Radiology Department Assistant

Job overview

To assist the Radiographic, Radiological and Clerical staff in delivering a safe, efficient and high-quality General X-ray service. The post holder will support a wide range of clinical, technical and administrative procedures undertaken within the Plain Film Department, ensuring the effective flow of patients throughout the imaging pathway. This includes participation in a 24-hour, 7-day service, including weekends, bank holidays and overnight working.

Main duties of the job

Assist with the coordination, transfer and movement of patients within the Trust, including liaising with wards, portering services and clinical areas to facilitate timely attendance for imaging examinations.

Support the preparation, care and safe movement of patients attending for General X-ray examinations, maintaining patient dignity, comfort and safety at all times.

Undertake administrative duties, including booking appointments and answering telephone enquiries and maintaining accurate patient records on Radiology IT systems.

Coordinate the imaging workload by communicating effectively with wards, departments and the multidisciplinary team to ensure patients are available and appropriately prepared for their examinations.

Prepare examination rooms, maintain stock levels and ensure clinical areas are clean, safe and ready for use.

Ensure imaging requests comply with IR(ME)R requirements and escalate any discrepancies to the supervising radiographer.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To work as part of the General X-ray team, delivering a high-quality, patient-centred imaging service.

To assist Radiographers and other members of the multidisciplinary team in the care of patients before, during and following imaging examinations.

To receive, prepare and support patients attending the department, ensuring their dignity, privacy and comfort are maintained at all times.

To liaise effectively with ward staff, outpatient departments, Emergency Department, portering services and other clinical areas to coordinate the timely attendance of patients for imaging examinations.

To assist with the transfer and movement of patients throughout the Trust, including collecting patients from wards and clinical areas when required to support the safe and efficient running of the service.

To undertake administrative duties, including booking, amending and cancelling appointments and maintaining accurate patient records using the Radiology Information System (RIS), Hospital Information System (HIS) and Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS).

To answer telephone enquiries professionally and direct calls appropriately, providing information within the boundaries of Trust policies and confidentiality.

To ensure imaging requests comply with departmental procedures and IR(ME)R requirements, referring any discrepancies to the supervising Radiographer.

To support the coordination of patient flow within the department, ensuring patients are appropriately prepared and available for their examinations.

To prepare examination rooms and maintain adequate stocks of consumables, reporting shortages as appropriate.

To undertake routine cleaning of equipment and clinical areas in accordance with departmental procedures and infection prevention and control policies.

To assist in maintaining a safe working environment by adhering to Health and Safety legislation, infection prevention and control procedures, moving and handling guidance and Trust policies.

To report incidents, accidents, equipment faults or concerns promptly using Trust reporting procedures.

To maintain effective communication and positive working relationships with colleagues across Radiology and the wider multidisciplinary team.

To participate in the department's 24-hour, 7-day service, including evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays as required.

To undertake mandatory training and participate in appraisal, competency assessment and continuing personal development in accordance with Trust requirements.

To undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade of the post as required by the Radiology Service.