Advanced Radiographer Practitioner (XR07)

Advanced Radiographer Practitioner (XR07)

Leeds Wakefield Breast Screening Service has two mobile mammography units and four static sites at St. James's University Hospital - Leeds, Trinity shopping centre - Wakefield, Wharfedale General Hospital - Otley and at Junction 32 Retail Park - Glasshoughton to provide basic screening facilities for 165,000 women aged between 49-73 years in the Leeds, Wakefield, and Pontefract districts. As the mobile screening units are sited in a variety of locations around Leeds, Wakefield, and Pontefract, there is an expectation that applicants will be able to drive to all the different sites.

Our purpose-built Unit at Seacroft Hospital is used for assessment clinics where a variety of techniques and examinations are performed including vacuum-assisted stereo biopsies.

This vacancy is for a trainee interventional Advanced Practitioner and also to work at a band 7 level of responsibility within the Service. Although postgraduate or equivalent mammography qualifications are essential for this role, further specialist training is available. We are a Service that is actively involved in research and clinical trials and would expect the successful candidate to be receptive and enthusiastic towards this type of work.

This is a genuine occupational qualification under Section 7 (2) (b) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

Main duties of the job

In conjunction with the departmental Team Leaders/ Principal Radiographer, the jobholder will be responsible for the efficient, effective delivery and co-ordination of the breast screening service. They should have a minimum of 2 years specialty experience. The jobholder will demonstrate unsupervised clinical expertise with knowledge and experience that contributes to the overall development and supervision of the breast screening team. They should be able to use their own initiative and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to advise and support clinicians/other staff both within and external to Radiology. The jobholder will work autonomously, take a lead role as part of a multi-disciplinary team and undertake specialised imaging procedures within their area of expertise, e.g., vacuum-assisted biopsies. Involvement in the development and implementation of department protocols and standards, and to have extended knowledge to troubleshoot when dealing with equipment/imaging problems and breakdowns. They should possess the skills to motivate others and have experience in supervising/training more junior members of staff. To act as Operator, Practitioner and, where necessary, Referrer under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations, (IR(ME)R) 2000. To be a point of advice and guidance for clients/patients and being sensitive to their needs.

About us

The LTHT is one of the largest trusts in the UK and includes one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe, who have the vision to be recognised as 'The Best Place to Work'. The team is proud and committed to work for Leeds Teaching Hospitals, and strives to deliver the best services possible for Patients. A fantastic opportunity for a highly ambitious, skilled and focused individual, that is committed to both personal and team development to join an employer, with outstanding benefits, which include: An attractive NHS Pension scheme, Generous annual leave entitlement with 27 days plus Bank holidays for new starters, further increasing after 5 years of service. Staff Health & Wellbeing support and excellent training and development opportunities. Leeds Teaching Hospitals believes in a strong patient centred approach and aims to provide a good work-life balance.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Job responsibilities

1. To act as Operator, Practitioner and, where necessary, Referrer within their own scope of practice, by clinically justifying examinations as defined in IR(ME)R 2000 and local protocols.
2. To collaborate with radiologists and Team Leaders in the planning and evaluation of imaging protocols for patient examinations, in addition to developing new protocols and techniques in line with technical advances in area of specialty and to ensure all staff within the department are trained accordingly.
3. To work as an autonomous practitioner using specialised skills to ensure optimum quality using the lowest possible radiation doses where appropriate.
4. To have a high degree of professional/personal autonomy with the ability to make clinical judgements/decisions using knowledge, skills and experience with freedom/discretion to act independently.
5. To participate in clinical research projects relevant to the specialty.
6. Dependent on the area of specialty, the jobholder will be able to perform roles previously undertaken by radiologists e.g. interpret images/data to provide provisional and/or authorised reports, and/or undertake interventional procedures, e.g. biopsies/line insertions.
7. To ensure that infection control procedures and observation of sterile fields are utilised when necessary, paying particular attention to the protection of clients, staff, and equipment during handling of pathological specimens if required.
8. To administer the appropriate drugs, radiopharmaceuticals, contrast agents by the correct method within their scope of work as authorised by the Trust.
9. To assess and evaluate special needs of individual patients and tailor positioning and procedures to their clinical needs, which involve overcoming barriers to understanding.
10. To anticipate where patient communication difficulties might make completion of the pre-examination checklist impossible and to implement alternative methods to ensure patient safety is maintained at all times.
11. To communicate effectively and empathetically with patients, particularly being sensitive to patients' anxieties.
12. To provide a safe environment for patients within their clinical area using safe handling guidelines and risk assessment procedures.
13. To act as a point of advice and guidance for patient inquiries regarding their referral and act as patient advocate.
14. As delegated by the Principal Radiographer, undertake staff performance development reviews, and participate in the professional development process.
15. To undertake first line complaint handling, dealing with radiographic problems in the absence of the Superintendent Radiographer.
16. Take a lead role in training within the specialist field.
17. Keep abreast of current literature and opinion in order to maintain best practice in accordance with clinical governance principles.
18. The jobholder will undertake all mandatory training required of the role.
19. Maintenance of expert knowledge in their specialised field by continuing professional development in accordance with the Health Professions council.
20. Participate in audit projects, including gathering evidence for best practice assessment, either of own work, or that of the department or others.
21. The jobholder must respect patient confidentiality at all times adhering to the Data Protection Act.

Person Specification Skills & Behaviours

• Professional attitude and appearance
• Advanced interpersonal skills
• Decision making and problem solving skills
• Commitment for career progression.

Other Criteria

• An understanding of the Leeds Values and 7 Commitments.

Experience

• Minimum of 4 years radiography experience
• Minimum of 2 years specialty experience
• Knowledge of advanced knowledge in the specialist area
• Experience in line managing staff
• Evidence of audit participation.

Qualifications

• BSc or equivalent in Diagnostic Radiography
• Post Graduate Qualification or equivalent in Breast
• HCPC Registration
• MSc in Radiography.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.