Radiographer (XR06)

Job description

Job responsibilities

The successful candidate should hold BSc (or equivalent) in Diagnostic Radiography and be state registered with The Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). They should have a knowledge and understanding of breast services with a focus on up-and-coming developments within this field. They should be a motivated team worker and have a high awareness and understanding of the needs of the patient, due to the sensitive nature of this role.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Responsibilities

To assess clinical authorisation of radiology referrals in line with the National Regulations, Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R), 2024 and local protocols.

To have an awareness and understand all policies and procedures trust wide and those specific to radiology/breast, and to have an excellent understanding of protocols within breast services.

Act within their own scope of practice, as defined by IRMER 2024 regulations

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.

Comply with infection prevention and control, health and safety regulations, patient confidentiality and equality & diversity.

Contribute to the development and delivery of an effective and responsive breast service.

Be committed to undertaking all training requirements of the post.

Once appropriately trained to work without supervision, taking legal responsibility and accountability for all aspects of your own work. With the ability to work independently or as part of a team.

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.

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

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 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 issues, Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), Interpretation services and freedom of information services.

To act as a patient advocate in radiation protection 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.

To understand and be able to complete all equipment QA requirements, and act on any discrepancies.

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.

The ability to work in a stressful environment imparting contentious/difficult and sensitive 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 non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients about their treatment and examination. This will include patients who have difficulties in understanding or communicating

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.

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, where appropriate.

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 well-being of the patient, during their examination in the x-ray department. 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 without the x-ray department, 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 participate in the safe transfer of patients and equipment within the department and hospital, using manual handling guidelines and risk assessments.

To organise personal and departmental workload in line with clinical priorities. In the symptomatic service acting as clinic liaison and in the breast screening service taking responsibility for workload on mobile screening vans/units

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 PACS and RIS and implement back up measures in times of system failure.

Liaise with external sources to manage workflow effectively; for example, portering, domestic services, estates and engineers who may need to attend following equipment faults.

Attendance at professional lectures, study days & workshops

The successful candidate should be aware of The Leeds Way values, as they are what makes us different from other trusts. They are seen 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:

Working to the professional guidelines for clinical practice as defined in the Statement of Professional Conduct (2025) by the Society of Radiographers;

To provide a high quality patient focussed service in line with Trust values.

Commitment to the development of radiography services within the clinical setting

Commitment to own personal development

To maintain patient confidentiality at all times.

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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc (or equivalent) Diagnostic Radiography
• Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration

Desirable

• Pg award (or equivalent) in Mammography

Experience

Essential

• 2 years post graduate experience (although exceptional candidates will be considered)
• Understanding and knowledge of Quality Assurance
• To be able to identify faults and act on them

Desirable

• Experience of working in Breast Services
• Experience of mentoring and training

Skills & Behaviours

Essential

• Professional attitude and appearance
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to use own initiative

Desirable

• Ability to motivate others and lead by example
• Understanding of the core values of the Trust

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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)