Senior MRI/CT Radiographer

Job overview

If you are an experienced senior MRI/CT Radiographer , we are recruiting to our Department where you will be working within a Trust that is rated outstanding for its care.

Joining our Trust will enable you to deliver the best care to our patients.

Applicants will hold  BSc in Radiography (or equivalent), holding valid HCPC registration and be able to demonstrate within their application experience in MRI, CT or both modalities.

Under current Home Office Immigration Rules, this role does not meet the UK Visas and Immigration criteria and the position is not therefore eligible for sponsorship. Applications from candidates that require skilled worker sponsorship will NOT be shortlisted.

Main duties of the job

We have a well-equipped MRI department with two scanners; a 1.5T Siemens Sola, and a state-of-the-art 3T Siemens Vida. We undertake a wide variety of routine and specialist orthopaedic examinations, offering a 12 hour service, 7 days a week as well as offering an on call service for cauda equina patients.

Our CT department has a Canon Aquilian one Genesis CT scanner, undertaking a wide variety of diagnostic and therapeutic orthopaedic interventional procedures as well as general scanning.

Both MRI and CT operate an on-call service, provided by radiographers who are called in from their home base to the site.

The 24/7 high quality service is provided by an experienced, highly motivated, friendly team of radiographers working on rotation between both modalities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To carry out general and highly specialized radiographic procedures in the areas specified above, ensuring that high professional standards of work are achieved and maintained, whilst applying ALARA principles using IR(ME)R guidelines as appropriate. Be aware of and follow current IR (ME) R procedures.

To organise, plan and prioritise workload according to clinical need. Interviewer information pack

To supervise, advise and mentor band 5 and band 6 Radiographers, support staff, students and nursing staff.

To be familiar with the departmental computer systems and maintain and update patient records.

To act as an Autonomous practitioner deciding the most appropriate investigation based upon the clinical information provided and on assessment of the patient and then justify the radiation exposure.

Ensure patients, carers and hospital staff are adequately protected with lead shielding. Check LMP dates in females of child-bearing age, delaying investigation in cases of possible pregnancy and arranging pregnancy tests if necessary.

Triage, organise, plan and. protocol individual referrals for scanning from Clinicians prioritising according to clinical need from the clinical information given. Advising Clinicians, GP’s and other Health care professionals of alternative or more appropriate examinations.

Communicate with other trusts to obtain accurate operation notes to determine the compatibility of any surgical implants prior to MRI scans.

To allocate appointment slots ensuring the correct preparation and medication for the investigation is sent to the patient, dispensing the medication according to Radiographers Patient Group Directions.

Explain to patients, relatives, carers, medical personnel and other members of the multidisciplinary team the nature of highly complex scanning procedures, any contra-indications and complications.

Advise, consult and negotiate with senior medical staff on matters of a highly complex and technical nature with regard to specialised imaging techniques.

Request x-rays of any areas of the body that may have foreign objects contra-indicating a scan. Evaluate the resultant image before making the decision to proceed or not with the scan.

Evaluate scans using knowledge of pathology and consult with Radiologist to decide if further investigation is necessary using contrast media, plain x-rays or another modality.

Prescribe, dispense and administer intravenous contrast media (using Radiographers Patient Group Directions as agreed with pharmacy). Explain to the patient the need for the injection; assess the patients’ suitability by checking for any contra indication or allergies. Then administer the I.V. injection only when informed patient consent has been obtained. In paediatric cases alter the doses according to weight.

Monitor patient conditions to ensure any adverse reactions are recognised and dealt with promptly and appropriately. Administer adrenaline in cases of anaphylactic shock.

Provide care for the anaesthetised patient and seriously ill ensuring accurate positioning for the scan procedure. Provide pressure relief to susceptible areas. Monitor the safety of the patient to avoid any body parts, drips or connections to the anaesthetic machine do not become trapped in machinery during biopsy procedures. Maintain patient dignity at all times.

Contact path lab to ensure they are present at the correct time for specimen collection. Ensure specimens are correctly labelled and in the correct medium.

Advise medical staff, nurse practitioners and advanced practitioners on the justification of examinations and give advice on possible alternatives.

Research, develop and review protocols using evidence based practice. Then implement improvement to services exercising professional responsibility, including lifelong learning within an open “no blame” culture.

To maintain accurate equipment records and to supervise and advise on the maintenance and repair of equipment, assessing urgency of repair and re-arranging work load accordingly.

To perform daily, weekly and monthly QA checks on equipment, monitoring the results for any inconsistencies and taking the appropriate action. Record results on a database.

To perform appraisals of Radiographers, band 5 and band 6 radiographers and office staff.

To be team leader in departmental audit and quality assurance programmes.

To maintain the principles of patient confidentiality at all times and ensure that all staff uphold this principle.

To participate in the training of student radiographers on placement at the RJ&AH.

To be familiar with and train other members of staff in the use of all highly specialised scanning equipment and systems operated within the department.

To undertake and deliver CPD training and study, as necessary, to ensure that a high level of professional knowledge and expertise is achieved and maintained to both self and peer groups.

To be competent in all of the highly complex projections undertaken at the RJ & AH and train other members of staff in these techniques.

To empathise, persuade, negotiate with and provide reassurance to patients within the departments particularly those presenting with spinal cord injury, tumour patients and children. Advise on radiation dose and effects

Assess the patients’ fitness and ability to comply before physically manipulating them into the necessary position to obtain diagnostic radiographs and adapt techniques accordingly to accommodate any disabilities or pathologies.

To evaluate MRI safety questionnaire to maintain the safety of both the patient and or escorts. Acting appropriately on the responses and if necessary, requesting x-rays evaluating the same before making the decision to scan.

To recognise and interpret abnormal pathology, red dot abnormal findings and alert appropriate medical staff.  Advise other Trusts of protocols and best practice within the specialism of orthopaedics.

Deputise for Superintendents as required.

Allocate available staff to work areas and monitor workflow. Provide advisory responsibility for the order of work when working with multidisciplinary teams’ i.e. spinal injury team/ tumour team.

Handing over areas of responsibility when moving on to another discipline ensuring continuity and smooth running of department.

Monitor and ensure stock levels are maintained in the immediate work area.

To participate in ongoing research projects