JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION NB: Please do not change the Word format or Page Set Up of this document. 1. JOB DETAILS Job Title: Radiographic Assistant Reports to: MRI Research Radiographer Accountable to: MRI Research Radiographer / research Sonographer Band: 3 Unit/Department: LBRC CSU Directorate: Research and Innovation Location Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals AfC Job No: 1107b 2. JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) in partnership with the University of Leeds (UoL) has been awarded a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) with funding of £19.8million for five years. This exciting investment in translational medicine represents a threefold increase in our previous funding and provides a unique opportunity to drive research which makes a difference to the health and wealth of the United Kingdom, but also to our local community. Building on our existing strength in musculoskeletal disease and engagement with patients and the public who are at the heart of all our activities, the new NIHR Leeds BRC now includes research in surgical technologies, haematology (with the University of York), cardiometabolic disease, pathology, and antimicrobial resistance. Our vision is to improve health and wellbeing by accelerating diagnosis, enabling early treatment that is personalised for each patient and, where possible, prevent disease and infection. It builds on Leeds sustained excellence in translational research and industry partnership in musculoskeletal disease (MSKD), heart disease, cancer and infection. It is driven by the need to address the grand challenges of an ageing, multi-morbid population (which underpins our research themes): 1. Musculoskeletal Disease: will identify people at-risk of developing rheumatoid and other forms of arthritis to: prevent them from developing these conditions; and develop individually targeted, cost-effective treatments for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. 2. Cardiometabolic Disease: will discover new principles for detecting and treating heart disease, particularly in terms of complications from diabetes. 3. Surgical Technologies: will develop and apply new surgical technologies to: provide more precise surgery that is tailored to the biology of the underlying disease; improve healing of bone and soft tissues; and limit disability following orthopaedic surgery. 4. Haematology: will identify the determinants of poor outcomes, enabling development of personalised-treatment strategies for blood-related cancers. 5. Pathology: using AI and screening advances, we will improve the accuracy and speed of bowel diagnosis, enabling early and more effective treatment. 6. Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection: will accurately identify patients at risk of antibiotic resistant infections; ensure our existing antibiotics are working; and develop new infection treatments. The radiographic assistant will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing high standards of patient care whilst following policies and procedures as specified by the Radiology Management Team. The post-holder will be required to support the MR radiographers and ultra-sonographers in the provision of MR and US services. The post-holder will undertake a clinical support role working in accordance with department protocols and schemes of work. The NIHR has funded the Leeds Biomedical Research Centre ( a collaboration between Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Leeds. The unit aims to be a world leading centre for translational research into individually targeted, patient focussed therapies across musculoskeletal diseases. The state-of-the-art imaging facilities are a key element of the research dedicated unit at Chapel Allerton Hospital which includes a Siemens Verio 3T MRI scanner, and GE10 ultrasound scanners. This varied position involves: Assisting radiographers in chaperoning and preparing research patients for MRI and ultrasound procedures Giving clinical and clerical support to enable effective and efficient patient care to be delivered Assisting with clerical and administration tasks with the imaging unit Monitoring equipment as directed, reporting any problems to senior members of staff Assisting radiographers in the overall quality assurance programme Assisting researchers in their delivery of imaging related research activities 3. ORGANISATIONAL CHART 4. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY General Clinical Duties To undertake identified tasks as required by staff and work in accordance with trust standards, policies and procedures. To undertake all aspects of patient care related to MRI. and Ultrasound To maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness for patient needs, MRI and Ultrasound equipment and working environment. To ensure appropriate infection control measures are utilised where necessary. Paying particular attention to personal protection as well as the management of equipment and linen. To be familiar with the requirements of clinical research trials To undertake administrative work relating to the trials. To participate in the safe transfer of patients and equipment within the department and Hospital, using manual handling guidelines and risk assessment. To assess specific communication needs of individual patients To undertake departmental hand hygiene audit Regularly check stock levels and order as appropriate Explaining the undressing/dressing requirements to patients and where necessary assisting the patient Clinical - MRI To be fully aware of the potential hazards of working in an area of strong magnetic field and to be familiar with Trust local rules for MR safety pertaining to the assistant role. To ensure that all persons entering the scanner examination room have completed an MRI safety checklist and have removed all personal belongings, which might either be hazardous in strong magnetic field or might be damaged by it. To assess the patient safety checklist and identify potential hazards according to departmental protocol. To ensure that patients valuables are safely locked away. To be familiar with safety procedures (quench, fire, cardiac arrest) which are specific to the MR environment. To implement and supervise safe work practices of NHS staff and students in a hazardous environment. To anticipate where communication difficulties might make completion of the safety checklist impossible and to implement alternative methods to ensure that patient safety is maintained. To communicate effectively and empathetically with patients and their escorts prior to, during and after an examination. In particular, to be sensitive to patient anxiety regarding the claustrophobic nature of the MR scanner and to be able to help patients overcome their anxiety so that the examination can be performed. To reassure and stay in attendance with difficult To assess routine requests for imaging so that patient position and selection of appropriate surface coil is used to optimise image quality of the body part under examination. To defer to the radiographer for complex examinations. To prepare drugs/contrast media for intravenous and oral administration and to load automatic drug injection pump - following appropriate training To physically position the patient for a range of routine examinations, to ensure that image quality, patient comfort and patient safety are always maintained whilst taking into account patient limitations. To defer to the radiographer for complex examinations requiring adaptation of standard technique. To assist the radiographer in the positioning of patients for such clinical research trials. To cannulate patients in preparation for contrast MRI studies, and safely remove the cannula post examination Clinical _ Ultrasound As required assist the Sonographer in the organisation of the ultrasound session Assist Sonographers/Doctors in interventional work / injections as required Assist in the general maintenance and care of the ultrasound equipment Responsible for making sure the equipment is correctly cleaned before and after use. To assist the patient and sonographer in the ultrasound room in all aspects of patient care Technical Maintenance and care of the processing equipment. Quality control, basic fault finding, trouble shooting and reporting of faults. Administrative Clerical duties to include accurately registering the patient, updating patient records, bookings and all other associated CRIS / Booking Bug activities. Responsible for reception desk duties Dealing with telephone messages in an efficient manner To liaise with other departments/wards within the hospital and various external sources to provide a quality service to patients and clinicians. To liaise with patients to arrange urgent investigations addressing individual patient needs, according to department protocol. To arrange recall examinations according to departmental protocol, where discretion is required regarding what information should be presented to the patient To work closely with radiographic staff in the organisation of workload in line with clinical priorities. To book appointments evaluating patient needs, degree of urgency and length of time required deferring to radiographic staff as necessary. To monitor the appointment diaries and take action to maximise efficiency when booking patient appointments. To adapt and respond to patient needs. To attend Departmental meetings where needed.