Pre-treatment Senior Radiographer

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To ensure that the highly complex pre-treatment radiotherapy imaging equipment is safe and accurate to operate, both for staff and patient, undertaking the appropriate machine checks and reporting any variances, faults and malfunctions.
• Using highly complex equipment such as CT simulators and MR scanners, including the administration of contrast, to provide accurate radiotherapy planning scans, in order to plan radiotherapy treatment for a diverse range of patients
• Providing accurate written instructions of treatment set-up to ensure accurate treatment reproducibility ensuring that radiotherapy may be delivered accurately and reproducibly and in accordance with the quality system.
• Using highly complex equipment and software for virtual simulation of radiotherapy treatments in order to produce accurate treatment plans in accordance with the quality system.
• Electronic dispatch of pre-treatment images to relevant sections of the radiotherapy and treatment planning departments
• Cannulation of patients for IV contrast and competence for relevant PGD for contrast media and emergency drugs for the management of side effects in accordance with trust policies
• Monitor and assess patient's condition and liaise with the multidisciplinary team to ensure appropriate care, referral, information and support is offered to all patients. Administer appropriate drug prescriptions as prescribed by clinicians.
• Produce highly complex immobilisation devices for use in radiotherapy treatment to ensure accurate treatment and reproducibility so that radiotherapy may be delivered accurately and reproducibly and in accordance with the quality system
• Ensure the team follows appropriate systems and working methods to achieve the safe, timely achievement of workload targets.
• Ensure the team keeps accurate records and comply with necessary policies and procedures
• Analyse systematically and evaluate all data and information relevant to patients' diagnosis, ensuring the patient and their relatives are treated with dignity and respect at all times.
• Communicate confidential sensitive information, and provide emotional support, to patients and their carers/relatives including children and the terminally ill.
• Provide information to patients and their carers with regard to the radiotherapy pathway and expected side effects.
• To communicate accurate and timely information with all other disciplines involved along the patients pathway.
• With the team in the assigned area, patients and the wider multidisciplinary team manage areas of conflict and escalate as necessary.
• To provide, receive and use sensitive information maintaining patient confidentiality at all times in line with information governance legislation
• Apply safe and effective moving and handling skills in order to protect patients and staff, abide by Health and safety legislation in the work place.
• Minimise risk of cross infection through contamination by bodily fluids/matter. In accordance of the infection control policy
• To implement the procedures and work instructions described for the department in ISO9001/2015 and report any variances.
• Maintenance of treatment skills and knowledge and understanding of advanced radiotherapy techniques and technology including VMAT, IMRT, FFF, Stereotactic and protons
• Contribute to development of the quality system by reviewing and writing work instructions and operating procedures.
• Ensure all work and actions comply with local rules and current UK Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 and IRMER Regulations 2018.
• Be aware of and participate in the audit and research within the department and the implementation of new processes and techniques.
• Undertake training and competency to dispense medication under Patient Group Direction (PGD)
• Participate in the extended shift system, bank holidays, weekend working and on-call.
• Any other duties negotiated with the post holder, to develop their role in the organisation
• To achieve all the competencies as outlined by the pre-treatment manager within a suitable and agreed time frame. . Awareness of the process to report safeguarding issues and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Apply and abide by trust principals and behaviours. Awareness of the process to report safeguarding issues and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

Supervisory & managerial

• As a Senior Radiographer you will be expected to lead, co-ordinate, supervise and manage a team of staff operating in radiotherapy pre-treatment and act as lead practitioner, making assessments and key decisions in regard to workload management, patient care and treatment.

Teaching and training

• As a Senior Radiographer you will be expected to provide mentorship and guidance for rotational staff, irrespective of grade and be a good role model.
• Act as a mentor cannulation of patients for IV contrast and a link worker for relevant PGD for contrast media and emergency drugs for the management of side effects in accordance with trust policies
• Participate in an annual Personal Development Review.
• Attend all essential training and clinical updates as required.
• Be capable of assimilating new ideas and techniques and have an ability to assess their value.
• Assist in the supervision and training/teaching of pre-registration students and new members of staff and all learners.
• Highlight to line manager all issues of inadequate performance, including capability and poor professional standards, for students and employees. Provide evidence where necessary and requested. Take personal responsibility for compliance with essential training.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• DCR(T) or BSc (Hons) Therapeutic Radiographer State Registered Therapeutic Radiographer
• HPC Registration

Desirable criteria

• Further post-graduate qualification/intention for further study or evidence of continued educational development
• Management/leadership training
• ECDL/equivalent

Experience

Essential criteria

• Wide experience with equipment and techniques
• Working with ISO 9001/20015 or equivalent
• Evidence of clinical placements
• Extensive pre-treatment and treatment experience
• Experience of on-the-job teaching new technologies to other qualified staff

Desirable criteria

• Clinical experience gained in more than one department
• Evidence of participation in research and-or radiotherapy development work
• Evidence of active role in the setting and maintenance of quality standards

Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to communicate well; individual, team, multidisciplinary team
• Ability to supervise and motivate junior staff, support workers and Student Radiographers, lead by example
• Ability or willingness to learn to cannulate patients for IV contrast
• Ability to deal effectively with predictable and routine problems using defined and familiar procedures and guidelines
• Able to adapt skills to all areas of department
• Reliability to work well under pressure
• Organised but flexible and adaptable approach to work

Desirable criteria

• Demonstrate ambition in personal development and in service development
• Ability to produce a range of immobilisation devices for radiotherapy

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Knowledge and understanding of current pre-treatment radiotherapy technologies including CT, virtual simulation, MR scanning, PET scanning
• Maintenance of knowledge and understanding of advanced radiotherapy techniques and technology including VMAT, IMRT, FFF, Stereotactic and protons
• Knowledge and understanding of advanced radiotherapy techniques and technology including Stereotactic and protons
• Experience of radiotherapy virtual simulation planning
• Detailed knowledge of anatomy, oncology, radiobiology and physics
• Knowledge of Ionising Radiation Medical Exposure Regulations (IRMER) and other relevant policies and regulations

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of current Health Service and Oncology specific legislation and DoH plans e.g. Cancer Plan, NICE guidelines and how these impact on services

OTHER

Essential criteria

• Flexibility in working hours, given appropriate notice
• Patient focused
• Demonstrate tolerance, sensitivity & empathy with staff and clients
• Enthusiastic and well-motivated with a commitment to providing a high standard of service
• Ability to co-ordinate work to meet the demands of the established and developing service
• Attention to detail and accuracy

The closing date for this post may be extended if there are insufficient applicants or brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.

We want to ensure that everyone who works at the Christie or uses our services is welcomed, valued and treated with dignity and respect. The Christie values diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all and fair representation across the organisation at all levels. In support of these commitments, we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority people and people with disabilities for this post. Appointment will be only on merit.

We are committed to creating a balanced and diverse workforce. As such we welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Together we will foster inclusion and tackle inequity and health inequalities in cancer care.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy

All positions within the Christie are subject to the receipt of satisfactory written references, medical clearance and evidence of your Right to Work in the UK. Some roles will require a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Please note if you are successfully appointed to a post with this Trust, you will be required to pay for your own DBS Disclosure.

By applying for this post you are agreeing to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.

If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, I regret that on this occasion your application will have been unsuccessful.

The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and will form part of the recruitment process. In the event that you are successful following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.

Overseas candidates wishing to apply for this position and who would require immigration sponsorship, may wish to self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the post on the UKVI website.

You should be aware the Trust operates a No Smoking Policy and therefore employees are not permitted to smoke at work.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Job Description and Person Specification (PDF, 227.1KB)
• The Christie Values and Behaviours (PDF, 919.5KB)
• Strategy Brochure (PDF, 1.0MB)
• Trust Membership - Christie Talent (PDF, 23.0KB)
• Travel to The Christie (PDF, 3.8MB)