Senior Radiographer - Cath Lab, 11 Month FTC - UPMC Whitfield Hospital, Waterford
Location: UPMC Whitfield Hospital. Job type: Fixed Term.
Overview of role
The Radiology Department provides a service to both Inpatients and Outpatients. It includes General Radiography, Theatre Imaging, Ultrasound, CathLab, PET CT, MRI, CT and DEXA services. The holder of this post will work as a member of the Radiology Department and multi‑disciplinary teams, providing a high‑quality Radiology service to patients in accordance with professional standards of practice. The post holder will lead, guide, and supervise radiographic and other staff to assist the CSR in the management of the General Xray and Fluoro Imaging service including theatre (+/- CathLab, if applicable) imaging. The senior diagnostic radiographer should have strong leadership qualities, as well as management skills and core professional competence, including autonomous practice, in the clinical setting. They must be able to manage in a rapidly changing environment and be willing to undertake such additional duties within the Radiology Department, as may be assigned from time to time. The successful candidate must have a high capacity for responsibility and individual initiative.
The senior diagnostic radiographer must have a comprehensive and detailed knowledge of diagnostic radiography, and an awareness of the roles, abilities, and limitations of all members of the multi‑disciplinary team. Each Modality has a set of key performance indicators to improve quality, drive performance, and ensure efficiency to deliver: higher quality service, more consistent standards of care, more consistent access to care, stronger leadership.
Working week: 35 hours plus on‑call. Contract type: 11‑month Fixed Term Contract.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical
Recognise the need for effective self‑management of both workload and resources and adapt practice accordingly.
Engage in leadership to create and promote healthy working relationships. Provide strategic and clinical leadership resulting in the delivery of an effective, efficient, quality‑assured and patient‑centred service.
Deputise for the CSR during absenteeism.
Carry out general and highly complex radiographic procedures ensuring high professional standards of work while abiding by strict current legislation.
Engage with consultants and develop individual specialised view protocols to meet their needs for patient management and surgical decision making. Continuously update the Department handbook in line with agreed changes in practice.
Organise, plan and prioritise workload according to clinical need.
Implement changes in practice based on critical evaluation of evidence‑based practice.
Influence change of practice of others in this regard.
Advise on patient schedule and waiting lists, assist the CSR to build booking grids to ensure optimum usage of Department facilities.
Contribute to the development and implementation of operational policies, protocols, and guidelines to ensure optimum utilisation of resources and systematic audit of such usage.
Lead in the performance of clinical audit in accordance with SI 256 of 2018 and SI 30 2019.
Demonstrate leadership skills in adapting techniques and equipment for imaging of compromised patients.
Be responsible for the justification and optimisation of radiographic examinations as a practitioner.
Demonstrate the ability to schedule the workflow in both the general and specialist areas.
Manage technology: troubleshooting; risk management of equipment; audit of equipment.
Maintain accurate information systems for clinical data in accordance with hospital standards.
Report all operational issues to CSR and/or Radiography Services Manager.
Manage use of consumables efficiently.
Assess patient’s suitability for IV injections by checking renal function and any contraindications.
Implement a continuous learning programme for all staff to keep up to date on new techniques and best practice in line with ALARA principles and adhering to statutory instruments (SI 256 & SI 30).
Supervise and teach recently qualified radiographers/assistants/students and master’s level postgraduate students.
Make decisions based on radiographs that may change the patient’s pathway and bring identified abnormalities to the attention of the referring clinician or radiologist.
Advise and deliver presentations on current European and Irish legislation and guidelines about radiation protection, health & safety, and patient safety.
Dispense and administer IV injection as per Departmental policy where required (rotational post for suitably trained staff).
Ensure all patients who suffer a contrast reaction or any other illness during or after an imaging incident are correctly cared for and followed up in line with Hospital Policy.
Maintain patient confidentiality and ensure all staff uphold this principle.
Ensure due regard is given to the customs, values and spiritual beliefs of all patients and staff.
Monitor and ensure stock levels are maintained in the immediate work area.
Liaise with the CSR / Radiographic Service Manager on the rotation of staff through the Department to ensure an adequate number of trained staff are available.
Lead and be an active member of both a radiographic and multidisciplinary team, fostering good working relationships within the diagnostic imaging department and the wider hospital network.
Ensure all staff perform manual handling tasks, including patient movement, in accordance with Hospital Policy and Training.
Ensure radiation safety principles (justification, optimisation, dose constraints) are adhered to and familiarity with SI 256 and SI 30.
Demonstrate flexibility in possible changes to work patterns, e.g., extending working hours to accommodate patient volume increases.
Participate in the Departmental on‑call rota with access to own transport.
Quality & Audit
Be involved in the set‑up, maintaining and reviewing QA programmes.
Participate in weekly huddle to address department achievements and issues, outline ongoing audits, encourage staff engagement for quality improvement processes.
Encourage staff to engage in team learning, communications and updates through Teams.
Share all communications and policy updates via a read‑and‑sign process on Teams.
Maintain up‑to‑date Teams folders to ensure latest document‑controlled versions are live.
Encourage staff to report all incidents, including learning opportunities, through Viclarity.
Maintain accurate information systems for clinical data in accordance with hospital standards.
Assist with record keeping of equipment service, maintenance, malfunction, downtime, and performance, coordinating preventive maintenance schedules.
Support the CSR and Radiographic Service Manager in the implementation of initiatives for ongoing service development and improvement.
Liaise with senior staff on staff rotation to ensure adequate trained staff numbers.
Investigate and take appropriate action regarding complaints, accidents, and incidents.
Ensure all hospital policies and relevant legislation on radiographic imaging safety are understood and complied with.
Ensure the General Xray Department and Theatre Imaging units operate per operational policy.
Ensure safety questionnaires are completed and uploaded to the Radiology IT System as per Department policy.
Ensure all hospital policies on infection control, health and safety are understood and routinely complied with.
Participate in implementation and maintain a QA programme, providing regular updates on completed and incomplete tasks to the CSR.
Implement and update equipment inspection records for minor and major faults.
Be able to troubleshoot all imaging and electronic patient systems within the diagnostic imaging department.
Health & Safety
Assist with the implementation and maintenance of a quality assurance programme for the Department.
Regularly liaise with the physicist on safety issues and other operational issues as appropriate.
Promote and maintain a safe environment for staff and patients.
Maintain working knowledge of HIQA Standards as they apply to the role (e.g., Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for Prevention and Control of Healthcare‑Associated Infections, Hygiene standards).
Assist in the development of a checklist for all staff to complete in the event of system breakdown and power outages.
Ensure hospital policy on hygiene standards is understood and compliance monitored.
Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low‑carbon, efficient health service.
Be aware of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for routinely performed radiographic examinations and compare with national and local DRLs.
Professional/Education
Develop a personal development plan (PDP) and professional portfolio.
Critically self‑evaluate and conduct evidence‑based research, participating in research studies.
Apply learning outcomes in the clinical setting.
Maintain, enhance and develop knowledge, skills and aptitudes needed to respond to changing clinical profile of patients, hospital/service developments and legal requirements such as licensing.
Participate and deliver CPD.
Provide peer support when necessary.
Engage in performance review with manager.
Participate in staff engagement and performance reviews.
Demonstrate resilience, composure, flexibility, openness to change and commitment to continuing professional development.
Demonstrate ability to manage and develop self and others in a busy working environment.
Effectively evaluate information and make appropriate decisions.
Act autonomously within agreed guidelines.
Qualifications & Experience
Degree in Radiography or Diploma of the College of Radiographers.
Registered in the Radiographers’ Division by the Radiographers Registration Board maintained at CORU.
Not less than 3 years full‑time post‑qualification clinical experience.
Recognised postgraduate course as recognised by the IIRRT (desirable) or relevant clinical experience in a specialised Modality.
Salary: €59,045.21 – €68,374.11 per annum based on a 35 week.
Salary: €58,460.60 – €67,697.14 per annum based on a 35 hour week.
Equal Opportunity Statement
UPMC is an equal‑opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Benefits
Competitive pay for the work employees do – base pay, performance‑related pay and premium pay where applicable.
Fully paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents. Competitive Pension Plan, company‑funded Death in Service Benefit x3 times. Critical illness cover for all employees up to the age of 66.
Performance and Recognition
Rewards for performance that support the goals and mission of UPMC through our annual ACES programme.
Work‑Life Balance
Enhanced annual leave up to a maximum of 27 days. Flexible working opportunities to support you to work around external family commitments.
Development and Career Opportunities
Opportunities for each employee to reach their career goals through continued learning and/or advancement.
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