Advanced Radiographer Practitioner (XR07)

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

The closing date is 03 February 2025

Job summary

0.65 WTE Band 7Advanced Practitioner in mammography for the Symptomatic Breast Imaging Service based at St. Jamess University Hospital. This is a permanent position (females only*)

The Symptomatic Breast Service is based in Chancellors Wing, SJUH. We provide a one stop service, which includes triple-assessment, to symptomatic patients attending any of our eight busy clinics running throughout the week. The department also provides a mammography follow-up service for post-surgery and family history patients and interventional work including vacuum assisted biopsies, magseed placements and wire localisation sessions. Some staff within this unit perform both mammography and breast ultrasound.

The need has arisen for an advanced practitioner to be trained clinically to perform interventional work and also to work at a band 7 level of responsibility within the service. Although post graduate or equivalent mammography qualifications are essential for this role, further specialist training is available. Breast imaging is a challenging and interesting branch of radiography which provides scope for specialisation in a valuable diagnostic area of the profession. First rate practical imaging and communication skills are important, together with a commitment and focus towards high quality of care. We are seeking to recruit a versatile, motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our multi-disciplinary breast team.

Main duties of the job

In conjunction with the departmental Team Leaders/ Service Manager, the jobholder will be responsible for the efficient, effective delivery and co-ordination of the breast imaging service. They should have a minimum of 2 years speciality experience.The jobholder will demonstrate unsupervised clinical expertise with knowledge and experience that contributes to the overall development and supervision of the breast imaging team.They should be able to use their own initiative and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to advise and support clinicians/other staff both within and external to Radiology.The jobholder will work autonomously,take a lead role as part of a multi-disciplinary team and undertake specialised imaging procedures within their area of expertise, e.g. biopsies. To lead the development and implementation of department protocols and standards of service,and to have extended knowledge to trouble shoot when dealing with equipment problems,imaging problems and breakdowns.Acting as first line support and determining when external assistance or service suspension is required.They should possess the skills to motivate others and have experience in supervising/training more junior members of staff.To act as Operator,Practitioner and,where necessary,Referrer under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations,(IR(ME)R)2000).To as a point of advice and guidance for patients and being sensitive to their needs.

About us

Expected Shortlisting Date:

03/02/2025

Planned Interview Date:

17/02/2025

The LTHT is one of the largest trusts in the UK and includes one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe, who have the vision to be recognised as 'The Best Place to Work'. The team is proud and committed to work for Leeds Teaching Hospitals, and strives to deliver the best services possible for Patients. A fantastic opportunity for a highly ambitious, skilled and focussed individual, that is committed to both personal and team development to join an employer, with outstanding benefits, which include: An attractive NHS Pension scheme, Generous annual leave entitlement with 27 days plus Bank holidays for new starters, further increasing after 5 years service. Staff Health & Wellbeing support and excellent training and development opportunities. Leeds Teaching Hospitals believes in a strong patient centred approach and aims to provide a good work life balance.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Date posted

15 January 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9298-RAD-0230

Job locations

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Job description

Job 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 2000 and local protocols.

To be able to justify imaging request cards in accordance with IR(ME)R 2000 Section 6 Paragraph 5 and, in the absence of a Radiologist advise referring clinicians of the most appropriate investigation.

To collaborate with radiologists and superintendents 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.

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 jobholder 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.

As delegated by the Principal Radiographer, 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 Team Lead/Superintendent radiographer.

Assist in the recruitment and selection of new staff as delegated by the Team Lead/Superintendent Radiographer.

To undertake first line complaint handling, dealing with radiographic problems in the absence of the Team Lead/Superintendent Radiographer.

To be aware of and participate in quality assurance programmes for radiography equipment.

To be aware of targets / co-ordination and escalation policies in use within the department / Trust.

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 radiographers, graduate radiographers and post graduate radiographers from within and external to the trust.

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 jobholder 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 Radiographer extended role initiatives and participate in the development of the 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 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.

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.

All staff are responsible for compliance with Health and Safety and Infection Prevention and control.

The jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families.

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.