POSITION DESCRIPTION Alfred Health / The Alfred / Caulfield Hospital / Sandringham Hospital DATE REVISED: AUGUST 2013 POSITION: AWARD/AGREEMENT: CLASSIFICATION TITLE: DEPARTMENT/UNIT: OPERATIONALLY ACCOUNTABLE: PROFESSIONALLY ACCOUNTABLE: DIRECTLY REPORTS : WORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH: ACCOUNTABLE TO: GRADE 1 RADIOGRAPHER (DIAGNOSTIC) HEALTH PROFESSIONALS (VICTORIAN PUBLIC HEALTH SECTOR) MEDICAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGIST LEVEL 1 (AF3 AF10) RADIOLOGY / DEPUTY CHIEF & SUPERVISOR RADIOGRAPHERS ALFRED HEALTH Alfred Health is the main provider of health services to people living in the inner southeast suburbs of Melbourne and is also a major provider of specialist services to people across Victoria. The health service operates three outstanding facilities, The Alfred, Caulfield, and Sandringham. Further information about Alfred Health is available at www.alfredhealth.org.au OUR VALUES Our staff are expected to demonstrate and uphold our values of: Integrity, Accountability, Collaboration and Knowledge. Our values provide the platform for the way we work and the decisions we make. Through this approach, our Vision and Mission are achieved. RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT The Alfred has one of the most experienced and technologically advanced radiology departments in the country, providing service to the population of Melbourne and greater Victoria. The Alfred provides a comprehensive range of medical diagnostic and therapeutic services with a modern range of equipment across all modalities. The departmental clinical governance strategy ensures a high standard of care for patients undergoing radiological examinations and promotes a multidisciplinary team approach. Alfred Radiology Department is RANZCR/NATA accredited. Page 1 of 6
POSITION SUMMARY To provide the best possible radiographic examination ensuring patient comfort, welfare and safety in accordance with established radiographic practice, ethics and code of conduct. Clinical provision: 24 hours, 365 days per annum. There is also a requirement to work both on call to cover nights and weekends to cover emergency, trauma and urgent admitted patients. Be proficient in all aspects of General Radiography and Computerised Tomography (CT). KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Clinical Perform radiographic examinations of the highest possible quality that answer the clinical question posed by the referrer, using the lowest radiation dose practicable. Due consideration is to be given to the clinical indication, needs and abilities of the patient when tailoring the examination. Assess, in consultation with the radiologist where necessary, the justification for ionising radiation exposure given in referrals for ionising radiation examinations, using the ALARA principle as the standard. Where required, resolve insufficiently justified requests for ionising radiation examinations with the referring clinician and/or radiologist. Supervise and assist more junior radiographers in this process when required. Maintain a high level of expertise in the safe operation of equipment and report faults in a timely manner within the radiographer s area of clinical proficiency. Provide verbal advice, when sought, to clinicians on the appearance of a diagnostic image, within the radiographic practitioner s scope of competency. Communicate effectively with other staff members as part of a team to deliver high quality patient care outcomes. Prioritise workload in accordance with hospital procedures and guidelines, the severity of a patient condition, clinical urgency, and the direct impact on their management. Maintain accurate patient records by input of accurate information to reflect the service provided and meet professional standards. Work independently when rostered to out-of-hours shifts and on call service. Be actively involved in the training and assessment of students and new staff radiographers, providing direct supervision and aid at all times. A radiographer maybe required in consultation with the Chief and Deputy Chief Radiographer to work and be rostered within the Alfred Health network Self Management A radiographer will demonstrate the ability to exercise personal responsibility for ensuring optimal imaging outcomes are achieved for each patient. This will be achieved through full understanding and application of departmental work instruction, policies and hospital guidelines. A radiographer will demonstrate the ability to make decisions in complex and unpredictable environments to facilitate the optimal imaging outcome for each patient. These environments may include operating theatres, the emergency department and trauma centre, or other high workload areas. Page 2 of 6
A radiographer will delegate tasks and work collaboratively with fellow radiographers where this action is required to achieve optimal imaging outcomes. A radiographer will actively participate in the Radiology Department s Quality Assurance program, to permit effective Clinical Governance. A radiographer will comply with, contribute to and actively participate in the revision, training and implementation of departmental and professional policies and procedures relating to : o Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) including risk assessment o Radiation Protection Procedures o Quality Assurance Program A Radiographer should attend monthly staff meeting and if absent then read through the staff meeting minutes in order to understand changes occurring within the department Educational Participate in mandatory training and actively pursue Continuous Professional Development as well as maintaining an up-to-date record. Maintain knowledge of technological and technical advances in methods of diagnostic Imaging. Use this knowledge to promote a culture of continuous improvement within the department. Develop knowledge and understanding within an evidence-based framework and transfer to situations encountered in practice to promote lifelong learning. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK Demands for diagnostic imaging are generated by the specific service needs of each clinical area. Images must be suitable for diagnosis and archived on the PACS. Radiographers are required to take responsibility for daily departmental organisation of staff breaks and workload allocation in the absence of a more senior member of staff. A Radiographer is required to have a punctual attendance record in regards to their rostered working hours. Supervising radiographers will delegate other non-clinical tasks to radiographers to undertake. A Supervising radiographer or Chief Radiographer will perform an annual performance appraisal as well as ongoing performance management of all radiographers whom are under their supervision in order to be compliant with a radiographer s annual performance development plan. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB On a daily basis, perform high quality radiographic examinations in differing and demanding environments. Manage an unpredictable work load effectively, while interacting successfully with fellow health care professionals Give supervision and assistance to Radiographers, being actively involved oneself in performing examinations at all times. Cope with the mental and physical demands of working in acute areas, independently, sometimes having to provide images on severely injured, abusive or violent patients Combining training in new techniques or newly procured equipment with normal patient workload. Page 3 of 6
Directly supervise and train student radiographers whilst maintaining normal throughput of high quality radiographic examinations. Interact with distressed and vulnerable patients in a professional manner, displaying mindfulness of the differing emotional needs of each patient. Coordinate, prioritise and perform urgent examinations in a timely manner across multiple imaging modalities in the emergency / out-of-hours environment. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS Patients Communicate information to the patient in a manner that ensures their understanding and encourages compliance. Listen to communication from the patient and respond according to their needs. Modify communication/listening technique according to the patient s abilities and needs, to maximise compliance and obtain a satisfactory imaging outcome. Advise and assist Radiographers in their handling of patients concerns when required. Provide a balanced professional explanation as to the justification for a radiology examination and potential benefit to the patient and the potential risk from exposure to ionising radiation. Relatives/Carers Provide reassurance and receive information Ask for assistance with and instruct in methods of immobilisation, while maintaining the Radiation Protection of the relative/carer. Radiography Staff (internal/external) Delegate tasks to Radiographers and Orderlies Discuss department policies and suggest improvements Hand over any relevant information relating to planned work, work in progress, and significant events to colleagues Medical Staff/Nurse Practitioners Query incorrect or unnecessary referrals in order to reduce patient radiation dose Provide advice on guidelines for relevant examinations Student/NPDP Radiographers Decide whether the Student is capable of performing an examination safely with the patient s consent and after suitable tuition Provide a level of supervision for NPDP candidates that match their professional capability. Advise the student as to the best professional practice in any situation Provide constructive criticism as part of the assessment process Provide feedback to the Tutor radiographer and supervisors regarding student/npdp learning and professional practice. Page 4 of 6
KEY CAPABILITIES: PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB Physical Skills: Manipulate and position all patients using manual handling techniques recommended in the radiology manual handling training program. Participate in continued manual handling technique assessment annually. Be able to perform radiographic examinations safely and quickly for patients with time critical injuries, often prior to emergency intervention. Physical Demands: Maintain a level of physical fitness to: Allow the radiographer to complete all duties required during all different shifts. Radiographer to stand and walk and bend facilitating patient positioning during the normal course of a shift. Allows for frequent transfer of patients from trolleys, beds and wheel chairs onto imaging tables, using radiology recommended manual handling techniques. Move and manipulate radiographic imaging equipment in accordance with standard procedures. A Radiographer shall wear a lead apron as required. Mental Demands: Provide support and advice to less experienced staff, whilst managing, performing and assessing one s own workload. Prioritising workload requires diplomatic skills in discussion with referrers who all believe their patient should take priority. Emotional Demands: Perform invasive or intimate radiographic examinations for patients in a variety of emotional states and varying severity of illness. Maintain composure and professional behaviour, Independently taking responsibility for the diagnostic imaging service to all patients. QUALITY, SAFETY, RISK and IMPROVEMENT Maintain an understanding of individual responsibility for patient safety, quality and risk and contribute to organisational quality and safety initiatives. Follow organizational safety, quality and risk policies and guidelines Maintain a safe working environment for yourself, your colleagues and members of the public Escalate concerns regarding safety, quality and risk to appropriate staff member, if unable to rectify yourself. Promote and participate in the evaluation and continuous improvement processes Comply with the principles of Patient Centre Care Comply with Alfred Health mandatory continuing professional development requirements Comply with requirement of National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards and other relevant regulatory requirements. Page 5 of 6
Ensure compliance with relevant Alfred Health clinical and administrative policies and guidelines Compliance with relevant privacy legislation Protect confidential information from unauthorised disclosure and not use, disclose or copy confidential information except for the purposes of and to the extent necessary to perform your employment duties at Alfred Health Comply with Alfred Health medication management and medication safety policies and guidelines Comply with the Radiology Departments OHS responsibilities and guidelines Provide when required appropriate supervision, training and instructions in accordance with Alfred Health policies QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED Essential Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Radiations or equivalent Eligibility for A.I.R Validated Statement of Accreditation National Registration with AHPRA to practice as a Medical Imaging Technologist Victorian Department of Health Use Licence Evidence of CPD in line with registration requirements. Good communication skills Team Worker JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT A separate job description will need to be signed off by each employee to whom the job description applies. Employee Signature: Chief Radiographer Signature: Date: Date: FREQUENCY & TYPE OF STAFF APPRAISAL: Formally once per year Informally continual Position Description authorised by: Chief Radiographer Date: August 2013 Page 6 of 6