Modality Lead Radiographer (XR08)

at  Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Operational: Act as the lead radiographer/Sonographer for operational aspects of managing the modality. Communicate effectively through daily contact with modality staff. Responsible for organising the allocation of staff within the modality Responsible for the management of human and material resources within the modality and play a key role in ensuring the CSU delivers a balanced budget. Oversee the use of bank and agency staff and monitor expenditure to ensure financial balance is achieved.
Assess the impact of extra hours worked by staff on their performance and the needs of the service. Review establishments to ensure skill mix reflects current workload requirements and represents best use of resources. Assist their line manager in strategic planning to meet future capacity needs and developments. Facilitate the development of new practice models and systems of work.
Ensure any pilot work and resulting service developments are clearly and consistently communicated in a timely manner to the relevant staff group. Ensure that clinical governance processes at modality level encompass measures to ensure the quality of the fundamental and essential aspects of patient care within Radiology. Ensure clinical and non-clinical incidents are reported in accordance with Trust policy and agree actions in response to these. Responsible for the monitoring and auditing of standards of patient care including areas such as departmental cleanliness, prevention and control of hospital acquired infection and patient safety issues related to the imaging modality.
Promote involvement of patients and carers at all levels of service development. Be a focal point for advice to patients and carers and local resolution of complaints. Departmental lead for health and safety issues and responsible for ensuring all risk assessments are performed and subsequent actions implemented. Maintain a safe working environment and aware of the requirements to comply with Health and Safety regulations.
Work with the Lead Clinician and Service Manager to produce the annual operational plan for the modality Participate in recruitment process for senior roles within the dept. To participate in trust / departmental appraisal training in order to equip the post holder as reviewer and reviewee. Management/authorisation of monthly payroll/staffing returns for senior staff. Clinical: There is an expectation that the modality lead Radiographer/Sonographer will undertake a minimum of 20% clinical duties in their modality.
They will also ensure that they continue to improve the quality of patient care, diagnosis and treatment in line with evidenced base practice. In addition, they will: Act as a patient advocate in any radiation protection issues/ Magnet safety issues or laser safety issues as required. In conjunction with the Lead Clinician assist with clinical developments in practice through policies and guidelines and support others in this process. Act as expert resource on local/national radiology groups and present at local, national and international meetings Responsible for the maintenance of a safe, high quality clinical service acting as the patient safety/governance lead for the department.
Act as radiation safety lead where the modality using ionising radiation (lead RPS), or act as MRI responsible person if modality uses strong magnetic fields. These will require linking in with the Trust Radiation Safety Group, the Care Quality Commission, Public Health England and the Health & safety Executive as appropriate. Technical: Work with the Lead Clinician to implement new technology, equipment techniques in the modality. Responsible for the safe and appropriate use of radiology equipment and associated consumables and, where applicable be accountable for the radiation protection/patient safety for their modality Familiar with the range of technical applications available on the modality equipment.
Ensure equipment is maintained according to manufacturers specifications and necessary repairs are undertaken. Ensure staff are trained and supervised where appropriate, in the correct use of equipment to a high standard and that all systems are operating efficiently and effectively. Responsible for the maintenance of safe, high quality technical standards operating procedures (SOPs) across the modality Responsible for the review and development of those SOPs, working closely with all relevant disciplines. Clinical testing of new equipment/software ensuring safe implementation into practice working closely with medical, medical physics, senior management staff and representatives.
Ensure regular Quality Assurance (QA), including equipment testing is in place. Assist the Lead Clinician with equipment procurement decisions, based upon extensive technical knowledge Education and Training Ensure that Senior Radiographers/Mammographers/Sonographers acquire and maintain an appropriate repertoire of management and clinical skills to develop their competencies in line with agreed personal development plans. Ensure staff maintain mandatory training requirements relevant to their speciality in accordance with Trust policy. Undertake appropriate management, mentoring and support of allocated staff.
This will include appraisal and subsequent monitoring/development of these staff. Ensure opportunities for maximising the quality of service to patients through appropriate staff training, development and education. Promote evidence-based practice within the modality. Support staff in undertaking research/project work.
Work with the universities to ensure appropriate learning. Leadership Provide the day to day professional leadership of Radiographers/Mammographers/Sonographers/Clinical technologists and support staff within the modality. Act as a positive clinical role model through the provision of support and advice to staff. Lead by example through visible leadership to motivate and empower others.
Ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to set objectives, monitor performance, agree and review development needs, (both personal and professional). Ensure effective working relationships are maintained between all grades of staff and professional groups within the modality, working within a multidisciplinary team. Provide leadership to the modality in partnership with lead clinician and service manager to develop new roles/ways of working. Ensure appropriate management of the workforce.
Manage performance, sickness absence and staff capability in accordance with Trust policy. Responsible for acting as the first formal line in the management of discipline / attendance / standards issues across the department, including management of complex disciplinary cases. Support Team Managers in the recruitment and selection process. Ensure systems are in place for induction and preceptorship.
Multi-disciplinary Team working and Communication Skills: Promote and maintain effective communication and relationships with immediate colleagues, the multi-disciplinary team, patients and visitors. Able to provide and receive highly complex, contentious and highly sensitive information to/from patients and others in an empathetic, reassuring and professional manner. Recognise the potential for conflict in relationships and seek to minimise this and contribute to effective communication and team working. Maintain effective verbal and/or written communication and working relationships, with patients, colleagues, other hospital staff, relatives and visitors.
Presentation of formal lectures to large groups both at local and national level. Act in an influencing role regarding role and service changes/ development. Ensure that the confidentiality of all information gained in the course of undertaking the role is safeguarded and maintained in accordance with professional, local and national guidelines and regulations e.g. Data protection act (1998).
Recognise and report when a patients well-being may be at risk by reporting to safeguarding. Information and Record Keeping: Ensure written and electronic records for the modality are maintained accurately and timely for self and others. To lead on and participate in ethically approved audit projects, including gathering evidence for best practice assessment, either of their own work, that of the department or others, as required. Additional duties as requested by the management team, commensurate with the grade 5.
THE LEEDS WAY VALUES Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are: Patient-centred Collaborative Fair Accountable Empowered All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values. Additionally the following are core values which relate specifically to this post: Understanding of national targets for 6 week diagnostics, 52 week RTT and cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Commitment to ensure high quality evidence based care is delivered

Please refer the Job description for details