Clinical Imaging Assistant - ITM Birmingham

To work as part of the team within the ITM imaging centre, to include clerical, technical and caring duties as allocated under the direction and supervision of the radiographers or superintendent in charge. To provide support for patients and research volunteers. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You will enjoy being part of a multidisciplinary team and working collaboratively. You will have a meticulous approach to accuracy and detail and able to maintain strict confidentiality.

Booking Clinical and Research appointments as well as answering patient queries. Preparing patients for examination and accompanying patients to and from scanner rooms providing reassurance to patients carrying out patient safety screening checks making sure the working environment is clean and hygienic helping to maintain equipment and reporting any faults assisting radiographers and radiologists with procedures clerical tasks such as data input, image transfer, ordering stock of consumable items.

Main duties of the job:

• Sound demonstrable educational background and qualifications.
• Good IT skills.
• Experience of working or volunteering in a public service sector.
• Experience of working or volunteering within a healthcare setting would be beneficial.
• Commitment to providing safe, caring and accessible care to patients.
• Flexibility and adaptability to change in a fast-paced working environment.
• Good understanding of health and safety, patient confidentiality, discretion and trustworthiness.
• Physical dexterity, co-ordination and sensory skills will be essential in supporting radiographers with positioning patients for their scan.
• Reliable and a good attitude towards attendance and punctuality.

Benefits and rewards:

• Company salary sacrifice pension scheme.
• 27 days holiday plus public holidays rising with service.
• Life assurance cover at 4 x annual salary.
• Support for professional and personal wellbeing.
• Employee benefits programme.
• Complementary healthcare scheme.
• Service recognition.

About us:

Cobalt Health is a medical charity pioneering innovation in medical imaging diagnosis by investing in equipment, integrated research and education to improve outcomes for patients now and in the future. Each year it provides diagnostic imaging for over 150,000 patients at its imaging centres and on mobile scanners located across the UK. The Charity is the leading provider of ultra-low dose CT lung cancer screening services in the UK, working in partnership with the NHS. The Institute of Translational Medicine (ITM) Imaging Centre is based on the campus of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The Centre was established in 2016 to support research generated by the University of Birmingham and University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

I CARE our values - our culture - our purpose Patient care is at the heart of all we do. We carefully select people who can show us how they share these same values and can contribute to a culture of respect, diversity, vision and a commitment to continuous learning and development. This is a unique opportunity for an enthusiastic, motivated individual with varied experience to work in a cutting-edge research and clinical environment. This role is a maternity cover and considered full time based on 37.5 hours per week across seven days.

Job responsibilities:

• Maintain a positive partnership with University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) on behalf of Cobalt and ensure continuity of MRI service at the ITM Imaging Centre.
• Assist in the organisation and smooth running of day to day clinical/research scanning lists.
• Liaise with multidisciplinary teams at UHB, to respond to the requests of the MRI Superintendent Research Radiographer, Senior radiographers, Researchers and Consultant Radiologists.
• Meet and greet patients arriving for imaging, checking patient personal data booking patient appointments, answering e-mail and telephone enquiries, filing.
• Provide information to patients about their examination and any follow up where necessary.
• Providing reassurance, emotional and physical support to patients and research volunteers throughout their attendance at the Imaging Centre.
• Help patients prepare for an examination including undressing, reassurance and explanation, portering duties for those in wheelchairs or on stretchers.
• Conducting screening safety checks with patients prior to examination to ensure their suitability for imaging examinations or procedures.
• Support the radiographers with the positioning of patients on the scanners and set up of equipment under the supervision of radiographers.
• Data entry using radiology administration systems, ensuring accurate, legible, comprehensive medical records are maintained.
• Work in accordance with the MRI local rules, systems of work and operational procedures to maintain MRI Safety at all times.
• Assist in clinical audits, collate data and generate KPI reports.
• Ensure a clean, safe and appropriate environment that facilitates the prevention and control of infections in compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Provide basic life support in emergency situations.
• Assess individual patient requirements, monitor and care for patients prior to, during and post procedure.
• Perform and record basic observations.

Specific Duties:

• Understand and support the duties of the clinical department managers, superintendents and senior radiographers through regular communications and/or meetings.
• Participate in team meetings. Identify training needs, source appropriate training course providers, seek approval from clinical managers, book training programmes ensuring clinical support is not compromised.
• Support the delivery of education and training to colleagues within the team.
• Maintain up to date and accurate personal CPD records.
• Liaise with the Infection Control Lead to monitor and maintain environmental and patient equipment cleanliness.
• Responsibility for stock checking contrast media, items on the resuscitation trolley and maintaining accurate monthly records.
• Undertake, following appropriate documented competency training, IV cannulation for the safe administration of contrast agents by the radiographers.
• Remove IV cannula in accordance with departmental procedures and policy and infection control practice.

Management of Resources:

• Monitor and maintain laundry supplies and clinical consumables.
• Monitor and maintain beverage/refreshment supplies.
• Responsible for maintaining adequate supplies of stationery and marketing literature in the ITM Imaging Centre.

Health & Safety:

Take reasonable care of the health and safety of yourself and of the other people who may be affected by actions and omissions at work. Co-operate with the employer in ensuring that all statutory and other requirements are complied with.

Infection Prevention and Control:

Make themselves aware of their responsibilities for infection prevention and control. Co-operate with the employer in ensuring that all infection prevention and control policies and procedures are complied with.

Confidentiality:

Under no circumstances either during or after the end of your employment may you divulge to any unauthorised person confidential information relating to the Charity.

Equality and Diversity:

It is the responsibility of all employees to support the Charity's vision of promoting a positive approach to diversity and equality of opportunity, to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage in service delivery and employment.

Data Protection:

If required to do so, to obtain, process and/or use information held on computer or other IT system in a fair and lawful way.

Person Specification:

• Minimum of five GCSEs (Grades A-C), to include English language, Maths and a Science subject or demonstrable relevant experience.
• Basic Life Support Certification.
• First Aid at Work Certification.
• Fire Marshal Certification.
• Care certification.
• NVQ Level II in Health and Social Care or Level 2 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support or equivalent experience.

Skills and abilities:

• Confidentiality, discretion and trustworthiness.
• Ability to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Work well with other members of the team including communicating effectively, being kind and considerate, reliable and enthusiastic.
• Ability to work on your own initiative and be responsible for your own actions or decisions.
• Ability to prioritise workloads.
• An understanding and application of health and safety regulations and infection control policy relating to a healthcare environment.
• Ability to use IT systems to a high level, gather data, compile complex information and prepare reports.

Experience:

• Proven experience in healthcare and patient focused services.
• Experience dealing with members of the general public, relatives and carers.
• Experience working with unwell patients and assistance with their personal care.

Personal attributes:

• Well organised with excellent interpersonal and communication and literacy skills.
• Flexible temperament towards working hours.
• Caring for the people who use our services, their families and carers, and other staff.
• Compassion, patience and empathy and the ability to offer reassurance to anxious or distressed patients.
• Respectful of others and genuinely treating them how you would want to be treated.
• Motivated commitment to continuing professional development and self-improvement.