Main duties of the job
Responsibility for the provision of a high-quality Radiographic service to the Trust in respect of the CDC, ensuring compliance with the Code of Professional Conduct, Local and National Radiation Rules, Trust and Departmental Policies and any subsequent legislation at all times.
Acts as Health and Safety co-ordinator for the CDC.
Work closely within the Radiology Management Team to deliver Trust/CDC priorities.
Able to contribute in each of the imaging clinical areas of the CDC and provide expert advice to colleagues and other clinical staff.
Create, implement and track imaging pathways for all CDC modality activity and plan remedial action when required.
Work closely with all members of the system, including bed managers, nurses, surgeons, medical staff and secretarial staff to assess priorities and ensure a smooth patient journey.
Wider system networking with the HWE ICB and the East 2 Imaging Network.
Liaison with other hospitals within the Trust providing Radiographic services, in conjunction with their Superintendent Radiographer colleagues to ensure effective use of resources including staff allocation and rotation.
Assess workload and initiate change in practice when required to maintain and develop high standards of patient care.
Assisting other members of staff within the Radiology department when required. Encouraging cohesive working arrangements between all working areas, monitoring the patient throughput and redistributing work where necessary.
Organise work patterns to cover lunches, breaks etc to provide continuity of service, and to achieve performance targets inclusive of DM01, CWT and RTT.
Participate in the formal appraisal scheme both as reviewer and reviewed.
Undertake Trust Recruitment and Selection Training and take part in the recruitment of Radiology staff, sitting on interview panels where necessary.
Update various Departmental Documents in conjunction with the Radiology Quality Manager, for example, Radiation Policy, IR(ME)R Policy, Health and Safety, C.O.S.H.H., IRR and contribution towards relevant Trust Documents.
Ensure all Documents are available for all staff and that all staff have signed to confirm receipt of relevant documents.
Maintain knowledge of current trends in Radiology with particular focus on CDC related activity inclusive of CT, general radiography, NOUS and MRI to make recommendations for their inclusion in departmental protocols where necessary.
Ensure an SOP is implemented for safe administration of IV contrast media away from the acute site
Communicate with a broad range of patients prior to examination, to ensure consent is obtained, identification is confirmed and if applicable pregnancy status is established. This may include patients whose first language is not English or those who have difficulty understanding due to their medical condition.
Obtain the necessary patient consent to carry out intravenous cannulation and administer contrast medium when appropriate, having assessed patients' status regarding contrast medium compatibility.
Maintain a high level of expertise in the use of specialised, complex and expensive radiology equipment.
Engage in the Procurement process for securing new equipment, renewal of service maintenance contracts and consumables ordering.;
Assess referrals for radiological examinations taking full responsibility for the justification of the examination in order to reduce unnecessary ionising radiation exposure of patients in accordance with IR(ME)R 2017. Advise others in this process when required.
Ensure patients’ welfare whilst in the department and be proactive in making improvements in patient care. Take account of patient dignity and their physical, emotional and psychological needs.
Communicate effectively with patients who have special needs, language difficulties or communication problems because of age, disability, illness etc.
Ensure Infection Control procedures are followed within the department and that patients who are barrier nursed are x-rayed at appropriate times, arranging specialist cleaning of x-ray rooms following the examination.
Provide advice to clinicians on the nature of a diagnostic image either verbally or using the red dot system.
Work in league with the Radiologists to ensure a high standard of imaging is maintained and instilling with the Radiographic workforce the need to produce images of a consistently high quality.
Responsibility for re-calling patients when further imaging is required. If this is due to poor quality films, rather than a need for further/different views, ensuring the Radiographer responsible is aware of the re-call and the shortcomings of their images.
Active involvement to ensure Radiographers are committed to Departmental Audit and QA. Proactively ensure effective clinical governance.
Investigate and respond to complaints.
To proactively maintain and improve quality within the service with responsibility for writing protocols, QA reports and H&S reports.
To take appropriate action when accidents, untoward occurrences or “near misses” happen. Signing Trust Incident Forms and undertaking investigations into causes where appropriate.
Work with the team to set, implement and monitor local performance targets, such as those relating to turn-around times for all patient examinations.
Ensure an organisation-based approach to management, considering the impact of decisions on the whole of the Trust, not stopping at the doors to the Radiology Department. Promotion of multi-disciplinary working to ensure the service provided is the one that is required.
Responsible for maintaining own personal CPD within the needs of the department. Undertake continuing review of professional evidence relating to all radiographic techniques.
Responsible for ensuring high professional and technical standards are maintained at all times throughout the department, advising other staff as required.
Maintenance of patient records by the input of accurate information into Trust IT systems. Monitoring compliance of other staff with regard to all IT regulations, Data Protection and Registration Authority.
Using PACS, CRIS and other Trust IT systems.
Familiarisation with the Trust Major Incident plan. Named contact for Radiology in case of Major Incident.
Undertake all Trust Mandatory training
Abide by legislative responsibilities especially in relation to IR(ME)R2017, IRR17, Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Health and Safety at Work Act and COSHH.
Abide by all Trust and Departmental policies, protocols and guidelines.
Work flexible hours when required
