Responsible Radiologist Targeted Lung Health Checks

This is a unique opportunity to transform and improve the health of our local populations through a nationally directed initiative - the 'Targeted Lung Health Check' programme. Nationally funding is to be provided over the next 4 years via the Thames Valley Cancer Alliance. The aim of the project is to provide a lung health check assessment (with low dose CT where clinically indicated) with a view to diagnosing lung cancer at an early stage. CCGs have been selected nationally based on deprivation, presentation of late stage and rates of lung cancer mortality. Patients registered in Swindon practices between the ages of 55 to 74 with a smoking history are invited to attend for the lung health check. There have been earlier pilots across the country which will provide a wealth of knowledge to learn from. This work will give the position holder an extraordinary opportunity to contribute to and lead a different kind of work to identify asymptomatic people, providing early diagnosis of both lung cancer and other lung diseases and then planning appropriate follow-up.

Main duties of the job

The Responsible Radiologist for the Targeted Lung Health Checks programme is a key role working with patients, clinicians, and other partners, to implement the Targeted Lung Health Checks across Swindon. It is an integral part of the overall programme governance structure with specific responsibility for Low-dose CT scans in individual cases. They will ensure:

• Low-dose CT report data entry
• Ensure findings are communicated for action and any urgent referral either direct to the Responsible Clinician or via other pre-specified urgent pathways

Job responsibilities

Key Role / Responsibilities:

• To provide medical leadership, clinical support and subject matter expertise on low dose CT scans that are undertaken through sub-contracted imaging service delivery.
• Ensure the low dose CT element of the programme is implemented as outlined in the national Standard Protocol.
• Communicate findings for action and any urgent referral either direct to the Responsible Clinician or via other pre-specified urgent pathways.
• To provide expert knowledge and opinion in situations where radiology reports or quality assurance reads are below expected levels of quality and give cause for concern from the referring clinician, commissioners or staff from within the trusts diagnostic services.
• To provide support and professional knowledge of Radiation protection and all UK Ionising radiation legislation (IRR 1999 & IRMER 2000), contributing at the trusts radiation protection committee.
• Work collaboratively with local health care providers and working in partnership to support pathway development and design, modelling strong collaborative behaviours that focus on improving patient outcomes.
• Attend the Programme Steering Board and meetings with varied internal and external key stakeholders to facilitate the delivery of the strategic objectives.
• Input to development and implementation of local protocols which may impact service delivery e.g. referrals for incidental findings.
• Attend a Low Dose-CT MDT, or pulmonary nodule MDT.

Policy and service development

• Develop plans and seize opportunities, mitigate threats and deliver strategic objectives.
• Maintain a good knowledge of emerging policies from government departments, to assist in the thinking and definition of strategy discussions.
• Develop and maintain relationships with leading organisations relevant to the delivery of the work stream.

Knowledge and experience

There should be a named secondary care respiratory radiologist who is responsible for low dose CT report data entry, and for ensuring findings are communicated for action and any urgent referral either direct to the Responsible Clinician or via other pre-specified urgent pathways. They must possess an in depth additional expert knowledge acquired over a significant period of time in the following area(s):

• National cancer priorities, specifically as relates to lung, early diagnosis evidence base, and the wider cancer screening agenda.
• Subject matter expertise across a number of key areas relating to lung cancer early detection trials or demonstration project.
• Working at a Senior Clinician level.
• Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development / Member of relevant professional body.
• Must have an understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy and appreciate the implications of this on engagement.
• Proven leadership experience and/or formal management qualification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Essential: Full GMC registration FRCR or equivalent professional registration.

Experience

• Essential: Proven experience as a Consultant Radiologist within a Diagnostic Radiology service (NHS +/- Independent/Private sector).
• Demonstration of undertaking professional CPD and clinical audit / research within Radiology.
• Experience of Quality Assurance programme for radiology.
• Innovation in service delivery & management.

• Desirable: Management of medical staff.
• Experience of contract management and negotiation.
• Previous experience of the Independent Sector/Private Radiology environment.

Employer details

Employer name: Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Great Western Hospital, Great Western NHS Foundation Trust, Swindon, SN3 6BB