Nuclear Medicine Clinical Technologist/ Radiographer

The Nuclear Medicine Physics service at the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board currently operates at the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) site. We currently provide a busy DXA , non-imaging and therapy nuclear medicine service. We also provide support to the sub-region on a daily basis. We are a friendly team of 17 with plans to expand the service over the next few years.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic Clinical Technologist or Radiographer at Band 5 to join our supportive and collaborative team. The successful candidate will contribute to areas including clinical, technical and quality assurance.

THIS POST IS FIXED TERM FOR 6 MONTHS

Job description

The post holder will assess and prioritise their own workload, rearranging appointments and scanning schedules with the guidance of senior staff and in the course of their duties;

Communicate complex (clinical and technical) information to patients, colleagues, medical consultants and junior staff, and gain their cooperation.

Recognise and deal with any emergencies arising with equipment or patient health.

Provide verification for other members of the team and to disseminate information about nuclear medicine equipment, scanning routines and precautions to help train other members of staff.

Develop relationships with nursing staff, doctors and other departments to improve or maintain high standards of service to patients.

Promote safety in all aspects of the working environment where radioactive isotopes are used and to disseminate that information to patients and staff.

Work with full autonomy within or outside the health board when required and make any decisions within the scope of their competence.

Participate in any directorate quality system and assist in the production of quality system documents.

To participate in any management systems including facilitating equipment services, quality checks and moves as required.

Work in other areas of nuclear medicine as required.

Assist in the management of private and trial patients producing accurate records and sharing information with senior staff as needed.

Engage in teamwork providing support to colleagues, line manager and other members of staff whenever needed and contributing to a positive and supporting working environment.

Clinical and Technical

Be the IR(ME)R recognised operator for working in an environment with unsealed radioactive sources and X-rays.

Draw-up and check radiopharmaceutical doses to a high level of precision and accuracy for administration to patients, and record administered doses on related databases.

Carry out routine quality measurements on highly specialised nuclear medicine equipment, bringing any anomalies to the attention of senior staff.

Complete daily workload and adjust each complex activity according to individual medical needs.

Competence in performing independently all diagnostic procedures produced in the department to high standards of diagnostic information as required by referring clinicians.

Perform bone density scans using a variety of DXA scanners and techniques

Use PACS and the radiology information system to input information as well as validate information provided on referral form.

Perform complex therapy, imaging and non-imaging procedures under supervision until competence has been attained.

Follow appropriate training in the administration of unsealed radioactive dose in the manner dictated by the test either orally or intravenously.

To administer any drugs necessary for the test as approved and verified by an ARSAC licence holder or authorised through delegated authorisation.

Take responsibility for the safety of patients undergoing nuclear medicine and DXA procedures whilst in their care.

Carry out routine environmental contamination monitoring and decontaminate in accordance with departmental procedures.

Assist in recording acquired data and results and archive to CD/DVD and PACS, as required.

Reporting faults and liaise with service engineers/ Radiation Protection Service to ensure optimum equipment efficiency, as required

Management of radioactive waste in accordance with departmental procedures.

Policy and Service Developments and Implementation

Follow policies for nuclear medicine and DXA working areas and propose changes to working practices.

Provide assistance with the development of changes in any directorate quality systems that will have specific impact particularly in their own area but also generally within nuclear medicine.

Assist the manager of any directorate quality system in developing and implementing new policies and procedures.

Teaching and Training

Assist in the training of junior staff and students as required. Participate fully in the professional CPD programme by attending all necessary training courses and other relevant associated courses, conferences and seminars. Disseminate information and knowledge acquired in attended conferences and seminars by presenting at full staff and specific team meetings.

Participate in all mandatory training as required by Health Board policies.

Participate in all training strategies required by the line manager.

Research and Development

Participate in programs of research and development as appropriate to the clinical needs of the trust.

Participate in the production of audits as appropriate to the clinical needs of the department and to incorporate the results of those audits into clinical practice as required by the line manager.

Person specification

Essential

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent expertise within the area of specialism

Essential and Desirable

Essential

• Competent in the use of databases, spreadsheets and word processing
• Ability to deal sympathetically with patients and their relatives
• Understanding of relevant legislation including IRR, IR(ME)R, ARSAC, ADR/CDG & NRW guidance

Desirable

• Radioactive waste management
• Performing nuclear medicine and bone densitometry investigations on patients
• Extensive experience in cannulation and intravenous administration of radiopharmaceuticals; practices safe disposal of sharps

About the employer

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 17,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving over 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone, delivering excellent care and support.

Our mission is "Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together", and our vision is that every person's chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. Our 10-year transformation and improvement strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, is our chance to work collaboratively with the public and our workforce to make our health board more sustainable for the future.