Radiography Assistant (XR03) in Leeds

Cardiac MRI has an exciting opportunity for a supportive, enthusiastic and self-motivated individual to join our dynamic service driven multi-disciplinary team. This post is a full time Band 3 Radiographer Assistant comprising 37.5 hours per week providing research and clinical MRI support. The Cardiac MRI, University of Leeds and NHS services are closely linked and use the same MRI imaging services based at two locations in the Leeds General Infirmary. Combined, the service has around 4,000 patient attendances per year performed at state of the art facilities and is a leading national and international centre of cardiac MRI excellence that through its high impact research publications, clinical scanning expertise and educational training is at the forefront of the modality. The service is provided over an extended day, typically 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8 am until 5pm Saturdays and Sundays.

Main duties of the job

• Key responsibilities will include the day-to-day aspects of patient care, for example screening and examination preparation, therefore good communication skills with a sympathetic patient centred approach is essential.
• General administrative tasks are a main responsibility as well as familiarity with Trust local MR safety rules to ensure the safety of patients, research participants and colleagues.
• Basic computer skills are essential and a working knowledge of current Trust systems desirable.
• The post holder will undertake a clinical support role, supporting the current small team of 9 cardiac MRI radiographers, 2 cardiac MRI radiographer assistants, cardiologist consultants and research fellows within the department.
• Opportunities for self-development and career progression are actively encouraged and supported.

Job responsibilities

• To be fully aware of the potential hazards of working in an area of strong magnetic field and to be familiar with Trust local rules for Cardiac MR safety pertaining to the assistant role.
• To ensure that all persons entering the scanner examination room have completed a Cardiac MRI safety checklist and have removed all personal belongings, which might either be hazardous in the area of strong magnetic field or might be damaged by it.
• To assess the patient safety checklist and identify potential hazards according to departmental protocol.
• To ensure that patients' valuables are safely locked away.
• To be familiar with safety procedures (quench, fire, cardiac arrest) which are specific to the Cardiac MR environment.
• To implement and supervise safe work practices of NHS staff and students in a hazardous environment.
• To assess specific communication needs of individual patients.
• To anticipate where communication difficulties might make completion of the safety checklist impossible and to implement alternative methods to ensure that patient safety is maintained.
• To communicate effectively and empathetically with patients and their escorts prior to, during and after an examination.
• To assess routine requests for imaging so that patient position and selection of appropriate surface coil is used to optimise image quality of the body part under examination.
• To prepare drugs/contrast media for intravenous and oral administration and to load automatic drug injection pump - following appropriate training.
• To undertake all aspects of patient care related to Cardiac MRI.
• To physically position the patient for a range of routine examinations, to ensure that image quality, patient comfort and patient safety are maintained at all times whilst taking into account patient limitations.
• To maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness for patient needs, Cardiac MRI equipment and working environment.
• To ensure appropriate infection control measures are utilised where necessary.
• To be familiar with the requirements of clinical research trials and assist the radiographer in the positioning of patients for such trials.
• To participate in the safe transfer of patients and equipment within the department and Hospital, using manual handling guidelines and risk assessment.

Technical

• Maintenance and care of the processing equipment. Quality control, basic fault finding, trouble shooting and reporting of faults.

Administrative

• To liaise with other departments/wards within the hospital and various external sources in order to provide a quality service to patients and clinicians.
• To work closely with the anaesthetic team and with intensive care staff to ensure that they operate in a safe manner in the Cardiac MRI environment.
• To liaise with patients to arrange urgent investigations addressing individual patient needs, according to departmental protocol.
• To arrange recall examinations according to departmental protocol, where discretion is required regarding what information should be presented to the patient.
• To monitor the appointment diaries and take action to maximise efficiency when booking patient appointments.
• To adapt and respond to patient needs.
• To report clinical, non-clinical and incidents to the appropriate manager/supervisor in line with Trust and Departmental Risk Management policies.
• To enter accurate patient and examination data into Radiology Information System.
• To operate stock control and stock ordering of medical equipment, X-ray Film and accessories, linen and pharmacy supplies.

Training and Education

• To assist in the training of new members of staff.

Personal/Professional Development

• To undertake vocational training, education and appraisal.
• To participate in personal development needs that may be identified by the superintendent or in the appraisal process in an agreed timeframe.

Information & Record Keeping

• To keep accurate and timely records of own work and that of other members of MRI team.
• To participate in audit projects, either of their own work, that of the department or others, as required.

Multi-Disciplinary Team Working & Communication

• To maintain effective verbal and/or written communication and working relationships with patients, colleagues, other hospital staff, relatives and visitors.

Qualifications

• NVQ level 3 or vocational training including theoretical training in MRI and clinical experience which equates to NVQ level 3.
• Willingness to undergo all training requirements of the post.
• Mandatory training in CPR, moving & handling, Health and safety training.

Experience

• Understanding of MHRA guidelines for clinical MRI, Health & Safety, and COSHH.
• Knowledge and understanding of the local rules for MR safety.
• Previous experience working in an MRI department.
• Previous NHS Experience.

Skills & Behaviours

• Communicate sensitively and effectively.
• A good team player, with the ability to work flexibly in a diverse and demanding environment.
• Moving and handling of patients.
• Diplomatic, self-motivated and enthusiastic with a professional attitude.
• Patient centred approach.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.