Practice Educator

Although this is advertised as a full time post, applications from staff wanting to work part time are welcome.
The practice educator will be responsible for ensuring that the educational and training needs of the radiotherapy workforce within the Worcestershire Oncology Centre are met. This will include supporting newly qualified, international, apprentice as well as qualified radiographers working within the department.
You will be expected to work clinically in order to maintain and update your own clinical skills in order to support hands on training on set.
We are based in a new bespoke purpose built building on the Worcestershire Royal Hospital site, with beautiful views of the Malvern Hills and the Cotswolds.
We have 3 Elekta Linacs 2 of which are capable of 4DXVI as well as a superficial unit and a Cannon wide bore CT scanner. We provide placements for undergraduate students from Birmingham City University and have started to introduce apprenticeships through Sheffield Hallam University.
Maintain clinical competency at Band7 level and take on the full responsibilities of that role when required. Such as being able to operate radiotherapy equipment safely and accurately interpreting and applying radiation prescription plans, using clinical judgement to justify deviation from protocol.
Be clinically competent to safely and efficiently manipulate all complex and specialised equipment associated with the planning and treatment of patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment with ionising radiation.
Ensure all post graduate and undergraduate radiographers have access and understanding of radiotherapy development and practices here at Worcestershire Oncology Centre.
Support newly qualified staff and international recruits utilising a preceptorship programme.
Lead on the training of apprentices within the radiotherapy team.
Act as the placement liaison between the department and higher education institutes
Attend meetings within the trust, wider ICB and WM region relating to training/education.
We are looking for exceptional colleagues who can help us achieve this.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision - working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities, leading and supporting our teams to move 4ward. Best services for local people
We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
Education and Development
Liaise with the Radiotherapy Service Manager, Clinical Lead Radiographers, treatment and pre-treatment Radiographers, Medical Physicists and Clinical Oncologists, to identify the development and training needs of the current and future radiotherapy workforce, in line with individual staff needs and service requirements.
Devise support mechanisms and assessment criteria in all aspects of training within the treatment and pre-treatment areas to ensure a common standard.
Develop, implement and evaluate competency based training programmes and facilitate learning opportunities to meet the educational and skills development needs of Therapeutic Radiography staff (including apprentices) and HCAs within the Radiotherapy Department.
Facilitate and support the development and implementation of preceptorship programmes for newly appointed staff.
Provide coaching and mentorship for Radiotherapy staff throughout their career to enable them to realise their full potential.
Participate in curriculum development and joint professional development activities with other agencies e.g. CHEC learning and development team and Birmingham City University.
Provide educational support for student radiographers (including apprentices) to maximise the learning opportunities available throughout their clinical placements. Ensure that Trusts Statutory and Mandatory training requirements for therapeutic radiographers and HCAs within radiotherapy are met.
Take responsibility for the correct interpretation, application and delivery of routine and complex Radiotherapy treatment prescriptions using expert clinical skills
Ensure that highly specialist Radiotherapy equipment is used safely and accurately within the tolerances defined for the technique/ procedure and in accordance with manufacturers guidance and departmental protocols.
o Input and checking of treatment critical data using the patient management system (Mosaiq)
Take appropriate corrective action in the event of an error or non-conformance ensuring that any process failures or training needs are identified and addressed.
Provide clinical / technical advice on Radiotherapy treatment to members of the multidisciplinary team and other professionals within and external to the Trust
Take individual professional responsibility for the accurate delivery of treatment to radiotherapy patients ensuring that the requirements of all ionising radiation regulations are adhered to.
Take responsibility for ensuring patients medical condition and progress is monitored during treatment and any significant changes are reported to the appropriate consultant or Macmillan Review Radiographer.
Provide written and verbal information to patients and carers on all aspects of Radiotherapy treatment and its associated side effects ensuring that explanations are appropriate to the patients comprehension and level of understanding.
Work collaboratively with other professional groups to maximise development opportunities and inter-professional learning opportunities.
Quality Management/Clinical Governance
To understand and comply with professional, statutory and trust policies and procedures (e.g. Facilitate the development, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and audit of Radiotherapy policies, protocols, guidelines and standards ensuring that they meet current practice and professional regulations.
Work with QA Lead Radiographer to ensure that training and development documentation and processes are in line with national and local requirements.
Act as a resource for staff to access and raise awareness of national and local policies that will impact upon them and affect the delivery of patient care.
Ensure that quality standards are set and monitored and that clinical risk management and clinical audit are an integral part of practice developments.
Facilitate the implementation of national and local quality initiatives to improve service delivery.
Report and be part of the investigation team for Clinical incidents in line with departmental policy.
Undertake the development, implementation and audit of radiotherapy quality procedures and work instructions proposing changes as appropriate to ensure that they represent best practice.
Represent the Trust on external professional groups and network with colleagues from other organisations as appropriate.
Professional Development / Practice
Undertake training /updates required to operate all equipment safely, effectively and to maximise its therapeutic potential.
Participate in Continuing Professional Development activities including Trust Mandatory training, sharing knowledge and cascade training where appropriate.
Regularly undertake research, development and audit within the department as required facilitating the implementation of evidence based practice.
Promote a culture where staff are valued, supported and deliver high quality care
Personal Qualities
Mentor / assessor training
Post graduate education / qualification in radiotherapy
Coaching qualification
Leadership training (such as ILM or Edward Jenner)
PgCert (or higher) in Health related Clinical Education
Training and assessment of students
Acting up experience at band 7 level
Participation in project groups or working parties
Evidence of project management delivery
Awareness of IR(ME)R regulations and their implication for Radiotherapy practice