Job Description

Job Title: Clinical Specialist Radiographer - CT

Department: Radiology

Reports to: Head of Radiology Operations

Date: 2024

Overall Purpose of Job

We will provide exceptional patient care in an environment where quality, respect, caring and compassion are at the centre of all we do.

The position of Clinical Specialist Radiographer in CT requires an ability to lead, guide and supervise radiographic staff and to successfully manage service delivery on a day to day basis. An ability to manage in a rapidly changing environment and a willingness to undertake such additional duties as may be assigned from time to time are essential.

While carrying out the duties appropriate to a Radiographer in the department, maintenance of professional competence in other areas of the department is necessary as some participation in the on-call service is required. This will necessitate the post holder in rotating through other areas in the department on a periodic basis.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

  Clinical Operations: undertake as team leader, primary responsibility on a day-to-day basis for the CT Service and the effective utilisation of all resources allocated.

  Be accountable for the quality of the service provided, including customer service and technical aspects.

  Contribute to the development and implementation of operational policies, protocols and guidelines to ensure optimum utilisation of resources and systematic audit of such usage.

  Advise on equipment selection, purchase, replacement or upgrading.

  Contribute to the preparation of plans of service - monitor and report on their implementation. Implement and maintain accurate information systems for clinical data in accordance with hospital standards.

  Ensure the Head of Radiology Operations is provided with accurate records of equipment service, maintenance, malfunction, downtime and performance as required and co-ordinate preventative maintenance schedules in accordance with clinical demand.

  Maintain up to date knowledge of clinical, technical and radiographic developments in relation to CT and promote awareness of new developments. Ensure that best practices are implemented.

  Contribute to financial planning and ensure that appropriate budgetary control procedures are implemented.

  Support the Head of Radiology Operations in the implementation of initiatives aimed at on-going service development, improvement and increase in volume.

  Provide professional support and advice to patients, radiographers, radiologists, medical staff, nurses and other allied health professionals.

  Promote and maintain a safe environment for staff and patients. Assist in the development and implementation of risk management and health and safety strategies in association with appropriate personnel.

  Develop and maintain a training function as may be required in relation to qualified staff and/or trainees and students. Supervise and assess all training as required.

  Competent in intravenous cannulation and proficient in the use of the automatic injector as per competency framework. Oversee and ensure staff are competent in intravenous cannulation in the CT department.

  Liaise with the Head of Radiology Operations on the rotation of staff through the CT service to ensure an adequate number of trained staff are available and can cover the CT call rota.

  Liaise with the Head of Radiology Operations on human resource issues as appropriate.

  Quality Assurance: Investigate and take appropriate action in accordance with hospital policy in relation to complaints, accidents and incidents.

  Ensure that all hospital policies and relevant up to date information is understood and complied with by staff.

  Ensure all hospital policies on infection control, IV policy and health and safety etc. are understood by staff and complied with.

  Implement and maintain a quality assurance programme as set out by the Medical Physics Expert.

  Radiation safety: To ensure that the three principles of radiation protection, namely justification, optimisation (ALARA) and dose constraints/limits are adhered to.  To be familiar with EU Council Directive Euratom Basic safety standards as set out in current Irish legislation  for the protection of health workers and the general public against the dangers arising from Ionising Radiation (S.I. 30 of 2019) and the health protection of individuals against the dangers of ionising radiation in relation to medical exposure (S.I. 256 of 2018).

  Other duties assigned that are appropriate to the post e.g. ordering of contrast agent from pharmacy and maintaining par levels in the department, reporting any faults with the injector.

  Demonstrate flexibility in possible changes to work patterns e.g. extending working hours in order to accommodate our patients once volume increases significantly.

  All posts in Radiology Services will be continually assessed in line with service requirements and changes with the development of the Hospital. Consequently, the duties of the post may change.

Quality:

  Assist the Head of Radiology Operations with Policies and Procedure development as appropriate

  Implement quality improvement as necessary to ensure safety of patients and staff

  Perform departmental audits that feed into the organisation quality programme

  Attend relevant meetings as requested by Head of Radiology Operations

  Assist Head of Radiology Operations in the preparation for accreditation surveys

Person Specification

Qualifications:

 BSc(Hons) Diagnostic Radiography or equivalent.

 Postgraduate diploma in CT is required.

 CORU registration.

 Management course (desirable) but not mandatory.

Experience:

 A minimum of 6 years experience in the chosen modality or a post graduate qualification in the modality plus a minimum of 3 years experience.

 Demonstrate experience of working with a team of Radiographers.

 Experience in cardiac CT, biopsies in CT, virtual colonoscopy.

 Competent in intravenous cannulation and contrast administration.

Job Specific Competencies and Knowledge:

 Demonstrate ability to manage clinical and non-clinical situations.

 Have a proven ability to work under pressure.

 Have excellent interpersonal and communicative skills.

 Be able to deal with staff and management at all levels within the organisation.

 Have a high capacity for responsibility and individual initiative.

 Have an interest in quality initiation for the Radiographic service.

 Evidence of post registration professional development.

Personal Competencies

All posts in Beacon Hospital require a high level of flexibility to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient service. Therefore, the post holder will be required to demonstrate flexibility as and when required by their manager or hospital management.

This job description is intended to be an outline of the areas of responsibility and deliverables at the time of its writing. As the Hospital and the post holder develop, this job description may be subject to review in light of the changing needs of the Hospital.