Detailed job description and main responsibilities

·           The post holder will be expected to make daily workload decisions, plan routes and prioritise patients, these judgements will be made by drawing upon knowledge and experience. Also in the absence of clear instructions, interpret non-routine patient referrals, and with consent, examine the visual appearance, again by using knowledge and experience the post holder will judge how best to illustrate the disease, deformity or clinical sign.

·           The post holder will anticipate future demands by analysing trends and actively contribute to maintain continuity and development of services.

·           The post holder will make recommendations and actively contribute to and support agreed developments within the department and organisation. Continually assess own working practice, keep up to date with current trends to develop knowledge, practice and propose future service development.

·           The post holder will be expected to organise their own day to day workload ensuring relevant patient work is prioritised, amending plans at short notice to respond to activity that is unpredictable. Referring to their Manager / supervisor for any guidance as and when necessary.

·           The post holder will be expected to perform photographic diagnostic procedures to a high quality, ensuring standardisation, with minimal patient impact. Taking into account the patients physical and mental abilities, and emotional state. To maintain dignity and choice, ensuring appropriate consent is received for the purpose of the photograph and provision of same sex photographer and chaperone when required.

·           The post holder will be expected to competently navigate themselves around the image management system, (training will be provided), reporting any issues to their senior. The post holder will also be expected to use image manipulation software – Photoshop and Aperture, and should be experienced at using both PC and Apple Mac’s computers.

·           The post holder will be expected to input information / patient demographics in the image management system used by the department, ensuring accurate data is input and cross checking Job numbers to patient demographics to patient images. You will also be expected to collate figures to give trends in current service users.

·           The post holder will require high levels of concentration, to ensure all demographics match images to be uploaded, this will be in a busy environment where interruptions will be likely, busy clinics will be running and patient throughput is constant.

·           The post holder will be expected to communicate with all staff, patients/ patients representatives within the trust, sensitively asking patients to undress, requesting the patient to position themselves for optimum image production, alongside liaising with staff on views required, asking for assistance to position patients / removal of dressings, arranging times and locations.

·           The post holder will be expected to communicate with patients and will need to explain the rational for taking the images, which may include persuading the patient to take off clothing / jewellery, taking into account religious / cultural differences, maintaining patient dignity in sensitive situations.

·           The post holder will be expected to organise their own workload and liaise with Clinics, Wards and other hospital departments on appropriate times to photograph patients. To prioritise workloads to ensure efficiency and patients are seen in timely manner, and ensure deadlines are achieved.

·           The nature of the work can be unpredictable with frequent exposure to emotional and distressing situations, requiring empathy and compassion, sometimes with people with Challenging behaviour. Occasional requirement to photograph traumatised, abused, dying or deceased patient and relatives. There are often requirements throughout the day for manual dexterity and precise hand-eye coordination to control photographic and computer equipment.

·           The job requires a good level of fitness, flexibility, strength and stamina, there are regular requirements for walking, working in awkward and confined positions. The person will need normal colour vision and hearing, good coordination and balance. The handling of equipment with dexterity in and around surgical sites requires strength, concentration and precision for extended audio-visual recordings. You will also be expected to assist in moving and carrying of heavy awkward equipment, in line with health and safety guidelines.

·           Often exposure to disagreeable sights and odours and occasional risk of contact with bodily fluids.

·           Training on all our policies and protocols will be provided