Imaging Care Assistant

Job overview

The Medical Imaging Service Line at Derriford Hospital and its peripheral sites provide diagnostic and treatment pathways for a wide spectrum of emergency and elective patients from across the South West through the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), Ultrasound (US), Interventional Radiology (IR), Plain Film (PF), Nuclear Medicine and Fluoroscopy.

The role of the Imaging Care Assistant is essential to safe and efficient patient flow across the department, responding to the needs of the service to provide support to patients and their clinician during their time in the department.

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS at Risk staff throughout Devon who is able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

Main duties of the job

• To facilitate the throughput of patients attending the Imaging Department so as to optimise the use of all resources and minimising delays. To support service delivery during weekdays, weekends, evenings and bank holidays as part of a roster. This incorporates locations at Derriford, South West Imaging Academy, Derriford Research Park, Cumberland UTC, Derriford UTC, future Plymouth CDC and in the community in the pre hospital setting. To register and book in patients on the computerised radiology system (CRIS) when required. Book patients on to the portering system (synbiotix) Providing reassurance to patients using the departments giving information to patients about their procedures. Providing emotional and physical support to patients during their treatments. Reporting any faults with equipment. Take patient observations when required. Conduct point of care testing when required. Cannulate patients when required Doing patient observations Doing blood sugars and point of care

Assisting with the preparation of clinical rooms

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To facilitate the throughput of patients attending the Imaging Department so as to optimise the use of all resources and minimising delays. To support service delivery during weekdays, weekends, evenings and bank holidays as part of a roster. This incorporates locations at Derriford, South West Imaging Academy, Derriford Research Park, Cumberland UTC, Derriford UTC, future Plymouth CDC and in the community in the pre hospital setting. To register and book in patients on the computerised radiology system (CRIS) when required. Book patients on to the portering system (synbiotix) Providing reassurance to patients using the departments giving information to patients about their procedures. Providing emotional and physical support to patients during their treatments. Reporting any faults with equipment. Take patient observations when required. Conduct point of care testing when required. Cannulate patients when required Assisting with the preparation of clinical rooms In the absence of the inpatient co-ordinator provide this role by assessing the clinical urgency of the patient, co-ordinate with the wards and input the tasks in the portering system, synbiotix.

To transport patients to and from the department in wheelchairs or beds either alone or with a Porter or colleague as necessary. Also moving equipment from one modality to another.

To assess any infection risks & use necessary precautions. There may be on occasional contacts with bodily fluids. To be competent in infection control issues concerning medical equipment in all areas of imaging.

To be able to organise & prioritise your own workload to maintain efficient & effective patient management.

To participate in any other duties commensurate with grade & at the discretion of the Service Line Manager and Modality Leads.

To demonstrate the posts duties to assist in the training of new ICAs, Student Radiographers, Trainee Sonographers and Assistant Practitioners.

To use IPM & keyboard skills to accurately enter patient information on to the computer system (CRIS) ensuring that data/alarms held is correct and completed in a timely manner.

Adhere to the date protection act ensuring patient confidentiality at all times.

• To maintain yearly competences in accordance with the modality in which you are working. Be able to assess a patients’ mobility needs and apply the appropriate manual handling techniques.

To support & enhance the continual quality initiative programme ensuring a “quality first” approach to all aspects of work in the Imaging Department.

• To assist with the daily checking, re-stocking of the Resus Trolley and the weekly check with a senior member of staff

The ability to be able to work with other employees as part of a multi skilled team, flexibility in working patterns to fulfil unexpected clinical requirements.

To act as a chaperone when required ensuring that the patients’ dignity is protected. These patients need to be dealt with in a sensitive & empathetic manner due to the nature of the examination.

• Empty sharps bins and dispose of in the correct place. Confidential waste and yellow bags should be placed in the correct areas for disposal. Wipe down equipment after appropriately every use and reset the room between patients. To assist in medical emergencies i.e. resus or contrast reactions. Understand when to deliver BLS and the skills to deliver.

To possess the skills or be willing to be trained to take patient observations.

• Take patient observations when required. Conduct point of care testing when required. Cannulate patients when required Doing patient observations Doing blood sugars and point of care