Job description
The Breast Unit at Peterborough City Hospital is a dedicated Unit which has digital imaging equipment and provides Breast Screening and Breast Symptomatic Services to women who are referred into the service and those who are eligible for routine Breast Screening. Both services are managed by a Unit Manager who is responsible for the integration and alignment of the two services.
The Breast Screening Service is led by a Director of Breast Screening and is supported by a Consultant Radiographer and Mammographers with extended skills including film reading and interventional procedures. The Unit has strong professional links with the Trust main Radiology Department.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a busy, efficient existing team but also to play an important role in the service development and expansion of the Unit as a specialist centre. We have a clear plan for staff training and professional development to include role extension to meet service needs.
This post is full time. If the successful candidate does not have a Mammography Certificate then training will be provided and the post holder will be on a Band 5 pay scale and move to a Band 6 on successful completion of training.
- To produce a consistently high standard of mammography and client/patient care ensuring an efficient service is maintained at all times.
- To operate in all locations and be involved in all aspects of screening and symptomatic work
- Work with Advanced Practitioner Mammographers to manage the safe and time effective operation of equipment to maximise patient throughput and ensure efficient and safe delivery of imaging.
- To assess, image and manage a specialist workload and ensure all relevant records are maintained.
- To work closely with clinicians, physicists, imaging assistants, clerical staff and others providing specialist knowledge and expertise in breast imaging within the Trust
- To provide Specialist training and act as a mentor to mammography students of all grades.
- To participate in MDT meetings and discussions, liaising with clinicians within the Trust and externally regarding the patients’ clinical management.
- To participate in the implementation of new techniques and equipment
- The unit has undertaken radiographer role extension and a suitable applicant may have the opportunity to undertake advanced practice training.
We are committed to ensure a work-life balance to all our staff by offering full time and part time roles, flexible working hours on a shift pattern to fit around your family life.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and candidates form our local communities.
Benefits to you
- 27 days annual leave for new starters, rising to 29 days after five years of service and 33 days after 10 years of service, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro-rata for part time staff);
- NHS Pension Scheme:
- Flexible working opportunities;
- Increased hourly rates for unsociable hours e.g. night shifts, weekends, bank holidays;
- Career development and training;
- Wellbeing support and activities;
- In-house physiotherapy Service;
- On-site canteens with subsidised meals;
- Subsidised staff parking (currently free).
- Free Stagecoach Bus Travel to and from work within Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
- Maintain high levels of accuracy in all aspects of mammographic imaging
- To participate in the day to day running of the mammography service, including correct interpretation of clinician requests for imaging.
- To participate in the day to day running of the Breast Screening service both in the Breast Unit and on the mobile Breast Screening Unit.
- To authorise and prioritise patients requests for mammography and to arrange further appointments, with relevant administrative staff, for the patient as required e.g. Ultrasound.
- To produce mammograms of optimum quality, maintaining a quality experience for the client while adhering to time constraints
- To assess mammographic images and make autonomous decisions on the need for re-imaging if image is of poor quality as required
- To work to, having full knowledge and understanding of, NHSBSP guidelines and quality standards
- To work to national and local protocols and procedures, but to contribute to modification and improvements to protocols and procedures
- To participate in the QA Programme, undertaking testing of all equipment as per department regime, ensuring optimum conditions are in place before commencing clinical work
- Guide and support junior staff to ensure a consistently high standard of clinical and technical care to patients and to minimise clinical risks and incidents.
- To have the underpinning knowledge to interpret QA test results and know how and when to take remedial action
- Accurately input patient data into NBSS/PACS system as part of work pattern and understand how to troubleshoot basic problems with these systems.
- To take delegated responsibility, whilst working on mobile screening units, for the relevant legislation relating to Health and Safety, Ionising Radiation Regulations, the Health and Safety Policy of the Unit, and procedures for ceasing screening when equipment fails to perform to quality and / or safety standards
- To ensure that the mobile unit is maintained as a suitable environment for staff and patients by checking for and reporting any external damage prior to daily use, cleaning of equipment, floors, and sinks, ensuring a water supply
- To be able to rapidly assess client personality type and respond accordingly to elicit relevant history within time allowed, while also explaining the procedure, gaining consent, informing and advising the client
- To document clinical observations ensuring accurate record keeping as per departmental protocols
- To provide specialist, in depth information and support to women, occasionally in the screening environment but especially during assessment and diagnostic sessions
- To assist and chaperone the radiologist/ advanced practitioner during needle biopsy procedures.
- Ensure due care of all equipment, reporting any faults or variations from the norm to senior staff or technical team.
- Ensure all incidents/near misses are reported to senior staff and via Trust Datix system in accordance with Trust policies.
- To be responsible for the transportation of confidential patient information to and from the Breast Unit out to the Breast Screening Mobile Unit in accordance with Trust data protection policy
- Maintain a good team working relationship, ensuring good communication at all times
- Work in collaboration with Advanced Practitioner Radiographers to instigate and implement changes in practice
- To hold additional selected responsibilities within the team structure, by agreement and as delegated by Radiographer Advanced Practitioners and Breast Unit Manager.
- To support Band 7 Radiographer Advanced Practitioners in specified areas of responsibility
- To attend and contribute to case discussion at regular multidisciplinary team
- To provide supervision and support to junior and non-professional staff
- To demonstrate and support the teaching of mammographic techniques and to be involved in any audit or research projects as required
- To participate in peer review of films and work with colleagues to identify trends/problems, devise remedial action and improve standards
- To attend study days and update training courses required to maintain the Certificate in Mammography, undertake CPD and further training as may be considered necessary to fulfil the professional role
- To liaise with the Breast Screening Manager to determine methods of improving the acceptability of the service to the public
- Prioritise and manage own workload and be able to work to deadlines
- To know and understand the Regional Breast Screening Data System, and be able to interpret and enter client detail
- To liaise with the Breast Service Manager where appropriate to minimise or reduce expenditure.
- Give general assistance to ensure the smooth running of the Breast Unit and to carry out any other duties as required
- To take responsibility for ensuring that knowledge of Trust and Departmental Policies and Procedures is up to date
- Participate in Clinical Governance and Clinical Audit programmes as appropriate
- To maintain the high standard of appearance and hygiene expected from members of the Directorate staff
- Maintain a good team working relationship, ensuring good communication at all times