Radiographer, Senior

The post holder will support the principle that care of the patient comes first at all times and will approach their work with the flexibility and enthusiasm necessary to make this principle a reality for every patient to the greatest possible degree

• Maintain throughout the Group’s awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all hospital activities.
• Performance management systems are part of the role and you will be required to participate in the Group’s performance management programme

The Senior Radiographer will:

General Accountability

• Create and promote healthy working relationships
• Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the values of the hospital
• Undertake the primary responsibility on a day-to-day basis for the implementation, management and supervision of radiation safety within the X-ray Department.
• Report to the Radiography Service Manager 3 or designate.

· Liaise with the Clinical Director and staff

Specific Responsibilities

• Participate in clinical audits as relevant to the post.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of operational policies, protocols and guidelines
• Promote and maintain a safe environment for staff, patients, clients etc.
• Assist in the development of Risk Management and Health and Safety strategies in association with appropriate personnel.
• Develop and maintain a training and education function as may be required in relation to all relevant staff.
• To supervise and assess all training and education as required.
• Ensure that all hospital policies and relevant legislation is understood and complied with by staff.
• Promote and participate in research projects.
• Maintain throughout the hospital an awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all Hospital activities.
• Assist in leading the professional organization and management of the service
• Liaise with the Radiography Service Manager 3 (or designate) on the training and awareness of staff with regard to new legislation, imaging & policies.
• Support the Radiography Service Manager 3 (or designate), in the leadership of the skilled team within the X-ray Department in order to create and promote a safe healthy working environment.
• Actively participate in continuing education and research activities consistent with the position.
• Identify and implement operational processes to the standards of best practice in order to optimize use of resources and to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

· Identify, with support from hospital management, the level of undergraduate and post-graduate training the hospital should undertake.

Clinical Operations

· Undertake primary responsibility on a day-to-day basis for the assigned Imaging service and the effective utilisation of all resources allocated.

· Promote healthy working relationships with colleagues. Provide clinical leadership which results in the delivery of an effective, efficient, quality assured and patient centred service.

· Be accountable for the quality of the service provided, including customer service and technical aspects.

· Manage patient care to ensure the highest professional standards using an evidence based, care planning approach.

· Contribute to the development and implementation of operational policies, protocols and guidelines to ensure optimum utilisation of resources and systematic audit of such usage.

· Liaise closely with the Radiography Service Manager3, Clinical Specialist Radiographers and Consultant Radiologists and other staff as appropriate to ensure the smooth running of the service.

· Contribute to the preparation of plans for the service – monitor and report on their implementation. Implement and maintain accurate information systems for clinical data in accordance with hospital standards.

· Advise as required on equipment selection, purchase, replacement or upgrading.

· Maintain accurate records of equipment service, maintenance, malfunction, downtime and performance as required and co-ordinate preventative maintenance schedules in accordance with clinical demand and department policy.

· Maintain up to date knowledge of clinical, technical and radiographic developments and promote awareness of new developments. Ensure that best practices are implemented and maintained.

· Maintain up to date knowledge of Radiographic developments in relation to imaging modalities.

· Report all operation issues to Radiography Services Manager 3

· Provide practical instruction for students and other health care professionals

· Ensure PACS/ RIS system is used effectively and appropriately, and matches workflow in the service.

· To manage, participate and play a role in the practise education of student radiographers and post graduate training.

Human Resources

· Support the Radiography Service Manager 3 in the implementation of initiatives aimed at on-going service development and improvement.

· Promote and maintain a safe environment for staff and patients

· Assist in the development and implementation of risk management and health and safety strategies in association with appropriate personnel.

· Participate in training as may be required in relation to qualified staff and/or trainees and students.

· Supervise and assess all training as required

· Liaise with the Radiography Service Manager 3 and other senior staff on the rotation of staff through the Department/unit to ensure an adequate number of trained staff is available.

· Liaise with the Radiography Service Manager 3 on human resource issues as appropriate

Health & Safety

· Investigate and take appropriate action in accordance with hospital & primary care policy in relation to complaints, accidents and incidents.

· Ensure that all hospital & primary care policies and relevant legislation on radiation safety are complied with.

· Ensure the Radiology department operates in accordance with the operational policy at all times.

· Liaise with the Radiography Services Manager 3 on all quality assurance issues related to the radiology department.

· Ensure all relevant policies on infection control, health and safety etc are understood and complied with.

· Implement quality assurance in line with Departmental policies & procedures.

· Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Quality & Audit

· Participate in providing department audits and statistics

· Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the service user as per statutory requirements.

Education & Training

· Participate in mandatory training programmes

· Participate in continuing professional development including in-service training, attending and presenting at conferences/courses relevant to practice.

· Engage in performance review with his/her manager

· Provide peer support when necessary

KPI’s

• The identification and development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which are congruent with the Hospital’s service plan targets.
• The development of Action Plans to address KPI targets.
• Driving and promoting a Performance Management culture.
• In conjunction with line manager assist in the development of a Performance Management system for your profession.
• The management and delivery of KPIs as a routine and core business objective.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING GENERAL CONDITIONS:

· Employees must attend fire lectures periodically and must observe fire orders.

· All accidents within the Department must be reported immediately.

· Infection Control Policies must be adhered to.

· In line with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Acts 2005 and 2010 all staff must comply with all safety regulations and audits.

· In line with the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004, smoking within the Hospital Buildings is not permitted.

· Hospital uniform code must be adhered to.

· Provide information that meets the need of Senior Management.

· To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Risk Management, Infection Control, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety

· The management of Risk, Infection Control, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment.

· The post holder must be familiar with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility.

· The post holder has a duty to familiarise themselves with the relevant Organisational Policies, Procedures & Standards and attend training as appropriate in the following areas:

o Continuous Quality Improvement Initiatives

o Document Control Information Management Systems

o Risk Management Strategy and Policies

o Hygiene Related Policies, Procedures and Standards

o Decontamination Code of Practice

o Infection Control Policies

o Safety Statement, Health & Safety Policies and Fire Procedure

o Data Protection and confidentiality Policies

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· The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they become familiar with the requirements stated within the Risk Management Strategy and that they comply with the Group’s Risk Management Incident/Near miss reporting Policies and Procedures.

· The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they comply with hygiene services requirements in your area of responsibility. Hygiene Services incorporates environment and facilities, hand hygiene, catering, cleaning, the management of laundry, waste, sharps and equipment.

· The post holder must foster and support a quality improvement culture through-out your area of responsibility in relation to hygiene services.

· The post holders’ responsibility for Quality & Risk Management, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety will be clarified to you in the induction process and by your line manager.

· The post holder must take reasonable care for his or her own actions and the effect that these may have upon the safety of others.

· The post holder must cooperate with management, attend Health & Safety related training and not undertake any task for which they have not been authorised and adequately trained.

· The post holder is required to bring to the attention of a responsible person any perceived shortcoming in our safety arrangements or any defects in work equipment.

· It is the post holder’s responsibility to be aware of and comply with the HSE Health Care Records Management/Integrated Discharge Planning (HCRM / IDP) Code of Practice.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.