Radiology Health Care Assistant

This is a very busy and ever changing role. The majority of the role will be to provide support for the radiographers and radiology nurses in the care of patients while in the radiology department.
This involves preparing patients for their procedures by transferring them between IPU, radiology and other areas of the hospital, completing pre-procedure checklists and undertaking venepuncture and cannulation. You will also be expected to set up sterile trolleys for interventional procedures and ensure adequate stock levels are maintained within the department.
You should have experience of working in a Health Care setting and be proactive and adaptable to change. The successful candidate will have good communication skills and be committed to working as part of a team which provides excellent patient care.
To provide support for the radiographers and radiology nurses in the care of patients and their relatives whilst in the Radiology department.
To transfer patients between IPU, Radiology and other areas of the hospital.
To prepare sterile trollies for interventional procedures.
To undertake venepuncture and cannulation of patients as their procedures require.
To monitor patients during their procedures and escalate any concerns to nursing staff as appropriate.
To act as a circulating assistant during interventional procedures.
t has never been a more exciting time to join the Radiology Department as a Radiology Health Care Assistant at the Christie Hospital and to be part of an amazing team
We are very excited about the redevelopment of the radiology department into a new site within the hospital; this will include the refurbishment of the CT and both general radiology departments, including a state of the art hybrid interventional CT suite.
The Christie is the largest single site cancer centre in Europe and the first UK centre to be accredited as a comprehensive cancer centre.
The Radiology department sees over 50,000 patients each year. The services we provide comprise general radiology, CT scanning, MR scanning, ultrasound and interventional radiology.
Working in radiology at the Christie will give you the opportunity make a difference in the lives of oncology patients by being part of a team who are committed to providing excellent care. We have a diverse multi-disciplinary team who are friendly and welcoming and always keen to help new team members reach their full potential.
This role is exciting and varied, with opportunities to work in both interventional radiology and CT, being directly involved in a variety of innovative procedures.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Assist in monitoring and maintaining the smooth running of the Radiology department and the Integrated Procedures Unit.
Escorting patients and visitors between the Radiology department, the Integrated Procedures Unit and other areas of the hospital.
Assisting patients before, during and after procedures as required by the Radiographers / Radiology Nurses / Radiologists. This will include going through any patient safety questionnaires with the patient and giving the patient any preparation necessary for the procedure under the guidance of the Radiographer / Radiology Nurse.
Support the inpatient wards in preparing patients for radiology procedures. This may include delivering of radiology care plans to the inpatient wards, discussion of pre-procedural instructions with ward staff and completion of pre-procedural blood tests and/or IV cannulation where required.
Assist Radiographers to process patient data.
Conveyance of patients by wheelchair and stretcher as required between the Radiology department, the Integrated Procedures Unit and other areas of the Hospital.
Conveyance of letters, notes, samples, appointment slips and any other goods between the Radiology department, the Integrated Procedures Unit and other areas of the hospital.
Assist Radiographers / Radiology Nurses with IV procedures
Provide peri-procedural care to patients as a circulating assistant in the interventional radiology environment.
Positioning of patients for their procedure.
Maintaining a high standard of personal work while acting as a member of a team.
Ensuring necessary paperwork is completed for each patient before and then following the procedure.
Be familiar with and observe the local rules of the department, Safety at Work and COSHH regulations.
Collection and maintenance of stock.
Stock up prep room and interventional rooms as required
Accurate patient data input into any Trust computer system.
Maintain a personal development portfolio.
Cannulation and/or venepuncture of patients in advance of the radiology procedure.
Based in the interventional radiology department on IPU and supporting other areas of radiology (CT/US/MR scan) if and when required.
PATIENT CARE
Receiving patients, preparing them for the examination and assisting patients to undress if required.
Maintains patient privacy and dignity at all times.
Recognises people’s differences and act in a non-discriminatory way.
Provides information to patients using developing empathetic and reassurance skills.
Assisting / chaperoning during examinations.
Undertakes venepuncture and cannulation of radiology patients
Assist Radiographers / Radiology Nurses / Radiologists as required with the moving and handling of the patient.
Setting sterile trolleys for interventional procedures as required
Perform circulating role in the Interventional Suite – passing medical products to the Radiologist / Radiology Nurse as required
Observation of patients during their procedure (NEWS 2)
Explaining the examination procedure to patients and providing emotional support for anxious patients.
Maintain professional standards in treating each patient with courtesy, kindness, sympathy and confidentiality.
EQUIPMENT RELATED
Switch on equipment prior to work commencing so that it is warmed up and ready to operate when the department opens-
Carry out necessary quality assurance (QA) on the equipment at designated frequency as required by QA protocols.
Ensure correct stock rotation; prepare stock lists prior to ordering.
Report any faults noted in functioning or condition of any machinery or equipment to the Clinical Specialist / Lead Radiology Nurse in charge for repair to be arranged.
Check and maintain oxygen cylinders and other auxiliary equipment in the absence of a regular porter.