Radiographer (Cardiac MRI) (XR07) inLeeds inLeeds PUBLISHED MON 4 NOV 2024

Cardio-Respiratory are looking for a highly motivated and skilled Band 7 Radiographer to join our team of #ExceptionalPeople who provide #ExcellentCare and to work in one of the UKs leading BSCMR accredited centres for Cardiac MRI excellence with a world-leading reputation for its high impact research, clinical service and educational training.

All aspects of Cardiac MRI experience is preferred, however full training will be provided to the successful post holder.

For further information or to arrange an informal site visit please contact: David Shelley -

Cardiac MRI Service Manager

The successful applicant will provide support to both clinical NHS and research scanning. This integration between the two services offers an excellent opportunity to broaden your current skill base and develop your specialist skills all whilst contributing to research and innovation. The successful applicant will have excellent communication skills, have a patient centred approach and be ready to learn and expand their knowledge. Whilst experience in Cardiac MRI would be beneficial to the post, the successful applicant will receive the relevant training on Philips and Siemens scanners to ensure they are highly proficient in all aspects of Cardiac MRI.

As a department, continual professional development of our staff is our main priority with many available in-house training opportunities including sub-specialisation in paediatric MRI and involvement in research.

This is a part time post of 14.5 hours per week, the working schedule will be discussed in the interview.

About us

Principal Duties & Areas of Responsibility

Clinical Responsibilities

To act as Operator, Practitioner and, where necessary, Referrer within their own scope of practice, by clinically justifying examinations as defined in IR(ME)R 2and local protocols.

To be able to justify imaging request cards in accordance with IR(ME)R 2Section 6 Paragraph 5 and, in the absence of a Radiologist advise referring clinicians of the most appropriate investigation.

To collaborate with cardiologists and Lead CMRI Radiologists in the planning and evaluation of imaging protocols for patient examinations, in addition develop new protocols and techniques in line with technical advances in area of speciality and to ensure all staff within the department are trained accordingly.

To match the clinical indications presented by the referrer to a departmental protocol with the freedom to modify protocols where appropriate to optimise diagnostic information in view of clinical indications, imaging findings or patient condition.

To work as an autonomous practitioner using specialised skills to ensure optimum quality using lowest possible radiation doses where appropriate.

To have a high degree of professional/personal autonomy with the ability to make clinical judgements/decisions using knowledge, skills and experience with freedom/discretion to act independently.

To recognise and act upon unexpected critical findings on imaging in the absence of a radiologist, e.g. patients requiring acute admission or referral to specialist outpatient clinics.

To provide, receive and conclude highly sensitive and complex information.

To participate in clinical research projects relevant to the speciality.

Dependant on the area of speciality, the post holder will be able to perform roles previously undertaken by radiologists e.g interpret images/data to provide provisional and /or authorised reports, and / or undertake interventional procedures, e.g. biopsies / line insertions.

To ensure that infection control procedures and observation of sterile fields are utilised when necessary, paying particular attention to the protection of clients, staff and equipment during handling of pathological specimens if required.

To administer the appropriate drugs, radiopharmaceuticals, contrast agents by the correct method within their scope of work as authorised by the Trust.

To be aware of any contraindications to the above substances and the appropriate actions to take.

To assess and evaluate special needs of individual patients and tailor positioning and procedures to their clinical needs, which involve overcoming barriers to understanding.

To anticipate where patient communication difficulties might make completion of the pre examination checklist impossible and to implement alternative methods to ensure patient safety is maintained at all time.

To communicate effectively and empathetically with patients, in particularly be sensitive to patients anxieties.

To provide a safe environment for patients within their clinical area using safe handling guidelines and risk assessment procedures.

To act as point of advice and guidance for patient enquires regarding their referral and act as patient advocate.

To act as a point of advice for patient enquires regarding their referral / appointment, for and Liaison Service (PALS), Interpretation Services and hospital Transport.

Liaise with teams which are external to radiology, e.g. ward, clinics, hotel services and facilities.

To be aware of National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines appropriate to their speciality and be able to use this knowledge to steer patients through all issues relating to hospital attendance, e.g. radiation protection issues, Patient Advice the heath care pathway.

Operational Responsibilities

Take a leading role in the development and implementation of work policies and protocols within the specialist area.

To participate in the production of complex staffing rosters and workload.

Plan and prioritise workload including liaison with other disciplines.

To be responsible for setting and maintaining the standards for the radiographic service and ensuring junior staff comply with departmental and professional standards of practice.

To supervise imaging Quality Assurance tests, analyse and evaluate results and liaise with physicists and equipment engineers.

To encourage and develop all radiography staff by being responsible for monitoring their performance and implementing training and development programmes.

To be able to use expert knowledge and clinical judgement to determine the alteration of an examination from the departmental protocols without consultation with Cardiologists.

Delivery of service on a day to day basis, deputising for the Lead CMRI Lead Service manager when necessary.

Liaise with other departments and colleagues to ensure smooth and efficient service delivery and patient care.

To participate in the safe transfer of patients and equipment within the department and hospital using trust manual handling guidelines and risk assessments.

Collect, collate and analyse workload or other statistics required for departmental purposes or for service review.

To devise, implement and feedback on audit projects and promote evidenced based practice in order to develop and maintain a high quality patient focussed service.

Managerial Responsibilities

As delegated by the Lead CMRI Radiologists, undertake staff performance development reviews, and participate in the professional development process, including the production of individual personal development plans, that link to the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF).

Provide guidance and support to all grades of staff.

To establish, monitor and maintain effective working relationships with staff from other disciplines in order to further the aims of radiology.

Support the superintendent in the day to day organisation and supervision of staff and equipment, taking into account workload and skill mix across the department.

Deploy resources effectively and efficiently to provide a high quality service to the patient.

To identify, record and prioritise faults on imaging equipment, reporting them to the appropriate authority, e.g. the equipment manufacturer. In addition take in to account the effect on the service to the patient and re-arrange the work lists accordingly to ensure minimum inconvenience to the patient.

To critically evaluate new equipment and accessories prior to procurement as delegated by the superintendent radiographer.

Assist in the recruitment and selection of new staff as delegated by the superintendent Radiographer.

To undertake first line complaint handling, dealing with radiographic problems in the absence of the Superintendent Radiographer.

To be aware of targets / co-ordination and escalation policies in use within the department / Trust.

Education, Training, Research and Development.

To facilitate the education of other health professionals and possibly the general public, in health promotional activities and the uses of the different forms of radiological imaging modalities.

Take a lead role in training within the specialist field.

Collaborate with education providers in the co-ordination and delivery of clinical training for student CMRI radiographers, CMRI graduate radiographers and post graduate radiographers from within and external to the trust.

The post holder may be required to organise, lecture or act as external examiner for undergraduate and / or post graduate courses both at LTH or outside. E.g. Universities.

Provide written assessments of junior staff in accordance with each academic institutions requirements.

Keep abreast of current literature and opinion in order to maintain best practice in accordance with clinical governance principles.

The post holder will undertake all mandatory training required of the role.

Maintenance of expert knowledge in their specialised field by continuing professional development in accordance with the Health Professions council.

To assist in the development of CMRI Radiographer extended role initiatives and participate in the development of the CMRI Radiographer Assistant / Assistant Practitioner programme.

To assist in the training of junior medical staff, particularly with regard to the technical and / practical aspects of specialised examinations.

To provide safety training in specialist areas for staff both within and external to Radiology, e.g. ICU staff.

In conjunction with superintendent radiographer evaluate on-going clinical competence of radiographic staff as required.

To formulate and review a comprehensive induction / training programme for all staff new to the specialist area.

To be aware of innovations in techniques, equipment and applications in the field of radiography.

Other Duties

Information and Record Keeping

Ensure written and electronic records are maintained accurately and timely for self and others.

Be responsible for the integrity of data on the image related computer data bases held by the department.

Use PC to provide departmental documents, procedures and images for training purposes.

Contribute to the departmental web site.

Be fully competent in the operation of the Trust Radiology Information System.

Participate in audit projects, including gathering evidence for best practice assessment, either of own work, or that of the department or others.

The jobholder must respect patient confidentiality at all times adhering to the Data Protection Act.