Cardiac MRI Research Radiographer

This role provides an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a Cardiac MRI Research Radiographer in supporting both the clinical and research imaging operations. The role is a training position, which will allow the candidate to be trained to perform adult congenital and non-congenital cardiac MRI.

The job holder should have a strong background of working in an imaging department and have good knowledge of an MRI environment and safety. The job holder should be willing to partake in all aspects of delivery of clinical and research studies in the department. The studies may cover not only cardiac, but also abdomen and neuro imaging including imaging guided interventional procedures.

The job holder is to work with the senior radiographers and management team for quality control and assurance, safety screening, research subject handling, dealing with any incidental findings on the scans and any other aspects of clinical and research governance.

Main duties of the job The job plans require the job holder to share their time flexibly between frontline service delivery and other administrative activities depending on the needs of the service. The Job holder is expected to participate in the standard operating hours by a rota system which requires the person to work flexibly in a work pattern which may be a three days week or a four days week or five days a week, depending on the service requirements. The standard operating hours of the service is set from 0800 hours to 2000 hours, from Monday to Friday. There will also be some expectation to participate in weekend working for service needs, which will be remunerated as per the agreed arrangements.

There will be a diverse range of projects requiring support, to include cardiovascular and body imaging. The postholder will be expected to perform their duties to a high standard, in accordance with Departmental policies, protocols and procedures. They will have the opportunity to be fully involved with research studies, by supporting innovation in imaging and taking on research tasks appropriate to their experience. The post holder must provide excellent care to patients and volunteers and be supportive of the needs and expectations of developing clinical and research imaging services.

This is a full time post 35 Hours per week, and you will be offered an indefinite contract.

About us The role sits within the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, and specifically within the MRI Clinical Research Department based at St Thomas Hospital.

The School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences are committed to improve the way we deliver healthcare through the use of advanced engineering.

The department has 9 MRI scanners and a catheterisation lab, providing clinical and research MRI services in the areas of cardiac, foetal, neonatal and advanced brain imaging. The facility is embedded within St Thomas Hospital. Last year we conducted over 6000 clinical scans, of which over 4500 were recruited to research.

Job responsibilities Imaging and Research Responsibilities

• To be a key member of the multidisciplinary team that will develop and translate MRI techniques across field strengths.
• To work with consistency and careful attention to detail when following protocols to carry out clinical and research scans.
• To participate in and take responsibility for quality assurance audits of clinical and research examinations, and to be proactive in identifying and resolving problems related to image quality.
• To be responsible for MR safety across the MRI facility, including full awareness of the potential hazards of working at field strengths ranging from 0.55T to 3.0T and Ultra-Highfield MRI scanners, and ensuring that scanners are operated within safe limits at all times as per the MRI local rules.
• To be familiar with the safety guidelines issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the potential bioeffects of MRI at different field strengths, and with safety procedures including quench, fire, cardiac arrest that are specific to the MR environment.
• To ensure that images and data are made available for analyses and or reporting purposes in a timely and accurate manner.
• To provide a high level of care to patients and volunteers before, during and after MR imaging procedures, being cognisant of the need for informed consent for all research scanning.
• To be sensitive and supportive of each patients needs, taking steps to adapt techniques to take account of an individuals limited capabilities where possible, whilst also ensuring that optimum quality scanning and that research objectives are achieved.

Operational

• To ensure all persons entering the MRI facilities have been appropriately screened for MRI safety, and that staff, students and visitors have undergone any scanner specific induction training required.
• To ensure all research subjects have provided their informed consent for scanning and data analysis.
• To operate all equipment safely and effectively, and according to the instruction and advice issued by manufacturers and local Leads.
• To be responsible for ensuring all documentation relating to scanning activity, and any relevant clinical information, is recorded according to Departmental protocols.
• To perform quality control checks on all relevant equipment and to report any faults to the appropriate escalation team and copying the Superintendent Radiographer or the appropriate member of the multidisciplinary team.
• To report any problems, malfunctions or failures of equipment to a Superintendent Radiographer or the appropriate member of the multidisciplinary team, labelling and removing them from circulation if unsafe.
• To utilise the imaging networks for both KCL & Guy's & St Thomas' Hospitals GSTT in accordance with Departmental protocols.
• To liaise closely with the administrative staff to ensure efficient and timely bookings of patient and volunteer scans, and accurate recording of the activity.
• At all times to maintain the integrity of the data security system ensuring compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures for the data protection and Data Protection Act.
• To be aware of and work within the local rules pertaining to MRI safety, radiation protection, Health and Safety at Work and COSHH regulations.
• To ensure appropriate infection control measures are utilised at all times.

Team work, communication, teaching & learning support

• To communicate effectively and maintain a good working relationship with multi-disciplinary colleagues within BMEIS, KCL, GSTT, and with external stakeholders.
• To be proactive with their learning and ensuring they strive to follow their training programme and complete and document competency assessments with their senior radiographer
• To be proactive in exploiting in-house CPD opportunities, as well as attending training courses, seminars, conferences, and presenting work to internal and external audiences.

Sensory/physical demands & work environment:

• To work in compliance to infection control rules and regulations set nationally and locally.
• To work under time constraints and pressure.
• To conform to requirement to wear protective clothing in areas and to protect themselves and others.
• To have a proactive role in safety, enforcing and adhering to rules.
• To be sensitive and responsive to the needs and views of all staff, patients and volunteers, students and external stakeholders, and to respect diverse views.
• To help, support and advise colleagues as appropriate, seeking advice from senior staff when necessary.

Special Requirements

• The postholder will be required to work flexible hours between 0700 - 2000 hours, over 5-day working week in accordance with the needs of the role.
• The postholder will be required to adhere to high standards of Information Governance. Any breach of confidentiality or other Information Governance standards is a serious offence which may lead to dismissal.
• This appointment is subject to Occupational Health clearance. Should you be offered this post you will be sent an Occupational Health Questionnaire along with your contract of employment. When the Occupational Health Department have evaluated your questionnaire and declared that you are fit for appointment, your appointment will be formally confirmed.
• Health and Safety: All post holders have a responsibility, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and subsequently published regulations, to ensure that the College and the Trusts health and safety policies and procedures are complied with to maintain a safe working environment for all persons within the MRI facility.
• Infection Control: All post holders have a personal obligation to act to reduce healthcare-associated infections HCAIs. They must attend mandatory training in Infection Control and be compliant with all measures required by the NHS Trust and the College to reduce HCAIs. All post holders must comply with Trust infection screening and immunisation policies as well as be familiar with the NHS Trusts Infection Control Policies, including those that apply to their duties, such as Hand Decontamination Policy, Personal Protective Equipment Policy, safe procedures for using aseptic techniques and safe disposal of sharps. Post holders are also expected to adhere to the Services uniform policy and procedures.
• Risk Management: . click apply for full job details