Job summary
Are you a highly skilled cross-sectional diagnostic radiographer, with an interest in research, seeking an opportunity to make a difference in cancer care? Radiology is looking to appoint a joint Clinical Trials and Senior Cross-sectional Radiographer to join our experienced team of Clinical Trial Radiographers in supporting over 400+ research studies over a wide breadth of cancer research.
As a diagnostic radiographer, you will play a crucial role in the accurate and timely diagnosis of cancer patients. Collaborating with a team of experienced radiologists, oncologists and healthcare professionals, you will perform a range of radiographic procedures using state of the art equipment and techniques. Such procedures include, but are not limited to complex CT guided biopsies and drainages and brachytherapy and SABRE planning scans in MR.
The Radiology department provides diagnostics, staging, re-staging and interventional procedures in support of patient oncology treatments and clinical trials. The clinical trials radiographers liaise with staff across R&I, as well as the Senior Research Project Manager, the MRI Clinical Specialist Research Radiographer, Consultant Radiologists and Superintendent Radiographers to enable an effective radiology clinical trials service.
Main duties of the job
To undertake CT and MR imaging and to support the Clinical Specialists in the efficient delivery of the clinical service. To participate in CPD and other developmental activities. Clinical supervision of radiography students.
Your expertise will contribute directly to the development of tailored treatment plans for patients, helping to optimise their outcomes and overall experience. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced radiographer with an interest in research looking to further develop their knowledge and skills.
As part of your role as a senior cross-sectional radiographer you will be provided with training to extend your scope of practice by participating in radiographer led screening for Pulmonary Embolisms in CT and brain metastases in MRI, as well as vetting and protocolling CT & MR requests. You will be supported to access professional development and educational opportunities through The Christie School of Oncology.
The Christie People & Culture Plan actively supports AHPs to engage in advanced clinical practice and research from postgraduate through to doctorate level education. Examples include PG Cert opportunities in CT and MR.
This post is offered out as 1.0 WTE, this will be split 0.5 FTE in clinical trials team and 0.5 FTE clinical
About us
The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.
State-of-the-art facilities: you will have access to the latest technology and work with the most advanced tools available, enhancing your skills and knowledge in the field and allowing you to contribute to cancer diagnostics and treatment.
Collaborative Multidisciplinary environment: opportunities for teamwork, knowledge sharing and professional development. You would have the chance to work closely with experts from different disciplines, contributing to the holistic care of cancer patients.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication requirements
- To assist in ensuring there is effective communication between the various teams who have input into the radiology services such as diagnostic radiology staff, students, medical physics staff, clinicians, nursing staff, engineers and others.
- To ensure that patients understand complex information related to their examination and to encourage patients to cooperate fully in the examination process. This may involve patients with additional needs
- To log incidents via the Trust incident system (DATIX).
- Accurate input of patient data into any Trust computer system
- To take part in departmental research and audit and report as necessary
Planning and organisational duties
- Review research protocols, imaging protocols, patient information sheets, amendments and other related trial documents making judgements regarding imaging investigation requirements and regulatory compliance e.g. Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R), Health Research Authority (HRA) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and other appropriate regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with national standards.
- Ensure compliance within the radiology service of the agreed clinical trials protocols, confirming staff knowledge/skills, specialised equipment compatibility, availability and frequency of imaging.
- Translate complex clinical trial imaging and scheduling requirements into work practices. This may require discussion with Consultant Radiologists and Superintendent Radiographers for the specific trials, to enable assessment of skills and resources required.
- Act as the main liaison between radiology and R&I for a multitude of projects including organising meetings regarding trial specific requirements, attending site initiation visits, site specific questionnaires, and trial specific training with relevant stakeholders.
- Vet each imaging and biopsy request which is part of a research trial to assess compliance with the protocol, IRMER regulations, to enable justification of the radiation exposure by radiographic staff prior to patients undergoing any clinical trial related imaging investigation.
- Liaise with Trust medical physics experts regarding estimated radiation dose for clinical trials and investigate and record breaches of ethical radiation dose constraints.
- Liaise with speciality leads to ensure maintenance records and calibration of equipment utilised for the purposes of research are maintained in accordance with clinical trial requirements.
- Undertake and update technical evaluations and risk assessments on equipment utilised for trial scanning and inform R&I of any changes.
- Work in a specialist role with accountability for own actions to work independently using own initiative to plan and prioritise own workload
- Ordering of equipment and consumable items.
- Provision of specialist care of patients to ensure their comfort and safety in the department.
- Checking patient details prior to examination and ensuring all relevant details are on the request card as per the IR(ME)R regulations. Ensuring pregnancy is excluded in female patients of childbearing years.
- Maintenance of the standards of imaging set by the department.
- Ensuring that any faults in equipment, fixtures, fittings or fabric of any of the departments are recorded and notified to the appropriate persons, complying with and enforcing current Health and Safety and Moving and Handling regulations.
- Ensure that all relevant radiation protection and safety measures for each department are adhered to, e.g. MR local rules, ionising radiation regulations, IR(ME)R, departmental dose reduction strategies etc.
- Maintaining practices in keeping with departmental and Trust Board policies, e.g. fire regulations, patient confidentiality etc.
Analytical skills
- Adapt radiological techniques and protocols in accordance with the condition of the patient and their mobility.
- Assess patients clinical condition regarding the level of risk of giving intravenous and oral contrast medium when relevant
Responsibilities for information resources
- Possesses advanced IT skills e.g. manipulating databases, working with the full MS suite of software including MS Excel and be competent at report writing.
- Maintain the radiology clinical trials database, including accurate patient data entry, dose limitations, imaging costs for individual patient examinations, and resolution of discrepancies between Trust information systems (CRIS, Medway).
- Support and oversee the Clinical Trial Assistants in radiology to produce anonymised copy images for trial sponsors.
- Support the Clinical Trial Assistants to record evidence and maintaining an audit trial for all team activities including copy scans, vetting, study reviews, appointments, biopsies etc.
- Archive all trial related documentation and information (paper and electronic) as per legal and national guidelines.
- Ensures patient confidentiality, privacy, data protection, safety and security
Responsibility for financial resources
- Review Research protocols to provide financial costings advice to R&I.
- Produce radiology trials activity reports, including financial, as required by R&I to support remuneration for the servic
Research and Training
- Take an active role in the training of qualified radiographers, radiography students and students/staff from other disciplines including visiting engineers and clinical trainee staff
- Maintain expertise in intravenous cannulation techniques.
- To participate in the departmental continuing professional development programme, including participating in appraisal and personal development planning.
- To participate in the Trusts essential training.
- Supervision of junior radiographic staff and radiographic aides as required. Including clinical supervision of radiography students.
- Supervise the Clinical Trial Assistants in Radiology including the training of new staff members and assisting with complex queries.
- To work with the radiologists, clinical specialist radiographers and other senior staff in the department to review working practices, identify new ways of working and find solutions to problems.
- Develop and run specific Radiology research training sessions for Christie Radiology Staff and R&I based staff including RECIST reporting, image transfer, induction training to understand the imaging modalities, protocols and procedures within radiology for clinical trials and any other training as needs arise.
- Support departmental audits involving Radiology research, with the ability to lead independent audits and present results to the department.
- Facilitate external audit and inspection visits conducted in relation to research on behalf of the radiology department. Escalating any issues or concerns to the radiology services manager and clinical director, Head of Quality for research.
- Produce, review and adhere to required standard operating procedures (SOPs) and relevant policies to support the work practice of the post holder to ensure a robust quality assurance (QA) process is in place.
- Maintain and update own practice/expertise and CPD portfolio as per Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration requirements and adhere to the Society and College of Radiographers Professional Code of Conduct.
- Continued learning across the mix of modality scanning methods in an oncology setting.
- Contribute to future development and improvement of the radiology clinical trials service.
- If an unplanned incident or event occurs that causes a disruption to normal service, you may be required to support radiology scanning clinically.
- Any other duties that might be reasonably requested to maintain the smooth running of the service
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- DCR (R) or BSc Radiography
- HCPC registration
Desirable
- Previous relevant course or post graduate study
- Interested in post graduate study
- Competent in administration of IV contrast
Experience
Essential
- A range of experience across radiology modalities with specific expertise in CT or MR
Desirable
- Experience in a variety of other Trusts / Departments of Radiology
- Experience of working in an oncology setting
- Experience of interventional radiography
- Experience of or interest in clinical trials
- Experience with training radiography students
Skills
Essential
- Communication skills
- Analytical skills
- Planning and organisational skills
- Team skills
- IT skills
- Time management
- Self-motivated
- Ability to use initiative
- Ability to work under pressure
Desirable
- Experience of Microsoft Excel
- Presentation skills
- Experience of managing workload
- Participation in audit
Knowledge
Essential
- Radiography knowledge
- Oncology knowledge
- IR(ME)R IRR
- Ongoing CPD portfolio
Desirable
- Knowledge of College of Radiographers policies, and policies that affect the NHS.
- Oncology Knowledge
Values
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours
Other
Essential
- Reliable
- Ability to use own initiative
- Good general health and attendance record
- Calm under pressure
- Sensitivity and tact
- Smart professional appearance
- Ability to work flexibly
- Ability to participate in extended day, weekend working and on-call
Desirable
- Desire to work within an oncology hospital
- Desire to improve radiology services
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 .
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website .
Employer details
Employer name
The Christie NHS FT
Address
Radiology - E00298
Manchester
M20 4BX