[ref. q37742102] Senior Radiographer/Mammographer
Job overview
For female* radiographers, this is a great opportunity to join our multi disciplinary team, providing and maintain specialist Mammography services for Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Liverpool Breast Screening Service.
The post holder will work across all Trust sites, Aintree, Royal, Broadgreen and 12 mobile screening units which are sited across Knowsley and Sefton.
Mammography experience would be useful but not essential as full training will be given. The successful candidate will need to complete the post graduate certificate in mammography. Course fees, accommodation and travel expenses will be covered by the Trust, subject to a Learning Agreement.
- the role of mammographer is currently exempt from gender equality legislation under the Equality Act 2010
Main duties of the job
This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly & supportive department, actively encouraging CPD & offering a programme of both in house & external training. We are a combined Symptomatic & Breast Screening centre, covering Liverpool, Sefton & Knowsley based across 5 sites.We have two Breast Units, one in Aintree Hospital and one in the recently opened Royal Liverpool Hospital building.
We also have a static screening unit at Broadgreen Hospital and two mobile screening units, which move around 12 sites.
Staff can be asked to work across all sites, please contact us for more information.
We can offer full and part time posts.
Working for our organisation
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.
UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.
For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.
Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation.Liverpool Women’s Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK’s largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.
For roles at Liverpool Women’s, visit their careers page.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Communication and Relationship Skills
To communicate effectively with clients, patients, relatives, carers and other healthcare professionals to ensure that individuals are prepared for the examinations they undergo and that informed consent is established, being mindful of the stressful environment.
To be able to adapt communication techniques for clients and patients who have difficulty in understanding imparted information e.g. the elderly and confused, extremely anxious and challenging, non-English speaking, physically aggressive/abusive and those with learning disabilities.
To communicate technical, medical and patient care information with radiologists, surgeons, breast care nurses, assistant practitioners and aides as well as fellow mammographers.
To communicate with mammographers nationally to improve services and develop best practice, through attendance at specialist meetings and conferences.
Knowledge, Training and Experience
B.Sc. degree in Radiography (or earlier equivalent) with demonstrable post-qualification experience of general Radiography followed by successful completion of the Certificate of Mammography, requiring M.Sc. (Diploma level) study and stringent clinical assessment (or earlier equivalent).
Training in IRMER 2000 regulations ensuring understanding and adherence to applicable department protocols and guidelines
Continued Professional Development as required by HCPC registration; mandatory and optional short courses as required e.g. Life Support, Fire Safety, Health and Safety, Caldicot Training and continuous Self Assessment of quality of films.
Knowledge of the operation, appropriate use and limitations of each piece of equipment in the department.
Analytical and Judgement Skills
To participate and assist in the effective Quality Control and Quality Assurance programme, undertaking daily and periodic testing of all equipment ensuring optimum conditions are in place before commencing clinical work
To interpret QA test results and take appropriate remedial action.
To ensure X-ray machines are operating within safe limits.
To assess most appropriate diagnostic approach based on clients/patients individual needs and abilities.
To make technical judgements to achieve optimum diagnostic value including selection of equipment and accessories and optimising setup.
To balance technical and patient requirements with time constraints.
To make patient recall decisions during screening.
To ensure production of mammograms of optimum diagnostic value whilst maintaining a quality experience for patients and clients and adhering to time constraints as related to:
Screening Service – Routine view mammography on all clients including disabled and with augmented breasts
Additional views and localising for stereotactic cores and localisations.
Symptomatic Service – routine mammography and additional views at Symptomatic clinics in tandem with other health professionals, post surgery follow-ups and Family History patients as well
Specimen Radiography – imaging of excision specimens during and after surgery
To participate in the appraisal process, identifying personal and professional development and training needs
To participate in the day to day running of the services provided on all sites, to adjust and reorganise the workload as required.
To assist and participate in the multi disciplinary meetings.
Physical Skills
Precise positioning of radiographic equipment and the patient within fine tolerances to produce mammograms of optimum diagnostic quality (Hand-eye co-ordination).
Adjustment of technique to facilitate mammography on clients and patients who are physically disabled or have limited flexibility or mobility.
Achieve a high degree of precision in manipulation of equipment.
Post holder should be able to undertake all the duties of the post.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care
To provide specialist mammography.
To document clinical observations and use own judgement based on knowledge, skills and experience, to clinically recall women for assessment (i.e. Green Dot system)
To attend to the Health and Safety, wealth and security of patients and staff at all times and adhere to Trust policy on confidentiality.
To provide specialist advice concerning care after core biopsies and wire procedures.
To provide advice relating to breast cancer support and self assessment.
Responsibility for Policy/Service Development
To promote breast awareness, including attendance at staff and multidisciplinary team meetings and liaison with the Breast Screening Programme Manager and Superintendent/Principal Radiographers.
Contribute to development and drafting of departmental protocols.
Responsibility for Financial and Physical Resources
Responsible for the safe use of expensive, complex and specialist equipment.
Responsibility for Human Resources
To train and supervise Assistant Practitioners, Radiography Aides and trainee Mammographers as required.
To train and supervise visiting students (Radiographic, nursing, medical) and ensure their health and safety whilst in the Unit.
Responsibility for Information Resources
To document clinical observations and provide accurate patient/client history data.
Enter radiographic details into the appropriate computer system for patients attending symptomatic clinics, including patients initially examined by another Mammographer.
Use the appropriate computer system to query or confirm patient history.
Document equipment test data.
Record QA and Radiation test data; take appropriate action if necessary.
Responsibility for Research and Development
Frequently participate in surveys, audits, clinical trials and in equipment testing when required e.g. compression survey, so that the radiation could be reduced.
Dose audits every six months and other audits within the department.
Contribute to development of best practice.- The requirement for a female to undertake this role is a genuine occupational qualification. The above is therefore exempt under the Equality Act 2010.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- DCR (R) or BSc(Hons) in diagnostic radiography
- Registration with HCPC
- Certificate of Competence in mammography OR post graduate award in mammography practice
Experience
Essential criteria- Demonstrable post qualification experience in diagnostic radiography
- Evidence of recent relevant CPD
- Experience in mammography/ breast screening unit
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Knowledge and understanding of Liverpool Breast Services
- Knowledge of Breast Screening Programme
- Understanding of principles of quality assurance
Skills
Essential criteria- Good communication skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to work alone and prioritise own workload
- Ability to supervise non-qualified staff
Other
Essential criteria- Ability to travel
- Demonstrate a commitment to specialise in Mammography
Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.
Posts advertised to ‘internal staff’ are open to employees of hospitals within University Hospitals of Liverpool Group and you should confirm your employment within your application form.
Only those applicants who demonstrate clearly how they meet our person specification will be shortlisted for interview.
We reserve the right to close any vacancies from further applications when we have received a minimum number of applications from which to make a shortlist. Please ensure you apply without delay if you wish to be considered for this role.
Candidates applying for the role of Healthcare Assistant on the staff bank should note that due to the nature of the role, workers must be aged 18 or above when commencing in post. Applicants are therefore welcome from those aged over 18 or within 3 months’ of their 18^th birthday.
The Trust is committed to promoting a healthy work-life balance and achieve fair, equitable and consistent practice. We welcome flexible working requests and will consider a variety of flexible working arrangements from day one of your employment.Not all roles are suitable for every flexible working opportunity all of the time. Flexible working options may include reduced hours, compressed hours, fixed shifts, time back in lieu and home working.
The Trust is committed to promoting equality and diversity; we value the contribution of individual talent, skills, knowledge and experience and aim for a workforce demography representative of the local community. We encourage applicants from the following groups that are currently under-represented in our workforce black, Asian and minority ethnic, lesbian, gay, bisexual and Transgender (LGBTQ+), disabled, male and age 16-24.
Trust policy requires that the cost of submitting & processing the successful applicant/s DBS application be recovered via salary deduction following start in post. The amount of £23 (standard disclosure) or £43 (enhanced disclosure) will be deducted from salary, in manageable monthly instalments for up to 3 months following commencement of employment.Bank posts require upfront payment. DBS applications submitted from 2nd December will be subject to the new DBS fee of £26.50 (standard) and £54.50 (Enhanced).
From April 2017, Skilled visa applicants and their adult dependant(s) will be required to provide a criminal record certificate from each country they have lived in consecutively for 12 months or more in the past ten years.
Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
This organisation has a zero-tolerance approach to the abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff must ensure they adhere to the organisations safeguarding children and adults’ policy and comply with the Local Safeguarding Children and Adult Board procedures.
Staff should be mindful of their responsibility to safeguard children and adults in any activity performed on behalf of the organisation in line with the requirements of statutory guidance and legislation.
All employees (and volunteers)are expected maintain their safeguarding knowledge and skills by completing mandatory safeguarding training which includes understanding and recognising the signs of abuse and neglect and taking appropriate action.
As an organisation, we have adopted the Merseyside Domestic abuse workplace scheme which supports our staff who are experiencing Domestic Abuse /any forms of sexual violence.
If you have any personal requirements that will enable you to participate in our recruitment process please contact a member of the Recruitment Services by phone on 0151 706 4666 at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable your application for this post.
Please note: new entrants to the NHS will commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.