As a Radiotherapy Review Radiographer the successful post holder will be an integral part of the Uro-Oncology team facilitating patients with Urological cancers through the radiotherapy treatment pathway.

The post holder will be expected to work independently following training, to practice at an enhanced level supporting patients with radiotherapy side effects on treatment and follow up as well as consenting patients for treatment, including the use of prescribing either as a Non-medical Prescriber or dispensing medications under patient group directives (PGD)

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is a highly specialised Oncology treatment hospital with 4 radiotherapy unit sites across Greater Manchester, delivering Proton Beam Therapy and with an MR Linac machine. The post holder will be based at The Christie at Withington site but may need to travel to other sites for training/facilitating education for patients or supporting peripheral clinics.

Applications welcomed through NHS Jobs.

Main duties of the job

• Co-ordinate the Radiotherapy pathway for Urological patients undergoing Radiotherapy.
• Act as a key support for Urological patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment.
• Signpost and refer patients to appropriate services and information for further support.
• Review patients and manage their treatment related side effects.
• Identify non-treatment related symptoms and refer to appropriate team members for advice including escalating urgent medical issues.
• Work independently to assess patients and seek advice/support as required.
• Consent patients for radiotherapy treatments within scope of practice.
• Dispense medications as a Non-medical prescriber or with the use of Patient Group Directives.
• Attend relevant team meetings for support/education and training.
• Liaise with a range of team health care professionals to ensure excellent patient care.
• Undertake audits/projects assigned by the team to improve/facilitate patient care

About us

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.

We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.

We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

Job description

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Duties and Responsibilities

• To work autonomously with other specialist disciplines. To streamline patient care and improve access for patients, both within and outside The Christie, ensuring that radiotherapy is carried in accordance to current recommended timescales.
• Plan and manage own workload and the workload of the service, in a flexible manner, ensuring that service provision meets the need of patients.
• Participate in the direct clinical management of patients. This includes history taking, physical examination and requisition of appropriate clinical investigations, formulation of clinical management plans and re-evaluation of implemented treatment plans as appropriate.
• Consent agreed patient groups for treatment and procedures as per Trust policy.
• Work with the clinical team to formulate clinical decisions and complex treatment plans to manage acute radiotherapy toxicity and psychosocial issues by responding to actual and potential health problems appropriately.
• For agreed patient groups, work as an independent non-medical prescriber if applicant has this qualification.
• Accept and make appropriate referrals from/to other professional colleagues.
• Contribute to the coordination and effective management of the admission and discharge process.
• Prepare accurate and concise records and reports both verbal and written.
• Communicate with the patients referring specialist, GP and other community and hospice based services at regular intervals as appropriate.
• Practice evidence based health care and be responsible for developing, monitoring and updating clinical policies in relation to own area of practice.
• Act as an expert resource and provide advice to ward/departmental areas and the wider community.
• Attend and participate in all relevant MDTs and clinics ensuring relevant information relating to patient treatment and care is communicated and received.
• To attend relevant oncology clinics to make initial contact with this group of patients.
• To maintain and develop links with local cancer networks and cancer service collaborative.
• To be pro-active in the development and implementation of evidence based clinical practice in line with local and national initiatives, facilitating changes in service where necessary.
• To act as an expert resource on pre-treatment scanning, planning and treatment delivery in relation to the specific patient group.
• Demonstrates the agreed set of values and accountable for own attitude and behaviour

Patient Care

• Develop a relationship that recognises the person (patient/family member/carer) as an individual.
• Give information, at an appropriate level of understanding, to ensure a patient is fully informed along all stages of the patient pathway.
• Develop and update patient specific information which is age appropriate.
• Co-ordinate the patient journey ensuring appointments and information is communicated to the patient in a timely fashion
• Act as a patient advocate with clear feedback systems in place to the MDT and referring hospitals.
• Communicate highly complex, sensitive or contentious information to patients and carers. This may include diagnosis, results of scans or other investigations, management options and details of prognosis.
• Asses on a regular basis whether more support or advice is needed and offered where appropriate.
• Provide an important point of contact for the patient and those around them both during and after completion of treatment, ensuring continuation of care.
• Cover other appropriate disease groups as required.
• Supervisory and Managerial Responsibilities.
• Contribute to the clinical governance process, including adverse incident reporting/investigation and the management of complaints, as appropriate.
• Attend meetings at managerial, Trust committee and local Trust partnership level, acting as advocate for area of work and profession
• Participate in national oncology/radiotherapy advisory boards and relevant working groups as invited. Assist in the development of integrated patient pathways (e.g. NICE Guidance on Cancer Services, NHS Guidance etc.).
• Identify gaps in service provision and work with the MDT and cancer network to implement the changes required to improve service provision.

Responsibilities for human resources

• Work closely with team to ensure relevant MDT meetings and clinics are staffed.
• Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff.

Professional and Personal Development

• Act in accordance with the professional code of professional conduct: standards for conduct and ethics.
• Provide evidence of continued professional development in the form of a professional practice portfolio to meet the revalidation requirements of the relevant professional register.
• Be flexible in line with evolving radiotherapy service across all Christie sites.
• Ensure patient confidentiality at all times.
• Maintain patient safety and dignity.
• Comply with policies and procedures of the Trust.
• Maintain clinical competencies, sufficient to participate in the patient pathway for specific disease site.
• Participate in performance development review and evaluate own clinical practice.
• Maintain essential training records.

Teaching and Training

• Take an active role in the training of all learners in radiotherapy.
• Educate patients and their carers on issues surrounding health promotion and illness prevention.
• Promote and facilitate changes to lifestyle where appropriate.

Research and Audit

• Obtain/Maintain ICH/GCP competence.
• Facilitate radiotherapy research.
• Keep up to date with current research and publications.
• Initiate and support clinical audit with respect to evaluating service effectiveness and future developments within the role, developing and managing strategies to address any shortfalls.
• Disseminate relevant research findings to colleagues and members of the health professions via presentation and publication.

Project Work

• To pursue continuing professional development and in doing so provide evidence of continued professional development in the form of a professional portfolio.
• Assist in the development of radiotherapy treatment planning and delivery of the specific disease site.
• Lead on developing and updating patient and carer information.
• Assist in the development of appropriate competencies and training for specialist radiographers and other non-medical health care professionals who may assist the review team.
• Assist in development of relevant protocols in the radiotherapy quality system

This is not an exhaustive list and additional duties may be required as requested by the Consultant Oncologists/Radiotherapy Service Manager.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• HCPC/NMC/other appropriate registration
• Willingness and ability to work towards- Consent skills / Review skills / Aspects of Prescribing (i.e. PGDs)
• Portfolio with evidence of post graduate level study.

Desirable

• Further post-graduate qualification in MSc. or Post Graduate Diploma.
• NMP qualification

Experience

Essential

• Extensive clinical experience with current and continuous service at lead Senior level.
• Evidence of expertise in Cancer Care for specified site.
• Evidence of change management
• Evidence of an understanding of advanced techniques
• Evidence of active role in the setting and maintenance of quality standards.
• Experience of on-the-job teaching to other qualified staff.
• Evidence of relevant CPD

Desirable

• Evidence of participation in research and/or radiotherapy development work.

Skills

Essential

• Organised but flexible approach to work.
• Ability to disseminate information through different media.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all grades of staff, patients, carers and general public.
• Ability to problem solve and to make sound decisions independently and particularly under pressure in the clinical environment.
• High standard of communication skills.
• Ability to motivate others.
• Able to show initiative and innovation in order to develop the service for the future.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to work as a self-motivated autonomous practitioner

Desirable

• Good presentation skills.
• Evidence of research skills-e.g. critical analysis of current literature, awareness of translational research and evidenced based practice

Knowledge

Essential

• Awareness of contemporary issues surrounding Oncology of specialist site.
• Knowledge of developing technologies and techniques which may impact on the specialist service.
• Demonstrate an understanding of advanced techniques.
• Knowledge and application of Ionising radiation medical exposure regulations (IRMER) and other relevant policies and regulations local and national.
• Ability to pass on knowledge to staff and student radiographers to ensure continuing education in radiotherapy practice.

Desirable

• Knowledge of current Health service and Oncology specific legislation and DoH plans.
• Awareness of current trials (chemotherapy and radiotherapy) ongoing for this disease group in both the radical and palliative setting.
• Masters level knowledge, training and experience of oncology.

Values

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours.
• Committed to professional development.
• Confidence to adapt to an evolving and changing service.

Desirable

• Calm and conscientious nature.

Other

Essential

• Committed and flexible with shift patterns and availability.
• Ability to travel across sites regularly

Employer details

Employer name

The Christie NHS FT

Address

Radiotherapy Macclesfield - E00864

Manchester

M20 4BX

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

413-88399-CNS-LS