Radiology Department Assistant

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Radiography Department Assistant in the Radiology Department and will be based primarily at the previous Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospital sites.

The department provides a 7-day imaging service across all MWL sites, therefore the post will include evening, weekend and bank holiday duties.

The role will include assisting qualified staff during radiographic, CT and MRI procedures to include patient care, iv cannulation and clerical duties.

The role is interesting and varied and candidates must be keen to learn, enjoy a challenge and have the ability to use their own initiative.

Good Communication Skills And a Caring Nature Are Essential.

Interview date: TBC

Main duties of the job

To provide assistance during imaging procedures as directed by a suitably qualified practitioner and co-ordinate inpatient transfer for all imaging modalities.

The Team provided radiological services to Health community, providing inpatient, outpatient and GP services to a broad spectrum of client/patient groups.

About Us

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.

Our Services:

Acute Care
Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care
Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services
Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services
We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

• Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
• National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme

Date posted
14 April 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
£24,071 to £25,674 a year Per annum, Pro rata
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
409-6984635-A
Job locations
Whiston Hospital
Warrington Road
Prescot
L35 5DR

Job Description

Job responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

• Assist Radiology clinical staff in all imaging examinations
• Support the Radiology clinical staff in the maintenance of high standards of care
• Accept responsibility for specifically delegated functions within the imaging department that the qualified practitioner feels are appropriate for untrained staff to undertake
• Assist patients throughout their imaging attendance
• Prepare imaging rooms and trolleys for clinical examinations
• Preparation of intravenous and oral contrast as per departmental protocol
• Intra-venous cannulation prior to imaging examinations
• Assist in cross sectional imaging by positioning patients for procedures including appropriate placement of MR coils and loading injector with contrast
• Responsible for co-ordinating inpatient transfer to and from Radiology for all imaging modalities this includes:
• Liaising with all wards and departments to confirm mode of transport
• Organising portering staff to transport patients
• Observation of patients in the waiting room
• Responsible for cleaning clinical equipment which may have come into contact with body fluids
• Assist in providing an environment which is conducive to a safe, infection free patient experience
• Undertake household support tasks
• Report all equipment malfunctions to appropriate personnel
• Establish and maintain effective communication with patients during procedures which may require tact and encouragement
• Maintain a patient, courteous manner in all aspects of communication with patients and staff

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• To ensure adherence to all departmental and trust SOP and policies.
• Maintain the privacy and dignity of patients.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for accurate data entry on the Radiology Information System
• To ensure the accuracy of data quality in line with departmental policies and procedures (i.e. name, date of birth, address, postcode, GP and telephone number) are all current

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in the induction of new radiography helpers
• To attend training courses relevant to the post
• To Maintain own personal development

RESEARCH & AUDIT

• Participate in departmental audit and research programmes.

Person Specification

Qualification
Essential

• NVQ Level 3 in care or equivalent qualification/experience in Radiology
• GCSE English and Maths at grade 9-4 (A*-C)

Knowledge & Experience
Desirable

• Previous care work in a Health Care Setting

Skills
Essential

• A highly self-motivated individual
• Able to use own initiative and respond to new challenges
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to manage difficult or sensitive situations
• Excellent IT skills (including Microsoft Office)
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Excellent time management skills

Desirable

• A good understanding of Trust policies as appropriate

Other
Essential

• Ability to travel various hospital locations by own car/assisted driver
• Able to work the hours and duties required for the post
• Able to comply with Trust policies and procedures
• Understanding of the confidential nature of the role and awareness of the Data Protection Act

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.

Employer details
Employer name
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Address
Whiston Hospital
Warrington Road
Prescot
L35 5DR
Employer's website
https://www.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/