Apprentice Therapeutic Radiographer

Job summary

We are very excited to announce that we are offering a level 6Apprenticeship in Therapeutic Radiography. Once qualified as a therapeutic radiographer you will bepart of a multidisciplinary team treating patients with cancer using radiation.

The apprenticeship will start in March 2025 and will run over 3 years comprising of: -

On the job training based within the radiotherapy departmenthoused in the Oncology Centre at Worcestershire Royal Hospital

Off the job training - followingan integrated timetable with Sheffield Hallam University.

Completion of a BSc (Hons) degree in TherapeuticRadiography, approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

The post is full time - hours per week Monday to Friday (this includes studytime).

Applicants must be able to evidence Maths andEnglish GCSE grade C/4 or above or functional skills for both at level 2 andevidence of study at level 3 or above, plus other academic entry requirements as detailed in the personal specification at the time of application.

Successful applicants will need to be interviewed by Sheffield Hallam University.

We encourage anyone interested in applying to arrange a pre-interview sitevisit to ensure that this is the right career choice for you.

Main duties of the job

The apprentice will be based as anemployee within Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS trust as an apprenticeradiographer under the Therapeutic Radiographer Apprenticeship Programme,committing themselves to train as a radiographer meeting the clinical andacademic requirements of the course.

The apprenticewill develop and maintain knowledge, skills and competencies related to therole within the service and through completion of the degree apprenticeshipprogramme which includes working in a variety of clinical placements anddelivery of person centred care.

The apprenticewill work towards attainment of a Level 6 BSC (Hons) degree qualificationthrough a Level 6 apprenticeship.

Theapprentice will work alongside the multidisciplinary team within theradiotherapy department whilst they train to be a therapeutic radiographerunder the direct supervision of a registered practitioner. The post holder willbe required to work shifts as required by the department (from 07:15 until20:00).

The successfulapplicant must be prepared to undertake any formal or informal study andtraining required to fulfil the needs of the post. There will be a minimum of20% protected study time (equivalent to 1 day per week).

Upon successfulcompletion of the apprenticeship the post holder will gain a BSc (Hons) inTherapeutic Radiography and will be eligible to apply for registration with theHealth and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Therapeutic Radiographer.

About us

Our purpose is simple - Putting Patients First. 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.

The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester

Our workforce is over 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.

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. Our 4ward behaviours, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Our objectives are simple:

Best services for local people Best experience of care and best outcomes for our patients Best use of resources Best people

Better never stops, and our Clinical Services Strategy provides a clear future vision for our Trust, our hospitals, our services and our role in the wider health and care system.

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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

KeyDuties:

General / Clinical:

Assistin the daily workload of the department, liaising with portering service,administration staff and other members of the MDT to facilitate theco-ordination of patient appointments.

Toidentify the patient as per trust policy

Underthe supervision of a registered practitioner operate radiotherapy equipment inboth the treatment areas as well as in the pre-treatment area.

Underthe supervision of a registered practitioner carry out machine QA.

Underthe supervision of a registered practitioner follow departmental procedure forequipment shutdown.

Movepatients and heavy equipment using safe and approved techniques and aids,updating Manual Handling training annually in line with Trust policy.

Toensure professional appearance and a high standard of hygiene is maintained atall times in compliance with the trusts uniform policy.

Take a flexible approach in supporting colleagues during times ofworkload pressure

Toact within professional and legal frameworks taking responsibility andaccountability for all aspects of ones own work.

Tobe an active member of the teams learning process such as in service training,staff meetings, training sessions, insight visits, shadowing, external coursesand reflective practice. To share skillslearnt from other clinical areas or academic study with the team.

Torespond positively to organisational change and be flexible with work practicesdepending on need.

Patient care:

Underthe supervision of a registered practitioner assess patients medical conditionmonitor their progress during treatment and any significant changes arereported to your supervising radiographer.

Underthe supervision of a registered practitioner provide written and verbalinformation to patients and carers on all aspects of Radiotherapy treatment andits associated side effects ensuring that explanations are appropriate to thepatients comprehension and level of understanding.

Underthe supervision of a registered practitioner educate, motivate and reassurepatients to ensure consent to and compliance with treatment regimens which maybe arduous and poorly tolerated, assessing the patients physical and emotionalstate on a daily basis to ensure fitness for treatment.

Education

Thepost holder will make a commitment to study both at work and at home during theduration of the apprenticeship course

Maintaina learning journal of the 20% off-the-job learning required to meet theapprenticeship standard.

Attendanceof the Universities teaching session are mandatory (either e-learning, virtualtutorials or on site tutorials), annual leave is to be taken outside of theuniversities teaching sessions.

Tobe prepared to undertake any formal or informal training required to fulfil theneeds of the post. This includesself-study.

Takeresponsibility for the quality of your own work and keep your manager informedof how the work is progressing, addressing any queries or concerns in a timelymanner

Submitall apprenticeship assessment work on time in line with the requirements of thetraining provider

Withyour managers support identify additional areas of development or trainingrequired to meet the role.

Toparticipate in the Trusts appraisal process and consider personal and professionaldevelopment plan.

Totake personal responsibility for ensuring own mandatory/statutory training iskept up to date and to use the ESR to record all mandatory training.

Todevelop and consolidate personal knowledge and skills through the forming of aCPD portfolio.

Clinical Governance:

Workwithin the standards and requirements of Quality Management System andcontribute to the development, implementation and audit of radiotherapy qualityprocedures and work instructions

Reportall incidents to supervising radiographer and report using Datix in a timelymanner

Towork within the framework of add trust name policies and procedures.

Communication

Ensurethat any records relating to the planning, treatment and care of patient areaccurately recorded and maintained as per departmental / trust policy

Seekappropriate support and guidance regarding any concerns related to the accuracyof a treatment.

Reportany malfunctions / breakdown of equipment to the appropriately.

Undersupervision communicate and receive sensitive information, maintaining patientconfidentiality at all times

Todevelop a high standard of care be developing excellent communication skills

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

3 GCSE passes at grade C or grade 4 and above including mathematics, English Language or literature and a science subject. Alternative and equivalent Maths and English qualifications will be accepted. 120 UCAS points from 3 A levels (including at least 40 points from natural science such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics or social science subject (psychology or sociology). Or equivalent from national BTEC qualifications Extended Diploma in Applied Science, Health Science or Health Studies or Access to HE Diploma in health studies, health science, nursing or another science-based course. Normally we require 15 of the level 3 credits to be graded at distinction level with 12 of these distinctions from science units. Or Previous degree in a related subject or evidence of science in your academic profile.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Time management skills and the ability to prioritise Basic understanding of radiotherapy Understanding of the therapeutic radiographer role / profession Establish and maintain communication with others on routine, daily and operational matters. Contribute to own personal development Computer literacy Able to organise self and others, to take initiative

Desirable

Awareness of national standards such as IRR (2017), IR(ME)R 2017 and associated codes of practice. Knowledge of responsibility/accountability and importance of patient documentation

Experience

Essential

Work experience in the chosen profession or a healthcare setting Evidence of time spent working in a person facing role. This would include part time roles whilst at school or college Experience of helping people

Desirable

Previous experience working within health care environment Work experience / visit to a radiotherapy department

Personal Qualities

Essential

Able to communicate well, individually and as a team Caring and empathetic Enjoy working with and helping people Approachable and friendly An ability to work under pressure Flexible attitude with respect to hours of work Flexible attitude to departmental duties

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