Clinical Specialist Radiographer - Ultrasound

Please note it is essential that an applicant must have valid work permission for Ireland.

Purpose of the Role:

The Clinical Specialist Radiographer in Ultrasound is responsible for the effective management of the Ultrasound department reporting to the Radiography Services Manager 3.

This position requires the ability to lead, guide and supervise staff; the ability to manage in a rapidly changing environment and the willingness to undertake additional duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Radiography Services Manager III and his/her deputies, the position of Clinical Specialist Radiographer requires an ability to lead, guide and supervise Radiographic staff in the assigned area and to successfully manage service delivery on a day to day basis.

• Provide management support and leadership in the Ultrasound department.
• Ensure the delivery of an efficient and caring Ultrasound service to patients.
• Ensure the comfort of patients in the Ultrasound department.
• Provide patients with empathy and emotional support.
• Ensure that best practice and quality service principles are adhered to on a daily basis.
• Supervise and organise work as appropriate.
• Lead the development and implementation of operational policies, protocols and guidelines.
• Participate in planning and development of the Ultrasound service in conjunction with other staff as appropriate.
• Supervise the appointment system to ensure good workflow practices.
• Ensure that appropriate referral screening procedures are adhered to.
• Report and investigate the following as appropriate:
  • Complaints from patients.
  • Accidents involving staff, patients or members of the general public.
  • Damage to equipment.
• Promote and maintain a safe environment for patients and staff.
• Maintain and update knowledge of European and National legislation and best practice guidelines in Ultrasound imaging.
• To carry out his/her duties under the supervision of the Radiography Services Manager 3 and his deputies or such other person designated for that purpose by the Chief Executive or designated officer.
• The employee will be required to work in the Beaumont Hospital Ultrasound installation in the OMNI shopping centre.
• Identify training needs of new staff in equipment and procedures specific to Ultrasound.
• Responsible for the training of all Radiographers and other staff as appropriate. Inform the Radiography Services Manager 3 of the progress of each Radiographer throughout their training.
• Participate in and support role extension as appropriate including current Ultrasonographer reporting currently being undertaken in Beaumont Hospital.
• Be respectful of the confidential nature of the role, in particular the patient’s right to confidentiality.
• Read and adhere to all relevant policies, procedures and guidelines of Beaumont Imaging & Interventional Radiology Directorate.
• Be aware the highest standard of hygiene must be maintained in the Hospital at all times and all staff members are responsible for ensuring compliance with the Hospitals requirements and standards with regard to hygiene.
• Ensure that effective safety procedures are in place to comply with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Each staff member is individually responsible for ensuring that the Hospital remains a safe place to work.
• Be appropriate in the use of Information Technology and mindful of Confidentiality Law and Ethics, Privacy and Data Protection

Operations:

• To contribute to the development and implementation of operational policies, protocols and guidelines to ensure optimum utilisation of resources and systematic audit of such usage.

• To identify and implement operational processes to international best practice standards in order to optimise the use of resources and to ensure compliance with international requirements.

• Participation in Departmental audit systems and ensure agreed quality initiatives are carried out

• To manage changes in the Radiology service as determined by the Radiography Services Manager 3 and to work with the relevant personnel in accommodating the relevant changes and communicating these changes to the Ultrasound team.

• To act as radiology contact liaison with the Ultrasound vendors regarding existing issues together with the development, evaluation and testing of proposed new systems.

• To participate and advise on the equipment selection, purchase, replacement or upgrading process and be involved in the commissioning of new Ultrasound equipment.

• To liaise with appropriate personnel in maintaining accurate records of equipment service, maintenance, malfunction, downtime and performance as required.

• To maintain up to date knowledge of Ultrasound developments and to promote awareness of same.

• To attend meetings as requested by the Radiography Services Manager 3 (or deputy/designate) and keep staff briefed on developments.

• To plan for downtime with all relevant stakeholders. In the event of downtime to ensure that the service is restored as soon as possible and to follow up by identifying the cause of the downtime and to put in place preventative measures for the future.

• To act as an advocate for and to promote best practice with regard to Ultrasound.

• To ensure the quality of Ultrasonographer reporting is maintained through monthly reviews and specified time audits.

Strategic Management:

• To support the Radiography Services Manager 3 (or deputy/designate) in the leadership of a skilled QA team within Radiology, in order to create and promote a safe healthy working environment.

• To assist with the development and implementation of Risk Management and Health and Safety strategies.

• To actively participate in the continuing education and research activities consistent with the position.

• As the financial function is devolved within the organisation contribute to financial planning and ensure that appropriate budgetary procedures are implemented.

Quality Assurance:
• To develop, implement and maintain an Ultrasound Quality Assurance Programme for the Radiology Department and associated areas.
• To represent Ultrasound matters at the Radiology Department's Quality Assurance committee.
• To co-ordinate and participate in Clinical Audit as relevant to the post.
• To participate in Accreditation as required.
• To ensure all equipment is in good working order and cleaned as appropriate.
• To highlight and report equipment faults and problems to appropriate personnel.
• To supervise all ancillary equipment.
• To ensure maintenance of all protective equipment.
• To ensure that good radiation protection practices are observed for staff and patients.

* The above Role Profile is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. This Role Profile will be subject to review in light of changing

Selection Criteria: 

Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. 

Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory:

(a) Possess a Degree in Radiography or the Diploma of the College of Radiographers*

or

(b) Possess a qualification at least equivalent to (a) above*

and

(c)Possess a recognised postgraduate qualification in Ultrasound and 3 years clinical experience in Ultrasound 

or
(d) Have not less than six years clinical experience in Ultrasound

*Applicants are required to register with the Radiographers Registration Board of CORU, the Health and Social Care Professionals Council.

Technical/Clinical Competencies Required:

Radiographic skills to provide a comprehensive service to patients in Ultrasound.
Practical application of best practice guidelines and protocols in Ultrasound.
Teaching skills to provide in-house training to Radiographers in Ultrasound.
IT skills

Desirable:

Experience in the supervision of staff

Experience in a CSR or an acting CSR role previously

Basic life support

Proficiency in the English language

A level of proficiency in the English language, written and spoken, is a requirement of all roles within Beaumont Hospital. You will be required to self assess your proficiency level in the Standard Application Form. In addition, your proficiency in spoken English will be assessed during the interview process appropriate to the role available.

If an appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and that appointee is entitled to or in receipt of a pension from the Civil or Public Service or where a Civil/ Public Service pension comes into payment during the appointee’s re-employment that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012.

Please note: In applying for this position you are acknowledging that you understand that the abatement provisions, where relevant, will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/ Office/ Body will support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position.

Please note it is essential that an applicant must have valid work permission for Ireland.

Informal Enquiries ONLY to: (Please note NO APPLICATIONS will be accepted via the Informal Email)