Radiology Department Assistant

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Communication

• Communicate clearly, effectively and appropriately with the multidisciplinary team, patients and their family/visitors/carers
• Respond appropriately to queries, take phone messages and pass on written and verbal information to patients
• Provide basic information to patients, family/visitors/carers and colleagues
• Aware of the importance of accurate documentation and contribute to reports of patients’ activity and progress
• Accept constructive feedback.
• Give constructive feedback to colleagues.
• Participate in discussions about patient care and departmental development, including handover and team meetings
• Maintain patient confidentiality
• Maintain professional boundaries and working relationships with patients and colleagues

Personal and People Development

• Understand own level of responsibility and accountability in relation to trained staff
• Identify own learning needs and produce a personal development plan in conjunction with the departmental superintendent.
• Participate in annual staff appraisal, staff development and in-service training activities in line with the Knowledge and Skills Framework
• Attend Trust/local orientation programmes, mandatory training sessions and annual updates
• Take part in reflection and appropriate learning from practice, in order to maintain and develop competence and performance
• Completion of the Health Education England, Care Certificate, within three months of new employ (where not yet achieved): Or as an appraisal objective, to be completed within three months for existing staff.

Health, Safety and Security

• Assist in maintaining a clean environment that is conducive to safe practice
• Report any issues at work that may put health, safety and security at risk
• Summon immediate help for any emergency and take appropriate action to contain it
• Understand the principles and practice of Infection Control
• Work within own personal/professional limitations and seek help of others to maintain safe practice.
• Identify potential risks for all staff, patients and visitors and assist with relevant incident reporting procedures
• Clean patient equipment as required
• Handle and dispose of all body fluids in accordance with universal precautions

Service Improvement

• Undertake administrative and clerical tasks associated with patient care to facilitate the smooth running of the department
• Maintain adequate levels of stock, equipment and materials and facilitate the efficient, effective use of resources; report when availability falls below an acceptable standard or level
• Pass on constructive views and ideas for improving services to departmental superintendents.

Quality

• Ensure a welcoming, caring and safe environment is provided for the patient and their family/visitors/carers
• Aware of and maintains required standard of care
• Ensure that patient areas are kept clean and tidy
• Comply with Trust/local policies and procedures

Equality and Diversity

• Carry out duties and responsibilities with regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunity policy
• Recognise the importance of people’s rights and act in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures
• Act in ways that acknowledge and recognise peoples’ expressed beliefs, preferences and choices; respecting diversity and valuing people as individuals
• Take account of own behaviour and its effect on others

Enablement to address health and wellbeing needs

• Maintain and improve the patient’s mobility using appropriate equipment and handling techniques
• Assist the patient to be as comfortable as possible, i.e. help with moving and positioning the patient using appropriate equipment
• Prepare appropriately for the activity to be undertaken
• Support and encourage the patient to meet their own health and wellbeing needs

Provision of care to meet health and wellbeing needs

• Work co-operatively as part of the multi-disciplinary team, helping radiology and other clinical staff in routine work associated with patient care
• Provide comfort, reassurance and support to patients and/or their carers if anxious or distressed
• Assist with patient care, e.g. organising patient transport from wards, ensure the smooth running of lists
• Assist patients to access and use appropriate toilet facilities, ensuring privacy and dignity are maintained
• Alert trained staff promptly of changes in the patient’s condition or any possible risks

Information Processing

• Able to use CDR, RIS, & CARPS at a basic level to input and retrieve information

IMAGING

• To ensure that patients and their relatives are received appropriately into the department.
• To offer a basic explanation to patients as to the nature of their examination.
• To prepare the room prior to examination of the patient and be actively involved in each procedure i.e. setting up sterile trolley, preparing appropriate ultrasound probes etc.
• To make a preliminary assessment of the physical, mental and communication abilities and needs of individual patients, in order to support the clinical staff undertaking the examination.
• To communicate effectively with the patient at all times, ensuring that their queries or concerns are communicated to the radiographer or doctor as appropriate.
• To seek advice promptly from radiographic or medical staff when required.
• To ensure that all the documentation relating to an examination is appropriately organised to ensure rapid and accurate transit through the Administrative and Clerical systems of the Directorate.
• To assist with the preparation of sterile and procedural trolleys.
• To ensure the examination room is effectively and appropriately cleaned after each patient and at the end of the session.
• Escort patients both within the Imaging department and to other areas if necessary.
• Accurately collect and label any specimens from biopsy procedures, and ensure the correct paperwork accompanies such specimens.
• Undertake housekeeping duties such as cleaning couches, disposal of linen cleaning and tidying up etc. in accordance with hospital policy.
• To actively participate in the day to day up keep of stock levels and cleanliness within the Imaging Department.
• Knowledge of Trust Policies on infection control, disposal of sharps and clinical waste, manual handling and control of substances hazardous to health. Report any change in patient condition or any problem or hazard within the department to the radiographer/nurse in charge.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to ensure the correct preparation of patients prior to their procedure.
• Ensure safe transfer of patients whilst being aware of catheters, IV infusions etc following trust manual handling policy.
• Provide support to patient during procedure assisting with patient positioning whilst acting as chaperone and assistant to radiologist.
• Arrange patient appointments, liaising with the wards and requesting porters, whilst working closely with radiographers/radiologist, therefore ensuring optimum use of time and equipment.
• To be competent in answering telephone queries, fielding complaints and requests for urgent scans and acting upon this information.
• To have a good understanding of performing aseptic technique and its appropriate use.
• Preparing appropriate paperwork and labels for specimens. Record keeping of specimens taken to laboratory.
• To be prepared to be flexible in shift patterns and willing to work across all areas of the department eg Ultrasound, CT, and Fluoroscopy.
• To participate in any audit projects the department is undertaking, as appropriate.
• To participate in the induction of new staff.