Senior Radiographer MRI – UPMC Whitfield Hospital, Waterford
Location: UPMC Whitfield Hospital, Waterford – Job type: Permanent
Overview
UPMC Whitfield Hospital is recruiting a Senior Radiographer MRI on a permanent contract. The Radiology Department provides a service to both inpatients and outpatients, including general radiography, theatre imaging, ultrasound, mammography, MRI, CT, and DEXA services. The holder of this post will work as a member of the radiology department and multidisciplinary teams, providing a high‑quality MRI service to patients in accordance with professional standards of practice.
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 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.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical
Recognise the need for effective self‑management of workload and resources and adapt practice accordingly.
Engage in leadership when required, creating and promoting healthy working relationships. Provide strategic and clinical leadership which results 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 that are achieved and maintained 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 develop and update the department handbook in line with agreed changes in practice.
Organise, plan and prioritise workload according to clinical need.
Implement change in practice based on the 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 S.I.256 of 2018.
Demonstrate leadership skills in adapting techniques and equipment for imaging of compromised patients.
Be responsible for the justification and optimisation of radiographic examinations in their role as practitioners.
Demonstrate the ability to schedule the workflow in both the general and specialist areas.
Advise as required on equipment selection, purchase, replacement or upgrading.
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, where required.
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 (i.e. S.I.256 & S.I.30).
Supervise and teach recently qualified radiographers, assistants, students and masters 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 the application of 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 afterwards in line with hospital policy.
Maintain the principles of patient confidentiality at all times 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. Foster 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.
Radiation safety: Ensure that the three principles of radiation protection – justification, optimisation (ALARA) and dose constraints/limits – are adhered to. Be familiar with S.I.256 and S.I.30, which include the basic safety standards for the protection of health workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionising radiation.
Demonstrate flexibility in possible changes to work patterns, e.g., extending working hours to accommodate patients if volume increases significantly.
Manage and participate in the departmental on‑call rota with access to own transport.
Quality & Audit
Involved in the setting‑up, maintaining and reviewing of QA programmes.
Participate in weekly huddles to address department wins and any issues identified, outline ongoing audits, and encourage staff engagement for ongoing quality improvement processes.
Encourage staff to engage in team learning, communications and updates through Teams.
Share all communications and policy updates with ‘Read and Sign’ through Teams so it is accessible to all.
Maintain up‑to‑date Teams folders to ensure latest document‑controlled versions are live on Teams and all staff complete read and sign process.
Encourage staff to report all incidences, including ‘good catch’ and learning opportunities through Viclarity.
Maintain accurate information systems for clinical data in accordance with hospital standards.
Assist with the maintenance of accurate records of equipment service, maintenance, malfunction, downtime and performance, and coordinate preventative maintenance schedules in accordance with clinical demand and department policy.
Support the CSR and Radiographic Service Manager in implementing initiatives aimed at ongoing service development and improvement.
Liaise with senior staff on the rotation of staff through the department to ensure an adequate number of trained staff are available.
Investigate and take appropriate action in accordance with hospital policy in relation to complaints, accidents and incidents.
Ensure all hospital policies and relevant legislation on radiographic imaging safety is understood by staff and complied with.
Ensure the general X‑ray department and theatre imaging units operate in accordance with the operational policy at all times.
Ensure that all radiation 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, etc. are understood by staff and complied with routinely.
Participate in the implementation and maintain a quality assurance programme for the department by creating and presenting audit findings.
Implement and update equipment inspection record for minor and major faults, including visual and functional defects.
Have the ability to troubleshoot on all imaging and electronic patient systems within the diagnostic imaging department.
Health & Safety
Regularly liaise with the physicist on safety issues and other operational issues as appropriate.
Promote and maintain a safe environment for staff and patients.
Have a working knowledge of HIQA Standards as they apply to the role, e.g., Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare‑Associated Infections, hygiene standards, etc.
Assist in the development of a checklist for all staff to complete in the event of system breakdown and power outages.
Ensure that hospital policy on hygiene standards is understood by staff and monitor compliance with these standards.
Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low‑carbon and efficient health service.
Be aware of the diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for routinely performed radiographic examinations and how they compare to national and local DRLs.
Trend and review departmental DRLs, identifying and implementing process improvements where necessary.
Professional/Education
Must be able to:
Develop a personal development plan (PDP) and professional portfolio.
Critically self‑evaluate.
Conduct evidence‑based research and participate in research studies.
Apply the learning outcomes in the clinical setting.
Maintain, enhance and develop knowledge, skill and aptitude necessary 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 and composure.
Demonstrate flexibility and openness to change.
Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development.
Demonstrate the ability to manage and develop self and others in a busy working environment.
Demonstrate the ability to effectively evaluate information and make appropriate decisions.
Act autonomously within agreed guidelines.
Qualifications & Experience
Possess a degree in radiography or the diploma of the College of Radiographers.
Must be registered in the radiographer’s division by the Radiographers Registration Board maintained at CORU.
Must have not less than 3 years full‑time post‑qualification clinical experience.
Possess a recognised postgraduate course as recognised by the IIRRT (desirable) or the relevant clinical experience in a specialised modality.
Possession of MRSO (Magnetic Resonance Safety Officer) certification is highly desirable and will be considered an advantage.
Salary: €59,045.21‑€68,374.11 per annum based on a 35‑hour week.
Equal Opportunity Statement and Benefits
UPMC is an equal‑opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Benefits include competitive pay, performance‑related pay and premium pay where applicable; fully paid maternity and paternity leave; competitive pension plan; company‑funded death in service benefit (x 3); critical illness cover up to age 66; enhanced annual leave up to a maximum of 27 days; flexible working opportunities to support work‑life balance; and opportunities for career development through continued learning and advancement.
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