Job overview
We are looking for a Nuclear Medicine Radiographer or Technologist who shares our vision to be trusted to provide consistently outstanding care and exemplary service to our patients.
The Nuclear Medicine Department, part of the Radiation Services group at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, provides diagnostic imaging investigations together with molecular radiotherapies.
We have an imaging suite with SPECT/CT, gamma counting for in-vitro studies and a dedicated in-patient annex for radionuclide therapies. As well as our patient facing clinical service, we operate a radiopharmacy providing radiopharmaceuticals to other nuclear medicine departments throughout Northwest London and the Home Counties.
You will need to have a BSc Radiography and a post graduate qualification in Nuclear Medicine together with evidence of working in nuclear medicine or a Degree in Healthcare Science / Nuclear Medicine Technology or related discipline (or equivalent level of knowledge and experience), backed up by specific training and experience in nuclear medicine. Experience in SPECT/CT, PET/CT and/or CT imaging is essential for this role. You will also have evidence of current CPD activity.
Radiographers must have registration with the HCPC.
Clinical technologists must be on the Register of Clinical Technologists.
In addition, you will receive a High-Cost Area Supplement of 15% of your basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £4,552 and a maximum payment of £5,735 per annum pro rata.
Our Values are Include, Respect and Improve. It is important that you understand and refer to our values during your recruitment process and beyond!
Main duties of the job
As an experienced radiographer or clinical technologist with current HCPC/RCT registration, you will participate fully in the delivery of the clinical nuclear medicine service undertaking administration of radiopharmaceuticals for imaging, in-vitro studies and therapy.
The post holder will ensure that our high standards of patient care are promoted and maintained at all times.
You should have a good understanding of radiation protection measures and precautions required following diagnostic procedures and be able to communicate these sensitively and clearly to patients.
You will be expected to use your knowledge, skills and experience to actively participate in service improvement programmes with clinical scientists and other healthcare professionals.
On completion of a comprehensive in-house training program in good manufacturing practice, you will be involved in all aspects of the radiopharmaceutical manufacture and dispensing in the radiopharmacy.
Working for our organisation
At East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust, we are proud of the range of general and specialist services we provide and our 6,000 or so dedicated staff ensure our patients get the best care. Our ability to be flexible and innovative in the way in which we work and deliver our services to our catchment has never been more important than it is now.
We run the following hospitals:
* The Lister Hospital, Stevenage
* New Queen Elizabeth II (New QEII), Welwyn Garden City
* Hertford County, Hertford
* Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC), Northwood
We have ambitious plans to become an outstanding, patient-led Trust where dedicated staff provide high-quality, compassionate care to our patients. We continue to undergo significant transformation, and our staff and patients are at the heart of delivering this ambitious agenda.
We are committed to a positive work life balance for our employees. This means that any employee is entitled to seek to work flexible working patterns and we are committed to listen and consider all requests. Such requests, of course, have to be made and considered formally, and will need to be balanced against service needs, but our starting point will always be to find ways to support making them happen.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification applicant pack for further detailed information regarding this role.
ENHT is seeking to maintain and expand the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre staff as we move to an exciting new future.
We welcome applications from those who would relish the opportunity to be part of new and developing cancer service, building on the excellent reputation, research and patient experience the Cancer Centre already delivers.
Person specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential criteria
* BSc / DCR(R) Radiography and a post graduate qualification in Nuclear Medicine together with evidence of working in nuclear medicine. OR Degree in Clinical / Medical Imaging Technology / Healthcare Science (Nuclear Medicine) or similar degree with an equivalent level of knowledge and experience, backed up by specific training and experience in nuclear medicine
* Radiographers must be a HCPC registered
* Clinical technologists must be on the Voluntary Register operated by IPEM
* Evidence of current CPD activity
* Postgraduate Diploma / MSc / other postgraduate training in Nuclear Medicine
* Training in cannulation / administration of intravenous injections
Desirable criteria
* Training in administration of intravenous contrast agents for CT imaging
* Training in radiopharmacy
Previous Experience
Essential criteria
* Has specialised training and a minimum of two years practical experience in diagnostic Nuclear Medicine investigations
* Has experience of the radiation protection measures required in nuclear medicine procedures sufficient to give advice to patients and members of staff
* Has experience of teaching / training / mentoring of other radiographers and technologists
* Has experience in Nuclear Medicine therapy procedures.
* Has experience of contrast enhanced CT imaging sufficient to undertake contrast enhanced imaging in nuclear medicine SPECT/CT and radiology CT procedures
Desirable criteria
* Has specialised training and practical experience in radiopharmaceutical manufacture and cell labelling
* Has experience of working within a quality management system
Skills
Essential criteria
* Able to demonstrate the numeracy skills required to perform calculations for radioactive decay (using decay tables), radioactive concentration, volumes, percentages and other typical calculations required for the preparation / dispensing / checking of patient doses
* Has highly developed physical accuracy, manual dexterity skills and good eye-sight to achieve precision and speed in radiopharmaceutical dispensing procedures, intravenous injections and the use of sophisticated scientific and technical equipment
* Able to stand and concentrate for extended periods of time whilst working in a radiopharmacy
* Able to keep accurate and legible written records
* Able to communicate detailed, accurate, sensitive and sometimes complex information to patients, and their families, undergoing diagnostic investigation procedures
* Able to plan and prioritise own work and that of junior members of the team
* Able to use analytical and judgemental skills which includes the manipulation and analysis of diagnostic imaging and non-imaging patient data for a wide range of nuclear medicine investigations
* Able to recognise technical faults with equipment / imaging procedures or abnormal results and able to identify normal and abnormal findings
* Able to deal with unpredictable technical/clinical situations
* Comfortable using computers and have the ability to create electronic documents and spreadsheets and use Clinical Applications software
* Ability to teach, train and supervise students and other members of staff within their areas of competence
* Ability to apply their knowledge and experience of practical nuclear medicine and radiation protection in order to implement new procedures and suggest developments to existing ones
* Experience of auditing clinical practice / procedures
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Specialised theoretical and practical clinical knowledge in nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging, in-vitro diagnostic procedures and therapeutic and palliative treatments
* Demonstrates a high degree of theoretical and practical knowledge relating to the hazards posed by and the precautions required when dealing with ionising radiation arising from sealed and unsealed radioactive sources and patients
* Has knowledge of the underpinning legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines that relate to nuclear medicine e.g. Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017, Ionising Regulations (Medical Exposures) Regulations 2017, Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016, Transport of Dangerous Goods
Desirable criteria
* Knowledge of good manufacturing principles and practices for aseptic manufacture in radiopharmacy
* Knowledge of current and innovative nuclear medicine investigations, therapeutic procedures and professional issues
Other requirements
Essential criteria
* Experience and evidence of engagement around equality, diversity and inclusion issues in relation to policy, service development and service delivery in respect of both services to users and the management of staff
* Role model our Trust values every day
* Able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and demonstrate good team working abilities
* Able to demonstrate a high degree of initiative
* Approachable, caring, sympathetic
* Ability to work to time schedules and to work well under pressure
* Interested in the development and progression of nuclear medicine procedures and techniques