Senior Imaging Practitioner Nuclear Medicine

We are seeking a Senior Imaging Radiographer /Technologist for the Nuclear Medicine department at the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust in Guildford.
Our department is based in St Luke's Cancer Centre, but we deliver a full range of diagnostic nuclear medicine tests to both adult and paediatric patients, as well as providing a comprehensive Molecular Radiotherapy service (including I-131 for benign and malignant thyroid disease, Y-90 SIRT, Lu-177 DOTATATE and Ra-223 Xofigo). We actively support training and development within our team, and have recently established an apprenticeship scheme in Nuclear Medicine Technology.
As a Senior Practitioner, you will assist the service manager and the deputy to lead a team of technologists, radiographers, assistant practitioners, apprentices and administrative staff supporting the diagnostic service and work in close partnership with our Medical Physics team in the delivery of the Molecular Radiotherapy service.
The successful candidate will provide a high level of professional leadership to the team, and work closely with the wider Oncology team to deliver a high quality of care to the patients. We welcome individuals who have an excellent understanding and knowledge of a forward thinking Nuclear Medicine service.

Main duties of the job
The Nuclear Medicine department provides a comprehensive service to the Royal Surrey County Hospital. Routine clinical work includes a full range of diagnostic investigations, molecular radiotherapy, research and other associated procedures using imaging and in vitro techniques.
You will be an accomplished and competent Nuclear Medicine Radiographer/Technologist who has expert knowledge and recent experience of Nuclear Medicine techniques. Who can demonstrate leadership skills within a highly regulated and controlled environment. Who may have some experience in Research and Development, as well as Radionuclide Therapy procedures.
In this rotation, the post holder will work closely with the Clinicians and Nuclear Medicine Physics team to develop the diagnostic protocols for the growth in Theranostics. They will also work with the Trust's Reasearch and development Department regarding Clinical Trials that may involve Diagnostic or Therapeutic Processes.
The post holder will be required to carry out some work on a shift basis, between the hours of 0800hrs and 1900hrs. Occasional weekend working may also be required., Demonstrate awareness and compliance of Ionizing Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations IR(ME)R 2017 and IRR17
Alongside clinical duties, the post holder will rotate through four different areas of responsibility:
Recruitment and retention, participating in interview selection. Develop education programmes within scope of role, maintain and update departmental annual training competencies and devise timetable for visiting students. Arrange and conduct appropriate staff appraisals. Help to maintain and manage sickness records. Support staff in the absence of the manager and deputy manager.
Be responsible for the PACS, CRIS and SSC/Cerner and order comms systems within the department. Maintain and update all patient information leaflets. Participate in Protocol review and any other committees deemed appropriate to role. Help to maintain COSHH risk assessments and management of risk. Produce statistics for various committees and KPI reports.
Liaise with Clinicians, NM Physics and Research team to expand, adapt and optimise imaging techniques. Provide training to the imaging team where necessary. Assist the Therapy admin co-ordinator to appointment diagnostic imaging and support the revision of patient information leaflets. To attend the Therapy and Research meetings and act as a Research Liaison between the RSFT R&D and the Nuclear Medicine Imaging Department..
To perform a wide range of nuclear medicine and radiographic procedures across a variety of complex clinical presentations and pathologies to a required standard.
To prioritise patients to ensure optimum efficiency and service quality.
To ensure that all data inputs are accurately recorded in order to maintain the integrity of data for both patients and service.
To provide professional support, supervision and assistance to qualified nuclear medicine technologists and radiographers and other staff in service delivery and personal development.
To ensure professional practice and that of the service is maintained and extended.
To take an active, unsupervised role within the Department to provide a comprehensive diagnostic Nuclear Medicine Service in accordance with nationally and locally agreed protocols. This includes routine and complex imaging investigations with associated computer analysis, image quantifications and visual analysis of images to ensure that optimal views are carried out.
To carry out routine and complex post image processing using computer programmes to produce accurate analysis and data on procedures
To be responsible for ensuring a timely, efficient and courteous provision of imaging and non-imaging services within the available resources. This may involve booking of patient appointments, administration of oral, intravenous, subcutaneous and inhaled radiopharmaceuticals as well as the operation of gamma cameras, with/without combined CT imaging modality.
As an Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations practitioner, ensure the correct procedure is justified and performed having authorised the investigation under delegated authorisation of the ARSAC practitioner.
To be responsible for ensuring that important and often life-threatening information seen on the images is communicated to the referring team/ reporting Consultant or radiographer for immediate actions.
To evaluate clinical information from the initial request and to advise appointment booking staff of appropriateness of request, degree of urgency and length of time required for study.
To communicate with all grades of medical and nursing staff where necessary to ensure that the most appropriate examination is performed. To modify technique such that the medical question asked in the referral is answered in the images.
To assess the ability of patients to undergo examinations and highly skilled specialised procedures, modifying techniques accordingly.
To act as a point of expert advice for patient enquires concerning their appointment., To be responsible for the safe handling and administration of radiopharmaceuticals required for imaging investigations. Routes of administration include intravenous, sub-cutaneous, oral and inhalation.
To handle unsealed radioactive sources in a safe manner, appropriate for their use, ensuring personal safety and the safety of patients, carers and other staff within the Department.
To handle and dispose of radioactive contaminated sharps and other waste, and body fluids (faeces, blood, urine etc.) in a manner appropriate to the level of biohazard and radiation hazard.
To take professional responsibility for the safe preparation and use of highly specialised equipment, ensuring the safe use of radiation and high voltage equipment in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
To work in and monitor restricted areas of operation to ensure radiation safety and protection of all working in the environment in accordance with Departmental Local Rules and National Regulations.
Supervise and perform decontamination of radioactive spills, e.g. radiopharmaceuticals and radioactive body fluids.
Carry out regular radiation monitoring for radioactive contamination.
To order and monitor the ordering of daily radiopharmaceuticals as required.
Liaise with the R&D department regarding clinical trials.
Liaise with the NM Physics team regarding Therapies.
To attend regular Protocol Review meetings and act as the representative of the NM Imaging Section in quorum.
Assist with maintaining the stringent requirements of BS 70000 accreditation. To maintain the documentation to the recognised quality standards.
Use the web-based interactive QMS (ipassport) to maintain, streamline and help improve, the day to day management of quality and compliance within the department.
Other responsibilities may include participate in training, supervision, development and support of technologists, radiographers, students and A&C staff. The applicant should be able to demonstrate some experience in clinical governance and participation in clinical audits. The individual would also be required to liaise with a variety of staff from within the Trust, including wards, theatres and clinics. They will also be required to effectively communicate with staff of external organisations such as other NHS Trusts, Commercial Suppliers and Private Practices.

To have excellent theoretical and practical knowledge of Nuclear Medicine, ideally underpinned by post graduate qualifications.

Working for our organisation
Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.
We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have given us an overall rating of Outstanding.
Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.
Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
A video about the Royal Surrey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo