Clinical Photographer (Trainee or Qualified) (XR05)

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

To provide clinical and ophthalmic imaging for diagnostic purposes, case record, research, teaching and publication abiding by all consent, confidentiality and legal guidelines.

To provide a scientific and non-clinical photography service (including video) following local standards and guidelines.

JOB DIMENSIONS

The Medical Illustration service provides the photographic, video and design service to every clinical specialty within LTHT.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

For a Qualified Clinical Photographer

All QUALIFIED post-holders are expected to have obtained accreditation in the following two areas:

Clinical Photography Accreditation:

- HND/degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant media qualification

And

-Certificate in Clinical Photography (Graduate or Post Graduate)

Or

-BSc Clinical Photography/Medical Illustration photography.

For a trainee clinical photographer

ALL TRAINEE post-holders are expected to have obtained:

-HND/degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant media qualification

And train, under annexe 21 of agenda for change, to obtain the following accreditation within the first year of employment:

-Certificate in Clinical Photography (Graduate or Post Graduate)

As a qualified clinical photographer, the post-holder will have experience of working within Medical Illustration or ophthalmic imaging across the range of principal duties listed in this job description.

All post-holders must be highly computer-literate.

All clinical photography should be undertaken in accordance with the Institute of Medical Illustrators Code of Conduct and it is incumbent on the post holder to be fully conversant with these guidelines.

THE LEEDS WAY VALUES

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

Patient-centred

Collaborative

Fair

Accountable

Empowered

All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values

Additionally the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:

Commitment to maintain high standards of service delivery in accordance with LTHT guidelines and policies.

Commitment to continual learning with recognition that mistakes provide the opportunity for analysis so as to improve processes in the future.

Commitment to own development and that of the Medical Illustration team.

CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

Photographers should have a sympathetic and professional attitude to patients.

Photographers should have a smart appearance and the ability to communicate effectively with patients, Medical staff and the general public.

The ability to work cheerfully and effectively as part of a team which may be under pressure, to meet constant deadlines is essential.

Understanding of the need to deliver against the Trusts core behaviours to enable an environment which leads to excellent performance.

CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

An understanding of the organisation, its objectives, and how Medical Illustration contributes to achieving those objectives.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

To undertake ophthalmic imaging procedures including fluorscein angiography.

To undertake clinical recordings of patients and pathological specimens in various settings including the operating theatre and post mortem room.

Primary grading ofimages for virtual clinics. Where urgent cases are identified ensure these are escalated .

To consult directly with service users, gather information and contribute to the design of project briefs.

To undertake subsequent image management, including the appropriate electronic editing of images and video.

To undertake photographic and video assignments e.g. P.R. photography, architectural and industrial photography etc.

To assist in the design and subsequent participation of clinical audit to ensure effective clinical governance.

To support and train junior staff.

On occasions, provide information regarding workload and recommend the allocation of staff according to clinical need.

To be conversant with modern trends in scientific photography / imaging, including related computer skills.

The design and input of electronic presentations, this may include scanning of the original material. There is an increasing role to support users in producing their own presentations.

Use computer graphics and desk top publishing software for the production of artwork, including the production of conference posters.

Ensure accurate documentation of clinical and non-clinical requests and where necessary assist in their archiving and retrieval. This includes electronic and paper methods.

The Medical Illustration Department provides clinical services and there are occasions where it is necessary to work overtime in order to meet the needs of the service. This may be at short notice.

Additional responsibilities

Co-ordinate the production of non-routine video projects which will include undertaking sound recordings for subsequent dubbing. This increases the commitment to overtime.

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.

Infection Control

The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.

Equality and Diversity

The jobholder must co-operate with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment. Co-workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.

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.

Respect for Patient Confidentiality

The jobholder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.

KEY RESULT AREAS

The post-holder will undergo staff appraisal at least annually where a number of objectives will be set with defined timescales for completion. Objectives will be directly linked to departmental and Trust objectives and will also include personal development objectives as mutually agreed with the line manager.

COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The department operates a rotation system for providing cover of clinics across sites and this is organised by the Team Leader on a daily basis. He/she will be expected to work as part of the Medical Illustration team although some elements of the work require the post-holder to work unsupervised. The post-holder will report to the Team Leader on a daily basis.

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS

The post-holder will work across the Leeds Teaching Hospital sites and also service points within the Leeds area defined by the Leeds Primary Care Trusts.

PHYSICAL EFFORT:

Works in awkward positions including at height, on a daily basis.

Dexterity and good hand-eye co-ordination needed for clinical photography e.g. positioning of dental mirrors and retractors in patients mouth.

Speed, accuracy, and dexterity is essential to achieve required images for paediatric ophthalmic imaging.

Needs to frequently carry a case of clinical camera equipment weighing 8.1 Kilos. Needs to occasionally (once per week) carry heavier (12-20 Kilos) cases/tripods/lights

MENTAL EFFORT:

Prolonged periods of time operating computers and grading images

Training junior staff in some clinical and ophthalmic photography techniques (several hours per session).

EMOTIONAL EFFORT:

Indirect exposure to distressing situations eg photography in theatres or post mortems, photography of trauma or cancer patients who can be highly distressed and worried..

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Photographing Non-accidental Injury cases for Community Paediatrics parents can be verbally or physically aggressive (several times per week).

Occasional exposure to body fluids and unpleasant smells when in clinical settings.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• As a qualified applicant: Minimum HND/degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant media qualification and Certificate in Clinical Photography (Grad. or Post Grad.) Or BSc Clinical Photography
• As a trainee applicant: Minimum HND/degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant media qualification + obtain Certificate in Clinical Photography during training year

Experience

Essential

• A portfolio of work demonstrating a range of clinical & non-clinical photographic skills.
• Experience of using microsoft office and Adobe Photoshop/creative suite.
• Experience of clinical & non-clinical photography.
• Lighting & positioning patients in a studio environment for clinical photography.
• Knowledge of the special issues of clinical photography on the ward & in theatre.
• Techniques of Ophthalmic Photography.
• Operation of digital still & video equipment.
• Underpinning photographic theory.
• Professional knowledge over the whole range of medical illustration disciplines acquired through education & experience.

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Must be able to organise own workload to meet deadlines without direct supervision.
• Excellent communication skills to ensure clients needs are understood and the various options communicated effectively.
• Must be prepared to work as part of a team and to work towards team objectives.
• Be flexible in approach to work and understand work priorities may change at short notice to meet clients demands and deadlines
• Must have smart appearance and a professional approach to work
• Be prepared to update skills to reflect technological developments in photography & diagnostic imaging.
• Able to fulfill Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary).

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.

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)