Band 7 MR Clinical Lead

Job overview

Are you an experienced MRI Radiographer looking to take the next step in your career? Do you have a passion for clinical leadership, service improvement and delivering outstanding patient care? If so, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity to join our friendly and dynamic MRI team at the West Berkshire Community Hospital as an MRI Clinical Lead.

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced MRI Radiographer to provide clinical leadership within the MRI service. The successful candidate will support the day-to-day running of the department, provide expert clinical guidance, lead on referral vetting and protocol optimisation, and work closely with the MRI Leads and Radiology Management Team to ensure the delivery of a safe, effective and patient-centred service.

Applicants must have significant post-registration MRI experience, excellent clinical knowledge, and the leadership skills to support and develop colleagues while driving continuous service improvement.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will provide clinical leadership within the MRI service, supporting the safe, effective and efficient delivery of high-quality, patient-centred imaging across the Community Diagnostic Centre at West Berkshire Community Hospital and, where required, the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Working closely with the MRI Leads, Consultant Radiologists and the Radiology Management Team, the post holder will provide expert clinical support, lead referral vetting, optimise MRI protocols and promote best practice in MRI safety and governance. They will ensure high standards of patient care, image quality and compliance with Trust, professional and national standards.

The role includes supervising, mentoring and developing MRI staff, supporting education, competency assessment, appraisal and clinical governance, while driving continuous quality improvement and service development.

Applicants must demonstrate excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, make sound clinical decisions and work effectively both independently and within a multidisciplinary team. Participation in extended service hours, including evenings and weekends, is required.

Applications are invited from experienced HCPC-registered Diagnostic Radiographers with significant MRI experience who are committed to delivering clinical excellence, supporting colleagues and continually improving the MRI service.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Managerial:

• Supervises radiology staff working in own area of responsibility. Staff groups include Student and State Registered Radiographers, Health Care Assistants, Radiology Department Assistants and Administrative & Clerical staff
• Prioritises and plans the daily activities of the unit ensuring patients are imaged in a safe, timely and efficient manner; works in cooperation/conjunction with other staff groups
• Supports the Department Lead Radiographers with planning and management of staff deployment / rostering in own area of responsibility
• Assists the Department Lead Radiographers in performing appraisals for the above staff groups under the Trust’s Values In Action process, with support from the DM or Deputy as appropriate; ensures that Trust targets for completed appraisals are met.
• Monitors the performance of staff working in own area of responsibility against set competencies, rectifying any errors and reporting to the DM, Deputy or Lead Radiographers as necessary
• Supports the Lead Radiographers in undertaking the first stages of performance management in line with Trust policy; escalates issues to the DM as necessary
• Performs Return to Work interviews in accordance with Trust policy; undertakes first stages of absence management notifying the DM or Deputy of any issues
• Assists in the recruitment and selection of staff within own area of responsibility; actively promotes diversity in the recruitment, management and development of staff. Ensures relevant paperwork is completed for new starters, leavers etc.
• Supports the Lead Radiographers in the management of annual leave within own area of responsibility via Optimise; ensures that leave requirements are balanced against service needs and that Trust and departmental leave policies are followed
• Monitors expenditure against budget for own area of responsibility; has access to financial management information as appropriate
• Is responsible for the efficient use of resources within own area of responsibility. Manages stock levels and submits orders via the eProcurement System
• Is authorised signatory for overtime payments, on-call payments and expense claims for staff within own area of responsibility
• Is responsible for ensuring safe use of equipment; ensures appropriate preventative maintenance and records thereof
• Undertakes basic troubleshooting of equipment; is able to identify faults and accurately communicate information to engineers as necessary
• Is involved in the evaluation, procurement and implementation of new equipment in conjunction with the Lead Radiographers, DM/Deputy and relevant Consultant Radiologists; this may include participation in the tendering process and in the preparation of business cases etc.
• Contributes to strategic planning and service development in conjunction with the Lead Radiographers, DM and Clinical Lead, as appropriate
• Works with the Lead Radiographers, DM and/or Deputy to develop local Business Continuity Plans
• Contributes to the development and implementation of Clinical Governance processes relevant to own area of responsibility; attends the monthly Radiology Clinical Governance meetings
• Ensures appropriateness and currency of documentation in own area of responsibility; supports the Lead Radiographers in the preparation and review of local documentation including Standard Operating Procedures, Safe Systems of Work, Risk Assessments etc. Ensures local risk assessments are incorporated into the Radiology Risk Register
• Ensures local data compliance and IT security consistent with Trust policies and practices
• Is responsible for the timely and effective management of complaints relating to own area of responsibility, in conjunction with the Lead Radiographers, DM or Deputy
• Ensures all clinical incidents relating to own area of responsibility are appropriately recorded via the Datix system and notified to the Lead Radiographers, DM or Deputy
• Represents own specialist area of responsibility / subdivision at the monthly Radiology Leads meetings
• Supports the Associate Director and Clinical Lead in the delivery of a high quality, cost effective and professional Radiology Service

Clinical:

• Undertakes all aspect of radiography relevant to own area of responsibility. Works to a consistently high standard and ensures radiation doses are kept to a minimum using the ALARP principle and dose reduction factors.
• Assesses and justifies referrals under IRR, IR(ME)R, following current practitioner guidelines
• Makes autonomous decisions regarding the appropriateness of examinations as an aid to clinical diagnosis; works to a high standard of technique and patient positioning
• Possesses specialist knowledge and experience as appropriate to grade and area of responsibility; is able to function as a role model and provide support to more junior staff
• Performs cannulation and intravenous contrast administration; undertakes appropriate training and assessment and works in accordance with Trust policy
• Participates in the provision of out-of-hours services as required
• Is responsible for ensuring accurate patient records, including radiation dose and exposure factors
• Leads the Quality Assurance equipment testing programme for own area of responsibility
• Uses the Radiology Information System (RIS) for patient registration, X-Ray ordering and scheduling; runs ad hoc activity reports etc., as required
• Uses the Picture Archive & Communication System (PACS) to ensure optimum image quality; reviews images and reports
• Provides support and reassurance to patients attending the Radiology Department; is able to overcome barriers to understanding and is able to convey sensitive information in an appropriate manner

Teaching, Training & Research:

• Performs staff appraisals under the Trust’s ‘Values in Action’ process. Assesses the training and development needs of staff up to and including Band 6 Radiographers
• Assesses the knowledge and proficiency of staff, addressing training needs as appropriate and reporting any deficiencies to the DM
• Monitors and records mandatory training for staff working in own area of responsibility
• In conjunction with the Lead Radiographers and DM develops competencies for staff participating in the provision of out-of-hours services; assesses and signs off staff against agreed competencies
• Participates in Research & Development initiatives, as appropriate
• Participates in departmental audit programmes as required.

Professional role responsibilities:

• Practices in accordance with the professional, ethical and legal codes of the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC), the Society of Radiographers Professional Code of Conduct and Trust and NHS protocols and guidelines. Is accountable for own practice and maintenance of HCPC registration status.
• Develops own skills, maintaining and developing competencies across the repertoire of the department as appropriate.
• Exercises autonomy within professional and managerial boundaries, working independently and without supervision in the provision of the service
• Ensures consistent high quality of images and clinical standards in own area of responsibility
• Participates in the Trust appraisal programme ‘Values in Action’, and works towards addressing own development needs. To include attendance on mandatory training courses.
• Demonstrates active participation in Continuous Professional Development, ensuring personal standards of clinical proficiency are maintained
• Displays and maintains an appropriate level of IT skills

General Responsibilities:

• Is responsible for the assessment, planning and prioritisation of tasks within area of responsibility, ensuring performance target are met
• Communicates effectively with other staff groups, both internal and external. These include clinicians and other healthcare professionals, senior Trust management, patients and their representatives, external agencies, commercial suppliers, service engineers and visitors to the department
• Is conversant with departmental policies, and supports the DM in ensuring that staff performance complies with professional standards.
• Is aware of the requirements of Clinical Governance, Data Protection, Patient Confidentiality, IR(ME)R and local and national Health and Safety Policies.
• Abides by current policies and procedures of the Trust and/or the Radiology Department, and complies with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
• Assists in improving departmental quality by challenging and questioning practice, contributing ideas and recommending changes as appropriate
• Participates in departmental and team meetings as appropriate
• Provides cross-cover and support for other Band 7 Lead Radiographers, as required
• Deputises for the Deputy DM, as required
• Undertakes other duties appropriate to grade, as delegated by the DM or Deputy
• In conjunction with the Lead Radiographers, DM and Training Officer is responsible for the training and induction of staff in own area of responsibility. Staff groups include Student and State Registered Radiographers (including Return to Practice), Health Care Assistants, Radiology Department Assistants and Administrative & Clerical staff

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.