Radiographer

Job responsibilities

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical

1. To perform examinations upon a range of patient types both as an autonomous practitioner and as part of a multi professional team, in a manner that meets professional, departmental and legal standards and requirements.

2. To support the management structure of the Radiology Department, and to liaise with senior members of the Radiology team and external OUH departments.

3. To assess and justify referrals under Ionising Radiations (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2018, (IR(ME)R 2018), following practitioner guidelines.

4. To undertake the departmental and Trust induction Programme.

5. To vet and assess referrals, and protocol examinations as required.

6. To independently assess each patient and adapt radiographic techniques according to the needs of the patient.

7. To advise medical and non-medical referrers as to the appropriate radiological investigation as required.

8. To supervise student radiographers, and act as a mentor for newly qualified staff, where appropriate.

9. To relate to all patients with understanding and care, respecting their privacy and dignity to provide a caring and confidential service.

10. To be able to use the departmental Radiology Information System, Computerised Radiography system and the Picture Archiving Communication System following training.

11. To manage own workload and organise departmental workload when necessary.

12. To participate in the on call, weekend and standby duty rota as required according to site, and have a flexible approach to working hours.

13. To adhere to all Trust policies including Health & Safety Regulations, COSHH Regulations, and the Data Protection Act.

14. To comply with all radiation protection policies such as IR(ME)R the Code of Practice for the Protection of Persons against Ionising Radiations arising from Medical and Dental use and the IRR 17 Regulations.

15. To adhere to safe systems of work with regard to manual handling.

16. To be aware of all Quality Control procedures with the department, including Quality Assurance testing for image quality and equipment safety, and to perform clinical audits within the department.

17. To participate in the Department and Directorate Audit and Clinical Governance Programs

18. To be responsible in the use of expensive diagnostic radiology equipment to ensure that the patient, carer, relatives and operator remain safe from the physical and radiation hazards associated with it.

19. To highlight and document any equipment faults or service issues to a senior member of staff, and take any appropriate action within Department guidelines

20. To perform specialist procedures with complex equipment in a safe manner (and to train and supervise others when appropriate)

21. To adhere to role in safety and good practice.

22. To undertake radiography at any hospital within the Trust as required.

23. To undertake any other duties which may arise at the discretion of the Lead Clinical Radiographer or Radiology Services Manager.

Professional Development

1. The post holder is responsible for his/her personal development and is expected to remain up to date in technical developments and trends in imaging through participation in internal and external development opportunities and to maintain a portfolio of evidence in support of CPD undertaken.

2. To exercise professional accountability at all times and to be aware of own development needs/limitations and actively seeking to address these.

3. To be appraised as part of the annual Trust appraisal process. To strive to meet agreed personal and service objectives.

4. To attend regular staff meetings

Professional

1. To act as an independent radiographic practitioner, meeting the standards set within the professional bodys Professional Code of Conduct.

2. To adhere to the Health Professions Council Code of Conduct and maintain appropriate professional registration.

3. To use professional discretion and experience to ensure that clinical practice is performed professionally and within the legal framework.

4. To undertake and participate in clinical audit and research, in accordance with Good Clinical Practice

5. To undertake the practical training of other staff including student radiographers.

6. To undertake all statutory and mandatory training as required by the Trust.

7. To report all absences in accordance with Trust and Departmental policy.

8. To behave in a professional manner at all times and when representing Radiography at external functions.

Communication

1. To communicate effectively and appropriately with all users of the service across all age groups and abilities.

2. Observe confidentiality and conform to the Data Protection Act.

3. Establish and maintain close and harmonious relationships with Medical and Nursing staff.

4. Communicate complex information to patients and carers, e.g radiation risk versus clinical benefit of a radiological investigation and translate in to lay terms to facilitate understanding.

5. To record and report equipment faults in a timely manner using the appropriate channels of communication to ensure minimal disruption to the service.

Physical Effort & Working Conditions

The post holder will:

1. Be subject to exposure to ionising radiation on a frequent / regular basis. Such exposure will be managed according to departmental protocols.

2. Have frequent use of VDU equipment on a daily basis.

3. Have regular exposure to distressing and emotional situations on a daily basis e.g. caring for the terminally ill, giving feedback of a negative nature to trainees and other staff.

4. Have frequent exposure to body fluids e.g. blood, urine and etc and infection risks and occasional exposure to lice and/or fleas.

5. Be required to position and manoeuvre patients and equipment on a daily basis. In any clinical situation, patients may be ambulant, in a wheelchair, stretcher/bed. Transfer to an x-ray table is often required. Movement of wheelchairs, stretcher/bed over short distances throughout the working day or night is required.

6. Demonstrate an ability to concentrate for prolonged periods and to apply accuracy and attention to detail even in adverse conditions e.g. preparing and utilising specialist radiology equipment

The management of risk is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment.

Staff will be provided with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility.

Staff should be familiar with ...