Therapeutic Radiographer

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To ensure that the highly complex radiotherapy and imaging equipment is safe and accurate to operate, both for staff and patients; undertaking the appropriate machine checks, reporting any variances, faults and malfunctions as necessary.

Undertake and evaluate radiation dose delivery complex calculations, involving a range of radiation types and energies.

Interpret, monitor and evaluate the treatment prescription to ensure that radiotherapy is delivered accurately and reproducibly.

Evaluate delivery of radiotherapy through application and interpretation of treatment verification procedures.

Follow appropriate systems and working methods to achieve the safe, timely achievement of workload targets.

Be able to accurately position patient and operate highly complex radiotherapy and imaging equipment along the radiotherapy pathway.

Keep accurate records and comply with necessary policies and procedures.

Analyse systematically and evaluate all data and information relevant to patients diagnosis, ensuring the patient and their relatives are treated with dignity and respect at all times.

Communicate confidential sensitive information in line with information governance, and provide emotional support, to patients and their carers/relatives including children and the terminally ill. Provide information to patients and their carers about the radiotherapy pathway and expected side effects

To communicate accurate and timely information with all other disciplines involved along the patients pathway.

Anticipate and identify common and complex treatment related side effects, offering advice and where necessary refer to other relevant health care professionals. Apply safe and effective moving and handling skills in order to protect patients and staff and abide by Health and safety legislation in the work place.

Minimise risk of and cross infection through contamination by bodily fluids/matter. In accordance of the infection control policy

To implement the procedures and work instructions described for the department in the accredited Quality Management System, and report any variances.

Ensure all work and actions comply with local rules and current UK Ionising Radiation Regulations (IRR) 2017 and IR(ME)R 2017.

Be aware of and participate in the audit and research within the department and the implementation of new processes and techniques.

Undertake training and competency to dispense medication under Patient Group Directive (PGD).

Participate in the shift system, bank holidays, weekend working and on-call.

Any other duties negotiated with the post holder, to develop their role in the organisation.

To achieve all the competencies as outlined by the radiotherapy education team within a time period as outlined by line manager.

Teaching and Training

Participate in an annual Personal Development Review.

Attend all essential training and clinical updates as required.

Be capable of assimilating new ideas and techniques.

Assist in the supervision and training/teaching of pre-registration students and new members of staff.

Highlight to line manager all issues of poor inadequate performance, including capability and poor professional standards, for students and employees.

This job description is not exhaustive and will be reviewed periodically to take into account changes and developments in service requirements. Any changes will be discussed fully with the post holder.

Qualifications

Essential

• Graduate level qualification in radiotherapy

Desirable

• Graduation with a registerable qualification in radiotherapy (e.g. DCR(T), BSc (Hons) or PGDip in Therapeutic Radiography).

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of clinical placements to demonstrate experience

Desirable

• Equipment and techniques.
• Working with ISO 9001/2008 or equivalent.

Skills

Essential

• Ability to communicate well: individual, team, multidisciplinary team.
• Teamwork
• Patient focused
• Attention to detail and accuracy

Desirable

• Ability to advise support workers and supervise student radiographers.
• Ability to deal effectively with predictable and routine problems using defined and familiar procedures and guidelines.
• Ability to manage difficult conversations.
• Ability in conflict resolution with all grades of staff, patients, carers and general public.
• Ability to foster a team environment, motivating colleagues.
• Ability to impart messages including in group setting, utilising presentation aids as appropriate.
• Reliability to work well under pressure.
• Able to adapt skills to all areas of department.
• Flexibility in working hours, given appropriate notice.
• Ability to co-ordinate work to meet the demands of the established and developing service.
• Demonstrate tolerance, sensitivity and empathy with staff and clients.
• Enthusiastic and well-motivated with a commitment to providing a high standard of service.

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge and understanding of advanced radiotherapy
• Good knowledge of other relevant legislation, guidance and national working parties in radiotherapy

Desirable

• Experience of image guided radiotherapy.
• Detailed knowledge of anatomy, oncology, radiobiology and physics.
• Techniques and technology including VMAT, IMRT, FFF, stereotactic radiosurgery and protons.
• Evidence of competency in calculation of treatment doses.
• Knowledge of IR(ME)R 2017 and IRR (2017) and responsibilities relating to own professional practice.
• Knowledge of legislation such as data protection, health and safety, etc.
• Awarenessofthe professional context including the role and function of the College of Radiographers, the National Radiotherapy Board and the National Radiotherapy Implementation Group.

Values

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours
• Demonstrate ambition in personal development and in service development

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).