Therapeutic Radiographer

Job summary
We are looking for a hardworking, enthusiastic and motivated radiographer to join our friendly radiotherapy team. We offer an excellent new starter induction package, with extensive training and development opportunities supported by our specialist education team.

This rotational post offers a diverse workload and excellent multidisciplinary working, including close collaboration with anaesthetics, nursing and physics teams. The proton department is a Varian site using ProBeam spot-scanning technology, while the photon department is an Elekta site. Both offer state-of-the-art equipment and a warm, welcoming environment.

Radiographers will operate equipment under the supervision of Senior and Superintendent Radiographers. Successful applicants will be highly motivated, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

HCPC registration is required, although applications are welcomed from current students due to qualify who have an HCPC application in progress.

Fixed-term positions are available, with potential to become permanent, working 37.5 hours per week with variable shift times. Opportunities may be available across all Christie sites, including Withington, Macclesfield, Oldham and Salford.

We welcome informal enquiries from candidates who would like to learn more about the role or arrange a tour of the department. We look forward to hearing from you.

Main duties of the job

• To ensure that the highly complex radiotherapy and imaging equipment is safe and accurate to operate, both for staff and patients, undertaking the appropriate machine checks, reporting any variances, faults, and malfunctions as necessary.
• Evaluate delivery of radiotherapy through application and interpretation of treatment verification procedures.
• Follow appropriate systems and working methods to achieve the safe, timely achievement of workload targets.
• Be able to accurately position patient and operate highly complex radiotherapy and imaging equipment along the radiotherapy pathway. Keep accurate records and comply with necessary policies and procedures.
• Analyse systematically and evaluate all data and information relevant to patients' diagnosis, ensuring the patient and their relatives are treated with dignity and respect at all times.
• To implement the procedures and work instructions described for the department in the accredited Quality Management System and report any variances.
• Ensure all work and actions comply with local rules and current UK Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 and IR(ME)R 2017.
• Participate in the shift system, bank holidays, weekend working and on-call.
• Any other duties negotiated with the post holder, to develop their role in the organisation.
• To achieve all the competencies as outlined by the radiotherapy education team within a time period as outlined by line managers.

About us
The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, looking after more than 64,000 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 25% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.

We are the largest radiotherapy provider in the NHS with one in 20 treatments delivered at The Christie. We have up to 15 linear accelerators operating across our network of sites. We operate the largest chemotherapy unit in the UK on our main site and treatments are also provided at 13 other networked sites, and in patients homes. And as a specialist tertiary surgical centre, we focus on rare cancers, complex procedures, and multidisciplinary approaches to cancer surgery, specialising in colorectal, peritoneal, gynaecological, urological and plastic surgery.

We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We have been named by the UK's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), as one of the best hospitals providing opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research studies, with more than 800 studies open at any time, caring for over 3,000 patients.

Job responsibilities

• To ensure that the highly complex radiotherapy and imaging equipment is safe and accurate to operate, both for staff and patients, undertaking the appropriate machine checks, reporting any variances, faults and malfunctions as necessary.
• Undertake and evaluate radiation dose delivery complex calculations, involving a range of radiation types and energies. Interpret, monitor, and evaluate the treatment prescription to ensure that radiotherapy is delivered accurately and reproducibly.
• Evaluate delivery of radiotherapy through application and interpretation of treatment verification procedures.
• Follow appropriate systems and working methods to achieve the safe, timely achievement of workload targets.
• Be able to accurately position patient and operate highly complex radiotherapy and imaging equipment along the radiotherapy pathway.
• Keep accurate records and comply with necessary policies and procedures.
• Analyse systematically and evaluate all data and information relevant to patients diagnosis, ensuring the patient and their relatives are treated with dignity and respect at all times.
• Communicate confidential sensitive information in line with information governance, and provide emotional support, to patients and their carers/relatives including children and the terminally ill. Provide information to patients and their carers about the radiotherapy pathway and expected side effects.
• To communicate accurate and timely information with all other disciplines involved along the patients pathway.
• Anticipate and identify common and complex treatment related side effects, offering advice and where necessary refer to other relevant health care professionals. Apply safe and effective moving and handling skills in order to protect patients and staff and abide by Health and safety legislation in the workplace.
• Minimise risk of and cross infection through contamination by bodily fluids/matter. In accordance of the infection control policy.
• To implement the procedures and work instructions described for the department in the accredited Quality Management System and report any variances.
• Ensure all work and actions comply with local rules and current UK Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 and IR(ME)R 2017.
• Be aware of and participate in the audit and research within the department and the implementation of new processes and techniques.
• Undertake training and competency to dispense medication under Patient Group Directive (PGD).
• Participate in the shift system, bank holidays, weekend working and on-call.
• Any other duties negotiated with the post holder, to develop their role in the organisation.
• To achieve all the competencies as outlined by the radiotherapy education team within a time period as outlined by line manager.

Teaching and training

• Participate in an annual Personal Development Review.
• Attend all essential training and clinical updates as required.
• Be capable of assimilating new ideas and techniques.
• Assist in the supervision and training/teaching of pre-registration students and new members of staff.
• Highlight to line manager all issues of poor inadequate performance, including capability and poor professional standards, for students and employees.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• DCR(T), BSc (Hons) or PGDip in Therapeutic Radiography).
• HCPC registration.

Experience
Essential

• Evidence of clinical placements to demonstrate experience.
• Equipment and techniques Working with ISO 9001/2008 or equivalent.

Skills
Essential

• Ability to communicate well with individuals, team, multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to advise support workers and supervise Student Radiographers.
• Ability to deal effectively with predictable and routine problems using defined and familiar procedures and guidelines.
• Ability to manage difficult conversations.
• Ability in conflict resolution with all grades of staff, patients, carers and general public.
• Ability to foster a team-environment, motivating colleagues.
• Ability to impart messages including in group setting, utilising presentation aids as appropriate.
• Reliability to work well under pressure.
• Able to adapt skills to all areas of department.
• Flexibility in working hours, given appropriate notice.
• Ability to co-ordinate work to meet the demands of the established and developing service.
• Demonstrate tolerance, sensitivity & empathy with staff and clients.
• Enthusiastic and well-motivated with a commitment to providing a high standard of service.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge and understanding of advanced radiotherapy.
• Experience of image guided radiotherapy. Detailed knowledge of anatomy, oncology, radiobiology and physics.
• Techniques and technology including VMAT, IMRT, FFF, stereotactic and protons.
• Evidence of competency in calculation of treatment doses.
• Good knowledge of other relevant legislation, guidance and national working parties in radiotherapy.
• Knowledge of IR(ME)R 2017 and IRR 2017 and responsibilities relating to own professional practice.
• Knowledge of Data Protection legislation, health and safety legislation, etc.
• Awareness of the professional context including the role and function of the College of Radiographers, the National Radiotherapy Board and the National Radiotherapy Implementation Group.

Values
Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours.

Other
Essential

• Hours: 37.5 Shift Patterns: Expected to work shifts patterns between 06:00 am and 23:00 pm.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: The Christie NHS FT
Address: PBT Radiotherapy - E00625, Manchester, M20 4BX, United Kingdom
Employer's website:

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Treatment Superintendent
David Kirk
View email address on meeveem.com