Mammographer @ King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Job summary

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of London's largest and busiest teaching hospitals.

In line with being at the forefront of many developments in Breast Screening and diagnosis. You will operate between our two static sites and six mobile units throughout the South East of London.

We are increasing our establishment and are looking for a qualified and experienced mammographer able to work autonomously within specialist areas and will be accountable for your own professional actions. You will assess, manage and prioritise a caseload, giving advice and guidance to patients and other health care professionals.

You should be a radiographer registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and will hold either a BSc in radiography or the Diploma of the College of Radiographers. You should hold the UK Postgraduate Award in Mammography. You will have excellent communication skills and a strong commitment to providing the best possible quality in both the technical and patient care aspects of your work. We are one of the five designated National Breast Screening Training Centres in England therefore an interest in clinical teaching is desirable. You will be flexible and adaptable and able to travel between all sites in South East London.

A Genuine Occupational Requirement under the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act Section 7(ii) applies to this post so we are only looking for female applicants.

Main duties of the job

As a qualified and experienced mammographer you will be able to work autonomously within specialist areas, consulting senior staff as and when necessary, and will be accountable for your own professional actions. You will assess, manage and prioritise a caseload, giving advice and guidance to patients and other health care professionals. You will participate in multiple site rotations as and when necessary.

About us

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Job description Job responsibilities

Participate in multiple site rotations as and when necessary.Act as an Operator under the IR(ME)R Radiation Regulations and assess the clinical justification of referrals to ensure that the benefit to the patient outweighs the radiation risk associated with the examination.Act as patient and staff advocate minimising their exposure to radiation.Provide timely, efficient and courteous provision of radiographic services to the agreed standards of the department taking account of the patient/clients clinical, physical and cultural needs.Monitor and adjust work priorities in conjunction with other professionals to take into account changing demands on the diagnostic services due to emergencies, ensuring that the Trust targets are met.Accountable for own professional actions and work within codes of Practice and professional guidelinesApply in-depth knowledge of anatomy, pathology and equipment to determine appropriate imaging techniques for the individual patient condition.Responsible for the safe use and maintenance of complex, high capital cost specialist imaging equipmentBe responsible for ensuring the legal documentation on the Radiology Information System (RIS) and Picture Archiving Communications System (PACS)Receive and welcome patients and staff and deal with any enquiries in a kind and courteous manner.Communicate with the referrer any changes to referrals after assessing the clinical justification for an x-ray examination against IR(ME)R and local protocols.Deal sensitively with patients or carers under emotional stress, including the terminally ill and bereaved.Deal with potentially aggressive patientsCommunicate complex information relating to conditions and procedures to staff, patients and carers and ensure informed consent for examinations.Communicates effectively on a daily basis with patients with communication difficulties and cognitive impairmentAnticipate and interpret customers needs, defining the level of customer care required on an individual basisCommunicate effectively with staff within and outside of the departmentGive factual information to patients, including children, regarding examinations and understand the necessary preparationsWork with other Radiographers, Consultant Radiologists, Health Care Professionals to assist them with breast imaging examinations and other procedures.Ensure the safety and well being of patients, staff and visitors within the departmentEnsure patients receive timely and accurate information about their examination, and ensure urgent findings are communicated in the appropriate way to referrers.Position patients accurately for each examination, adapting techniques in accordance with the patients needsBe competent in the utilisation of complex and specialised imaging equipmentOperate advanced software on specialised radiological equipment requiring in-depth anatomical, pathological and technical knowledgeBe able to decide on additional views when required in line with professional knowledgeComply with the requirements of CNSTDemonstrate problem-solving approach, evaluating the need to refer problems to the line managerBe accountable for own professional actions and working within codes of practice and professional guidelines, consulting senior staff as and when necessaryAct as a source of knowledge to be consulted by other professionalsSafely administer contrast media and other drugs in accordance with protocols as requiredEnsure the safe transferring of patients and equipment, following manual handling guidelines and using risk assessmentAssist with changing and personal care of patients as necessary including immobile and disabledOperate a wide range of radiological equipment requiring excellent hand-eye co-ordination. e.g. post processing of imagesOperate Modality and PACS equipment within a VDU environmentPhysically position patients accurately for each examination, adapting techniques in accordance with the patients needsEnsure appropriate infection control measures are utilised where necessary. Paying particular attention to personal protection as well as the management of equipment and linens contaminated by bodily fluids.Management Responsibility

Organise and manage an agreed workload with support from other health care professionals and senior staff as appropriateEnsure that all Trust and local policies, protocols and procedures are adhered to by colleagues as appropriateWork within and support the multi-disciplinary teamMaintain effective communication and professional relationships with all areas within RadiologyShare knowledge and skills developed with other members of the multi-disciplinary teamSupervise the work of training radiographers and assistant practitioners within the local area, training staff in the imaging required for Breast Radiology as appropriateObserve personal responsibility for resource managementResponsible for daily resource management of the local areaObserve a general duty of care for the health, safety and wellbeing of self, work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management associated with this postDemonstrate a level of competency in line with Kings Radiography Competency Framework and is responsible for maintaining their own personal development with supportAs part of individual professional responsibility actively lead and participate in the departmental Quality Assurance Programme including the completion of Equipment Competencies and reject analysisDeal with complaints in accordance with Trust complaints procedureReport any Adverse incidents and be familiar with the AI trigger listEnsure Clinical Governance protocols are complied with and corrective actions taken where requiredAid the Head of Breast Radiography/Clinical Specialists with standard setting and policy formation for the service areaContribute to service improvements and re-design in line with the NHS plan and local service strategiesAssess the needs of patients and plan the delivery of imaging and care around these needs within a specialist areaCo-ordinate services within each section, and liase with other wards and sections/departments, to provide a comprehensive and efficient Imaging serviceOn a daily basis, in the absence of more senior staff, deputise for the clinical specialists/Head of Breast RadiographyIn line with the Trust Appraisal process undertake the appraisals of Radiographic Department Assistants and Assistant PractitionersContribute to data collection for statistics on capacity, demand & backlog and other management activity.Aid with maintaining the level of stock and consumables within each area and liaise with equipment companies in case of equipment failureEnsure compliance with Trust Health and Safety policies and procedures within the area, including ionising radiation and infection control to provide a safe and secure environmentSupport new staff in inductionAct both as role model and clinical expert to facilitate development of others through example and educationDemonstrate, maintain and update skills and knowledge of evolving practice and legislative requirementsProvide professional support to other radiographersActively lead in the training and development of Radiographers, Assistant Practitioners and Student Radiographers, assuming professional responsibility for their workTrain Radiographers and Assistant Practitioners where appropriate in the utilisation of highly complex, high capital cost specialist imaging equipmentTrain Radiographers and Assistant Practitioners where appropriate, in how to position patients accurately for each examination, adapting techniques in accordance with the patients needsReview, develop and write protocols with a view to improving serviceDemonstrate, maintain and update skills and knowledge of evolving practice and legislative requirements

Responsible for individual CPD and support others. Also participate in the departments CPD program.Initiate and participate in audit including contribution to imaging data collectionContribute to practice development in reaction to the findings of audit and recent evidence, implement recommendations, and monitor their effectivenessParticipate in clinical research within the departmentWork with others in the development of research protocolsAdhere to research standards, protocols and documentation.Lead, coach and manage the performance of the team in line with good people management practices. Ensuring excellence is recognised and under performance is addressed.Participate in regular performance appraisal meetings and ensure each member of the team has a clear set of objectives and development plans.Identify and fill any vacancies that arise within the team in line with the Trusts recruitment policy and process.Ensure overall wellbeing of the team is maintained. Continuously support in improving the morale of the team and implementing a culture of zero-tolerance for bullying and harassment.

Person Specification

Qualifications Essential

BSc radiography (or equivalent) Post graduate award in mammography Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration

Desirable

Recent CPD activities

Experience Essential

Significant work experience as a qualified mammographer within a breast unit

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 King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 9RS

United Kingdom

Employer's website https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)