Radiographer (XR06)

Leeds Teaching Hospitals; Leeds; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK seeks a qualified MRI radiographer to join their team across two major hospitals. The position involves performing various diagnostic scans, ensuring patient safety, and supporting a busy in-patient service. Candidates must hold a relevant degree and HCPC registration, with opportunities for full training and professional development. This role promises a diverse workload, a supportive team environment, and the chance to work with advanced MRI technology.

Benefits

Support for professional development

Friendly and collaborative team environment

Qualifications

• Qualified diagnostic radiographer with HCPC registration is required.
• Must have substantial post graduate experience working as a radiographer.
• Knowledge of radiographic equipment and current trends in practice.

Responsibilities

• Perform diagnostic MRI scans and maintain high quality patient records.
• Review patient MRI safety issues and administer a range of drugs.
• Supervise and provide training to staff and students.

Skills

Effective interpersonal skills

Professional attitude

Leadership qualities

High hygiene standards

Education

BSc in Diagnostic Radiography

HCPC State Registration

Job description

LeedsTeaching Hospitals NHS Trust is looking for an enthusiastic, patient centred radiographer to join our MRI team within the Radiology CSU. The department is based across 2 sites, St James University Hospital (SJUH) and Leeds General Infirmary. LGI is a major trauma and neuro‑surgical centre as well as the home of the Leeds Children’s Hospital, and SJUH a world renowned oncology and transplant centre, and one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe. As an MRI radiographer you will cover a broad spectrum of clinical MRI imaging, including oncology, GI imaging, liver, neurology, vascular, paediatrics, acute in‑patients (including A&E) and much more. You will over time be trained to independently work across a range of these specialities, as well as gain competency in cannulation and active implant scanning.

Therole would benefit a radiographer who has MRI experience, however radiographers with good general radiography experience will be given full training. The role would suit Radiographers who are keen to learn, and happy working in a busy environment with considerable responsibility placed upon individuals to make imaging decisions in often complex cases. The in‑patient and on‑call services are busy so a considerable amount of manual handling and out‑of‑hours working is required. In return you will see one of the broadest portfolios of MRI imaging in the UK and have opportunity to scan a case‑mix that is both interesting and educational.

Main duties of the job

Thesuccessful candidate will work across both the LGI and St James’s sites butwill be given a base site where they will spend the majority of their time. The MRI department operates a 7.30am to 8pm 7 day service with an on‑call for overnight and weekend cases.

Anyone applying for this role must be a qualified diagnostic radiographer with HCPC registration. Thesuccessful candidate will support the MRI service in providing good quality diagnostic images for our patients whilst also providing exemplary patient care. The key duties will be:

• Perform diagnostic MRI scans.
• Maintain high quality patient records.
• Review patient MRI safety issues and make decisions on MRI safety including scanning of active implants.
• Administer a range of drugs.
• Perform scans for research purposes.
• Once competent, train other staff and students.
• Support the weekend out‑patient list service.
• Support the overnight, weekend and bank holiday on‑call rota.

Working in our department is incredibly rewarding, and the team friendly and supportive. Candidates should be aware that they will be working with patients who have sometimes emotionally distressing illnesses and conditions including children and young people. The Trust has a range of support for team members to ensure good emotional and psychological health. The job role includes manual handling of patients as we have a busy in‑patient department that forms part of the rotation.

About us

MRI in LTHT is one of the largest MRI departments in the country with 9 MRI scanners operating across Radiology. We have 6 x Siemens Sola 1.5T Scanners, 1 x Siemens Aera 1.5T Scanners, 1 x Siemens Vida 3T scanner and 1 x GE Architect 3T scanner. The scanners are located across 3 sites and 7 separate departments.

Successful candidates will experience a wide range of clinical specialities and patient groups and will gain considerable insight into the world of MRI imaging. We are supported by a strong team of medical physicists who provide educational resources and other support for our radiographers.

We aim to live by the Trust values of empowered, collaborative, patient centred, fair and accountable. We also strongly value diversity and inclusivity amongst our teams.

For further information please contact Team Managers Scott Ingles & John Kemp (01133923378) or Kath Bann & Anne‑Marie Keegan (0113 20 68468).

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Job responsibilities

Undertake all the professional and technical requirements of the post as a State Registered qualified radiographer with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), while working as an autonomous practitioner within Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Radiology Directorate.

To perform a wide variety of specialised radiographic procedures and examinations within and outside the X‑ray department, for example on wards and specialised operating theatres. Patients presenting for examination have diverse backgrounds and may have complex physical and/or psychological conditions.

To manage personal workloads, authorising and prioritising radiological examinations as appropriate for clinical need.

To work as a clinical specialist as part of a multi‑disciplinary team providing high standards of patient care, whilst following policies and procedures as specified by the Radiology Management Team.

The post holder also undertakes the supervision and specialist clinical training of radiographers, undergraduate students and other staff as appropriate.

The post-holder will be responsible for their own workload for a defined area or particular patient type working on their own initiative without direct supervision, managing their own case load. Specialist radiographers will work within their own scope of practice as defined by the HCPC.

To contribute to the development and delivery of an effective and responsive radiology service.

Undertake practical training and clinical supervision of radiographers, student radiographers, assistant practitioners and radiographer helpers/assistants as appropriate, according to department protocols and schemes of work.

To assess, justify, plan, implement and evaluate a wide range of specialist radiographic examinations and duties as an autonomous practitioner in this specialist field.

Maintain high level of technical and theoretical skills through personal CPD, in accordance with the requirements of the HCPC.

To be aware of and comply with all standards of conduct, dress codes and patient care that relates to radiography and act within the approved guidelines of the Trust.

To act professionally and as representative to the radiology department and their profession.

To value team working by effective communication.

Establish and maintain a professional interest in teaching and learning using a variety of resources and media.

To be aware of and participate in research.

Radiographers will have achieved the range of clinical, professional and personal competencies such as below.

Demonstrate and expand effective leadership skills.

Assess, plan, implement and evaluate the specialised clinical examination in order to produce high quality images.

Have an understanding of the organisational structure and working practices of this specialist area.

To have a working knowledge of the professional standards set out by the College and Society of Radiographers, Health Professions Council and other National Standards e.g. National Service Frameworks.

Clinical Responsibilities:

To assess clinical authorisation of radiology referrals in line with the National Regulations, Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R), 2000, Nuclear medicines and MRI safety and local protocols as appropriate to the imaging speciality.

Act in the role of an Operator and Practitioner*, within own scope of practice, by clinically justifying imaging requests from the clinical information provided referring to the work areas Protocols & Technique Guidelines as a reference if necessary. *as defined in IRMER 2000

To work without supervision, taking legal responsibility and accountability for all aspects of your own work.

To liaise with referral source where clarification is required regarding selection of the most clinically appropriate imaging examination.

To act as a point of advice for imaging referrers.

To act as a point of reference for patient enquiries regarding their referral, for all issues relating to hospital attendance for example; radiation protection or MRI safety issues, Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), Interpretation services and freedom of information services.

To act as a patient advocate in radiation protection, Nuclear Medicine, drug safety and MRI safety issues.

To ensure patients have given informed consent prior to radiographic examinations and have the knowledge to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

Applying a high level of manual dexterity in acquiring accurate, high quality diagnostic images, whilst accommodating a full range of patient presentations and adapting standard technique when necessary.

To undertake the comprehensive assessment and appropriate examination of patients including those who present with multiple pathologies/conditions. These patients require the use of advanced investigative and analytical skills to select and utilise the most appropriate approach to their imaging.

To cannulate patients and administer medicines under appropriate clinical prescription or Patient group directive.

Risk assess potential patient safety issues on a case by case basis (for example MRI safety screening or medicines administration).

The ability to work in a stressful environment imparting contentious/difficult information on a daily basis.

The ability to deal effectively with emotional and/or aggressive patients and/or carers on a daily basis. This will necessitate the use of effective communication skills e.g. to motivate and reassure.

To use a range of verbal and non‑verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients about their treatment and examination. This will include patients who have difficulties in understanding or communicating.

Liaise with relevant teams on aspects of patient safety, for example, child protection team.

To operate advanced software on specialist radiological equipment, requiring excellent hand‑eye coordination and manual dexterity.

To review images and ensure that additional images are undertaken where appropriate, prior to patient departure from the department.

Demonstrate reflective practice based on knowledge and skills so as to formulate and deliver diagnostic imaging based on sound knowledge of evidence based practice and imaging options using clinical assessment, reasoning and skills and knowledge of other techniques.

To ensure that images are presented for reporting purposes in a timely and accurate manner.

Identify and act upon any abnormalities detected and those brought to you for advice, using the appropriate system of work.

To participate in the delivery of an out of hours service.

To ensure appropriate infection control measures are implemented and utilised where necessary. Paying particular attention to personal protection as well as the management of equipment and linens contaminated by bodily fluids and where necessary seek professional advice.

To represent the radiography service at multi‑disciplinary team meetings to ensure the delivery of a coordinated multi‑disciplinary service and diagnostic service.

To be responsible for a high standard of care, comfort and clinical wellbeing of the patient, during the examination in the any of the Radiology departments. This will involve on occasion delivering some elements normally undertaken by nursing colleagues.

To liaise with other clinical and non‑clinical departments within the hospital and various external sources in order to provide a quality service to patients and clinicians.

To effectively liaise with all disciplines of staff within and outside any of the Radiology departments, giving support when necessary.

To show initiative in being able to provide solutions to service delivery problems, in unforeseen circumstances, using the available resources effectively to promote smooth delivery of service/patient care.

To provide guidance to external users regarding the deployment of radiographic resources e.g. Theatre usage.

To participate in the safe transfer of patients and equipment within the department and hospital, using manual handling guidelines and risk assessments.

To communicate negotiated changes to staff rosters to appropriate staff.

To organise personal and departmental workload in line with clinical priorities.

To show initiative, adapt and quickly respond to changes in service, patient or departmental need.

To report deficits in the data integrity of the IT systems in use in Radiology & the Trust.

To contribute to regular departmental meetings.

Dissemination of information to others.

To reflect on areas of work and communicate areas of deficit or potential advancement.

To report clinical, non‑clinical and radiation incidents in line with Trust and departmental risk management policies.

To assist in the training and promotion of accurate patient and examination data into a the appropriate IT software systems such as PACS, RIS, NBSS etc and implement backup measures in times of system failure.

Liaise with external sources to manage workflow effectively; for example, portering, domestic services and A&E floor managers, when necessary.

Person Specification

Skills & behaviours

• Effective interpersonal skills & communication skills, with both staff and patients. This is of great importance when expanding the patients' history with the use of focused questioning through discussion
• Professional attitude and appearance
• Maintenance of a safe working environment, following trust and national policies and procedures, and involvement in audit and quality assurance programmes
• High standards in hygiene, manner, attendance and competence at all times.
• Motivated team worker with ability to delegate tasks to junior staff and radiography helpers/assistants, thus demonstrating leadership qualities and responsibilities.
• Demonstrates and expands upon leadership qualities
• Responsible and accountable for patient safety
• Skills & Behaviours - desirable Knowledge of pathologies which may affect patient management, and radiographic technique
• Knowledge of patient diversity and how to modify radiographic technique

Experience

• Attainment of postgraduate competence as outlined in LTHT Radiography Competency Framework or equivalent competency based link grade agreement
• Mandatory training in CPR, fire safety and moving and handling.
• CPD to satisfy HCPC requirements
• Substantial post graduate experience, working as a radiographer
• Knowledge of radiographic equipment and its use in different clinical environments, including specialist areas.
• Knowledge of current trends in radiographic practice and health care
• Attendance at professional lectures, study days and workshops

Qualifications

• BSc (or equivalent) in Diagnostic Radiography Diploma of the College in Radiographers (Diagnostic) State Registration (HCPC)
• Attendance at further courses such as IV cannulation, Student Assessment, Red Dot etc
• Commitment to undergo academic study i.e. post graduate study or equivalent

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.