Radiographic Department Assistant (RDA) - Breast Imaging

Job overview

Radiographic Department Assistant- Breast Imaging

This post offers a unique opportunity for a highly motivated pro-active female* Radiographic Department Assistant to join our friendly team in Breast Imaging. This role is a cross site role split between the Breast Unit at the Royal Liverpool Hospital and the Marina Dalglish Unit at Aintree University Hospital.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, dedicated individual who is committed to providing high quality patient care. You must demonstrate excellent communication skills and have the ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team. The ability to multi task in often demanding circumstances is a key attribute of this role.

*The requirement for a female to undertake the role is a genuine occupational qualification. The above post is therefore exempt under the equality Act 2010.

Main duties of the job

You will be a pivotal part of the Breast Imaging team, providing help and emotional support for patients. This includes anxious patients being investigated for breast cancer or having just been diagnosed with breast cancer, and patients with communication difficulties.

You will report to Consultant Radiologists and Advanced Radiographic Practitioners  during ultrasound examinations. You will be expected to set up and support during a range of aseptic procedures under ultrasound control such as biopsies, aspirations, pre-operative skin marking and localisations which may involve exposure to body fluids.

You will  be expected to undertake and be responsible for handling electronic and paper records/images returned from Mobile and Static Screening Units, ensuring images are correctly uploaded and verified in PACS, ready for reporting. This is a substantial task involving 26,000 examinations per annum requiring manipulation and verification of approx 200,000 images.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

To assist radiographers/radiologists within the Breast Unit.

To provide help and emotional support for patients during their time in the department. This includes anxious patients being investigated for breast cancer or having just been diagnosed with breast cancer, and patients with communication difficulties.

To assist radiologists/radiographers during ultrasound examinations and a range of aseptic procedures under ultrasound control including cyst, abscess, seroma drainage, biopsies, pre-operative skin marking and saviscout insertion which may involve exposure to body fluids.

To undertake and be responsible for handling electronic and paper records/images returned from Mobile and Static Screening Units, ensuring that images are correctly uploaded and verified in PACS, ready for reporting. This is a substantial task involving 26,000 examinations per annum requiring manipulation and verification of approx 200,000 images.

Provide clinical technical services including dispatching specimens to pathology

Work with and dispose of sharps in a darkened room.

To assist radiographers/radiologists during stereotactic procedures.

Excellent communication is needed with patients at all times using tact, sympathy and overcoming any barriers to understanding e.g. language difficulties, learning difficulties, hearing impairment.

To perform general housekeeping duties within the Unit and help to maintain a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff.

To assist in the review of departmental policies and procedures within boundaries of their competence.

Enable clients to make use of available services and information.

Radiation Protection

An awareness of protocols and policies as required under the ionising regulations to comply with IRR 17, IR(ME)17

Clerical Requirements

Frequently requested to retrieve case notes or mammography films.

Answer the telephone, using the agreed departmental standard and referring messages to the appropriate person/area.

Update patient’s records, electronically and manually.

Maintain records of examinations performed under ultrasound and of screening films loaded and unloaded.

General Requirements

To participate in regular Audit and staff meetings.

Co-operate with the orientation of all staff.

The jobholder may be required to work in a variety of areas.

Due to the configuration of the Unit the post holder maybe required to work across sites.

TRAINING

In service training is provided.

CONFIDENTIALITY

During the course of your duties you will become aware of information concerning patients medical or personal details, all such information must be treated in the strictest confidence.

The post holder shall as necessary provide cover for and undertake duties of   absent colleagues.

The post holder shall follow all the policies and procedures of the organisation.

For additional responsibilities please refer to the full job description.