Radiotherapy Specialist Practitioner Radiographer (XR06)
To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing specialist radiotherapy treatment & patient support, in line with Trust and departmental policies and procedures. Working as a specialist with proven skills and experience in using a variety of radiotherapy equipment and treatment techniques, organizing the unit activity and staff on a daily basis.
The post holder is responsible for performing with the highest standard of patient care and technical practice in their clinical area while treating patients.
Main duties of the job
The radiotherapy department delivers treatment care packages to approximately 6,500 patients with cancer per year. As experienced professionals, specialist practitioners are expected to maintain the efficient, effective and safe flow of workload in their clinical area.
Specialist practitioners are usually required to rotate through all areas within the radiotherapy service (unless the service requirement is for a static placement), and deputise for the relevant team leader as required. The post-holder is expected to use their experience in supporting and training other qualified professionals, trainees and visitors.
Specialist practitioners may be required to make clinical judgments which fall outside of protocol. They will be required to use their experience, specialist knowledge & initiative in order to achieve the expected results within professional codes of practice, referring to their team leader or appropriate advanced practitioners as appropriate.
The post holder is expected to use specialist knowledge to take action on technical and patient related issues on a daily basis in their allocated area (including amendments to treatments). They must be competent in a variety of situations, referring issues outside their scope of practice to their relevant advanced practitioners.
Job responsibilities
Technical/ Clinical:
* Responsible for maintaining the highest standards of technical practice and patient care while treating and supporting patients.
* Responsible for the checking/calculation of doses and prescriptions in accordance with departmental procedures.
* Responsible for the review/subsequent clinical decisions of radiotherapy images.
* Develop highly specialised skills/knowledge in specific area of practice in order to further develop the service and train other staff.
* Work as a specialist practitioner for the practical and associated aspects of radiotherapy practice in the clinical area.
* Ensure own clinical decisions (including non-standard/outside protocol) are underpinned and evaluated by theoretical knowledge and relevant practical experience.
* Responsible for keeping up to date with technical practice and offering support, guidance and encouragement to others.
* Responsible for ensuring all equipment is used appropriately and safely, including administrative and management systems, monitoring equipment performance and reporting faults.
* Take an active role in audit, development and research as required, particularly in own area of specialism.
Management:
* Deputise for the team leader when appropriate (e.g., Annual leave), managing the unit and staff to maintain efficiency whilst promoting best practice.
* Participate in the clinical training and assessment of junior staff, students, returners, assistants, and any other learners on the unit.
* Responsible for assisting with quality assurance procedures.
* Responsible for ensuring that clinical and technical information, and all information relating to each treatment course undertaken on the unit, is accurately and fully recorded and reported.
* Responsible for the care of the patient whilst undergoing treatment.
* Assess and monitor patient care needs and organise care including both referral to other disciplines and support by other practitioners.
* Responsible for developing specific care plans/pathways (with other disciplines) by providing specialist clinical advice.
* Provide appropriate advice and information to patients and carers at all stages of radiotherapy, referring issues to senior staff as appropriate.
General:
* Representing the views of team members and peers at meetings and workgroups and reporting information back to the team.
* Actively participate in and support activities in promoting and recruiting to the profession.
* To work flexibly as required by the service/patient need.
* Carrying out additional duties as requested by the Head of Radiotherapy, management team or team leader, commensurate with the grade of the post.
Health and Safety/Risk Management:
All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system.
Infection Control:
The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions.
Person Specification
Experience
* Significant post graduate experience with evidence of acquired specialist knowledge.
* Organisational skills/decision making.
* Proven skills/experience with a variety of R/T equipment and specialist techniques.
* Awareness of current trends in R/T.
* Basic IT skills.
* Proven team working/people skills.
* Experience of similar radiotherapy equipment.
* Awareness of wider cancer issues.
Qualifications
* BSc in Therapy Radiography or equivalent.
* Current State Registration (HCPC).
Skills & behaviours
* Good interpersonal and communication skills at all levels.
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.
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