Radiographer (XR06)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities:

To assess clinical authorisation of radiology referrals in line with the National Regulations, Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R), 2017, 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 2017

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 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.

Managerial and Professional Responsibilities:

To maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence based practice in specialist areas developing and complying with increasing range of technical applications available on Imaging Equipment to image a variety of conditions and patient types.

To assist in the production of staff rosters for effective and efficient deployment of staff, as required.

To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and other professional colleagues to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary service

To be aware of and assist with the implementation of a major incident procedure.

To assist in the record keeping and organisation of mandatory training, as required.

To be familiar with the trust complaints procedure and are aware of how to advise and appropriately direct complaints.

To undertake initial assessments of equipment faults, report and document appropriately.

Assist in regular Quality Assurance (QA), including equipment testing and reject analysis.

Personal & Professional Training and Development:

To participate in personal development needs that are identified by the individual and the superintendent through the appraisal process and development review process in an agreed timeframe, during normal working hours in allocated time.

Be responsible for maintaining individual competency practice through Continued Professional development activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects your own personal development, with allocated study time

Be an active member of the in service training programme by attendance at and participation in tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses, peer review and reflective practice.

To contribute to the supervision and clinical instruction of junior radiographic staff to graduate level and other trainees in line with departmental operating systems

To undertake formalised assessments of under-graduate students and document findings in accordance with each academic institutions requirements, for example undergraduate viva's and reports.

Provide a mentorship and/or preceptorship support and duties.

Information and Record Keeping:

To keep accurate and timely records of own work and that of others such as Radiographers, Student Radiographers and Assistant Radiographer practitioners, as appropriate, using computerised information systems.

To be fully competent in the operation and utilisation of the Radiology Information System, PACS and other associated computerised systems necessary for the allocated area of work.

To use all equipment according to manufacturers instructions, undertake basic fault-finding and follow appropriate lines of reporting and documentation of such faults in accordance with local rules.

To participate in audit projects, including gathering evidence for best practice assessment, in order to improve the delivery of the radiology service.

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

Person Specification

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Ability to undertake all general radiography
• A passion for delivering high-quality diagnostic services
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a patient-centred approach

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc / DCR(R) Diagnostic Radiography and HCPC registration

Experience

Essential

• Proven experience in a clinical radiography setting, with evidence of post-registration development
• Evidence of leadership, initiative and additional responsibilities
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team

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)