Superintendent Radiographer – Proton Pre-Treatment

Job responsibilities

Main duties and responsibilities

The post holder is expected to troubleshoot patient care or technical issues in all pre-treatment areas

To supervise, instruct and take part in the use of complex radiotherapy calculations

To supervise, instruct and take part in pre-treatment imaging for radiotherapy planning and virtual simulation planning of patients for radiotherapy and make decisions pertaining to patient care and treatment

To supervise, instruct and take part in production of required immobilisation of patients for radiotherapy

To supervise, instruct and take part in the cannulation of radiotherapy planning patients and administration of radiographic contrast

Recognise normal anatomy and pathological appearances in order to make analytical judgement on imaging and treatment actions

To assess the more complex patients with regards to their immediate & future planned pathway, seeking medical advice when necessary

To be pro-active in the development and implementation of evidence based clinical practice in line with local and national initiatives, facilitating changes in service where necessary

To act as an expert resource on pre-treatment imaging and planning equipment and software as well as oncology management systems. Providing support and advice as appropriate

Be pro-active in the maintenance, improvement and development of their competence and those of the pre-treatment team

To provide technical advice in the evaluation, procurement and introduction of new techniques, procedures and equipment

To be responsible for the equipment in the work area, ensuring that fault reporting and handover procedures are followed, working closely with medical physics and technical services staff to ensure that repairs and routine servicing of equipment is carried out with minimal disruption to service provision

To work closely with the other Superintendents and the Quality manager, to monitor the work across the service in order to maintain high quality service delivery and professional standards, helping to further develop and maintain the accredited Quality Management System

Take a lead role in reviewing and writing work instructions and operating procedures.

Ensuring all errors in pre-treatment areas are reported in a timely manner in accordance with current departmental policy

To continually assess and monitor risk in their practice and that of others, challenging others as appropriate

In depth knowledge of UK radiation legislation IRR 1999 and IR(ME)R 2000 and to act as an expert resource in interpretation of the legislation with regards standard operating procedures and error reporting

Good knowledge of other relevant legislation, including Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Manual Handling Operations regulations 1992

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

Supervisory and managerial

To provide professional, technical, operational and clinical leadership, advising and supporting radiographic staff across the service

Act as an advocate for The Christie at national forums and vendor meetings.

To keep up to date with best practice and national guidance in radiotherapy locally and nationally and disseminate to the team

To establish and maintain good communication links between multi-disciplinary team

Promote opportunities for team development and individual role enhancement

Will act as named lead for on call duties and manage the on call service

To initiate preliminary discussion with patients, relatives, visitors and other professional disciplines in regard to complaints, failures and feedback

Teaching and training

To ensure all the training needs associated with new developments are recognised and to put into place the mechanisms to meet them

To provide training, and expert advice on cannulation and administration of IV radiographic contrast and emergency drugs

Use technical expertise to induct and train staff in pre-treatment areas, ensuring competencies are attained in a timely manner

Be responsible for a portfolio of personal development reviews of junior staff

Ensuring the team supervise and manage pre-registration student training in accordance with trust/university policy

Ensuring all team members in designated area are capable and have requisite competencies and have up to date essential training

To ensure that opportunities for clinical audit and research and development are identified and that staff are encouraged to participate in relevant projects

Responsibilities for human resources

To work closely with the other Superintendent and Principal Radiographers to ensure the most effective use of staffing resources across the department

Active role in managing inadequate performance, including capability and poor professional standards for students or employees. Participating in investigation process and providing evidence

To work closely with the Radiotherapy Manager, Principal Radiographers, Pre-treatment and/or Treatment Delivery Superintendents to monitor the work across the service in order to maintain high quality service delivery and professional standards. Applying disciplinary and or capability policies where necessary

Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff through chairing of appointment panels, completion of paperwork and liaison with Human Resources and Occupational Health departments to ensure successful employment of candidates

Research

Lead, supervise and/or undertake an active role in research, development, improvement and implementation of new techniques and practices within the department assessing results and impacts

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

• DCR(T) or BSc (Hons) Therapeutic Radiographer State Registered Therapeutic Radiographer.
• HCPC Registration
• Evidence of CPD activity
• Evidence of post graduate study/ education in area relevant to role

Desirable

• M level qualification in associated subject
• Management qualification
• IT skills

Experience

Essential

• Expert experience with a contemporary range of equipment and techniques
• Considerable experience in immobilisation production/mould room procedures
• Expert experience of working with ISO 9001/2008 or equivalent accredited quality system
• Significant experience at a senior level within the pre-treatment setting
• Team management experience.
• Evidence of participation in audit, research and-or radiotherapy development work

Desirable

• Experience/awareness of clinical practice at other Radiotherapy centres
• Participation in the implementation of new equipment or technology

Skills

Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively and manage conflict resolution with all grades of staff, patients, carers and general public
• Effective people management skills of all staff
• Ability to work well in a team environment and autonomously
• Ability to motivate junior members of the team
• Excellent leadership skills, organisation and decision making skills under pressure in a clinical environment
• Excellent analytical and numerical skills
• Ability to lead the introduction of new techniques, equipment or software
• Excellent technical skills and dexterity
• Excellent contemporary image interpretation skills
• Fully competent in cannulation and the administration of IV radiographic contrast

Desirable

• Demonstrate ambition in personal development and in service development
• Good presentation skills

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge and experience of advanced and complex treatment techniques
• Expert knowledge and understanding of contemporary pre-treatment imaging equipment
• Expert knowledge of virtual simulation planning techniques and software
• Advanced knowledge of IR(ME)R 2000 regulations and responsibilities relating to own professional practice
• Expert knowledge of the principles of radiotherapy applied to all aspects of the radiotherapy pathway
• Excellent radiotherapy physics, anatomy and radiobiological knowledge.

Desirable

• Awareness of current trends in radiotherapy

Values

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Other

Essential

• Flexibility in working hours.
• Ability to travel to other Christie sites when requested.
• Participation in on-call service.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).