Medical Photographer

The Design, Photography and Reprographics Department exists to provide a comprehensive photographic, graphic design, illustrative and printing service to Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust as well as external agencies.
This is an exciting new role which has been created primarily to support the teledermatology clinics run by the Trust. The post holder would be expected to undertake a wide range of clinical and non-clinical photographic activities, often without supervision. The postholder will be required to work cross-site and in the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in Eltham as required.
Clinical Photography:
The post holder will:
Be required to perform a range of Clinical Photography activities - The photography of clinical, dental and surgical conditions of patients which form part of their confidential medical record, which may also be required as part of a case report and/or medical evidence (court proceedings).
Be required to run or support telederm clinics as required.
Be responsible for the photography of specimens in the departmental studios or at any other reasonable location using digital imaging equipment.
Be required to use a variety of standard and specialist photographic equipment and to determine how to best utilise the equipment in order to achieve high quality images.
Be responsible for the timely upload of clinical images to the relevant digital archive database (Fotoweb, eDerma) with the appropriate metadata attached with minimum post production, if necessary, to maintain quality control prior to upload. This function operates via a Job Management System that links with the image database and records activities and costs.
Non Clinical Photography :
The post holder will be required to carry out a variety of non clinical photography including:
Photography both on location and in the studio of buildings equipment and other general devices and objects as required.
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
Improving the experience of staff with disability
Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
Making equalities mainstream
Job Summary:
The Design, Photography and Reprographics Department exists to provide a comprehensive photographic, graphic design, illustrative and printing service to the Trust as well as external agencies. The post holder would be expected to undertake a wide range of clinical and non-clinical photographic activities, often without supervision. The postholder will be required to work cross-site and in the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) as required. The post holder will be required to adhere to agreed standards and Trust policies.
Key Result Areas & Performance:
Clinical Photography:
The post holder will:
Be required to perform a range of Clinical Photography activities - The photography of clinical, dental and surgical conditions of patients which form part of their confidential medical record, which may also be required as part of a case report and/or medical evidence (court proceedings).
Be required to run or support telederm clinics as required.
Be responsible for the photography of specimens in the departmental studios or at any other reasonable location using digital imaging equipment.
Required to use a variety of standard and specialist photographic equipment and to determine how to best utilise the equipment in order to achieve high quality images.
Will need to determine how best to position the patient for photography and to effectively communicate this.
For imaging of oral cavities this will also include ability to carry out delicate invasive procedures, i.e. the ability to place retractors and mirrors for intra oral photography.
Have a basic knowledge of medical conditions and terminology in order to determine the appropriate medium and techniques to record a medical condition from details of that condition provided by doctors: i.e. what views are required when, for example, “Rhinoplasty views” are requested or complete “Mole Mapping”, or produce standard cleft lip and palate audit series of images.
Awareness of standardised patient photography guidelines, as published by the Institute of Medical Illustrators.
Know the anatomical planes dividing the human body, which allow for the accurate recording of the extent of deformities and consistency of follow-up photography.
Be sensitive to the emotional and psychological effect of the patient’s condition and/or situation i.e. Aids, rape, death.
Deal with clients' photographic enquiries on services offered and provide advice on cost and turn around; direct to other members of staff where necessary.
To observe the requirements of each individual item of work with regard to quality, quantity and date required and to liaise with other members of the department as necessary to ensure the timely completion of the work.
To ensure that the patient fully understands the purpose of the consent form and to check that this has been given according to the documentation received.
To inform the patient of what will happen during the photographic process.
Responsible for the timely upload of clinical images to the relevant digital archive database (Fotoweb, eDerma) with the appropriate metadata attached with minimum post production, if necessary, to maintain quality control prior to upload. This function operates via a Job Management System that links with the image database and records activities and costs.
Maintain Information Governance standards as per Medical Photography standard operating procedures. This also includes monitoring and maintaining Information Governance standards as applied to medical photography imaging and also when dealing with requests emanating from the clinicicans and other care agencies.
Non Clinical Photography :
A general ability to take photographs both on location and in the studio of buildings equipment and other general devices and objects as required.
Photography of public relation events and the ability to process images under severe time constraints and to a standard required of national and local newspapers, magazines and newsletters etc.
Photography of subjects and/or processes to be included in training programmes for undergraduate, postgraduate and general staff training purposes.
A brief overview understanding of the basic principles of instructional media design.
Governance:
To comply fully with all Trust policies including the Health Records Policy, ensuring that all appropriate documentation is maintained and that confidentiality is observed at all times.
Be aware of all health and safety procedures to be complied with when working in restricted areas i.e. theatres, ICU, barrier nursed patients and immunity compromise.
To follow at all times the department Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and participate in the review and update of these, as required by the service manager.
To be familiar with and utilise appropriate IT systems, including uploading clinical images to Fotoweb and eDerrma.
Follow all Information Governance guidelines when processing online clinical image orders generated by clinicians and other care agencies.
Education, Training, Research and Development:
Maintain an ‘up to date’ CPD log for both internal mandatory training and
Professional CPD for registration with the AHCS.
Participate as required in departmental audits and clinical trials.
Resource Management:
To adequately maintain appropriate levels of supplies for the department.
Maintain the operational high standards of equipment cleanliness and operability at all times.
To be responsive to a varying caseload, to work independently allocating appropriate resources and as a team member to deal with a caseload that is unplanned and must be managed in a timely manner.
Be prepared to move sites to support changing demand at short notice.
Partnerships: Communication
When photographing or filming patients it is essential that a professional manner is observed at all times. Tact must be used when directing patients in the studio.
When photographing patients the postholder must obtain informed consent and answer any questins relating to this and the intended use of the images (medical records, teaching, publication).
It is often necessary to discuss with doctors or colleagues patient photographs.
General:
The post holder will be expected to use the following equipment:
Mac & PC Computers
Ricoh MPC3550 copier
Nikon D750, D780, D7200 and D800 with various associated lenses
Dermatoscope
Bowens studio lighting system
Nikon RC1 lighting kit
Video camera and peripherals
Epson Stylus Pro 9880
Epson Stylus Photo XP-760
Guillotine
Scalpels
As technology advances or new services are introduced, software and equipment will be updated, and the post holder will be expected to keep up to date with these advances.
The post holder will be expected to use the following software:
Adobe Creative Cloud primarily using Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premier and After Effects.
The Trust image database, Fotoweb, the telederm platform, eDerma and the departments Media Job Management (MJM) system
Microsoft Office comprising of Word, PowerPoint and Excel
Physical:
Carrying lighting/backdrops and props for special event photography
Requirement to bend, kneel and crouch to get in the correct position to get specific photographs and would need to stretch to change backdrops - movements would also be needed to set up special studio sets
A large amount of time is spent at a computer using a keyboard and mouse as well as trimming (using a scalpel with considerable force), binding, laminating
Must be able to travel cross-site and to Clinical Diagnostic Centre (Eltham) as required