About this role
Job summary
Important
Please apply for this post via the Cardiff University website only, www.cardiff.ac.uk/jobs and search for vacancy number - 950
Full advert please see supporting documents
We are seeking to appoint an experienced MR Radiographer within the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC) to join two major Wellcome Discovery Awards:
- BEAM Study: investigating how brain microstructure develops during late childhood and adolescence, and how deviations in these trajectories relate to cognition and mental health risk.
- BLOCCS Study: investigating the development of core cognitive building blocks (Cognitive Speed, Language and executive function) and their interplay with brain structure and function from infancy to the first year of school
This role offers a rare opportunity to work with unique MRI infrastructure, including one of only four ultrastrong gradient (Connectom) scanners worldwide and ultrahighfield (7T) MRI.
The postholder will be responsible for specialist image acquisition support for these two studies which focus on babies, children and adolescents, and support other CUBRIC studies and clinical trials including paediatrics, adults and patient groups as the need arises.
You will work within a small collaborative team of MR Radiographers alongside a highly interdisciplinary, international team led by worldleading experts in microstructural MRI, developmental neuroscience, psychiatry, and longitudinal modelling.
Main duties of the job
Provide specialist, high quality and safe MR imaging and support for research and clinical imaging services, with a primary role in two large paediatric/adolescent developmental research studies. The post-holder will operate a range of MRI systems within a world-leading university research imaging centre.
About us
Working at Cardiff University offers you competitive remuneration, an impressive array of benefits, excellent career development and a positive working environment.
We are one of the UKs most innovative, ambitious, and successful universities and recognise that our success depends largely upon the commitment, energy and enthusiasm of our people.
That's why we strive to provide excellent working conditions and policies for our staff, with benefits ranging from generous leave entitlement to training and development opportunities.
We are committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity. Our inclusive environment welcomes applications from talented people from diverse backgrounds.
Join us and help us achieve our ambition of becoming a world-leading, research-excellent, educationally outstanding university, driven by creativity and curiosity, which fulfils its social, cultural and economic obligations to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose
Duties and Responsibilities
Key Duties
To provide a professional MRI radiography service for research participants, ensuring high standards of participant care, safety and experience throughout the imaging pathway.
To practice professional and safe service in all aspects of CUBRIC MR safety-screening, scanner operation and all other MR-related activity. Operating the scanner competently, using standardised protocols and thereby producing high-quality and highly consistent data/image quality.
To possess a sound knowledge of participant and patient MR safety. Training on CUBRIC and Cardiff University processes will be given as part of employee induction.
To communicate complex information and instructions sensitively and effectively to research participants, children, patients, parents/guardians, vulnerable adults, and individuals with physical, cognitive or mental health needs.
To provide professional advice and guidance on MRI radiography processes, participant management and imaging procedures to researchers, students and colleagues, ensuring complex issues are understood and managed appropriately
To take responsibility for resolving operational issues independently within the MRI scanning environment, escalating where appropriate in line with role responsibilities and safety procedures
To assist in the planning, booking and time management of research and clinical scanning activity to support efficient delivery of imaging studies and research objectives
To contribute to the development, review and implementation of paediatric MRI imaging workflows and procedures, including feed-and-wrap and bedtime scanning pathways, to support safe, effective, efficient and high-quality imaging for infants and children.
To establish and maintain effective working relationships with research teams, University departments, healthcare professionals and external collaborators to support delivery of research activity
To support and provide scanner operator cover during periods of annual leave and absence, ensuring continuity of scanning services
To maintain accurate and timely records of scanning activity, safety incidents, near misses and operational documentation in accordance with regulatory and University requirements
To contribute to training and guidance for colleagues, students and researchers in MRI safety, scanning procedures and participant management as required
To attend and keep up to date with all relevant safety sessions, professional development, and mandatory Cardiff University training courses/updates and maintain HCPC Registration
To undertake a variety of administrative duties to support the effective operation of the MRI research service and associated studies
General Duties
To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality, information governance and data protection is applied when undertaking all duties
To abide by University policies and procedures, including those relating to Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity, the Welsh Language Act and Data Protection
To maintain a safe, clean and professional MRI laboratory environment by undertaking routine housekeeping duties, stock control, ensuring compliance with infection prevention, hygiene and safety standards.
To perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which are consistent with the role and responsibilities of the post
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Fully qualified and HCPC registered Diagnostic Radiographer with a Degree or Diploma in Diagnostic Radiography
Additional criteria
Essential
- An ability to work safely in an MR environment
- Able to acquire imaging data to meet quality control standards, following defined protocols, in an efficient and professional manner.
- To be able to communicate conceptually detailed and complex information effectively, professionally and appropriately with a wide range of persons. To be able to communicate appropriately with; elderly persons, children, scan subject relatives, vulnerable persons, anxious scan subjects.
- Ability to work independently, using initiative and sound judgement, while contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Flexibility in adjusting to provide scanner cover out of hours, including weekends, in line with research and clinical service requirements.
Desirable
- National or local accreditation, training or competency in intravenous cannulation for the administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents.
- Fluency in Welsh, written and oral.
Experience
Essential
- Experience and training in MRI imaging, including safe operation of MRI scanners within clinical and/or research environments.
- Experience of working with participants and /or patients with complex physical, neurological, developmental or behavioural needs, including individuals with learning disabilities, cognitive impairment, mental health conditions or communication difficulties.
- Experience of contributing to MRI operational procedures, imaging protocols, quality assurance processes, safety documentation or quality improvement within a clinical or research setting.
Desirable
- Experience of working with ultra-high field MRI systems (greater than 3T), and/or acquisition of advanced imaging techniques such as multiband fMRI and diffusion imaging.
- Previous experience of, or demonstrable interest in, supporting researchers, research studies, clinical trials or academic imaging projects within a clinical or research environment.
- Experience of scanning paediatric participants/patients, with an understanding of the varied challenges and techniques of scanning this these individuals.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Cardiff University
Address
Cardiff University
Cubric
Maindy Road
CARDIFF
CF24 4HQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)