Job summary
We are looking to recruit committed, patient focused Senior Therapeutic Radiographers (band 6) to comeand join our friendly team here at the Worcester Oncology Centre.
As a senior radiographer you will rotating though both the treatment and pre treatment areas - working with and deputizing for the team leader on set or advanced practitioners in the pre-treatmentarea.
We are based in anew bespoke purpose built building on the Worcestershire Royal Hospital site,with beautiful views of the Malvern Hills and the Cotswolds. Worcester is athriving city on the banks of the River Severn, close to areas of outstandingnatural beauty. We have close links to the M5. Birmingham, Cheltenham andBristol are all within easy reach.
We are a smallfriendly team of approximately 35 radiographers. We have 3 Elekta Linacs 2 ofwhich are capable of 4DXVI as well as a superficial unit and a Cannon wide boreCT scanner. We are paper light utilizing Mosaiq which is currently shared withUniversity Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire and our own Raystation planningsystem
We strive to ensure that allpatients are treated in a supportive and calming environment. As a result, weoffer excellent facilities for patients including Radiographer led clinics aswell as site specialist radiographers.
We provide placements forundergraduate students from Birmingham City University and have started tointroduce apprenticeships through Sheffield Hallam University.
Main duties of the job
You will be an experienced practitioner rotating through the Radiotherapy Department providingclinical technical services using a range of highly specialist RadiotherapyTreatment and planning equipment.
Thepost holder will work with and deputise for the treatment Team Leaders (band 7)in managing the caseload, staff and equipment of their designated unitmaintaining associated records and delivering evidence based, patient centredcare.
Thedepartment provides clinical placements for student Radiographers and the postholder will be expected to participate fully in the supervision, training andassessing of students.
About us
Our purpose is simple - Putting Patients First. We are looking for exceptional colleagues who can help us achieve this.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.
The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester
Our workforce is over 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision - working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities, leading and supporting our teams to move 4ward. Our 4ward behaviours, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.
Our objectives are simple:
1. Best services for local people
2. Best experience of care and best outcomes for our patients
3. Best use of resources
4. Best people
Better never stops, and our Clinical Services Strategy provides a clear future vision for our Trust, our hospitals, our services and our role in the wider health and care system.
We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KeyDuties
Clinical/Technical
Takeresponsibility for the correct interpretation, application and delivery ofroutine and complex Radiotherapy treatment prescriptions using advancedclinical skills
Ensurethat highly specialist Radiotherapy equipment is used safely and accuratelywithin the tolerances defined for the technique/ procedure and in accordancewith manufacturers guidance and departmental protocols.
Undertake verification processesevaluating the accuracy of treatment using portal imaging or CBCT, ensuringthat results are systematically analysed to maintain treatment accuracy.
Clinicallyjustify any deviation from department protocols or predetermined toleranceskeeping appropriate records and calling on other members of themultidisciplinary team for further advice / action as necessary.
Ensure that in-vivo dosimetrymeasurements are undertaken for patients receiving external beam treatment andact on measurements that are out of tolerance.
Undertaketreatment localisation and verification using CT scanner and virtual simulatoracquiring appropriate images and ensuring that all setup information is recordedaccurately and unambiguously, including undertaking cannulation and IV contrastadministration.
Identifyand undertake appropriate pre-treatmentprocesses including:
o Patient scheduling
o Production of vsimtreatment plans
o Input and checking oftreatment critical data using the patient management system (Mosaiq)
o Transfer of images
o Electronic checking ofcomplex treatment prescriptions
o Collation of alltreatment accessories and requirements prior to the patients first visit
Evaluateresults of these processes and take appropriate action in line withdepartmental procedures.
Liaisewith other members of the multidisciplinary team to coordinate treatmentrelated processes to ensure a seamless pathway for the patient. This willinclude:
o Arranging themanufacture of immobilisation devices, lead masks and other treatmentaccessories
o Scheduling of patientsto comply with Chemotherapy / Radiotherapy clinical trials
o Transport arrangements
o On treatment reviewsand follow up appointments
UndertakeOut of Hours and On-Call duties to support full service delivery.
Patient care
Providewritten and verbal information to patients and carers on all aspects ofRadiotherapy treatment and its associated side effects and reactions ensuringthat explanations are appropriate to the patients comprehension and level ofunderstanding
Planand implement an appropriate supportive care package for patients liaising withother departments, professionals and agencies to optimise support before duringand after treatment
Educate,motivate and reassure patients to ensure compliance with treatment regimensassessing the patients physical and emotional state on a daily basis to ensurethat it is appropriate to proceed with treatment
Management
Supervise,train and assess less experienced staff and students in the workplace, settinghigh standards and enabling them to develop their professional skills
Deputisefor the Team Leaders in all technical aspects of work within the treatmentroom, in the day to day management of the treatment unit (including managementof junior staff and students) and its workload / appointments
ProfessionalDevelopment
Undertaketraining / updates required to operate all equipment safely, effectively and tomaximise its therapeutic / diagnostic potential
Participatein Continuing Professional Development activities including Trust Mandatorytraining, sharing knowledge and cascade training where appropriate
Beinvolved research and development within the department as requiredfacilitating the implementation of evidence based practice
Quality Assurance
Ensurethat all diagnostic and therapeutic equipment is used according tomanufacturers guidelines and departmental policies seeking advice fromappropriate
Contributeto the development, implementation and audit of radiotherapy quality proceduresand work instructions
Befamiliar with quality assurance tests for designated equipment, performing thetests as required to assess the units fitness for clinical use, reporting anydeviations or faults in line with departmental protocols
Reportall Clinical incidents in line with departmental policy
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
5. Post qualification experience using current Radiotherapy equipment and verification systems
Desirable
6. Acting up experience at band 6 level
7. Previous experience / training on Elekta Linacs or Mosaiq
Qualifications
Essential
8. BSc (Hons) or equivalent in therapeutic radiography
9. International Candidates:- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of with no element below or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet based test (NOT sat in UK) score of 110/120 as per HCPC
Desirable
10. Post graduate education in a related subject
11. Leadership training (such as ILM or Edward Jenner)
12. Cannulation and IV contrast qualification (preferably with SOR accreditation)
13. Mentor / assessor training
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
14. Knowledge of a wide range of Radiotherapy techniques and associated requirements for patient care
15. Awareness of IR(ME)R regulations and their implication for Radiotherapy practice
16. Able to communicate complex or sensitive information in a manner which aids understanding and compliance
17. Able to work under pressure
18. Good organiser able to prioritise tasks for self and others
19. Able to motivate and enable junior staff to work to their full potential
20. Undertaken CPD and uses learning to improve practice
Desirable
21. Knowledge of new developments in Radiotherapy treatment
Personal Qualities
Essential
22. Caring and empathetic
23. Works well as part of a team
24. Inspires confidence in patients and colleagues