Senior Therapeutic Radiographer - Pre-Treatment

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Job overview

This post offers an exciting opportunity to join the pre-treatment team across radiotherapy and proton beam therapy services at UCLH. They will promote technical developments and ensure the highest possible standard of care for patients with cancer.

The radiotherapy department delivers treatment for a broad spectrum of cancers which include a wide range of common cancers as well as specialist treatments including a paediatric and adolescent workload, brachytherapy and isotope work, total body irradiation and limb sarcoma radiotherapy. The pre-treatment suite area is equipped with a dedicated CT, Mould room and has access to MRI and PETCT. Radiographers deliver advanced practice for palliative virtual simulation and breast localisation.

UCLH has been designated as one of two national PBT centres for the UK. The Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) department will focus on the treatment of CNS tumours, head and neck cancers and spinal/pelvic sarcomas. Paediatrics, and teenage and young adults, will make up approximately one third of the patient cohort. The PBT pre-treatment suite has a dedicated CT and MRI scanner.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and dynamic individual to join our team. The individual will promote best practice and streamlining the patient pathway. They will carry out all practical aspects involved in preparing radiotherapy delivery to a high standard in a culture of safe, patient centric service.

Main duties of the job

• Plan radiotherapy procedures to a wide range of benign and malignant conditions to a high level of accuracy. Use individual judgement on a daily basis to ensure reproducible and precise treatment.
• Be responsible for the acquisition of high quality planning images whilst minimising patient dose by justifying each exposure made. Regularly utilise skills and experience to assess and manipulate images. This requires knowledge and ability to interpret between numerous imaging modalities. This includes making decisions regarding patients' treatment and making amendments where necessary.
• To be accountable for own professional actions.
• Be responsible for the acquisition of high-quality planning images whilst minimising patient dose by justifying each exposure made. Regularly utilise skills and experience to assess and manipulate images. This requires knowledge and ability to interpret between numerous imaging modalities. This includes making decisions regarding patients' treatment and making amendments where necessary.
• Liaison with the multi-disciplinary team to ensure best practice with respect to patient care prior to, during and following radiotherapy treatment.

Working for our organisation

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)

• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals

• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building

• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine

• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre

• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases

• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Main duties of the role:

• The ability to deputise for Band 7 radiographers on a regular basis with respect to pre-treatment management and delegation. This ensures the continuity of patient flow through the department.
• To facilitate the development, training and integration of junior members of staff.
• To rotate throughout all areas within both the Photon and Proton services
• To participate in the departmental pre-treatment on call service
• Work within departmental protocols to provide optimal care.
• Work autonomously within the legal, ethical and professional framework provided by the professional body.
• Continually looking to improve existing methods and create new solutions to optimise the care and service provided to the patients.
• Must be extremely competent and comfortable with the use of computer software, e.g. image acquisition, image manipulation and processing, virtual simulation, in a highly technological environment.

Key Results Areas

• Deputise for the lead practitioner in their specific field, setting an example to junior staff and being available to advise colleagues in other areas.
• Must be aware of the skills and competencies available within the team, utilising them effectively and delegating appropriately.
• Being able to prioritise daily tasks, taking into consideration the patients' needs and the capability of the team.
• Reacting and reorganising the workload in response to unforeseen circumstances, such as machine breakdown, in such a way as to minimise disruption.
• Running the pre-treatment area smoothly and effectively in the absence of the Band 7 radiographer.

• Work within the quality system at all times. Question and propose changes to procedures when necessary, to maintain the validity and appropriateness of the system.
• In partnership with patients and other professionals, make sound, ethical based decisions in the interest of patients.
• Demonstrates safe use and maintenance of expensive, specialist equipment used by self and others, using quality assurance methods.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Work independently, or closely with the Band 7 radiographer and mould room technician, to coordinate the efficient, accurate patient focused planning and delivery of ionising radiation following evidence based protocols.
• To reflect upon current practice with the ultimate aim of refining and improving patient focused protocols.

• To ensure the safe and accurate use of the radiotherapy equipment.

• Evaluation of the patient's condition, drawing on expert knowledge and experience to intervene where necessary. This may include discussion with the wider multi-disciplinary team to devise an appropriate course of action.
• Obtain further written informed consent prior to radiotherapy planning.
• Effectively develop a rapport with patients, relatives and carers; offering advice and guidance to explain their pathway and management of radiotherapy side effects.

• Use effective communication skills to provide and receive highly confidential, sensitive and complicated patient information. The radiographer must seek and maintain patient cooperation and trust using expert skills to support and empower them through the care pathway.
• To collate departmental statistics.

• Work with junior members of the radiographic and medical team to cascade knowledge and experiences to develop their learning.

• To advise, supervise and instruct medical staff providing expertise advice on technical aspects of treatment.

• Must maintain all patient records accurately within the quality system framework and be involved in weekly checks to ensure accuracy of all staff.
• To be compliant with IR(ME)R.
• Participate in research and development and take part in audits to propose changes in practice using an evidence based approach and evaluative skills.
• May need to document, report and evaluate radiation and patient/ staff/ equipment related incidents / near misses.

• Work within ICRU 50 / 62 guidelines and ensure all professional parties are adhering to these guidelines in terms of tumour delineation and treatment.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

UCLH top trust to work at in England - for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

*In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England - for the second year in a row.

UCLH top trust to work at in England - for the second year running! University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.

Person specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• BSc in therapeutic radiography or equivalent formal qualification.
• Health Profession Council (HPC) registration as a therapy or nuclear medicine radiographer.
• Clinical experience in pre-treatment and mould room tasks.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Significant experience as a Band 5 Radiographer with relevant specialist training and knowledge.
• Practical experience in planning and delivering a wide range of radiotherapy techniques.

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Provide specialist clinical training and undertake presentations, both within the dept and nationally in conferences and workshops.
• Be committed to self-development and continued professional development.

At UCLH, we have a real 'One Team' ethos, and our values - safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.

At UCLH we take equality of opportunity seriously and are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer, with a culture that creates a real sense of belonging and trust. It is our fundamental aim, to recruit, retain and promote a diverse mix of people who are representative of our local communities. Applications are encouraged from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to support our world class research, innovation and creativity.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff and has a dedicated policy which allows staff to apply for flexible working right from the beginning of employment. For more information please go to: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/work-with-us/why-choose-uclh/flexible-working.

We offer our permanent staff an interest free season ticket loan for travel, all our staff have access to free independent and confidential support, large retail discounts, a staff discount platform, cycle to work scheme and on-site accommodation to name a few.

Additionally, UCLH Arts and Heritage's staff wellbeing programme, Creative Comfort, offers a variety of ways to engage with the arts as a member of UCLH staff. You can try out the weekly choir, weekly art club and join the Culture Club for exclusive access to free and discounted tickets for opera, exhibitions, theatre and more.

We recognise, reward and thank colleagues by nominating them for our annual Celebrating Excellence Awards, which are funded by UCLH Charity.

We are also members of www.mytrustbenefits.co.uk/ which offers discounts on high street retail stores, offers on travel deals, and also to take advantage of cash back schemes.

This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.

Please note that all correspondence regarding your application will be via email. The emails will be sent to you via TRAC.jobs and not via NHS Jobs, we encourage you to check your inbox regularly.

Please note that if you are at present in a training position on the 2016 new junior doctor's contract and are applying for a Trust doctor role your salary will not be pay protected.

You will be placed on the appropriate point of the Trust Doctor pay scale based on your previous experience.

Please note that if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date of the advert to assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

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 (PDF, 520.3KB)
• Functional Requirements (PDF, 262.3KB)
• UCLH Values (PDF, 860.9KB)