Would you like to work in a forward thinking, fast paced MRI environment? If so then we would like to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

We are one of the largest MRI departments in the country and are looking for an experienced, friendly and enthusiastic MRI trained radiographers to join our clinical team. You will work 37.5 hours (3 x 12.5hr shifts) per week, rotating across the Trust's 11 MRI scanners based at Guy's, Guy's Cancer Centre, St. Thomas's and the Evelina London Children's Hospital.

Our departments offer a full range of MRI services, including dynamic contrast studies, oncology (including radiotherapy-planning scans), paediatric (with an XMRI suite) and breast imaging. We remain close to the cutting edge developing new techniques and protocols.

The department actively supports and encourages radiographers in their career development.

The department is open 7 days per week between 7.30 am and 8pm with an on call service out of hours.

About us

The MRI department has 3 Superintendent radiographers, over 50 dedicated MRI Radiographers and a team of MRI Nursing Assistants. As part of the ever growing team, you will experience working across all sites scanning both adults and paediatric patients.

Guy's and St Thomas' is one of the largest hospital trusts in the country, with over 20,000 staff an annual turnover of more than �1 billion and 1.6 million patient contacts a year. Our hospitals have a long and proud history, dating back almost 900 years, and have been at the forefront of medical progress and innovation since they were founded. We continue to build on these traditions and have a reputation for clinical, teaching and research excellence.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities:

• To assess the clinical justification of MRI referrals, in line with both national regulations and local protocols.
• To liaise with referral source where clarification is required regarding the most clinically appropriate imaging examination.
• To act as a point of advice for imaging referrers.
• To act as a point of advice for patient enquiries regarding their referral.
• To be fully aware of the potential hazards of working in an area of strong magnetic field, and to be familiar with the safety guidelines issued by the MHRA 2021.
• To act as patient advocate in MR safety issues.
• To ensure that all persons entering the scanner examination room have completed an MRI safety checklist and have removed all personal belongings, which might either be hazardous in the area of strong magnetic field or might be damaged by it.
• To ensure that, once removed, patients valuables are safely locked away.
• To be fully aware of the potential bio-effects of MRI and to ensure that the scanner is operated within safe limits at all times.
• To be familiar with safety procedures (quench, fire, cardiac arrest) which are specific to the MR environment.
• To match the clinical indications presented by the referrer to a departmental protocol using the appropriate surface coil to optimise image quality.
• To modify protocols and parameters where appropriate, to optimise diagnostic information in view of clinical indications, imaging findings or patient condition.
• To physically position the patient for the full range of MR examinations, to ensure that image quality, patient comfort and patient safety are maintained at all times, whilst taking into account patient limitations and adapting standard techniques where necessary.
• To participate in the safe transfer of patients and equipment within the department and hospital, using manual handling guidelines and risk assessment.
• To assess specific communication needs of individual patients. To anticipate where communication difficulties might make completion of the safety checklist impossible and to implement alternative methods to ensure that patient safety is maintained.
• To communicate effectively and empathetically with patients and their escorts at all times. In particular, to be sensitive to patient anxiety regarding the claustrophobic nature of the MR scanner and to be able to help patients overcome their anxiety so that the examination can be performed.
• To operate advanced software on the MR scanner, requiring excellent hand-eye co-ordination, e.g. bolus chasing, image reformatting and dynamic imaging.
• To review images and ensure that supplementary imaging procedures are considered prior to patient departure from the Department.
• To regularly perform scans which are carried out as part of research programmes.
• To understand the importance of consistency of technique in carrying out such scans and of the importance of accurate data recording.
• To ensure that urgent findings are communicated and patients are directed accordingly.
• To participate in the delivery of an out-of-hours service, which will require unsupervised working.
• To ensure appropriate infection control measures are utilised where necessary. Paying particular attention to personal protection, as well as the management of equipment and linen.
• To ascertain the patients suitability for injection of contrast media and Buscopan.
• Perform intravenous cannulation and administer intravenous contrast media by manual injection or using a pressure injector.
• To act with delegated authority as a referrer for limited plain film radiography.
• To undertake other duties as and when required by the demands of the service or the Radiology Services Manager.

Operational Responsibilities

• To liaise with other departments/wards within the hospital and various external sources in order to provide a quality service to patients and clinicians.
• To work closely with the anaesthetic team and with intensive care staff to ensure that they operate in a safe manner in the MRI environment.
• To effectively liaise with all disciplines of staff within the X-ray department.
• To communicate negotiated changes to staff rotas to Superintendent Radiographers.
• To organise workload in line with clinical priorities.
• To monitor and report faults and errors in RIS and PACS.
• To reflect on systems of work to identify problems and suggest areas for improvement.
• To attend departmental meetings as required.
• To report clinical and non-clinical incidents in line with Trust and departmental risk
• Management policies.
• To enter accurate patient and examination data into RIS and PACS.
• To cover out of hours duties as per an on call rota.

Managerial Responsibilities

• To monitor and report equipment faults, determining the severity of a problem and its probable impact on the workload. To make a balanced judgement on when to call in a service engineer, taking into account the effect on the normal running of the MRI service.
• To liaise with equipment suppliers regarding attendance of an engineer at a suitable time in the event of minor faults or immediately in the event of total equipment failure.
• To re-arrange the work list in event of equipment failure, being responsive to the inconvenience caused to patients by short notice cancellation of appointments.
• To vet requests for booking evaluating clinical information to determine appropriateness of request, degree of urgency and length of time required.
• To perform regular equipment testing, ensuring all results are documented and reported, recognising trends and proposing action required to effect change.
• Ensure continuing familiarisation with the current QA measures in place within the Department.

Please view the job description for the full details of the job

Person Specification

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

• State registration with the Health Professions Council
• Excellent technical quality with ability to solve problems and follow protocols
• Good knowledge of MRI safety
• Good evidence of CPD

Desirable

• A postgraduate qualification e.g. MSc in Radiography or equivalent clinical experience in Radiography

Skills

Essential

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Understanding of cross sectional anatomy
• Evidence of multidisciplinary team working
• Ability to handle a varied and non-standard workflow pattern

Desirable

• Evidence of Teaching and training
• Evidence of Research experience

Experience

Essential

• Minimum 6 months MRI in the past year MRI experience
• Excellent technical quality with ability to solve problems and follow protocols

Desirable

• Experience of supervising students

Employer details

Employer name

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Guy's and St. Thomas'

MRI dept

London

SE1 9RT

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

196-LIS8517