Cross-Sectional Imaging Manager

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Radiology Directorate at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust for an experienced and knowledgeable individual with skills in CT and/or MRI imaging to provide high standards of leadership and develop our service. Applicants for this role will be dynamic and motivated to deliver excellence in patient care with a drive for improving service efficiency and quality. Radiology offers imaging services across 7 sites with MRI and CT delivered on the Blackburn and Burnley sites and a further mobile MRI scanner permanently sited at Rossendale Primary Health Care Centre.   We offer a full range of diagnostic imaging including CT, MRI, X-ray, Angiography, Fluoroscopy, Ultrasound, DEXA, Nuclear Medicine and Breast Imaging.  The Cross-Sectional Imaging service has recently seen significant investment with the provision of a GE Revolution Ascend CT at Burnley and work currently undergoing for a 2 new Siemens Somatom X.cite CT scanners at Blackburn.  The existing scanners are manufactured by Siemens, Canon and Philips offering a range of specialised features and clinical capabilities.

Main duties of the job

The Post Holder is responsible for the management of the CT & MRI service across the Trust and for developing quality CT & MRI services that are efficient, responsive, and meet the requirements of the organisation and the wider community.

To work collaboratively with the Radiology Management Team and Clinical Director, leading on service improvement, transformation and innovation within the area of responsibility.

As a part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System, support the Directorate in identifying and implementing opportunities to standardise and improve working practices across the four L&SC organisations.

To engage Trust-wide with Radiologists and Radiographers, driving improvement and efficient working practices using evidence-based protocols and procedures.

The post holder is responsible for ensuring that the planned capacity of the CT & MRI services trust wide is sufficient to meet the needs of the Trust and our stakeholders and for addressing capacity issues trust wide in collaboration with the Radiology Management team.

The post holder will ensure development and monitoring of Trust-wide established scanning protocols, promoting changes and efficiencies through attendance at the Radiology Directorate, Governance and Audit meetings.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

CLINICAL • Work as a senior member of a multi-disciplinary team, when undertaking imaging to provide a high quality of service to patients. • Act as a professional resource regarding CT & MRI procedures for other directorate staff and clinical colleagues. • Work unsupervised, performing CT/MRI scans following imaging parameters outlined in scanning protocols. • Liaise with the relevant referral source where clarification is required regarding the selection of the most clinically appropriate imaging examination. • Possess a good theoretical and practical knowledge of CT & MRI to enable protocols to be modified in an appropriate manner as required. • Adapt or manipulate scan parameters to acquire the optimum diagnostic study for each patient presentation. • Modify protocols where appropriate to optimise diagnostic information in view of clinical indications, image findings or patient condition. • Review images and ensure that supplementary imaging procedures are considered prior to patient departure from the department. • To ascertain from the patient or the referrer, the patient’s suitability for receipt of intravenous contrast media. • Undertake intravenous cannulation for patients requiring an injection of contrast media. • Under the guidance of Patient Group Directives administer contrast media. • Possess the ability to assess a patient’s physical condition post injection to check for any reaction to the contrast media and take appropriate steps should a reaction occur. • To escalate findings where imaging reveals a pathology which requires urgent medical review of the patient. • Ensure that images are presented for reporting purposes in a timely and accurate manner. • Act in a responsible way in matters of radiation protection for staff. • To act as an operator and practitioner under IR(ME)R 2017. • Ensure appropriate infection control measures are utilised. The post holder will be expected to limit the number of clinical sessions in any given week to a maximum of four allowing sufficient time to fulfill the other responsibilities of the role. GENERAL • To organise workload in line with clinical priorities. • To adapt and quickly respond to changes in service, patient, or departmental need. • To reflect on systems of work and communicate areas of deficit or potential advancement. • Be able to exercise personal responsibility and make decisions in unpredictable and complex situations. • Maintain knowledge of the equipment to promote safe, effective and efficient handling within the clinical setting, to uphold Infection Control and Health & Safety guidelines. • To participate in the safe transfer of patients and equipment, using manual handling guidelines and risk assessment. • To order and maintain adequate stock levels of necessary consumables for the provision of the service. • Ensure that emergency drugs and equipment are in date and where necessary authorise repairs or replacement products. • To enter accurate patient and examination data into the Radiology Information System and scanner consoles ensuring patient confidentiality.

COMMUNICATION • To assess specific communication needs of individual patients, communicating effectively and empathetically with patients and their escorts prior to, during and after an examination. • Provide information to patients using the most appropriate means of communication, ensuring understanding, agreeing consent, and recognising barriers to communication. • To be able to provide reassurance as to the necessity of a CT or MRI examination outlining risks associated with the harmful effect of ionising radiation or strong magnetic fields. • Ensure effective communication within the working team.

TRAINING, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT • To be active in the supervision and clinical instruction of both undergraduate and postgraduate senior and junior radiographic staff. • To participate in the academic programme of the department as required. • To prepare/present short presentations or lectures for staff and participate in CPD. • To actively participate in the directorates audit programme. • To provide training in the use of clinical equipment for other staff and monitor their progression and performance, advising on appropriate record keeping. • To develop a comprehensive competency framework for staff working within Cross-Sectional Imaging, ensuring staff are mentored, supported and able to demonstrate the designated skills and techniques at the competency level required. • To support and mentor radiographic staff trust wide undertaking CT & MRI training, via a comprehensive training programme. • To provide advice and support in relation to cross sectional imaging techniques. • To provide elements of induction training and support for other staff. • To actively support staff undertaking image reporting of CT & MRI, providing leadership, support and guidance. • To monitor the quality of imaging across both modalities, highlighting areas for improvement. • Undertake Personal Development Reviews for departmental staff. • Attend an annual Personal Development Review with appointed reviewer. • To undertake mandatory training in accordance with Trust policy and terms and conditions of employment.

ORGANISATIONAL & MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES • As the lead manager for CT & MRI services across the Trust, work closely with the Radiology Management Team in developing an efficient and responsive service. • Be aware of changes in relation to CT/MRI in the wider health economy and evaluate any potential impact on continuing service delivery to the Radiology Management Team. • Lead Manager for the development of CT & MRI services in relation to reconfiguration. • To liaise regularly with the Consultant Radiologists regarding the development of new protocols, ensuring new developments are evidence based and meet the requirements of the directorate and the wider organisation. • To advise Radiologists of the technical capabilities of the equipment and to suggest appropriate techniques to better demonstrate a variety of common pathologies. • To actively promote and drive the service forward. • To ensure timely submission of performance reports as required by the Radiology Directorate Manager. • Identify service pressures and propose solutions. • Ensure preparation, monitoring and subsequent observation of contingency plans for planned and non-planned equipment downtime. • To ensure appropriate allocation of examinations for reporting to manage appropriate turnaround time by regularly consulting the CRIS report information list. • To liaise with other Modality Leads on each site regarding staffing, ensuring services are supported and can be delivered in a safe working environment. • Engage and work closely with the Radiology Administration Team to ensure efficient processes are always observed to maximise equipment usage. • Ensue all working practices, protocols and procedures are standardised across the Trust and evidence based. • Responsible manager for the procurement of contrast media and the monitoring of drug expenditure. • To take the lead role in partnership with the Radiology Directorate Manager, Operations Manager and Procurement, in the purchase of new CT & MRI equipment or associated accessories. • To attend equipment demonstrations as part of a selection process for purchasing new equipment and provide appropriate feedback. • Delegated budget holder for the service, reporting trends/pressures to the Radiology Directorate Manager. • Line manager for all Cross-Sectional Imaging staff. • To participate in the recruitment and selection of staff. • Management of staff attendance and absence. • In association with the Radiology Operations Manager, manage and lead on issues in relation to capability, discipline, and conduct. • To report and investigate clinical and non-clinical incidents, including radiation incidents in line with Trust and departmental risk management policies. • To deal with complaints as delegated, in an appropriate and timely manner. • To attend all Radiology Directorate meetings as requested by the Radiology Operations Manager or delegate attendance for occasions of absence. • To deputise for Radiology Operations Manager/Deputy Operations Manager as and when required to ensure service continuity.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES • Ensure compliance with requirement to re-new Professional Registration Bi-Annually. • Always uphold Professional Conduct in accordance with the Society & College of Radiographers (SCOR) Statements for Professional Conduct and the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Proficiency for Radiographers. • Undertake appropriate, documented Continuing Professional Development