Diagnostic Radiographer

Job Overview

The Diagnostic Imaging department at North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust is a busy department supporting a large range of services, including stroke, HIV medicine, and a busy sickle cell disorder service. We have one of the busiest A&E units in London, and the work reflects this.

The Diagnostic Imaging department is based mainly on 2 levels within the new build of the hospital, including 1 Canon Aquilion Prime SP CT scanner and 1 Canon Aquilion One Prism CT scanner, a Philips MRI scanner, 1 GE and 1 Siemens digital fluoroscopy unit to perform interventional procedures, and 5 Siemens Ysio Max general radiography rooms serving inpatients, outpatients, A&E clinics, and GP services. We undertake a large range of orthopaedic theatre procedures and have recently acquired 3 new Philips Zenition 70 flat panel detector systems. We have a busy ultrasound department with 3 general rooms, and 7 gynaecology and maternity rooms opened in our new maternity wing. Nuclear medicine imaging is provided on site. A new cardiac catheter lab was installed in 2014.

Main Duties of the Job

1. To assess and clinically authorise referrals to radiology in line with the National Regulations, Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R, 2017) and local protocols.
2. Act in the role of an Operator and Practitioner*, within own scope of practice. To clinically justify imaging requests from the clinical information provided referring to the work area's Protocols & Technique Guidelines as a reference if necessary.
3. To undertake the comprehensive assessment and appropriate examination of patients including those with diverse/complex/multi pathological presentation. This may necessitate the use of advanced investigative and analytical skills to assess and evaluate different imaging options to obtain the best outcome for the patient.
4. To contribute to the quarterly Image Optimisation Group, liaising with modality leads to further improve imaging quality and explore methods of dose optimisation.
5. Responsible for the management of workflow, responding to changes in demand for radiology services, this may include liaising with other clinical and non-clinical departments within and outside the hospital to provide a service.

Clinical Responsibilities:

1. To assess and clinically authorise referrals to radiology in line with the National Regulations, Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R, 2017) and local protocols.
2. Act in the role of an Operator and Practitioner*, within own scope of practice. To clinically justify imaging requests from the clinical information provided referring to the work area's Protocols & Technique Guidelines as a reference if necessary.
3. To undertake the comprehensive assessment and appropriate examination of patients including those with diverse/complex/multi pathological presentation. This may necessitate the use of advanced investigative and analytical skills to assess and evaluate different imaging options to obtain the best outcome for the patient.
4. To expedite the reporting of images where an abnormality that would affect patient management has been detected.
5. To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients within this specialist field and organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and allocation of resources.
6. To work effectively to provide the optimum level of service, with an unpredictable workload.
7. To liaise with the referrer when clarification regarding selection of the most clinically appropriate imaging examination is required.
8. To ensure a high standard of clinical care for patients within the department including monitoring the standard of care delivered by colleagues.
9. To provide clinical guidance, advice and assistance relating to specialised radiographic techniques and procedures to medical staff, junior radiographers, student radiographers and helpers/assistants, developing their clinical knowledge and skills.
10. To provide advice to patients regarding their referral and their hospital attendance, for example, radiation protection issues, Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), interpretation services and freedom of information services.
11. To assess individual patients' understanding of the diagnostic procedure, ensuring valid consent to the procedure is obtained, working within the legal framework for patients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment.
12. Applying a high level of manual dexterity in the acquisition of accurate, high quality diagnostic images, whilst accommodating a full range of patient presentations and adapting standard technique when necessary. This may include performing some extremely specialised and rarely performed techniques.
13. To match the clinical indications presented by the referrer to the most appropriate departmental protocol and act as a source of advice to others in the request and selection of the most appropriate imaging series.
14. Liaise with appropriate bodies in matters of patient safety, for example the child protection team.
15. To operate advanced software on specialist radiological equipment, requiring excellent hand-eye co-ordination and manual dexterity.
16. To review images (own and others') to ensure that appropriate additional images are taken prior to the patient leaving the department.
17. To demonstrate and encourage reflective practice based on knowledge and skills.
18. To ensure that images are presented for reporting purposes in a timely and accurate manner.
19. To recognise and act upon radiographic abnormalities detected and those brought for advice, within the appropriate system of work.
20. To have full team-leader responsibilities within the clinical area/department.
21. Provide advice to radiographic staff, clinicians and radiologists with regard to specialised radiographic technique within their area of expertise. To work, without supervision, taking legal responsibility and accountability for all aspects of work.
22. To ensure relevant infection control measures are implemented and utilised where necessary, using appropriate personal protective equipment; including the safe management of equipment and linens contaminated by bodily fluids. Where necessary, seeking professional advice.
23. To ensure that workload is scheduled to minimise the infection risk to others.
24. To be responsible for the care, comfort, and clinical well-being of the patient, during their examination whilst in the X-ray department. This includes the use of monitoring equipment, or the administration of oxygen or suction as required.
25. To ascertain from patient, patient's guardian or the referrer, patient's suitability for receipt of intravenous contrast media.
26. To use evidence-based practice to enhance the radiographic service.

Operational Responsibilities:

1. To contribute to the quarterly Image Optimisation Group, liaising with modality leads to further improve imaging quality and explore methods of dose optimisation.
2. Responsible for the management of workflow, responding to changes in demand for radiology services, this may include liaising with other clinical and non-clinical departments within and outside the hospital to provide a service.
3. Day to day organisation of staff and workload to provide an effective and efficient service.
4. To act as liaison between the team and other staff members.
5. Be able to solve problems, using the resources available in unforeseen circumstances able to address and provide solutions to service delivery problems in unforeseen circumstances, using the available resources effectively to maintain smooth delivery of service/patient care.
6. To provide guidance to external users of the service regarding the deployment of radiographic resources e.g., theatre and ward usage.
7. To participate in the safe transfer of patients and equipment within the department and hospital, using Trust manual handling guidelines and risk assessments.
8. Responsible for the management of change which affects the specialist services.
9. To devise, supervise and monitor systems of work, reporting/notifying areas for improvement to the head of diagnostic imaging.
10. To organise, attend, lead and contribute to regular departmental meetings.
11. Disseminate information to others in specialist clinical areas.
12. To report deficits in the data integrity of IT systems in use within Radiology and the Trust.
13. Undertake first line fault investigations within the department for system and equipment faults.
14. To ensure (including the monitoring of others) that the input of patient data into Radiology IT systems within the specialist area is accurate.
15. To support and assist in the training of radiology, clerical and medical staff on Radiology IT systems.
16. To be able to implement back up measures in times of system failure, ensuring that accurate patient and examination data is recorded.
17. Be able to retrieve photographic and digital images including image manipulation/recovery from radiology systems.
18. Ability to manoeuvre equipment in confined and/or sterile environments.
19. Initiate remedial action to address equipment faults/malfunctions. Notifying and taking appropriate action where necessary.
20. Liaise with teams which are not part of radiology to manage workflow effectively; for example, portering, domestic services, A&E floor managers and contractors.
21. Required to draft policies and change working practice dependent on service need.

Core Knowledge and Understanding

1. An understanding of the organisational structure and working practices of the organisation with regard to the provision of high-quality radiography services, and trust policies relevant to the specialist area.
2. To possess a high degree of personal and professional autonomy with the ability to make sound clinical judgements and critical decisions regarding the patients' welfare
3. To have a working knowledge and be guided by broad professional/clinical policies and standards e.g., those set by the College and Society of Radiographers, the Healthcare Professions Council, and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria

1. BSc. (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography
2. HCPC registration
3. PGCert or PGDip in Plain Film Reporting

Desirable criteria

1. Leadership qualification

Skills and abilities

Essential criteria

1. Working knowledge of radiation governance and legislation
2. Able to supervise the work of others and sensitively communicate areas for improvement
3. Ability to write SOPs or other guidance

Desirable criteria

1. RPS course

Experience

Essential criteria

1. Adept in plain film, CT, cardiac and interventional imaging
2. Able to manage equipment maintenance

Desirable criteria

1. Experience in delivering training and embedding new techniques or technology
2. Use of Soliton RIS, Sectra PACS and CareFlow

Personal qualities

Essential criteria

1. Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to demonstrate empathy and to communicate with people from all backgrounds
2. Able to explain complex matters in simple terms
3. Willingness to collaborate and to work as part of an MDT

Other requirements

Essential criteria

1. Willingness to work flexibly
2. Friendly, caring and approachable to patients and staff

Trust Values

Essential criteria

1. Demonstrable ability to meet Trust values