Advanced MRI Research Radiographer

Job id: 083525. Salary: £51,974 - £61,021 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 30 January 2024. Closing date: 18 February 2024.

Business unit: Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. Department: Cardiovascular Imaging.

Contact details:Sharon Giles. [email protected]

Location: St Thomas’ Campus. Category: Professional & Support Services.

This role provides an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and enthusiastic individual to join our team as we develop and translate MRI techniques across field strengths. This will involve scanning patients and volunteers in our new, state-of-the-art, 7T facility, as well as using a 0.55T prototype system and conventional 1.5T and 3T systems. The post-holder will be supported by a team of clinical scientists, physicists, clinicians, researchers and external stakeholders, as well as existing clinical and research radiography staff. As new projects come on stream, we expect the Advanced MRI radiographer team to grow, allowing for further role development opportunities for a motivated individual.

There will be a diverse range of projects requiring support, to include neurological, cardiovascular, musculo-skeletal and oncological imaging. The post-holder will be expected to perform their duties to a high standard, in accordance with Departmental policies, protocols and procedures. They will have the opportunity to be fully involved with research studies, by supporting innovation in imaging and taking on research tasks appropriate to their experience. The post-holder must provide excellent care to patients and volunteers and be supportive of the needs and expectations of developing clinical and research imaging services.

This post will be offered on an indefinite contract.

This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent.

Imaging and Research Responsibilities

• To be a key member of the multi-disciplinary team that will develop and translate MRI techniques across field strengths.
• To help test and implement MRI techniques within protocols that will be used in imaging studies across field strengths as part of a cutting-edge clinical and research programme.
• To work with consistency and careful attention to detail when following protocols to carry out clinical and research scans.
• To participate in and take responsibility for quality assurance audits of clinical and research examinations, and to be proactive in identifying and resolving problems related to image quality.
• To participate in data analysis activities appropriate to the role, and to develop expertise in these.
• To participate in the dissemination and translation of new imaging techniques and protocols to the wider BMEIS Imaging group and external stakeholders, as appropriate.
• To be aware of and carry out good MR Safety practices across the Advanced MRI facility, including full awareness of the potential hazards of working at field strengths ranging from 0.55T to 7T, and ensuring that scanners are operated within safe limits at all times.
• To be familiar with the safety guidelines issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the potential bio-effects of MRI at different field strengths, and with safety procedures (quench, fire, cardiac arrest) that are specific to the MR environment.
• To ensure that images and data are made available for analyses and/or reporting purposes in a timely and accurate manner.
• To provide a high level of care to patients and volunteers before, during and after MR imaging procedures; being cognisant of the need for informed consent for all research scanning.
• To be sensitive and supportive of each patient’s needs, taking steps to adapt techniques to take account of an individual’s limited capabilities where possible, whilst also ensuring that optimum quality scanning and that research objectives are achieved.
• To support internal and external researchers of all levels in the collection of their data.

Operational

• To ensure all persons entering the Advanced MRI facilities have been appropriately screened for MRI safety, and that staff, students and visitors have undergone any scanner-specific induction training required.
• To ensure that all external stakeholders participating in scanning and other research activities within the Advanced MRI facility have the appropriate permissions and access to do so.
• To ensure that all clinical scans are carried out providing the highest level of patient care to a wide range of patient demographics.
• To ensure all research subjects have provided their informed consent for scanning and data analysis, after appropriate Ethical Committee approval for the activity.
• To operate all Departmental equipment safely and effectively, and according to the instruction and advice issued by manufacturers and Departmental Leads.
• To be responsible for ensuring all clinical and research data are archived according to Departmental policies, protocols and procedures.
• To be responsible for ensuring all documentation relating to scanning activity, and any relevant clinical information, is recorded according to Departmental protocols.
• To perform quality control checks on all relevant equipment and to report any faults to a Superintendent Radiographer or the appropriate member of the multi-disciplinary team.
• To perform retro recons of data where appropriate according to departmental protocols.
• To report any problems, malfunctions or failures of equipment to a Superintendent Radiographer or the appropriate member of the multi-disciplinary team, labelling and removing them from circulation if unsafe.
• To utilise the imaging networks for both KCL & Guy's & St Thomas' Hospitals (GSTT) in accordance with Departmental protocols.
• To liaise closely with the administrative staff to ensure efficient and timely bookings of patient and volunteer scans, and accurate recording of the activity.
• To assist the Superintendent Research Radiographers and MR Clinical Research Facility Manager in organising activity across the Advanced MRI facility, in line with clinical and research priorities.
• To participate and contribute in staff meetings as required.
• To participate in the delivery of an extended working hours and out of hours’ service as required.
• At all times to maintain the integrity of the data security system ensuring compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures for the data protection and Data Protection Act.
• To be aware of and work within the local rules pertaining to MRI safety, radiation protection, Health and Safety at Work and COSHH regulations.
• To ensure appropriate infection control measures are utilised at all times.

Teamwork, communication, teaching & learning support

• To communicate effectively and maintain a good working relationship with multi-disciplinary colleagues within BMEIS, KCL, GSTT, and with external stakeholders.
• To communicate effectively with patients or participants of all ages who attend for an MRI scan.
• To assist and, in some cases, lead the training and supervision of other staff members, ensuring where appropriate that competency assessments are performed and documented against the training programme.
• To show a creative and innovative approach in developing and disseminating techniques across the systems within the Advanced MRI facility.
• To be proactive in exploiting in-house CPD opportunities, as well as attending training courses, seminars, conferences, and presenting work to internal and external audiences.
• To assist in the supervision of visitors to the Advanced MRI facility, including expert and non-expert external stakeholders and students on placements.

Sensory/physical demands & work environment

• To work in compliance to rules and regulations set nationally and locally.
• To work under time constraints and pressure.
• To conform to requirement to wear protective clothing in certain areas.
• To have a proactive role in safety, enforcing and adhering to rules.

Pastoral care

• To be sensitive and responsive to the needs and views of all staff, patients and volunteers, students and external stakeholders, and to respect diverse views.
• To help, support and advice colleagues as appropriate, seeking advice from senior staff when necessary.

Special Requirements

• The postholder will be required to work flexible hours, including some weekends and evenings, in accordance with the needs of the role.
• The postholder will be required to adhere to high standards of Information Governance. Any breach of confidentiality or other Information Governance standards is a serious offence which may lead to dismissal.
• This appointment is subject to Occupational Health clearance. Should you be offered this post you will be sent an Occupational Health Questionnaire along with your contract of employment. When the Occupational Health Department have evaluated your questionnaire and declared that you are fit for appointment, your appointment will be formally confirmed.

Health and Safety

• All post holders have a responsibility, under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and subsequently published regulations, to ensure that the College and the Trust’s health and safety policies and procedures are complied with to maintain a safe working environment for all persons within the Advanced MRI facility.

Infection Control

• All post holders have a personal obligation to act to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). They must attend mandatory training in Infection Control and be compliant with all measures required by the Trust to reduce HCAIs.  All post holders must comply with Trust infection screening and immunisation policies as well as be familiar with the Trust’s Infection Control Policies, including those that apply to their duties, such as Hand Decontamination Policy, Personal Protective Equipment Policy, safe procedures for using aseptic techniques and safe disposal of sharps.   Post holders are also expected to adhere to the Divisional uniform policy and procedures.

Risk Management

• All post holders have a responsibility to report risks such as clinical and non-clinical accidents or incidents promptly in accordance with the requirements of the College and the Trust. They are expected to be familiar with the Trust’s use of risk assessments to predict and control risk. Post holders must also attend training identified by their manager, or stated by the Trust to be mandatory.

Flexible Working

• As an organization, we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients and participants in research studies. This means that the postholder will be asked to work a flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends.

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults

• Post holders have a general responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Candidates must be able to work outside the standard working hours on an ad-hoc basis, mainly weekends and bank holidays and be able to work shift patterns including early starts and/or late finishes.

Candidates with an existing NHS Pension may choose to remain in that scheme if they wish to do so. Further information will be available via HR.

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearance.