Portsmouth University Hospitals Trust has an annual turnover of £600m, providing comprehensive secondary care and specialist services to a local population of 675,000 people across South East Hampshire. We also offer some tertiary services to a wider catchment in excess of two million people. The Trust employs over 7200 staff and is the largest employer in Portsmouth.
The breast imaging team is hugely proud of the Trust; we have gained University status and have partnered with the Isle of Wight Trust, allowing us to strengthen our joint working in a planned way to better manage demand for services at both Trusts in the future.
The Breast Services Imaging Department based at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth is looking for an enthusiastic radiographer who holds a Post Graduate Award in Mammography or equivalent to join our team. Consideration would be given to a radiographer who wishes to train in mammography.
This is an exciting position giving a range of duties and responsibilities to the successful candidate. You will be able to fully utilise your key skills, strengths, and experiences, developing them further all within a great supportive team.
Main duties of the job
All breast screening sites are within a 30-minute drive radius of the Static Unit at Queen Alexandra Hospital. A driving licence and use of a car is essential for travel to these sites.
The standard working day is 7.5 hours between 08:00 and 17:00. There is a five-day working week in which Saturdays are included.
* To perform high-quality mammography as part of the NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP), in the Breast Imaging Department at QAH and on the Mobile Breast Screening Unit. Mammography will be performed under direct/indirect supervision (whilst training).
* To perform mammography of symptomatic and surveillance patients and moderate risk family history patients.
* To use professional discretion and experience to ensure that clinical practice is carried out correctly, professionally, and within the legal framework.
About us
Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.
Our patients come from all walks of life, and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical/Professional
* To produce high-quality mammography images with a minimum number of repeat images as an autonomous practitioner and as part of a multi-professional team, in a manner that meets professional, departmental, and legal standards and requirements. To regularly participate in documented image assessment.
* To adhere to the NHSBSP Guidance for Breast Screening Mammographers and participate in the BSP Quality Assurance programme.
* To act as an independent radiographic practitioner, meeting the standards set within the Health Professions Councils professional code of conduct.
* To use professional discretion and experience to ensure that clinical practice is carried out correctly, professionally, and within the legal framework.
* To attend mandatory clinical and academic update courses for radiographers.
* To maintain own level of competence and undertake continuing professional development through participation in internal and external development opportunities to maintain a portfolio of evidence in support of CPD undertaken.
* To attend staff and multidisciplinary meetings, working closely with all other disciplines involved in breast care.
* To be aware of and participate in all Quality Management System (QMS) within the Department and participate in QMS audit.
* To participate in any local research activities, assist in the collection and analysis of statistical data together with the production of reports for journals and posters/papers at conferences.
* To be able to use the departmental radiology information computer system to register patients, to check results and appointments. To have a working knowledge of the National Breast Screening Computer System (NBSS) to facilitate involvement in the planning and scheduling of clinics.
* To be able to accurately use PACS to a standard that allows advanced use and basic troubleshooting.
* To relate to all manner of patients and clients with understanding and care, respecting their privacy and dignity to provide a caring and confidential service.
* To work as part of a team of mammographers and to help other mammographers when possible.
* To supervise mammography trainees, assistant practitioners, mammography associates, and RDAs.
* To work as part of the departmental health care team and participate in Health promotion activities.
* To be responsible for the security and cleanliness of the Mobile and Static Units.
* To be competent in the use of all the mammography equipment and report all equipment faults to the superintendent radiographer / QA radiographer.
* To undertake the departmental and Trust induction programme.
* To adhere to all Trust policies including the Health and Safety Regulations, COSHH Regulations, and the Data Protection Act.
* To comply with all radiation protection policies such as IR(ME)R and the Code of Practice for the Protection of Persons against Ionising Radiations arising from Medical and Dental use.
* To observe all manual handling criteria when:
1. Moving patients from waiting areas into the x-ray rooms
2. Positioning patients into the correct mammography position
* To demonstrate flexibility over working hours and cover the extended working day.
* To undertake any further relevant duties as required when requested by the Band 6/7 Radiographer, Superintendent Radiographer or Radiology Manager.
* Any other duties which are commensurate with the post and development of the service.
Education and Research
* To assist with the practical training of trainee radiographer mammographers and Mammography Associate Practitioners.
* To undertake and participate in clinical audit and research and to act on the findings where possible.
* To treat as confidential, all patient information obtained in the course of this post.
Communication
* To communicate effectively and appropriately with all users of the service, across all age groups and abilities, observing confidentiality and information governance. This will include:
3. Patients, Carers & Relatives: to explain procedures, follow up procedures, radiation issues, appointments.
4. Radiologists: to discuss examination techniques, results and outcomes, appointments.
5. Other Health Care Professionals: to discuss breast imaging, diagnostic results procedure, radiation issues, appointments, service issues and problems.
6. Wards/Departments: on any issues involving patients on any issue affecting the provision of the breast imaging service.
Physical Effort & Working Conditions
* The post holder will:
7. Have frequent use of VDU equipment.
8. Have regular exposure to distressing or emotional situations e.g. discovering cancers.
9. Have frequent exposure to body fluids e.g. blood, urine etc and infection risks and occasional exposure to fleas/lice.
10. Have occasional exposure to intoxicated, aggressive or abusive patients and relatives.
11. Have daily exposure to unpredictable workload.
12. Be required to position and manoeuvre patients and equipment on a daily basis. In any clinical situation, patients/clients may be ambulant, in a wheelchair or have mobility problems. Movement of wheelchairs over short distances is required throughout the working period.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Degree or Diploma in Radiography (diagnostic or therapeutic)
* Hold a current HCPC registration for radiographer
* Post graduate award in Mammography
* Female
* Full driving license with business use insurance
* Use of a car
Experience
Essential
* Post-graduate experience
* Evidence or plans for CPD
Desirable
* Extended clinical role or management training
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
* High levels of concentration required
* Demonstrate coordination and sensory skills required for precise positioning of patients with narrow margin for error
* Speed and accuracy
* Understanding of current Ionising Radiation Regulations (2017) and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposures) Regulations (2017)
* Demonstrate specialised keyboard skills for image manipulation
* Professional appearance
* Enthusiastic, positive and caring attitude
* Self-motivated
* Able to use initiative
* Flexible, punctual and reliable
* Able to handle stressful situations
* Confident manner
* Cheerful disposition
* Good communication skills
* Ability to stand for long periods of time and have the ability to bend
Employer details
Employer name
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Address
Queen Alexandra Hospital
Southwick Hill Road
Cosham
Portsmouth
PO6 3LY
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