Download LEEDS TEACHING HOSPITALS NHS TRUST

653B
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
1. JOB DETAILS
Job Title:
Band:
Reports to:
Accountable to:
Professionally Accountable to:
Location:
AfC Job No:
Specialist Skin Therapy Radiographer
6
Superintendent Radiographer
Dermatology Business Manager
Superintendent Radiographer
Dermatology, Chapel Allerton Hospital with some cross site
working at LGI
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2. JOB PURPOSE
The post holder will work as part of a team of 4 radiographers providing a high standard of
patient care within the policies and procedures specified by National Regulations, LTHT and
the Dermatology Management Team.
The post holder will assist - the Superintendent Radiographer to maintain the high standards
of patient care and technical practice of the Leeds Dermatology Laser Centre
3. JOB DIMENSIONS
The post holder will be actively involved in the treatment of patients, working as an
autonomous Specialist Skin Therapy Radiographer, undertaking treatments on a single
handed basis. Some managerial responsibilities within the Laser department will be
required to support the Superintendent Radiographer.
The department provides a regional and supra-regional service treating a wide range of skin
disorders and many birthmarks.
Patient ages range from 6months to 90+ years. Most paediatric patients and some adults are
treated under general anaesthetic. Treatments are usually carried out as outpatient
procedures but some occasionally need hospital admission.
4. DERMATOLOGY LASER CENTRE ORGANISATION
Consultant
Dermatologist
Head of Nursing / Matron
Superintendant Radiographer
Specialist Skin Therapy
Radiographer (Dermatology)
5. KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Essential
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Diploma or BSc in Radiotherapy or equivalent
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Current registration (HPC)
Significant post graduate experience.(minimum 18 months)
Recent experience of specialist/senior radiographer level or completion of the band
5 KSF competencies.
Proven skills/experience of specialist Skin Therapy Treatments
BTech Higher Award in Skin Laser Treatment to be completed within 12 months of
starting post.
Secure knowledge of the dangers and consequences of the misuse of Class IV laser
beams within 3 months of starting in post
Organisational skills/decision making.
Proven team working people skills
Leadership skills
IT skills
Highly developed communication and negotiation skills
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Desirable
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Previous experience of working at a Band 6 level.
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Previous experience of Dermatology Lasers.
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Close-up photography skills
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Knowledge of a wide range of dermatological conditions
5. THE LEEDS WAY VALUES
Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as strength,
as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see
as important to how we work. Our five values are:
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Patient-centred
Collaborative
Fair
Accountable
Empowered
All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values.
Additionally the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:
Commitment to contributing to the successful performance of the Dermatology Laser
services across sites and with other disciplines as appropriate.
Commitment to support, uphold and demonstrate core Trust management behaviours.
Understands the need to engage in and respond positively to change, modernisation and
opportunities for new ways of working leading to service improvement.
6. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
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Honest and reliable
Ability to act professionally at all times
Demonstrate the behaviours outlined by the Trust and the College of Radiographers
Professional Code of Conduct.
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CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
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Ensure that professional attitudes and standards are maintained
Commitment to team working, and contributing to the establishment of good
interpersonal relationships and working atmosphere so that 2-way discussion,
learning and development of the whole team can occur.
Effective communication skills.
Collaborate new ways of working and negotiate with patients in their care.
Commitment to developing trust and rapport to establish patient cooperation and,
manage patient’s expectations.
Responsible for keeping up to date with technical practice and offering support and
guidance to encourage other members of the team to do the same.
Be able to demonstrate detailed and extensive specialist knowledge and
understanding Dermatology Laser Therapy gained through wide experience and
personal development.
Ability to recognise the potential dangers of Class IV Laser and be aware of the
damage that can be done to the tissue if not used safely.
Understand how the potential dangers of this treatment greatly influences the many
and varied decisions the post holder must make on a daily basis.
Have knowledge of risk assessment/management, manual handling, clinical risk and
infection control is essential.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Demonstrate competence in all areas of skin laser therapy and the benefits and
potential dangers of Class IV lasers.
Counsel and consent patients and prescribe laser treatments as defined by policies and
protocols as appropriate to grade
Check prescriptions and previous treatment records to ensure compliance of
departmental l rules and protocols.
Monitor previous and current treatments and adjust agreed plans and prescriptions in
accordance with protocols to improve patient outcomes.
Ensure that own clinical decision-making falls within departmental protocols, referring
any decisions that fall outside of this remit to a more senior colleague.
Be responsible for keeping up to date with technical practice and offering support,
guidance and encouragement to others to do the same.
Be responsible for ensuring all equipment is used appropriately and safely, including
administrative and management systems, monitoring equipment performance and
reporting faults.
Perform daily quality control procedures and record the results
Be responsible for the clear, accurate concise recording of treatment delivery data and
other clinical observations, specific to both patients and equipment, and
referring/reporting of such findings.
Perform a Specialist role in the Leeds Dermatology Laser Centre.
Demonstrate appropriate counselling of patients prior to treatment by listening actively,
questioning sensitively, to guide the patient and to clarify information received.
Advise patients on the appropriateness of a particular skin treatment therapy according
to patient’s lifestyle and ability to comply with treatment guidelines.
Understand where patients may encounter difficulties and support and encourage
patients to develop appropriate strategies to overcome those difficulties.
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Be involved in the development of efficient, effective and safe working practices whilst
meeting all workload targets
Be involved with the supervision, development, performance and management of junior
team members, allotted trainees, medical staff, students and visitors.
Deliver complex laser therapy treatments to a wide range of patients complying with
treatment protocols.
Deliver treatment on a ‘single handed‘ basis and take responsibility for own individual
actions.
Physically position patients and equipment for treatment ensuring accuracy and patient
safety/comfort whilst taking into account any patient limitations and adapting standard
techniques as necessary.
Monitor patient during treatment.
Participate in audit, research and clinical trials, conducting treatments according to trial
protocols and assessment documentation and record findings.
In conjunction with the Superintendent ensure all equipment is maintained to a high
standard and used appropriately, including administrative and management systems
that assist in service delivery.
Be responsible for the accurate recording of treatment delivery data and other clinical
observations, specific to both patients and equipment, and referring/reporting of such
findings
Perform daily quality control procedures and record the results.
Be responsible for efficient and effective planning and booking of appointments within
their allotted area.
Evaluate the actions required to maintain the high quality of practice by assessing,
planning and implementing both patient needs and clinical process.
Direct and provide advice to patients and carers at all stages of treatment, referring
onwards as necessary
Apply specialist skills and knowledge to teach new staff, medical staff, medical students
and appropriate visitors as required.
Maintain levels of cleanliness in the departmental and carry out the appropriate
cleaning and care of the equipment including decontamination procedures.
Ensure safe working environments at all times
Comply with the Trust’s incident reporting system.
In conjunction with the Superintendent be responsible for purchasing, maintaining and
re-stocking all equipment. Signing and submitting requisitions as appropriate to the
grade.
Monitor faults in equipment, fittings and fabric and follow identified lines of reporting
and documenting.
Liaise with service engineers as appropriate.
Work flexibly as required by the service/patient need, including deputising for the
Superintendent Radiographer when necessary.
Health and Safety
All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the
quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying
at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health & Safety
policies in particular, by following agreed safe working procedures, reporting incidents using
the Trust and department Incident Reporting System.
Infection Control
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The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions.
Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their
environment.
Training and Personal Development
The jobholder must take responsibility in agreement with his / her line manager for his / her
own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains
a priority. The post holder will attend such courses as deemed necessary or desirable for
future service development. The jobholder will undertake all mandatory training required
for the role.
Equality & Diversity
The jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of
employment. Co-workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally, irrespective of
gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.
Respect for Patient Confidentiality
The jobholder must respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient
information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role. All communications should
be written in a way that would not compromise the service on disclosure.
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KEY RESULTS AREAS
To be determined by the development plans of both departments
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COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder requires highly developed communication skills and is expected to
collaborate on new ways of working during Radiographer led consultations.
Ability to manage patient’s expectations, advising on lifestyle choices where
appropriate, gaining patient cooperation and compliance with treatment guidelines,
to maximise the effectiveness of Specialist skin therapy treatments.
Ability to negotiate with patients in their care, developing trust and rapport to gain
patient cooperation, when met with hostility and antagonism. Ability to provide and
receive sensitive information in an empathetic, reassuring manner where patients are
in a highly emotional state, recognising barriers to effective communication and
potential for conflict.
Recognise the potential for conflict in relationships and seek to minimise this, and
contribute to effective communications with immediate colleagues and the multidisciplinary team.
Maintain effective verbal and/or written communication and working relationships
with patients, other hospital staff, relatives and visitors.
Work closely with anaesthetic staff and any other persons in theatre to ensure
compliance with safe laser practices.
To promote and maintain effective communication with internal and externally
referring clinicians.
SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS
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Physical Effort
Frequent demand for the use of highly developed co-ordination and sensory skills to
accurately manipulate patients and equipment with a high degree of precision and speed
with the ability to react promptly
Requires excellent hand and eye co-ordination to accurately aim the laser beam, whilst
controlling the laser output via a foot switch.
Constant moving and handling of patients and equipment. Equipment - moving and handling
of Skin X-Ray applicators and protective lead blocks, weighing 6kgm which have to be
positioned around the patient.
The necessity for the prolonged use of essential protective eyewear with different coloured
lenses for each laser, and the need for very accurate, close work.
Occasional emergency laser repairs required (i.e. in a GA theatre session) performed under
the telephone guidance of the service engineers requiring manual and mental dexterity
Equipment - regular moving and handling of heavy and cumbersome lasers (approx.
250Kgm) around the department on a regular basis for service requirements.
Moving and handling training is mandatory and application of the practical and theoretical
skills learned will afford a safe working environment.
Mental Effort
Mental agility required as constant concentration and mental multi-tasking is needed to
perform day to day duties. Treatments are carried out on a single-handed basis and can last
up to forty minutes. Intense concentration is needed for the accurate positioning and
delivery of laser treatment. The post holder is responsible for the eye protection of patients
and visitors during treatment. Frequent interruptions throughout the day to respond toqueries from junior radiography or medical staff and patient queries require the need for reprioritising of tasks.
Emotional Effort
Direct exposure to difficult and stressful situations when dealing with patients who have
emotional and psychological. e.g. mental illness, The post holder will be expected to provide
reassurance, support and assistance as appropriate to the situation. This occurs on a daily
basis.
Working Conditions
Daily exposure to blood and other unpleasant body fluids and odours, noxious laser fumes
(from the dyes necessary for the laser to function) and plumes, and possible toxic spillage.
Will be required to wear appropriate face masks and protective eyewear.
Ensure COSHH and safe working procedures are adhered to. The post holder must maintain
a professional approach and up-to date knowledge of current procedures and safe practice.
Violence and Aggression - able to deal effectively with exposure to verbal aggression and
threatening behaviour (usually due to patient distress). Required to support junior staff to
develop strategies regarding the correct de-escalation processes.
Freedom to Act
Following appropriate specialist training and recognised qualification in a number of
specialist skin therapy modalities the post holder will have an extended scope of practice,
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running Radiographer led clinics working in an autonomous manner taking ownership of
their own clinical decision making within treatment guidelines and protocols.
The post holder will be required to use their experience, specialist knowledge and initiative
to take action on technical and patient related issues on a daily basis in their allocated areas
(including amendments to treatment) to achieve the expected results as defined by
departmental policies and regulations.
The post holder should be competent in a variety of situations, referring outside their scope
of practice to their team leader or clinician. The post holder should use their discretion to
take action whilst accepting and utilising guidance from senior staff, peers and research.
As a Specialist Skin Therapy Radiographer/ the post holder is expected to be a point of
reference for other health professionals and students by utilising skills and expertise, with
the ability to take action on / direct amendments to treatments as appropriate. A
requirement to be a point of advice for patient queries and counselling for treatment in
accordance with protocols.
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Person Specification
Post Title
Specialist Skin Therapy Radiographer
(Post Ref:
)
Band
6
Department
Dermatology Laser Centre
Location
Dermatology Chapel Allerton
Summary of Role
To treat patients in the Dermatology Laser Therapy Departments and have some managerial
and leadership responsibility
Criteria:
Essential
Desirable
Evidence
obtained from:
Qualifications:
Diploma or BSc in radiotherapy or equivalent
Experience of
Dermatology Laser
Therapy
Certificates
Current registration (HPC)
BTech Higher Award in Skin Laser Treatment to be
completed within 12 months of starting post in order
to gain specialist knowledge required to underpin
clinical skills
Significant post graduate experience (minimum 18
months Previous experience at senior radiographer
level or completion of the band 5 KSF competencies.
Training:
Evidence of team leadership skills.
Commitment to undergo all training requirements of
the post.
Organisational skills/decision making.
Participate in departmental studies/activities
Application
form/CV
Previous experience of
working at band 6 level
Evidence of further study
in related areas
Close-up photography
skills
Attendance of relevant
lectures/ workshops/
study days.
Key skills in a particular
area relevant to service.
Certificates
CPD folder
Interview
Responsible for others and own CPD
Special
Knowledge:
Secure knowledge of the benefits, dangers and
consequences of Class IV Laser Beams. (training to be
undertaken in the induction period on entry into the
post)
Wider knowledge of
dermatological
conditions
Certificate
Interview
Basic IT skills
Behaviours:
Ability to work within and lead a team and to work
single-Handed
Interview
Good interpersonal skills at all levels
References
Excellent communication skills
Ability to negotiate and persuade
Consistent decision making.
Shortlisting
criteria/Interview
Proactive
Resilient. Works well under pressure
Flexible and adaptable
Enthusiastic and positive and able to motivate others
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Criteria:
Essential
Practical Skills:
Good hand and eye co-ordination
Manual dexterity
Desirable
Evidence
obtained from:
Occupational
Health Screening
References
Other
Requirements:
Good attendance record. Ability to fulfil occupational
health requirements of the post.
Occupational
Health Screening
Excellent professional record
Must be able to distinguish colour variations
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