Lead Radiographer - Quality and Education MRI

at  Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced MRI radiographer to join our busy MRI team as the Lead Radiographer for Quality and Education.
We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and dedicated individual to be responsible for advancing the quality of our excellent MRI service and continuing the training and education of our staff. With significant experience as a senior MR radiographer, you will need to be able to provide advice and guidance to junior staff about protocols and imaging techniques. Part of the role involves the training of radiographers new to MRI and the mentoring of radiographers new to our team. You must have a flexible approach to working and be able to demonstrate good organisational and communication skills along with a commitment to service improvement. This role is primarily based at Whiston & St Helens Hospitals.
Applicants must hold the BSc in Radiography or the DCR(R), a Post Graduate Certificate in MRI and be HCPC Registered.
Please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated, should a sufficient number of applications be received, you are therefore advised to apply at your earliest convenience.
Interview date: TBC
The successful applicant will be responsible for the continual improvement of image quality, helping to maintain the high-quality service that we provide and will work alongside the MRI Lead Operational Radiographer and Lead Radiographer for MRI Safety to develop and educate our workforce. There will be an expectation to attend a course for a practice educator. The successful candidate will be expected to work clinically across both sites.
There is scope within this role for MRI image reporting. It is not essential that the successful candidate can perform this but the opportunity for training can be provided if desired.
Our department at Whiston hospital contains a GE 1.5T Signa Voyager whilst our CDC at St Helens Hospital houses a GE 1.5T Signa Explorer Lift and a GE 3T Signa Pioneer. The department offers a full range of MRI examinations, including specialist services such as arthrography, breast and enterography. Our radiographers are involved in continuous professional development, and we are keen for them to attain post graduate education in MRI.
The Secretary of State has approved the partnership between St Helens & Knowsley and Southport & Ormskirk Hospitals.
From 1 st July we have come together as a single organisation under the name Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
The Trust delivers acute hospital care, intermediate care, community, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 people with a combined workforce of around 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk and Newton hospitals.
The Trust provides regional services for burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries to more than 4 million people across Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man and North Wales.

KEY DUTIES

Responsible for administration, performance monitoring and data quality of the PACS/RIS and other integrated systems.
Responsible for training of staff in PACS/RIS and associated systems.
Perform diagnostic imaging examinations in accordance with departmental protocols.
Be competent in the use of all appropriate imaging equipment.
Participate in the on-call, flexible working and out of hours service as required.
Responsible for QA program in designated area
Abide by radiographic protocols.
Abide by all Radiation Protection regulations.
Report all equipment malfunctions to appropriate personnel.
Responsible for sending accurate image data to the Picture Archiving Communication System for storage, transmission, and archive.
Justify radiographic examinations for Junior Radiographers, Radiographic Assistant Practitioners and Student Radiographers. Authorise radionuclide imaging examinations on behalf of the ARSAC holder as appropriate.
Promote quality initiatives, ensuring the quality of patient care and compliance of quality standards.
Undertake staff appraisals.
Establish and maintain effective communication with patients on complex, contentious and sensitive issues, using persuasion and negotiation where required.
Maintain a patient, courteous manner in all aspects of communication with patients and staff especially in distressing situations.
Liaise with lead clinicians to ensure effective running of the service.
Maintain a good working relationship with other departments and staff to ensure the provision of and efficient and effective service to all users and patients.
Communicate with service users and external agencies

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Autonomously undertake Advanced Practice in a specialised area of radiography by displaying expert clinical practice, this could be either clinical interpretation of images, performing radiological or interventional procedures
To provide clinical leadership to all staff in the department
To act as a radiographic clinical expert in the relevant field
Provide clinical support and advice to staff.
Responsible for setting and maintaining a high quality of clinical and professional standards within the department.
Promote and ensure compliance with radiographic protocols.
Ensure clinical and professional standards are met at all times.
Exercise clinical judgement in the utilisation of resources and initiate liaison with relevant clinical teams if clinical findings necessitate.
Perform all aspects of clinical and technical procedures as per departmental policy.
Ensure compliance with COR code of conduct and HCPC regulations to ensure registration is maintained.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for accurate data entry on the Radiology Information System
Ensure all documentation associated with regulations are kept and stored appropriately.

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for the day-to-day management of the designated department, planning and prioritising workload.
Ensure the effective and efficient running of the service with due regard to available resources.
Allocating activity to ensure maximised use of capacity. Using data to inform decisions.
Monitor and evaluate all aspects of service delivery with regard to waiting times ensuring that waiting times are kept to a minimum.
Demonstrate effective leadership qualities and promote teamwork.
Undertake initial investigation of patient and user complaints and exercising judgement and initiative take appropriate actions to resolve the problem/complaint.
Promote a working culture that improves quality.
Responsible for clinical and professional standards within the designated department
Identify and contribute to service development within the department.
Responsible for implementing policies within the designated department and contribute to Radiology Trust policies.
Responsible for risk assessments within the designated area
Responsible for the maintenance and servicing of all equipment in the designated work area, liaise and communicate with manufacturers.
Responsible for optimum use of resources within the department and maintain adequate stock levels.
Participate in the procurement (specification, evaluation and selection) of radiographic equipment.
Promote quality initiatives, ensuring the quality of patient care and compliance of quality standards.
Promote compliance with all Trust risk management procedures and ensure risk management strategies are implemented including Health & Safety legislation for Control of Radiation, COSHH, VDU use, handling of patients, fire regulations and security etc.
Ensure compliance with all statutory, professional, and organisational requirements. Liaising with outside agencies to ensure compliance with statutory regulations when required. Ensure all documentation associated with regulations are kept and stored appropriately.
Ensure all staff are compliant with the relevant registration eg HCPC, RSAC Act as radiation protection supervisor for a designated department/Modality
Refer patients for on-going imaging examinations within departmental protocols.
Responsible for the day-to-day management of the designated department
Contribute to the recruitment, selection and appointment of professional, technical and support staff in accordance with policy and procedures.
Monitor staff performance and formulate personal development plans in accordance with Trust development review process (IPR).
Monitor and action dose discrepancies via Dose Monitor alerts. Produce Dose audits and DRLs. Monitor and action incidents within own work area that are reported via Datix.