PET/CT Radiographer, Cheltenham & Redditch

Job overview

We are seeking a skilled and compassionate PET/CT Radiographer to deliver high-quality PET/CT imaging services while maintaining exceptional professional and technical standards. Working across key locations within the region, you will support the PET/CT Superintendent, Manager, and Director of Clinical Operations in the day-to-day delivery of safe, efficient, and patient-centred services.

Based across Cheltenham and Redditch, with occasional travel to support services at other locations as required.

You will be a qualified Diagnostic Radiographer with a Degree in Diagnostic Radiography (or an equivalent HCPC-recognised qualification) and current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

You will bring proven experience of delivering high-quality, patient-centred healthcare services and have a strong understanding of the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IR(ME)R). You will be confident in developing, reviewing and implementing policies and procedures to support safe and effective clinical practice.

The successful candidate will have experience of participating in and contributing to quality assurance programmes, with the ability to interpret data and use findings to support service improvement. You will also demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development, maintaining and enhancing your knowledge and skills in line with professional and regulatory requirements.

Job description

You will be responsible for conducting imaging examinations in line with IR(ME)R 2017 regulations, local protocols and best practice standards, ensuring patient comfort, privacy and safety at all times. The role involves working closely with NHS partners, consultant radiologists and multidisciplinary teams, managing scanning lists, maintaining accurate patient records, performing quality assurance checks, and ensuring the safe operation of specialist imaging equipment. You will also provide excellent patient care, support infection prevention measures, and contribute to the smooth running of services in line with Cobalt's values and commitment to excellence.

Job responsibilities

Line Management

There is no line management responsibility associated with this post. However, there is an expectation that this position will include supervision of new radiographers / technologists, students and other junior staff members working as part of their team at nominated sites.

Job Purpose:

Provide professional, caring, high quality PET/CT scanning services whilst maintaining a high level of professionalism and technical standard of work, complying with relevant Codes of Practice and radiographic technique.

Responsible for the daily operations and delivery of PET/CT services at nominated key locations within a region, supporting the PET/CT and CT manager and Director of Clinical Operations.

To ensure the privacy, comfort and safety of all patients who attend our services.

Key Relationships

Cobalt staff team, mobile site staff, logistics, support engineers and patients, local NHS teams and referrers

Key areas of responsibility will include:

Operational Duties

At all times to maintain a positive partnership with NHS Hospitals and local teams on behalf of Cobalt and ensure continuity of service in line with Charity values.

Key liaison with multidisciplinary teams in area of work and respond to the clinical requests consultant radiologists in accordance with applicable National protocols and guidance

Responsible for the organisation and smooth running of day-to-day scanning lists.

Undertake imaging procedures working to set standards and protocols in accordance with best practice and in a manner that meets professional, departmental and legal standards and requirements according to Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IRMER) and employer procedures.

Work in accordance with the PETCT local rules, systems of work, administrative and operational procedures health and safety and risk management, and within local ARSAC agreements.

Providing physical and emotional support to patients throughout their attendance. Conduct consent and screening safety checks with patients prior to examination to ensure their suitability for imaging examinations or procedures.

Data entry using radiology information systems (RIS), data sharing and checking image transfer is completed using CIMAR and Picture Archive (PACs), Image Exchange Portal (IEP) and other associated information systems ensuring accurate, legible, comprehensive medical records are maintained.

Responsible for the Quality Assurance checks on ionising radiation equipment, in accordance with the departmental QA program and report any deviation from expected results to a line manager. Undertake action to rectify the deviation as appropriate and document the action taken in the required log.

Ensure the safe use and maintenance of highly specialist imaging equipment, to adhere to all local safety procedures and report all equipment faults in accordance with the fault reporting process and liaise with line managers to ensure timely rectification or removal of equipment from service if necessary.

Ensure a clean, safe and appropriate environment that facilitates the prevention and control of infections in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Specific Duties

Have a highly specialist knowledge of all PET/CT specific procedures and ongoing improvement of low dose imaging protocols and maintenance of scanning databases.

Support the managers with the development of and implementation of workflow/processes improvements

Participate in the review of departmental clinical policies, procedures, processes and pathways, liaising with line managers to develop and implement improvement.

Work as an operator in accordance with the PET/CT local rules, IRMER and ARSAC procedures and justify scanning protocols in accordance with national guidance

Manage clinical audits in their area of work, collate data and generate KPI reports with accuracy and attention to detail.

Accurate record keeping documenting all radioactive delivery, dispensing, injecting, and waste activities within the unit.

Ensuring radiation safety is maintained with regular recorded environmental monitoring, management of the controlled area, and correct use of PPE / personal monitoring

Liaison with the Infection Control Lead to monitor and maintain environmental and patient equipment cleanliness and complete necessary checklists in accordance with the infection prevention and control program.

• Responsibility for stock checking consumables and ensuring correct levels are maintained, including emergency care items, and maintaining accurate monthly records.

To support the service during external visits by Trust or industry stakeholders including CQC and QSI inspectors.

Manage local clinical team meetings and when requested provide updated reports in area of work.

(Optional) Be the responsible radiation protections supervisor (RPS) in their area of work, and support/provide guidance to junior staff members. (Separate JD)

Supervise clinical induction, IRMER safety education and applications training to personnel, including trainees, students, agency or temporary workers.

Ensuring due regard is given to the customs, values and spiritual beliefs of patients and to ensure patients views are sought and considered

Maintain up to date and accurate personal CPD records and participate in appraisal and mandatory training.

Any other duties in accordance with the level of the role.

Management of Resources

• Monitor and maintain laundry supplies and clinical consumables.
• Monitor and maintain beverage/refreshment supplies.
• Responsible for maintaining adequate supplies of stationery and marketing literature

Teamwork

• To work collaboratively with other departments within Cobalt
• Taking an active part in team meetings
• Champion the professional integrity of the organisation
• Adhere to corporate policy and procedure
• Advise and mentor staff members, particularly junior staff members

Confidentiality

Under no circumstances either during or after the end of your employment (however it is terminated) may you divulge to any unauthorised person confidential information relating to the Charity. This includes, but is not limited to, information covering patients,individual staff records, industrial relations, financial affairs, contract terms and prices or business forecasts.

Data Protection

If required to do so, to obtain, process and/or use information held on computer or other IT system in a fair and lawful way. To hold data only for specific registered purpose and not use or disclose it in any way incompatible with such purpose. To disclose data only to authorised persons or organisations as instructed.

DBS Disclosure

All appointments are subject to a satisfactory initial DBS check by the Disclosure and Barring Service and satisfactory repeat checks, carried out in line with the policy in force at the time. Failure to disclose any convictions or cautions may result in the withdrawal of the post or termination of contract.

Equality and Diversity

It is the responsibility of all employees to support the Charitys vision of promoting a positive approach to diversity and equality of opportunity, to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage in service delivery and employment, and to manage, support or comply through the implementation of Equality & Diversity Strategies and Policies.

Health & Safety

In addition to any responsibilities specified within your job description above, it is your duty to:

• Take reasonable care of the health and safety of yourself and of the other people who may be affected by actions and omissions at work.
• Co-operate with the employer in ensuring that all statutory and other requirements are complied with.

Infection Control

Make themselves aware of their responsibilities for infection prevention and control. Cooperate with the employer in ensuring that all infection prevention and control policies and procedures are complied with. Conduct hand hygiene in accordance with Cobalt policy, challenging those around you who do not.

Information Governance

You should be aware of all information governance policies and procedures, in order to ensure necessary safeguards are upheld for the appropriate use of patient and personal information. You are required to undertake the Data Protection training included in the NHS IT Governance Toolkit as instructed.

About the organisation

Cobalt is an innovative and dynamic medical imaging charity delivering diagnostic imaging services across the country through dedicated imaging centres in Cheltenham and Birmingham and a fleet of mobile and relocatable CT, PET/CT and MRI scanners. Scanning over 160,000 patients each year, the charity invests in the very latest imaging technology to support the NHS and other healthcare providers.

Patient care is at the heart of all we do. We carefully select people who can show us how they share these same values and can contribute to a culture of respect, diversity, vision and a commitment to continuous learning and development.

Person specification

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Excellent working knowledge of PET/CT protocols and
• procedures.
• Adaptability and ability to modify technique if required in difficult
• situations.
• Demonstrable team working skills and the ability to work on your
• own initiative
• An understanding and application of health and safety
• regulations and infection control policy relating to a healthcare
• environment
• Confident communicator at all levels
• A high level of IT competency and the ability to gather data,
• compile complex information and prepare reports
• Ability to analyse and interpret radiographic imaging
• Ability to assess and implement highly specialist imaging
• procedures, adapting technique and prioritise imaging if required
• Ability to develop, plan and implement goals

Desirable

• Full driving license to enable travel to various locations.
• Depending on work location and public transport infrastructure
• this may not be essential.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Diagnostic Radiography or equivalent HCPC
• recognised qualification
• Registered member of Health and Care Professions Council
• College of Radiography IV Cannulation Certificate or equivalent

Desirable

• PGCert or Dip in CT or Masters in Radiography/PET/CT or
• CT

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience as cross-sectional imaging
• radiographer covering a wide range of clinical examinations and
• applications.
• Proven experience in healthcare and patient focused services.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Ionising Radiation (Medical
• Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IRMER).
• Ability to develop and implement policy and procedure.
• Experience implementing and participating in quality assurance
• programmes and interpreting data.
• Evidence of continuing personal professional development.

Desirable

• Evidence of experience in a supervisory or training role.