Senior Radiology Assistant (XR03)

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post-holder will undertake a clinical support role working in accordance with department protocols and schemes of work. MRI within Leeds Teaching Hospitals is delivered in 3 departments across the city. The service is provided over an extended working day (typically 8am to 8pm) and at weekends.

Patient presentation will include the unconscious, uncooperative, incapacitated, incompetent, disorientated and those with physical and mental disabilities. A wide variety of patients will be encountered and will include those exhibiting anti-social or threatening behaviour.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Clinical

1. To be fully aware of the potential hazards of working in an area with strong magnetic field and to be familiar with Trust local rules for MRI safety pertaining to the assistant role.

2. To ensure that all persons entering the scanner examination room have completed an MRI safety checklist and are safe to enter.

3. To assess the patient safety checklist and identify potential hazards according to departmental protocol.

4. To be familiar with safety procedures (radiation, fire, cardiac arrest) which are specific to the MRI environment.

5. To implement and supervise safe work practices of NHS staff and students in a hazardous environment.

6. To assess specific communication needs of individual patients.

7. To anticipate where communication difficulties might make completion of the modality checklist impossible and to implement alternative methods to ensure that patient safety is maintained.

8. To communicate effectively and empathetically with patients and their escorts prior to, during and after an examination. In particular, to be sensitive to patient anxiety regarding the claustrophobic nature of the MRI scanner and to be able to help patients overcome their anxiety so that the examination can be performed. To reassure and stay in attendance with difficult patients.

9. To assess routine requests for imaging so that patient position and selection of appropriate table equipment is used to optimise image quality of the body part under examination. To defer to the radiographer for complex examinations.

To prepare drugs/contrast media for intravenous and oral administration and to load automatic drug injection pump - following appropriate training

10. To undertake all aspects of patient care related to MRI.

11. To physically position the patient for a range of routine examinations, to ensure that image quality, patient comfort and patient safety are maintained at all times whilst taking into account patient limitations. To defer to the radiographer for complex examinations requiring adaptation of standard technique.

12. To maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness for patients, MRI equipment and working environment.

13. To ensure appropriate infection control measures are utilised where necessary. Paying particular attention to personal protection as well as the management of equipment and linen.

14. To be familiar with the requirements of clinical research trials .To assist the radiographer in the positioning of patients for such trials. To undertake administrative work relating to the trials.

15. To participate in the safe transfer of patients and equipment within the department and Hospital, using manual handling guidelines and risk assessment.

Administrative

1. To liaise with other departments/wards within the hospital and various external sources in order to provide a quality service to patients and clinicians.

2. To work closely with the anaesthetic team and with intensive care staff to ensure that they operate in a safe manner in the MRI environment.

3. To work closely with radiographic staff in the organisation of workload in line with clinical priorities.

4. To book appointments evaluating patient needs, degree of urgency and length of time required deferring to radiographic staff as necessary.

5. To adapt and respond to patients needs.

6. To report clinical, non-clinical and incidents to the appropriate manager/supervisor in line with Trust and Departmental Risk Management policies.

7. To enter accurate patient and examination data into Radiology Information System.

8. To operate stock control and stock ordering of medical equipment and accessories, linen and pharmacy supplies.

9. Under instruction from the radiographer, to re-arrange the work list in event of equipment failure, being responsive to the inconvenience to patients by short notice cancellation of appointments.

Training and Education

5. To assist in the training of new members of staff.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 3 qualification in relevant health care related subject.
• GCSE English and Maths Grade C or Functional Skills equivalent ( Level 2 )
• Completion of CARE Certificate otherwise will be mandatory training requirement during first 3 months of employment

Desirable

• Computer literate / Basic IT qualification

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Good interpersonal skills
• Professional in appearance and conduct
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Good attendance record

Experience

Essential

• NHS experience Experience of caring for others
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Ability to use own initiative

Desirable

• Experience of working with the general public

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)