Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job summary:

The post holder will have to possess the following:

Post Graduate qualification in Advanced Mammography Practice at a master’s Level or equivalent.

Post graduate award in Mammography.

Have significant advanced post registration experience in breast imaging and reporting.

HCPC state registered.

Tomosynthesis and stereo-core biopsies would be an advantage. They will execute the four pillars of consultant radiography Practice.

Professional and Clinical:

Deliver autonomous, advanced-level breast imaging practice including mammography, ultrasound, image guided procedures and reporting.

Clinical duties without supervision, would include Breast ultrasound, pre-surgical image guided localisation procedures (wire guided, magseed), image-guided core biopsies and suction biopsies, free hand ultrasound-guided techniques including cyst aspirations and core biopsies according to the National Occupational Standards using all types of available x-ray equipment in the breast imaging department.

In addition to having experience in image interpretation and able to interpret and diagnose mammograms according to local and national protocols.

Provide expert opinion in complex and non-routine breast imaging cases.

Contribute to the multidisciplinary (MDT) meetings, supporting diagnostic and management decisions.

To be proficient in the delivery of subcutaneous local anaesthetic during imageguided biopsy procedures to enable the post holder to act as a prescriber.

To undertake administration of local anaesthesia and prescribe medication within the defined departments patients group directive.

Ensure high standards of patient-centred care, safely and quality.

To demonstrate clinical leadership, consultancy and professional education as part of a multidisciplinary team approach to patient care.

To maintain and promote partnership working with other healthcare professionals with expertise in the field of breast imaging e.g. clinical nurse specialists, radiologists, surgeons, pathologists and oncologists.

Undertake any other tasks or duties appropriate to the post.

Training and Supervision:

Lead and support education, training and competency development for radiographer and other healthcare professionals.

Act as a mentor and clinical supervisor for advanced and consultant practitioners.

Contribute to the academic partnership and post graduate delivery.

To encourage the development of, and provide expert assistance to, more junior radiographers and act as a role model to all members of staff.

To supervise and teach radiological specialist registrars and to organise suitable educational experiences within the breast unit for medical and other health professional students.

Share professional knowledge and expertise through formal and informal teaching using flexible methods of delivery.

Identify and respond to any appropriate education needs within the Trust, enabling practitioners to develop clinically based competencies, thus ensuring that they are effective in providing quality service provision.

Promote a reflective, questioning approach to clinical practice and support the use of clinical supervision to enhance the quality of patient care.

Provide inter-professional support and education within the speciality for staff of all disciplines studying at undergraduate and post-graduate levels.

Facilitate others to develop and deliver appropriate strategies to meet the educational needs of patients and monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies.

Clinical Governance:

At all times adhere to the Health Professions Council and the Society of Radiographers Code of Professional Conduct, local Trust policies, protocols and guidelines and be actively involved in clinical supervision and peer review.

Contribute to Clinical Governance and Clinical Effectiveness agendas relating to breast imaging by ensuring best practice guidelines in breast imaging which improve patient care. These agendas may cross organisational, professional and speciality boundaries.

Communication Skills and Working Relationships:

To demonstrate excellent verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills to communicate highly complex and sensitive information effectively with patients, carers and staff at all levels.

To be able to explain procedures and obtaining the necessary consent for the procedures.

To communicate clinical information clearly and compassionately, supporting informed decision-making and maintaining patient dignity, privacy and confidentiality in line with the NHS values.

To be responsible for reassuring and discharging patients from symptomatic clinics as appropriate.

Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team, contributing expert radiographic opinion to MDT meeting, clinical discussions and service planning.

Develop and maintain effective working relationships across specialities, departments and external organisations to support integrated, patient-centred breast services.

Provide professional leadership, advice and support to radiography colleagues and the wider MDT. Fostering a culture of openness, learning and continuous improvements.

Act as a role model for the NHS values and behaviours, promoting equality, diversity, inclusion and effective team working in all aspects of practice.

Ability to discuss diagnoses with patients and give bad news.

To respond to any questions or concerns from patients, clients and visitors professionally and with confidence.

Analytical and Judgement Skills:

To demonstrate leadership.

Support the multi-disciplinary team in delivering patient care ensuring sound clinical and ethical decision making in relation to breast diagnosis.

Ensure that appropriate, consistent and realistic information is provided to patients and relatives.

Continually assess, monitor and report clinical risk and challenge own and others’ practice.

To independently analyse complex clinical, imaging and pathological information to make expert decisions regarding the diagnosis, patient management and onward referral within the agreed protocols and scope of practice.

To interpret highly complex breast imaging findings across multiple modalities including mammography, ultrasound and image guided investigations.

To exert clinical reasoning to determine appropriate imaging pathways, further investigations and interventions, balancing clinical risk, patient safety and best practice.

Planning and Organisational Skills:

To be professionally accountable for own actions and advanced practice.

To be able to plan, coordinate and prioritise a broad range of clinical, managerial, educations and strategic activities often simultaneously within the environment of competing demands.

Provide cover for colleague’s annual leave, sickness and during times of high volumes.

Report any sickness or absence from work of any member of staff to the Radiography Manager or Clinical lead for breast imaging.

Take part in the annual PDR review.

To contribute to the workforce planning, skills-mix development and succession planning for the service.

Freedom to Act:

Must be able to work autonomously within the clearly defined scope of practice, professional standards and organisational policies.

To exercise a high level of independent decision making and professional accountability.

To be able to demonstrate empathy and sensitivity.

To provide specialist advice locally, regionally and nationally on breast imaging practice.

Autonomously being able to report and/or interventional practice where applicable.

To provide expert advice to senior managers and clinicians and influence the service and strategic decisions at a divisional of Trust level.

To be accountable for the outcomes of the decisions and actions made and operate with minimal direct supervision.