MRI Radiographer - Band 6 | and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

Overview

To be able to perform a wide range of MRI examinations of all body areas as required, producing high quality diagnostic images. To manage patient priority as appropriate whilst maintaining a high standard of patient care, respect for dignity and privacy. To work both as an autonomous practitioner and as part of the MRI team to provide a comprehensive and effective service in relation to the responsibilities of a senior radiographer.

Training will be given to enable the post holder to justify routine MRI examinations. To provide guidance and support to junior members of staff as well as patients and other health care professionals. To assist in ensuring the MRI service meets all waiting time targets and responds to the future needs of the organisation by participating in the extended 7 day working.

In the future this will involve new developments around extended MRI service provision.

You may be asked to work at either Epsom or St Helier hospital sites as required by the service. To give the very highest standard of care to the cohort of patients for which you have been made responsible and to be able to carry out all tasks involved in ensuring that any patient in your care is successfully examined and well cared for.

• Act as the patient’s advocate, ensuring that their needs and dignity are respected and that other healthcare staff exercise equal respect for patients’ rights whether a procedure is being carried out in the department or any remote location.
• Ensure the MRI safety of all patients and personnel within the MRI department.
• Position patients accurately for each examination, adapting techniques in accordance with the patient’s needs.
• Liaise with referral sources where clarification is required for justification of examinations.
• Act as a point of advice for imaging referrers, such as Doctors, Nurses & Nurse Practitioners.
• Assess specific communication needs of individual patients, with sensitivity to anxieties regarding claustrophobic MRI scanning, and obtain consent and cooperation from anxious patients; counsel patients (e.g., very young or claustrophobic patients).
• Communicate effectively and empathetically with patients prior to, during and after an examination, and with relatives of patients.
• Ensure urgent findings are communicated in accordance with departmental protocols and patients are directed accordingly.
• Ensure all appropriate infection control measures are utilised, with attention to personal protection and equipment management.
• Participate in the safe transfer of patients and equipment within the Department and Hospital, using manual handling guidelines and risk assessment.
• Be able to lift and position MRI coils and wear radiation protective clothing for interventional CT procedures where applicable.
• Safely administer contrast media and other drugs in accordance with protocols, ascertain patient suitability for IV drugs and contribute to management of potential complications under indirect supervision of radiologists.
• Take responsibility for ensuring MRI safety for patients, self and others; ensure all entering the MRI environment have completed a safety checklist and that belongings are secured.
• Be familiar with bio-effects of MRI and ensure scanner operation within safe limits; make risk/benefit decisions taking individual patients into account.
• Be familiar with MRI safety procedures (e.g., fire, quench, cardiac arrest) where there is potentially fatal risk to staff.
• Possess HPC registration and maintain standards required to retain registration; comply with Trust policies and departmental protocols.
• Offer definitive advice to staff about protocols, policies and working practices; perform duties to a superior standard and act as a reference for Radiographers, Assistant Practitioners and students.

• HPC registration and ability to work in accordance with professional standards.
• Experience in MRI examination practices and patient care within an NHS or equivalent radiography setting.
• Ability to work autonomously and within a team; commitment to patient advocacy, safety and high-quality imaging.
• Preparedness to work at Epsom or St Helier hospital sites as required by the service.
• Understanding of infection control, radiation safety, and emergency procedures relevant to MRI and imaging.
• Willingness to participate in extended service delivery and future service developments.

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