Therapeutic Radiographer in Reading

The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust currently touches the lives of half a million patients every year through the provision of high quality acute medical and surgical services for our local communities. We offer services to a million local residents across Berkshire including:

• Acute medical services at Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading
• Ophthalmology services at Prince Charles Eye Unit, Windsor
• Dialysis services in Windsor
• Day surgery and acute outpatient services at West Berkshire Community Hospital
• Cancer, renal and outpatient services in Bracknell
• Outpatient services at Townlands Hospital, Henley.

We are one of the largest employers in the local area with nearly 7,000 staff. Despite challenges, we have continued our progress towards being an outstanding organisation through our vision of seamless excellence in health care delivery and outcomes and living by our core values:

• CARE - Compassionate, Aspirational, Resourceful, Excellent

The Trust's services are organised around patient needs through the establishment of the Networked (long term conditions), Urgent (emergency) and Planned (elective) care groups. We are working to improve health and care in practical ways through local collaboration. This is through our Sustainability and transformation partnerships and accountable care system. Clinical teams are at the heart of running the Trust, working in partnership to serve the best interests of patients and our communities. Our plans for the future include continuing modernisation of our sites to provide state-of-the-art facilities for our patients and staff.

The Berkshire Cancer Centre is looking for an enthusiastic and flexible Junior Therapeutic Radiographer to join our team. The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust provides Radiotherapy and Oncology services to a population of 0.8 million covering mainly Berkshire, and South Buckinghamshire, with cancer patients from Hampshire and Surrey also benefitting from the state of the art care and treatment facilities at the Berkshire Cancer Centre. All Radiotherapy services across the Reading and Bracknell health spaces are fully CHKS accredited, with current equipment provision including two GE CT scanners, four Elekta Linear Accelerators, a high dose Brachytherapy unit, and plans for a new superficial X-ray unit.

The treatment choices for patients are underpinned by the latest national guidance for radiotherapy services, including advanced treatments such as SABR, DIBH, VMAT and Adaptive radiotherapy. Since 2020 the department has also been recognized as a Centre of excellence for its innovative provision of tattoo-less Surface Guided Radiotherapy, in alliance with Vision RT. Alongside ongoing service expansion, the department also provides a variety of career progression opportunities including enhanced, advanced and consultant Practitioner roles, and an optimum learning environment for all Students and Apprentices.

The postholder will be expected to:

• Deliver high quality patient care, and Radiotherapy planning and treatment services to cancer patients within the Berkshire Cancer Centre.
• Work as a member of the radiotherapy team in the development of the department procedures and to participate in departmental research.
• Participate in the departmental on-call system, under direct supervision of a senior member of staff.
• Work the core hours of 8.30am to 5pm or between the hours of 7am and 9pm during shift patterns, with some Saturday working to meet the needs of the department.
• Supervise and mentor pre-registration learners, junior members of staff, and Radiotherapy assistants within the department.
• Be qualified to practice as an Operator within Radiotherapy as defined by IR (ME) R.

The Radiotherapy service currently employs a total of 53 WTE roles, including 46 WTE Therapeutic Radiographers and Radiotherapy Support Workers. The diverse workforce of staff and learners all benefit from working with high quality equipment and optimum treatment techniques, whilst experiencing positive levels of clinical support and professional development as part of the strategic vision for cancer care.

Further benefits of working at the Berkshire Cancer Centre include:

• Tailored Radiotherapy Preceptorship programme for all newly qualified staff, international recruits, returnees to practice and final year pre-registration learners.
• A Relocation package of up to £1,600 for all eligible candidates.
• A 5% travel allowance for all staff rotations in the RBBC Bracknell Healthspace.
• Generous funding to support Masters level courses, study days or professional development (after completion of 6 month probationary period).
• Excellent leadership, mentoring and teaching opportunities.
• Career progression programmes and personalised coaching.

The CQC recently rated the care provided by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as Good. Our "CARE" values: Compassionate, Aspirational, Resourceful, Excellent, reflect the type of Trust we aspire to be and you can join our dedicated and talented staff to make this happen.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities:

• To manage a workload of patients undergoing radiotherapy ensuring the safe and competent use of radiation and the highest standard of patient care, ensuring all efficiency targets are met.
• To ensure all competencies are achieved in a timely fashion and in line with Trust probationary periods, and induction programmes.
• To provide advice regarding the management of a range of radiotherapy related situations.
• To participate in the organisation of shifts to cover for machine services, and assist in the process of allocating patient appointments and ensuring all the necessary preparation has been completed in sufficient time.
• To liaise effectively with Members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team, and the wider Hospital Trust as required.
• To ensure that the highest professional and technical standards are maintained within the treatment sections of the department and that an efficient and effective service is provided for patients.
• To participate, in conjunction with the Senior radiographers in the prioritisation and delegation of work to all team members on a daily basis.
• To maintain an effective and efficient daily schedule, ensuring high standards of patient care and treatment delivery using their knowledge and skills to assess patients on a daily basis.
• To be responsible for ensuring all documented procedures pertaining to this work area are followed.
• To input patient details into the Radiotherapy Electronic Patient Management Systems.
• To be involved in the audit process within the BCC Quality System.
• To ensure that all necessary QA protocols are followed and non-compliance's are reported and investigated via the Team leader on the unit.
• To act on behalf of a Senior radiographer when required.
• To work at Bracknell clinic as required.
• To work flexibly as required by the department usually between the hours of 7am and 9pm.
• To participate in the on-call rota and to work Bank Holidays as required.

Please refer to the attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details.

Staff Benefits:

• Flexible working opportunities and a strong emphasis on your work, life balance.
• Annual leave 27 days for new starters, plus bank holidays. Increasing to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years NHS service. Pro rata for part time staff.
• NHS pension scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Money Advice Service.
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave for eligible staff.
• On-site nursery (based at RBH).
• Full educational library services.
• Cycle to work scheme, lockable storage for cycles.
• Bus to work scheme.
• Excellent rail and bus links.
• A huge range of Health Service Discounts at hundreds of big brands from holidays to gadgets and restaurants to retail.

The Trust may close any vacancy prior to the advertised closing date due to the high level of responses we receive for some of our vacancies. Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is committed to improving the health of its staff, patients and the wider community by providing a smoke free environment. A smoke free policy is in operation and smoking is not permitted on any of the Trust's sites. The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults.

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.

Education Essential criteria: Degree or equivalent in therapeutic radiography. State Registered HCPC.

Experience Essential criteria: Recent experience in speciality or clinical placement while studying.