Important Job Application Information
Thank you for your interest in NHS Tayside vacancies
Please see below Job Description/Specification and General Conditions of Service
Your Application Form must be completed in full. Please note copies of Curriculum Vitae,
Qualifications and Course Certificates will not be accepted at this stage.
Please return your completed Application Form to recruitment.tayside@nhs.net (quoting the
vacancy reference number in the subject box) or to the postal address given on the General
Conditions of Service.
All completed applications are held in Human Resources until the closing date. After the closing
date a panel will meet to prepare an interview shortlist. Once this decision has been made, all
shortlisted applicants will be emailed to invite them to attend for interview. It is important that you
check your emails regularly.
This process takes approximately 6 weeks. Therefore, if you have not been contacted regarding
interview within 6 weeks of the closing date, your application has been unsuccessful and you will
receive no further correspondence from Human Resources.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Find out more about living and working in Tayside at:
www.dundeecity.gov.uk
www.angus.gov.uk
www.pkc.gov.uk
General Conditions 05.08
NHS TAYSIDE – AGENDA FOR CHANGE
JOB DESCRIPTION
1. JOB
IDENTIFICATION
Job Title
Department(s)/Loc
ation
Number of job
holders
Radiography Assistant
Band 2
Clinical Radiology, Tayside, based at
Whitehills, Forfar
2. JOB PURPOSE
Clinical Radiology in Tayside is divided into specialist areas in each district, each team is
responsible for service
delivery to the patients in their specialist area. E.g. CT, MRI, Ultrasound, General and
Fluoroscopy.
This can include peripheral departments as directed by line manager
Work as a support worker with close guidance and supervision by a radiographer, radiologist
and/or skilled non-qualified radiography staff, including assistant practitioners and senior
radiographic assistant. The post holder may be expected to work weekend and evening shifts
to support the imaging service.
3. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
Senior Radiographic
Assistant
Radiographer
Radiographic Assistant
1. SCOPE AND RANGE
Rotational Radiographic Assistant post within Clinical Radiology working through specialties
such as CT, MRI,
Fluoroscopy, Ultrasound and General radiography.






Assist in the maintenance of a clean, safe, working environment by undertaking housekeeping
duties to ensure the environment complies with Health and Safety guidelines.
Basic patient care. Changing patients, waiting with them and giving general support.
Responsibility for checking the safe working order of radiography ancillary equipment used by
the department staff, in accordance with departmental guidelines.
Responsibility for identified administrative duties, such as using Computer Radiology
Information Systems
(CRIS and Electronic requesting, ICE)
Maintain accurate patient records and statistical information to meet agreed radiographic
standards and NHS Tayside requirements.
General Conditions 05.08
5. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
1.




















Clinical
Assist in the preparation of a clinical area or a patient for diagnostic or therapeutic
examination. This could be giving drinks to patients directed by a radiographer or nurse e.g.
Barium
Adhere to NHS Tayside Infection Control Policies
Removing venflons from patients
Follow Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations in identifying a patient or
establishing whether a patient may be pregnant. NB that the final check will be carried out by
an operator or practitioner under
IR(ME)R
Assist staff in safe moving and handling of patients including use of hoists.
Change patients when required and toilet as appropriate.
Input names on ultrasound units.
Provide reassurance to patients undergoing radiography examinations.
Basic patient care i.e. toileting and making comfortable by offering refreshments on demand.
Administrative and Housekeeping
Arrange portering either, telephone, paper or AUSPED as appropriate
Answer the telephone, reception duties when required in peripheral sites
Keep work area tidy, clean radiography equipment and ensure that faulty ancillary equipment
is reported and withdrawn from use. Report to radiographer.
Responsibility for monitoring, replenishment stock / medical supplies for radiography, e.g.
paper rolls, linen etc
Maintain patient documentation, records and accurate mandatory statistical information to meet
professional and local standards e.g. CRIS patient post processing.
Organisational
Participate in appraisal programme as an appraisee contributing to personal development
planning.
Comply with local and NHS Tayside statutory requirements.
Adhere to NHS Tayside and department policies and procedures.
Deal with complaints and take appropriate level of action i.e. report to line manager and/or
respond to complainant.
Participate in in-service programme and undertake training to achieve competence within the
role. Training competencies
Participate in audit programme in order to measure and evaluate clinical work and current practice. Policy
Awareness







Familiarity and understanding of COSHH regulations
Familiarity and understanding of NHS Tayside manual handling policy.
Familiarity and understanding of Ionising Radiation R regulations (IRR)
Familiarity and understanding of Health and Safety Policy
Adhere to and ability to find Policies and Procedures on Staffnet
Adhere to all departmental policies and protocols.
Adhere to NHS Tayside Policies and procedures
General Conditions 05.08


Additional information
Requirement to participate in out of hours rostas where applicable, this may include weekend
working.
Comply to shift pattern locally and where required travel to other Clinical Radiology sites
Induction Standards & Code of Conduct
Your performance must comply with the national “Mandatory Induction Standards for Healthcare Support
Workers 2009” and with the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers.
6. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS







Communicate effectively with patients, families and carers some of whom may have barriers to
understanding (e.g. sensory impairment, learning difficulties, language barriers and confusion),
using verbal/non verbal, written and presentation skills as required. This information may be
sensitive or contradictory to patient and carer expectations.
Instruct, reassure, encourage and guide patients and carers within the diagnostic process..
Report to supervisory staff on any developments, changes, concerns or information regarding
the patient.
Report to the radiographer / radiologist on any developments, changes, concerns or information
regarding the patient.
Work as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team.
Develop a rapport with patients and carers to encourage their interest and engagement within
the diagnostic or therapeutic process therefore maximizing cooperation and benefits.
Diffuse potentially hostile and antagonistic situations with staff, patients and carers, using
negotiation and interpersonal skills.
7. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB








No formal education is required as in-house training is provided to enable the postholder to
perform the duties required for this post. During this training they will gain experience,
knowledge and understanding of a wide range of imaging examinations, patient conditions and
patient interactions in several imaging departments.
Post holders who have not previously employed within NHS Tayside should be able to fulfil
requirements of Induction Standards and Code of Conduct for Health Care Support Worker
(HCSW) and must complete the HCSW pack (Intranet)
Clinical Radiology Induction package should be completed
Radiographic Assistant should be working at the level of an SVQ 2 or equivalent; may hold, or
be working towards an SVQ qualification when NHS Tayside has become an accredited
delivery Board.
Evidence of experience of working with adults/children in a care / educational environment
Good communication skills – written and verbal
Should have basic IT skills as Clinical Radiology uses a range of electronic systems, e.g. CRIS
and ICE
Must have a flexible approach to work as can be on a busy main site one day and then on a
quiet peripheral site another day
General Conditions 05.08
General Conditions 05.08
ESSENTIAL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
8. SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT





Responsible for safe cleaning of Fuji or Konica Computed Radiology (CR) systems; cleaning
CR cassettes
Ensure daily housekeeping checks are rigorously carried out
Understand and apply safe use of additional patient care equipment including specialist beds,
hoists, chest stand, sliding sheets and wheelchairs.
Have a working knowledge of relevant IT systems and software packages e.g. CRIS, ICE,
Automated Incident Management system (AIMS)
Access nhs.net when appropriate as well as being able to access Staffnet for relevant training
materials
Responsibility for Records Management
All records created in the course of the business of NHS Tayside are corporate records and are
public records under the terms of the Public Records (Scotland) Act 1937. This includes email
messages and other electronic records. It is your responsibility to ensure that you keep appropriate
records of your work in NHS Tayside and manage those records in keeping with the NHS Tayside
Records Management Policy and with any guidance produced by NHS Tayside specific to your
employment.
9. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB












Physical demands – repeated regularly on a daily basis
Manual handling of patients with or without handling equipment for purposes of diagnostic and
therapeutic positioning. This may include assisting the very immobile, obese, unwilling and
challenging patients from lying to sitting, sitting to standing and back.
Requirement to maintain static postures for long diagnostic procedures wearing a lead apron as
part of personal protection for prolonged lengths of time. E.g. assisting with a barium enema.
Work with patients whose medical condition may make manual handling challenging e.g.
dementia, anxiety, pain.
Significant element of walking, climbing stairs, standing and working within confined and
awkward spaces.
Move heavy or awkward objects i.e. hoists, pump injectors, trolleys when restocking
Assist patients during rehabilitation e.g. walking to chest stand or changing area. This may
include sudden and unpredictable changes in direction or faints and falls.
Work with patients who exhibit physically challenging behaviour.
Mental demands – repeated regularly on a daily basis
Respond to unexpected changes in patients’ condition.
Priorities workload throughout the day or act upon direction of radiology clinician.
Periods of sustained concentration especially with new and complex patients who may have
communication difficulties.
Motivate, encourage and persuade patients to take an active role in their examination to
facilitate optimal outcome.
Occasionally Deal with abusive and aggressive situations which may involve patients, carers or other staff.
General Conditions 05.08





Emotional demands – repeated regularly on a daily basis
Deal with patients (and their families) who have long-term chronic illness, debility and pain.
Assist patients change or prepare for examination which may increase pain levels.
Occasionally –
Deal with death and bereavement.
Deal with terminally ill patients.
Deal and coping with threat and occurrence of violence, aggression and unpredictable
behaviours and threats to self harm.
Working conditions
Frequently -



Exposed to bodily fluids (urine, faeces, saliva, blood, vomit, sputum), infections i.e. MRSA.
Exposed to body odours, fleas and lice.
Occasionally Exposed to verbal and physical aggression.






DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
Assess patient ability to change for examination and assist when required
Decide when stock requires replenishment and advise staff as appropriate
Inform radiographer or radiologist when an item of equipment is not working
Report to supervisory staff on any developments, changes, concerns or information regarding
the patient.
Need to recognize own limitations and when to seek guidance from qualified staff.
11. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB



Working with a diverse clinical caseload on a daily basis.
Undertake a physically and mentally demanding job whilst taking care to safeguard own health
and safety as well as that of patients and colleagues.
Fairly predictable pattern of work, but may suddenly change if required to cover another area
because of vacancy, sick leave, etc.
12. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
The job description will need to be signed off using the attached sheet by each postholder to whom
the job description applies.
General Conditions 05.08
POST REF NO: D/CH/83A/14
JOB TITLE/BAND:
Band 2 Radiography Assistant
LOCATION:
Whitehills and Links Health Centre: Tayside rotation as .. required
HOURS:
18.75
CRITERIA
ESSENTIAL
EXPERIENCE:
Previous experience in a care
setting
Experience with data entry into
digital systems
QUALIFICATIONS:
(Training; Research;
Publications)
No specific qualification required
DESIRABLE
Previous experience in
radiology
Healthcare support worker
Standard completed
E.C.D.L. or equivalent
KNOWLEDGE &
SKILLS:
PERSONAL QUALITIES:
Good computer literacy
Excellent communication skills
Good organisational skills
Good educational standard
Caring and mature attitude
Ability to work unsupervised
Flexible approach to the demands
of the work flow
OTHER:
(eg travel across Tayside)
Ability to attend other sites
(usually in Angus )
Ability to work independently or
part of a multi-disciplinary team
General Conditions 05.08
Champion of Cleanliness
General Conditions of Service
POST REF NO:
D/CH/83A/14
JOB TITLE/GRADE:
Radiographic Assistant, Band 2
LOCATION:
Clinical Radiology, Whitehills
Conditions of Service
Remuneration
Hours of Duty
Superannuation
The terms and conditions of service for this post are those
determined by the NHS Staff Council.
The current salary scale for the post is £15,358 to £18,103 per
annum (pro rata for part-time staff). Placing on the scale on
appointment is normally at the minimum but may be higher
subject to verification of previous relevant service.
Salary is paid monthly by Bank Credit Transfer.
The hours of the post are 18.75 per week.
Start and finish times will be determined by the needs of the
service.
Membership of the NHS Superannuation Scheme is not
compulsory but is open to all staff between the ages of 16 and
70 (65 in some instances).
The contributions paid are a percentage of superannuable pay,
which is essentially basic pay excluding, for example, overtime
or travelling expenses.
Contribution rates with effect from 01.04.14 are as follows:
Annual Pensionable Pay
(Full-time equivalent)
Up to £15,431
£15,432 to £21,387
£21,388 to £26,823
£26,824 to £49,472
£49,473 to £70,630
£70,631 to £111,376
£111,377 and over
Annual Leave
Contribution
5%
5.6%
7.1%
9.3%
12.5%
13.5%
14.5%
Contributions are subject to tax relief and reduced National
Insurance contributions. NHS Tayside also makes a substantial
contribution towards scheme benefits – currently around 14% of
basic pay.
On appointment = 27 days (pro rata for part-time Staff) or 5.4
weeks per year.
After 5 years aggregated service = 29 days (pro rata for part-time
staff) or 5.8 weeks per year
After 10 years aggregated service = 33 days (pro rata for parttime staff) or 6.6 weeks per year
General Conditions 05.08
References
Public Holidays = 8 days (pro rata for part-time staff) or 1.6
weeks per year
All offers of appointment are subject to receipt of two satisfactory
references.
Occupational Health
Clearance
All offers of appointment to new entrants to the National Health
Service are subject to a medical examination. Medical
examinations are arranged and undertaken by the Occupational
Health and Safety Advisory Service (OHSAS).
Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974
(Exclusions and
Exceptions) (Scotland)
Order 2003
All current or spent criminal convictions, cautions, warnings or
any case pending must be disclosed prior to commencing in
employment as detailed on the application form.
Disclosure Scotland
Immigration, Asylum and
Nationality Act 2006
Please note that having a conviction will not automatically debar
you from obtaining employment with NHS Tayside. Careful
consideration will be given to the relevance of the offence to the
particular post in question. However, if you are appointed, and it
is found that you did not reveal a previous conviction your
employment may be terminated.
The successful applicant will be required to become a member of
the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) in respect of
regulated work with protected adults and regulated work with
children.
It is a criminal offence for an employer to employ anyone who does not
have permission to live or work in the UK.
Shortlisted applicants will be asked to produce specific original
documentation at interview e.g. Passport, or full birth certificate
together with an official document giving the applicants
permanent National Insurance Number and name issued by a
Government Agency or a previous employer, as well as
photocopies of these documents.
Professional Registration/ New entrants to NHS Tayside will be required to achieve the
Induction Standards &
mandatory Induction Standards for Healthcare Support Workers
Code of Conduct
(HCSWs) in Scotland and comply with the Code of Conduct for
HCSWs throughout your employment.
Internal candidates will be required to comply with the Code of
Conduct for HCSWs
Smoking Policy
NHS Tayside operates a No Smoking Policy and smoking
is prohibited within NHS premises and grounds.
Applications
Completed forms should be returned to:
recruitment.tayside@nhs.net quoting the job reference in the
subject line or to Human Resources Directorate, NHS Tayside,
Level 9, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY
By closing date of 12 June 2015
General Conditions 05.08