Chest Reporting Radiographer

We are looking for a fully qualified and experienced band 7 chest reporting radiographer to join our growing team of reporting radiographers at WSFT. We currently support radiographer reporting across various specialties including MSK plain film, CT, MRI, Fluoroscopy and Nuclear Medicine. We are now looking to introduce plain film chest reporting to further complement this establishment. WSFT Radiographers are highly valued by our Radiologists who actively engage in educational and developmental activities to support a learning environment. The reporting radiographers contribute significantly towards our achievement of key performance indicators.

The WSFT Radiology department is proud to deliver a high-quality service which consistently receives excellent patient feedback. Our staff survey feedback shows that the department provides good wellbeing support in an environment which offers good CPD/staff development opportunities.

This is an exciting time to join WSFT with the opening of our new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in Newmarket in December 2024 which will see the addition of CT and MRI scanning on the site as well as the existing X-Ray and Ultrasound services delivered there. We are also continuing to plan for our new acute hospital expected to open in 2030.

The working hours will primarily be Monday to Friday 09:00 - 17:00. There is no requirement to participate in the out of hours rota.

Main duties of the job

Undertake chest x-ray reporting in line with departmental protocols. You will be expected to participate in the planning, organisation, leadership and management of the x-ray and chest reporting service.

1. Provide radiography for all inpatients, outpatients, General Practitioner and Accident and Emergency patients including mobile and theatre.
2. Maintain an interest in the profession and knowledge of new techniques and protocols, attending courses where necessary, in line with service demand. Continue a personal development plan with guidance from the appraisal system, updating knowledge in specialist area.
3. Participate in the training program in place for radiography students and on occasions other students, from school leavers to junior doctors. Assist and guide more junior and/or newly qualified Radiographer Reporting Practitioners. Provide regular lectures/training to enhance radiographers' learning for their CPD.
4. The post-holder will primarily be based at the West Suffolk Hospital site but reporting workstations will also be available at the Newmarket Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC).

About us

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community.

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and teamwork guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyone's voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical and Professional

1. Independently interpret chest radiographs to establish a diagnosis, influencing patient management and treatment for a comprehensive range of pathologies.
2. Utilise various communication methods to ensure that imaging results are effectively communicated to support timely patient management.
3. Manage own specialist workload effectively, often balancing multiple tasks and meeting conflicting deadlines.
4. Use advanced clinical judgement to enable independent decision-making.
5. Assume full responsibility and accountability for own professional actions.
6. Recommend alternative imaging, where appropriate, to facilitate a diagnosis in accordance with the patient's care pathway.
7. Discuss cases of suboptimal imaging with the appropriate radiographic staff, providing developmental feedback where required. Assist with problem-solving to maintain a high level of image quality within the department.
8. Collate studies for discussion at REALM and reporting radiographer meetings.
9. Work with reporting radiographer colleagues and Radiologists to contribute to the development of evidence-based practice and local protocols.
10. Accept referrals from other disciplines, adhering to Ionising Regulations (Medical Exposures) Regulation, IR(ME)R on justification of procedures and advise other disciplines on the safe use of ionising radiation.
11. Undertake a range of radiographic procedures unsupervised, applying adaptation of technique where required. Apply a variety of general radiographic skills in unusual general and trauma situations.
12. Organise own workload in liaison with other relevant staff members to ensure efficient and effective utilisation of the Radiographer reporting service.
13. Ensure high professional and technical standards are maintained at all times, advising more junior radiographers as may be required.
14. Ensure the safe and efficient use of X-Ray and associated equipment. Demonstrate an active role in daily maintenance and quality assurance checks.
15. Report equipment malfunctions and maintain comprehensive and accurate records of faults, ensuring that staff are kept up to date as to the working status of equipment.
16. Have a good fundamental understanding of IR(ME)R and IRR working closely with the Radiation Protection Supervisors to continuously evaluate and monitor systems and practices.
17. Function as a Practitioner and Operator under the IR(ME)R as required.
18. Oversee the day-to-day organisation of the radiographic services. Arrange inpatient transport, liaising with ward and departmental staff when required.
19. Ensure high professional and technical standards are maintained at all times, advising junior radiographers as required.
20. Take responsibility for the patient whilst under your care, maintaining dignity, physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs.
21. Record radiation dose information and pregnancy status (where appropriate) on the radiology electronic record.
22. Ensure requirements of radiation administration and protection are observed as identified in the department local rules, procedure protocols and guidelines and offer advice to other disciplines on the correct use of ionising radiation.
23. Be able to competently and confidently utilise a range of IT systems including the Trust Picture Archive Communication System (PACS) and Radiology Information System (RIS).
24. Participate in the A&E abnormal pattern recognition system, advising colleagues and carrying out additional imaging as appropriate.
25. Prioritise workload according to clinical urgency, taking into account any relevant targets e.g. 4-hour A&E target.
26. Be proficient in controlling violence and aggression and talk down skills for when working single-handed in department when on call, training can be provided if needed.
27. Manipulate complex, expensive instruments ensuring safe use of equipment.
28. Provide appropriate level of clinical supervision for radiography students in general imaging.
29. Ensure effective communication with all grades of staff, carers and patients.
30. Maintain up to date mandatory training as required.
31. Work in line with Trust and departmental policies and procedures, the SOR code of conduct and the HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics at all times.
32. Act in accordance with WSFT FIRST values at all times.

Leadership & Management

1. Take overall responsibility for the quality of work in that area, supporting colleagues and closely supervising those in training. Undertake the role of duty/senior radiographer as required.
2. Encourage cohesive working between different areas and imaging modalities, monitoring patient throughput, redistributing resources where necessary and promoting a collaborative approach to the delivery of imaging services.
3. Demonstrate a positive and professional approach at all times, acting as a role model for the department.
4. Attend and contribute to Radiology departmental meetings when required.
5. Ensure protocols and standard operating procedures relating to chest imaging, image quality and reporting pathways are implemented and kept up to date.
6. Lead the team in your area of work, coordinating patient flow, staff breaks and overseeing operational performance.
7. Undertake additional responsibilities as delegated by the Service Manager or Head of Radiography as and when required. Assume the role of deputy as required.

Teaching, Training & Education

1. Maintain own Continued Professional Development in line with HCPC requirements, particularly in relation to image reporting.
2. Participate in the clinical education of student radiographers, working closely with the student coordinators and supervisors, ensuring the clinical learning objectives are met.
3. Participate in the Trust's appraisal programme, for own personal development and to appraise junior radiographers.
4. Act as a mentor and support trainee reporting radiographers as required.
5. Carry out teaching for medical staff/junior Doctors as required to support the education of chest imaging and results interpretation.

Governance

1. Participate in the departments QSI process as required.
2. Record incidents and near misses on the Trust electronic incident reporting system.
3. Undertake regular peer-review audit to assess accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of reports.
4. Participate in wider audit projects to develop and enhance the service, particularly in relation to radiographer reporting and quality. Provide timely statistical data analysis in relation to radiographer reporting as required.
5. Attend reporting REALM meetings and feedback relevant discussions to departmental Radiographers.
6. Develop and manage risk assessments as required.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

• Recognised post-graduate qualification in chest x-ray reporting.
• Degree or equivalent in Diagnostic Radiography.
• Valid HCPC registration.

Desirable

• Previous demonstrable chest x-ray reporting experience within a busy, acute NHS Trust.

Experience and knowledge

Essential

• Substantial post-qualification experience in general radiography covering a broad range of examinations.
• Demonstrable experience in chest x-ray reporting. Able to report autonomously and confidently.
• A good understanding of the Quality Standard for Imaging (QSI).

Desirable

• Previous experience in audit and governance activities.
• Evidence of recent CPD activities relating to chest x-ray reporting.
• Previous experience of quality/accreditation process.

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Good leadership skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate with all grades of staff using a range of communication methods.
• Confident and assertive, but diplomatic and approachable.
• Able to work as part of a team and independently, managing own time and workload as well as that of others.
• Commitment to own personal development.
• Able to use own initiative.
• Able to work well under pressure.
• Confident to represent the department at meetings as required.

Desirable

• Good ability to deal with conflict and manage difficult situations.

Personal qualities

Essential

• Ambitious.
• Able to cope with stressful and emotional circumstances.
• Flexible approach to working hours and duties.
• Able to respond well to developmental feedback and apply reflection techniques to enhance performance.

Desirable

• Willingness and ability to travel to and work at other WSFT base sites if required.

Employer details

Employer name

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Suffolk Hospital
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

179-6863859-C