.

Dissemination of information to others.

To reflect on areas of work and communicate areas of deficit or potential advancement.

To report clinical, non-clinical and radiation incidents in line with Trust and departmental risk management policies.

To assist in the training and promotion of accurate patient and examination data into a the appropriate IT software systems such as PACS, RIS, NBSS etc and implement back up measures in times of system failure.

Liaise with external sources to manage workflow effectively; for example, portering, domestic services and A&E floor mangers, when necessary.

Person Specification

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Effective interpersonal skills & communication skills
• Professional attitude and appearance
• Punctuality
• High Standards in hygiene
• Good attendance
• Motivated team worker with ability to delegate tasks to junior staff and radiography helpers/assistants
• Responsible and accountable for patient safety

Desirable

• Commitment for career progression
• Some managerial skills

Experience

Essential

• Substantial post graduate experience, working as a radiographer

Desirable

• MRI experience

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc (or equivalent) in Diagnostic Radiography OR Diploma of the College in Radiographers (Diagnostic)
• State Registration (HCPC)

Desirable

• IV cannulation
• Student Assessment

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.

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

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Employer's website

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