Clinical Facilitator - Radiology

Beacon Hospital; Dublin; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Beacon Hospital in Dublin seeks a Clinical Facilitator in Radiology to lead education, coordinate clinical practice development and governance for radiography staff and students.

You will oversee orientation, continuous professional development, and quality assurance in Radiology, working with Radiology Managers and Clinical Coordinators to raise practice standards and ensure compliance with CORU and hospital policies.

Qualifications

• Experience in teaching and assessing radiography staff or students.
• Leadership in clinical education.
• Strong communication and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver education programmes for radiology staff and students.
• Coordinate orientation and CPD for radiology staff.
• Lead audits and practice development initiatives.
• Support radiology managers in policy development and implementation.

Skills

Teaching experience

Leadership

Communication skills

Clinical coaching

Education

Registered with CORU

Postgraduate Radiography qualification

Job description

Job Title: Clinical Facilitator - Radiology

Department: Radiology

Reports to: Radiology Operations Manager

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB

• To facilitate the achievement of the Hospital’s mission to provide exceptional patient care in an environment where quality, respect, caring and compassion are at the centre of all we do
• To enhance outcomes for patients by assessment of standards of Radiography and Health Care Assistant practice, the planning and implementation of appropriate education and professional development
• The role embraces the promotion of continuous practice development, utilising the skills of collaboration, networking and effective relationship building (Thornbury, 1999, McCormack et al, 1999, Manley, 2000)
• Providing a quality educational and supportive service to Radiology staff and Beacon Hospitals Undergraduate, Postgraduate and New Graduate Training and Development Programme.
• The coordination and management of up to date educational/ clinical programmes for relevant staff
• The goal of the Radiology Clinical Facilitator is to enhance clinical practice by supporting Radiographers within Radiology to develop the necessary skills to deliver skilled care for all patients. That all Radiographers and HCA’s will successfully complete their probationary period within the agreed timeframe. This will be done in collaboration with the Radiology manager
• This role is a clinical one which requires direct supervision of perceptees working in clinical practice with patients. There will be an identified time frame of four weeks for all perceptees. This may be reviewed based on their previous Clinical experience and initial assessment carried out in the two week orientation to Radiology modalities.
• Be responsible for the coordination of a regular schedule of education, and professional development
• Participate in teams /meetings/committees as appropriate communicating and working in cooperation with other team members
• Evaluate and manage the implementation of best practice policy and procedures
• Maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation
• Promote the guidelines for safety and best practice laid down by the Hospital policies, CORU guidelines and relevant acts such as the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Data protection Act 1988 and 2003
• Assign time to engage directly in practice in order to keep pace with changes and provide enabling process for staff to achieve their goals`
• Develop appropriate systems in the streamlining of education, practice development, audit data collection and reporting.

Time allocated for clinical practice facilitation is illustrated in table below;

Time allocated per week:

• 75% of time working directly with staff in clinical practice: 28.25 hours
• 25% Administration, preparation for training and facilitation of in-service education: 8.75 hours

CLINICAL ADAPTATION PROGRAMME

• Be knowledgeable about the Clinical Adaptation and Assessment programme and the clinical experiences required to meet the needs of the programme.
• Support the coordination of the candidates’ orientation week.
• Coordinate the induction to Radiology. Ensures that the clinical adaptation candidates learning requirements, outcomes and required competencies are achieved within the time frame set by CORU.
• Assist in the orientation of candidates to the clinical area. Make candidates aware of Hospital policies and procedures relating to patient care, how to access them and of their responsibility to read, understand and comply with same.
• Liaise with the Clinical coordinators in selecting appropriate preceptors and ensuring that candidates are allocated to and given opportunity to work with their preceptors.
• Prepare clinical coordinators and preceptors for their roles in assessing candidates by informing and updating them on the requirements of the adaptation programme as per CORU and CPD. Provide guidance to candidates on any issues relating to student's clinical placements, which arise in the clinical areas.
• Maintain clinical credibility by maintaining a regular clinical presence and working alongside candidates in a supportive and role model capacity.
• Encourage the preceptor and candidate to identify teaching and learning opportunities in Radiology.
• Ensure communication channels are maintained with all relevant personnel (Clinical Specialist Radiographers) to ensure safe, efficient and competent assessment of candidates.
• Support the preceptor, candidate and Clinical coordinator in the development of an action plan if required.

CLINICAL PRACTICE

• Support the Clinical Specialist Radiographers to plan, develop, implement and evaluate clinical practice in accordance with best available evidence in order to influence innovations in practice and promote quality care for patients in the general medical/surgical areas.
• Assist with identifying, facilitating and implementing practice development projects in the clinical areas.
• In collaboration with the Clinical coordinators assist with the development of policies, protocols, guidelines and clinical competencies and their implementation
• Work with the Clinical Coordinators in implementing action plans to improve clinical practice and staff development.
• Sit on appropriate multidisciplinary committees.

EDUCATION/STAFF DEVELOPMENT

• In conjunction with the Radiology managers & Clinical Coordinators to assess and identify teaching and developmental requirements of all staff through observation in practice.
• Collaborate with the Radiology managers & Clinical Coordinators to ensure appropriate training, education and evaluation takes place.
• In conjunction with Clinical Coordinators and Radiographers, develop and continually revise clinical nursing skills/competencies.
• Create an environment for continuous lifelong professional and personal development and learning for all staff.
• Liaise closely with Radiology manager in relation to policy proposal and staff training and development
• Attend all relevant meetings as required for role and Liaise with appropriate staff
• Attend staff meetings and receive staff suggestions for improvement in the system of work
• Maintain open communication with all relevant staff
• Develop good relationships with wards and departments

MANAGEMENT

• Demonstrate ability to self-manage and organise own workload efficiently.
• Help foster a supportive working environment by demonstrating excellent leadership ability and communication skills.
• Communicate effectively with Radiology Managers and Clinical Coordinators regarding the progress and development within their area of responsibility.
• Demonstrate both clinical and professional leadership, enabling a multidisciplinary team culture of continuous staff learning and practice development.
• Be highly motivated and have a vision of developing skills/competencies that are applicable to clinical areas.
• Develop a network of contacts and communication links with other professionals that will assist in provision of expert advice to meet the needs of all grades of nursing staff.
• Provide professional Clinical Leadership and vision and facilitate staff team building to provide planned care and develop educational strategies service goals
• Maintain a Quality standard of service lead on proactive quality improvement and support accreditation
• Effectively educate staff on Hospital, Regional policies as applicable
• Provide leadership and motivation which is conducive to good working relations and work performance
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the work place
• Take an active role in the audit of clinical practice and the standards of care being provided.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Candidates must be registered with CORU with minimum of 6 years experience post qualification.
• Post graduate Course in Radiography

Experience

• Possess the clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to properly discharge the functions of the role.
• Evidence of teaching practice in the clinical setting is desirable.

Job Specific Competencies and Knowledge

• Experience in teaching and assessing the Radiographer throughout the last 7 years.
• Experience in conducting clinical audits.
• Creates a culture of open communication to maintain a climate of trust and honesty.
• Is an advocate for the hospital department by consistently projecting a professional image, promoting the highest standards.
• Encourages investment in continuous learning, at hospital level and in partnership with affiliated and/or other relevant third level institutions as appropriate and is a role model for others in this regard.
• Promotes and supports inter-disciplinary working and associated learning. Furthers same.
• Well-developed education and coaching skills
• Demonstrate experience of developing Radiography practice as relevant to the post.
• Demonstrate a good knowledge of the Health Service with particular reference to professional development issues, nurse education and practice development.
• Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the developments in Radiographer education and practice.
• Demonstrate theoretical and clinical knowledge appropriate to the complexities of the post.
• Demonstrate integrity and ethical stance
• Demonstrate analytical, problem solving and decision making skills.
• Demonstrate a commitment to providing a quality service.
• Demonstrate leadership/personal motivation skills.
• Demonstrate commitment to professional and personal self-development.
• Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role.