Senior MRI Research Radiographer (XR07)

Join our dynamic team at the state-of-the-art BRC Imaging Centre, a dedicated research facility supporting musculoskeletal research as well as wider BRC themes and external research communities. This role offers the opportunity to work with cutting-edge MRI technology and contribute to both clinical and research advancements.

The post holder will be an integral part of and support the NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) MSK Imaging research team in the delivery of the MR research scanning service. The service is routinely delivered weekdays between the hours of 8.30am to 5.30pm. The exact work pattern for this part-time role (0.6-0.8WTE) will be agreed with the appointee. On occasion, the research service may be required outside these hours, and the post holder must be flexible. The service is provided by one 3 Tesla scanner. The post-holder will gain experience in all aspects of clinical research, including study design, data collection, data analysis and publication working with the BRC researchers on MR biomarker development and application.

This post is hands-on as well as analytical and will demand patient contact as well as good organisational, management and computer skills. An understanding of research governance and the ethical implications and requirements of doing clinical research is essential.

Expected Shortlisting Date: 20/01/2025

Planned Interview Date: 04/02/2025

Main duties of the job

As a key member of a multidisciplinary team, you'll work closely with researchers, radiologists, and healthcare professionals. This role requires leadership, technical expertise, and a commitment to patient care and research excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Imaging & Patient Care: Perform high-quality clinical and research MRI scans, ensuring patient safety, comfort, and care throughout. Adapt protocols to suit patient needs and clinical indications, supporting patients with anxiety, claustrophobia, or complex needs.
2. Research Support: Assist in the delivery of BRC and clinical trial projects, contributing to study design, data collection, and protocol development. Support data logging, ethics compliance, and capacity reviews.
3. Operational Leadership: Co-supervise radiographic assistant(s), manage daily workflows, and ensure effective communication with research bodies, clinicians, and sponsors. Maintain imaging schedules, troubleshoot equipment issues, and contribute to capacity planning.
4. Safety & Compliance: Maintain strict adherence to MR safety guidelines (MHRA 2021), COSHH, and infection control standards. Support the education and training of staff on MR safety protocols.
5. Professional Development: Uphold technical excellence in MRI physics. Lead by example, support team development, and engage in ongoing learning to enhance skills and support service.

About us

The Leeds NIHR BRC is a £21.76M infrastructure award to the Trust in partnership with the Universities of Leeds and York. The Leeds BRC has been funded to address the urgent clinical challenges of an ageing population and the reality that patients do not live with just one disease but multiple conditions. The BRC 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.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Job responsibilities

Clinical Duties

1. MRI Scanning: Perform high-quality MRI scans for both research and clinical purposes, following protocols to ensure patient safety and image quality.
2. Patient Care: Provide compassionate support to patients, particularly those with anxiety or claustrophobia, using effective communication strategies to reduce anxiety and ensure compliance with safety protocols.
3. Patient Safety: Enforce MRI safety guidelines, ensuring all persons entering the scan area complete safety checks and remove personal items.
4. Emergency Procedures: Act during emergencies (e.g., quench, fire, cardiac arrest) according to MR safety procedures.
5. Hygiene & Infection Control: Ensure the scanning environment meets infection control standards, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene at all times.

Research & Development

1. Research Support: Assist with the delivery of research projects from study design to completion, including research studies for the Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and clinical trials.
2. Data Management: Collect, store, and manage research data, ensuring compliance with ethical and governance policies.
3. Audit & Reporting: Participate in the review of research outcomes, presenting findings at departmental seminars.
4. Study Design: Support protocol development and capacity planning for BRC studies, providing technical input and recommendations.
5. Research Compliance: Adhere to NHS, NIHR, Trust, and university research governance requirements, ensuring compliance in all research-related activities.

Operational & Administrative Responsibilities

1. Equipment Management: Maintain MRI equipment, troubleshoot issues, and arrange for repairs as needed. Conduct regular testing and quality checks to ensure consistent performance.
2. Risk Management: Identify and report clinical, non-clinical, and equipment-related incidents using Trust protocols.
3. Data Integrity: Ensure accurate, timely input of patient information and results into information systems, ensuring statutory requirements for record-keeping are met.
4. Security & Confidentiality: Ensure the secure handling of patient data, complying with confidentiality and information governance policies.

Leadership & Training

1. Staff Supervision: Support and guide radiographic assistant(s), ensuring they follow best practices and safety protocols.
2. Training & Education: Educate team members, staff, and visitors on MRI safety, fostering a culture of learning and safety awareness.
3. Professional Development: Engage in Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
4. Advanced MRI Expertise: Good understanding of MRI physics, safety protocols, anatomy, and pathology relevant to imaging.
5. Technical Proficiency: Ability to operate, troubleshoot, and maintain MRI scanning equipment and software.
6. Patient-Centered Care: Effective communication and empathy to support patients, especially those with claustrophobia, disabilities, or mental health challenges.
7. Problem-Solving: Ability to recognize and resolve image quality issues, adapting protocols as required.
8. Safety Awareness: In-depth knowledge of MR hazards, including magnetic field and bio-effects, and familiarity with MHRA (2021) guidelines.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

1. Physical Effort: Regular handling and movement of equipment up to 8 kg and repositioning of patients for optimal image capture.
2. Mental Effort: Sustained concentration is required during MRI scanning, with sessions lasting up to six hours.
3. Emotional Effort: Regular exposure to patients with severe health conditions and potential verbal aggression.
4. Work Environment: Daily exposure to strong magnetic fields, bodily fluids, and radiofrequency radiation.

Team Structure & Key Relationships

The MRI Research Radiographer will be an integral member of the BRC MSK Imaging Facility, working closely with:

• Management: BRC Director of Operations, MRI Lead, Operations Manager & Business Manager.
• Collaborative Teams: BRC researchers, radiologists, rheumatologists, MR physicists, and administrative support staff.
• External Stakeholders: Liaise with universities (Leeds, York), grant providers (NIHR), and pharmaceutical companies involved in research projects.

The role has clinical oversight from the BRC MRI Lead/Consultant Radiologist and operational oversight from the BRC Operations Manager.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Research: Participate in cutting-edge research and clinical trials, influencing healthcare advancements.
• Collaborative Environment: Work with a dedicated, multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals and researchers.

If you're a motivated radiographer passionate about research, patient care, and technical excellence, this role offers the chance to make a significant impact on healthcare.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Diploma of the College of Radiographers, BSc in Radiography, or equivalent.
• HCPC registration as a radiographer.
• MSc in medical imaging/MRI.

Additional Requirements

• Be able to operate manual handling aids as provided by the Department including patient slide boards, sheets, hoists and trolleys.
• Be able to move and position a full range of MRI equipment including surface coils and detachable patient couch.

Skills & Behaviours

• Evidence of multidisciplinary team working.

Experience

• Specialist MRI training and experience to Masters or level equivalent.
• Experience in first-line supervision or management.
• Understanding of MRHA guidelines for MRI, Health & Safety, COSHH & other relevant regulations governing radiographic clinical practice.
• Evidence of sound knowledge of clinical practice.

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.