Reporting Radiographer

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for an MSK and/or CXR reporting radiographer to develop their career at University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust (UHL), one of the country's largest and busiest tertiary referral university teaching NHS Trusts.

You will be supported to reach your potential through in-house and external learning opportunities, including a post-preceptorship programme for non-trauma and specialist clinic reporting, regular peer review, and attendance at MDT and REALM meetings. Several of our reporting team have been, or are being supported, to complete full MSc qualifications.

Staff wellbeing is a priority and the department offers home reporting (dependent on experience) and endorses flexible working. You will be supported in your role by dedicated Lead Reporting Radiographers.

The department is committed to career development for reporting radiographers, with six Consultant Radiographers employed within the department (including two established multi-modality MSK Consultant Radiographers and a thoracic Consultant Radiographer) and the ambition to introduce Advanced Practice reporting roles in line with the HEE Multi-professional framework for Advanced Clinical Practice.

We are currently building the research capabilities of the team and have ambition to further develop our links with University of Leicester and De Montfort University. Artificial Intelligence is currently being deployed in both research and clinical contexts across the department.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be an experienced and skilled radiographer with a post-graduate qualification in radiographic reporting, undertaking clinical reporting as part of enhanced or advanced practice. Additional areas of enhanced practice are welcomed.

Reporting radiographers are expected to assist with the delivery of a high quality, effective and efficient radiographic reporting service to the highest professional standards.

It is envisaged that the work pattern will entail a minimum of 60% Direct Clinical Care (DCC). Other responsibilities will include leadership and management, teaching and mentoring, research and audit. You will be encouraged to develop your experience across all four pillars of practice. Clinical image acquisition practice will depend on reporting service needs.

MSK and chest reporting is undertaken in house, but opportunities exist at present for experienced staff to undertake additional reporting as part of Waiting List Initiatives. This role may involve out-of-hours or weekend working according to service demands.

About us

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals:

high-quality care for all, being a great place to work, partnerships for impact, and research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

we are compassionate, we are proud, we are inclusive, and we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

Job description

Job responsibilities

Radiographic Reporting

Provide a report based on radiological findings, suggest a diagnosis or differential diagnosis and advise follow up where appropriate. Recognise when the findings require urgent follow up or referral and take appropriate action. When unusual findings are observed outside the post holders area of expertise, seek advice from appropriate colleagues. Report the workload in line with the agreed targets of the Trust. Participate in routine peer review audit. Attend and be proactive in REALM / peer review meetings.

Governance

Contribute to the development of, monitoring and review of Risk Management programmes and report all risks/incidents as appropriate. Assist the Superintendents in the investigation of incidents, concerns or complaints, update records and provide feedback. Comply with the Trusts complaints procedure and ensure that complaints are dealt with in accordance with this procedure. Ensure the highest standards of radiation protection for staff, patients and visitors and to ensure a safe working environment in respect of other health and safety issues.

Professionalism

Show evidence of continuing professional development and attend training courses as necessary, in keeping with Trust targets. Keep up to date with current imaging technical developments, professional and Trust issues. Participate in the Trusts appraisal programme. This obligation will include the preparation for, and attendance, at appraisal/performance management interviews and completion of the associated documentation.

Budget

Ensure the safe use of highly complex and expensive equipment. Identify potential opportunities to improve the efficiency of the service. Be proactive in assisting the Trust to meet financial and contractual targets, and cost improvement plans (CIP).

Staff

Participate in the mentorship of trainee reporting radiographers, radiology registrars, radiographers and other allied health professionals relating to image quality and interpretation. Demonstrate leadership and motivate staff within area of practice. Identify to the Superintendent Radiographers where staffs performance or behavior is below an acceptable standard and take initial informal counselling action where appropriate. Assist the Superintendent Radiographers to identify and meet staff training and development needs. Provide training, support, guidance and supervision to Radiographers, Assistant Practitioners and RDAs who rotate through relevant modality areas of practice. Contribute to the appraisal of junior staff in line with the Trusts Appraisal Process.

Policy

Comply with all Trust policies and procedures. Assist in the development, documentation and monitoring of protocols for working practice within the modality areas, and review on a regular basis and when changes are introduced. Assist in monitoring the quality of service to the wider hospital team and, where appropriate, participate in the development and implementation of proposals for improving services. Collaborate with departments / areas outside of Imaging to implement changes to procedures and policies. Contribute to the regular setting, monitoring and review of performance and quality management of all aspects of the Imaging Service. Adhere to relevant radiation safety legislation, including Local Rules, Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017. Take reasonable care for the health and safety of self, other staff, patients and visitors, with reference to all relevant health and safety procedures, including prompt reporting of accidents, equipment faults and untoward incidents.

Communication

Communicate reports in line with the Trust policy. Ensure that all clinical and non-clinical information records are fully and accurately completed and maintained. Ensure data input onto the Radiology computer system by is accurate and updated as necessary. Work closely with clinical and non-clinical colleagues within radiology, and liaise with other multi-disciplinary and sub-specialty teams. Establish appropriate working relationships with relevant colleagues in other clinical areas within the Trust and external agencies. Communicate effectively in an appropriate manner, complex information to patients, relatives and staff. Demonstrate effective skills required to communicate with, persuade, reassure and gain the co-operation of patients and relatives in circumstances where they may be worried, distressed or confused. Ensure patients are adequately informed, are able to consent to examinations, and are able to ask questions or raise concerns. Assist the departmental leadership team in ensuring effective systems of communication are in place and utilised.

Other

Work with the Superintendent Radiographers to provide optimum patient care and constantly seek ways of improving standards and performance. Undertake any other duties consistent with grade as required.

Person Specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential

UK Level 7 qualification in Radiographer Reporting Health Care Professions Council Registered Evidence of on-going further professional development

Experience

Essential

Routine reporting sessions in current post Previous experience of working in an NHS hospital Sound knowledge of ionising radiation legislation

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential

Able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours