Role description
Job summary
The Nuclear Medicine Physics service at the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board currently operates at the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) site. We currently provide a busy DXA , non-imaging and therapy nuclear medicine service. We also provide support to the sub-region on a daily basis. We are a friendly team of 17 with plans to expand the service over the next few years.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic Clinical Technologist or Radiographer at Band 5 to join our supportive and collaborative team. The successful candidate will contribute to areas including clinical, technical and quality assurance.
THIS POST IS FIXED TERM FOR 6 MONTHS
Main duties of the job
Undertake and deliver imaging, non-imaging and therapy services for all types of patients and in the course of their duties.
Provide patient support, counselling and welfare of patients, including ensuring the correct patient preparation and preparation compliance ahead of complex examinations.
Work independently within their scope of practice using a range of highly specialised patient nuclear medicine equipment. They will learn to differentiate between technical and clinical problems and to liaise with suitably qualified colleagues as required.
Deal routinely with patients and their relatives, requiring tact and sensitivity. Patients include paediatric and geriatric, who may be physically or mentally impaired, and all will need dealing with in an empathetic manner, in order to gain the greatest cooperation during highly complex examinations
Work with and handling hazardous substances such as unsealed radioactive sources, blood, and other body fluids, and frequently manoeuvring heavy equipment.
Will deliver excellent patient care while they are in the department this will involve manual handling, often of ill patients, some of which may be being barrier nursed, requiring the implementation of infection control procedures. The post holder will be required to concentrate on a frequent basis.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
About us
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 17,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving over 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone, delivering excellent care and support.
Our mission is "Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together", and our vision is that every person's chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. Our 10-year transformation and improvement strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, is our chance to work collaboratively with the public and our workforce to make our health board more sustainable for the future.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will assess and prioritise their own workload, rearranging appointments and scanning schedules with the guidance of senior staff and in the course of their duties;
Communicate complex (clinical and technical) information to patients, colleagues, medical consultants and junior staff, and gain their cooperation.
Recognise and deal with any emergencies arising with equipment or patient health.
Provide verification for other members of the team and to disseminate information about nuclear medicine equipment, scanning routines and precautions to help train other members of staff.
Develop relationships with nursing staff, doctors and other departments to improve or maintain high standards of service to patients.
Promote safety in all aspects of the working environment where radioactive isotopes are used and to disseminate that information to patients and staff.
Work with full autonomy within or outside the health board when required and make any decisions within the scope of their competence.
Participate in any directorate quality system and assist in the production of quality system documents.
To participate in any management systems including facilitating equipment services, quality checks and moves as required.
Work in other areas of nuclear medicine as required.
Assist in the management of private and trial patients producing accurate records and sharing information with senior staff as needed.
Engage in teamwork providing support to colleagues, line manager and other members of staff whenever needed and contributing to a positive and supporting working environment.
Clinical and Technical
Be the IR(ME)R recognised operator for working in an environment with unsealed radioactive sources and X-rays.
Draw-up and check radiopharmaceutical doses to a high level of precision and accuracy for administration to patients, and record administered doses on related databases.
Carry out routine quality measurements on highly specialised nuclear medicine equipment, bringing any anomalies to the attention of senior staff.
Complete daily workload and adjust each complex activity according to individual medical needs.
Competence in performing independently all diagnostic procedures produced in the department to high standards of diagnostic information as required by referring clinicians.
Perform bone density scans using a variety of DXA scanners and techniques
Use PACS and the radiology information system to input information as well as validate information provided on referral form.
Perform complex therapy, imaging and non-imaging procedures under supervision until competence has been attained.
Follow appropriate training in the administration of unsealed radioactive dose in the manner dictated by the test either orally or intravenously.
To administer any drugs necessary for the test as approved and verified by an ARSAC licence holder or authorised through delegated authorisation.
Take responsibility for the safety of patients undergoing nuclear medicine and DXA procedures whilst in their care.
Carry out routine environmental contamination monitoring and decontaminate in accordance with departmental procedures.
Assist in recording acquired data and results and archive to CD/DVD and PACS, as required.
Reporting faults and liaise with service engineers/ Radiation Protection Service to ensure optimum equipment efficiency, as required
Management of radioactive waste in accordance with departmental procedures.
Policy and Service Developments and Implementation
Follow policies for nuclear medicine and DXA working areas and propose changes to working practices.
Provide assistance with the development of changes in any directorate quality systems that will have specific impact particularly in their own area but also generally within nuclear medicine.
Assist the manager of any directorate quality system in developing and implementing new policies and procedures.
Teaching and Training
Assist in the training of junior staff and students as required. Participate fully in the professional CPD programme by attending all necessary training courses and other relevant associated courses, conferences and seminars. Disseminate information and knowledge acquired in attended conferences and seminars by presenting at full staff and specific team meetings.
Participate in all mandatory training as required by Health Board policies.
Participate in all training strategies required by the line manager.
Research and Development
Participate in programs of research and development as appropriate to the clinical needs of the trust.
Participate in the production of audits as appropriate to the clinical needs of the department and to incorporate the results of those audits into clinical practice as required by the line manager.
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent expertise within the area of specialism
Essential and Desirable
Essential
- Competent in the use of databases, spreadsheets and word processing
- Ability to deal sympathetically with patients and their relatives
- Understanding of relevant legislation including IRR, IR(ME)R, ARSAC, ADR/CDG & NRW guidance
Desirable
- Radioactive waste management
- Performing nuclear medicine and bone densitometry investigations on patients
- Extensive experience in cannulation and intravenous administration of radiopharmaceuticals; practices safe disposal of sharps
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
Employer details
Employer name
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Address
University Hospital of Wales
Heath Park
Cardiff
CF14 4XW
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/
