Radiographic Department Assistant

Role summary To contribute effectively to the delivery of an efficient and responsive Neuroradiology service .To work with the minimum of supervision in an organised, efficient and effective manner in order to maximise the effective use of both his/her own time and that of the other staff Key responsibilities 1. Assist the radiographers and radiologists with patients. This will include receiving and escorting patients around the department. Assisting with dressing and undressing of patients and waiting with them when necessary. 2. To participate in working extended hours. 3. Ensure that soiled or infected linen is disposed of safely. 4. To take responsibility for the health, safety, welfare and security of the patients, staff and visitors within the Neuroradiology department. To comply with MR safety procedures. To assist patients filling in MR safety questionnaires. 5. To go through a CT safety questionnaire with patients to assess their suitability for an intravenous contrast medium injection according to departmental guidelines, checking for any relevant contraindications, then checking any queries with a radiologist. 6. After adequate training, to remove venflons and draw up correct amount of contrast medium (to be checked by the staff injecting) if required. 7. To ensure appropriate infection control measures are utilised at all times. Ensure that sharps bins are disposed of in the designated area. Replace sharps bin with an empty one ensuring it is assembled correctly. 8. Assess patients after injection of contrast media and inform a radiologist/ radiographer if they have any side effects. 9. Provide reassurance to patients by way of clear explanation to the nature of the imaging examination. 10. Clerical duties include that all patient details are correct and recorded on the departments radiology systems and amend as appropriate. 11. To cover administrative duties in the office during staff shortage on a temporary and emergency basis. This includes reception of patients, dealing with queries on the telephone and queries from medical staff and other departments. 12. To assist the radiographers to carry out mobile x-rays. This includes assisting in the moving of ITU Patients, and patients on all other wards 13. To liaise with radiographic, professional, medical, nursing, secretarial, and portering staff to ensure a good working relationship within the Neuroradiology department and other departments within the Walton Centre and wider NHS organisations, also liaise with the ambulance staff regarding the transportation of patients to and from the Walton Centre. 14. To prepare and assist in the examination room for procedures e.g. Myelograms, lumbar punctures and back markings e.g. Setting up a sterile trolley, checking the patient details and filling in a log book, checking expiry dates on all the products used during procedures, after adequate training. 15. Maintain high standards of cleanliness of equipment and accessories 16. Check that suction equipment is clean and ready for use for the next patient. 17. To safely handle and ensure that samples of cerebrospinal fluid and blood taken during myelography and lumbar punctures are delivered to the laboratory via the hospital pod system or by hand if the patient is a high infection risk e.g. prion. 18. Deal with appointment enquiries by patients and ward staff and liase with other departments about examination times. 19. In the job environment patient presentation includes unconscious, uncooperative, incontinent, incapacitated, disorientated, ventilated and includes those with varying degrees of physical and mental disabilities. Of these patients some will exhibit anti-social and threatening behaviour. Many patients require manual handling. R D As also need the skills to provide empathy for the injured, traumatised, terminally ill, grieving and those altered by illness or substance use/abuse. 20. To communicate effectively and empathetically with the patient and escorts prior to and during the examination, taking note of any special needs that the patient may have and ensuring they retain their dignity at all times. 21. To participate in the safe transfer of patients and equipment adhering to manual handling guidelines. Including regular changes of coils in MR with average weights of 11 kilos for a spinal coil and 10 kilos for a head coil. 22. To have excellent hand eye co-ordination, spatial awareness and manual dexterity, whilst positioning patients. 23. To act in the best interests of patients, clients and users. 24. To report clinical and non-clinical incidents in line with trust management policies. 25. Maintain stocks in all x-ray rooms as designated by the Superintendent Radiographer(s). 26. To report immediately any equipment malfunction, to the relevant Superintendent Radiographer. 27. To comply with the department and Trusts policies and procedures including IRMER 2000, IRR 1999, Health and Safety at work, Fire Policy, the Local Rules for Radiation Protection, Magnetic Resonance Safety 28. Take an active role in identifying personal development needs through appraisal and personal development plans. 29. To participate in the training and mentoring programme for new Radiographic Department Assistants. 30. To participate in departmental audit activity as required by the Radiology Manager 31. To attend monthly staff departmental meetings