Job Description
Job details
Job Title:
Trainee Assistant Practitioner (Diagnostic Radiography)
Band:
Band 4 on qualifying paid under annex u during training
Hours:
37.5 hours
Department/Ward: Imaging - X-ray
Base:
Royal Sussex County Hospital
Division:
Specialist Services
Organisational Arrangements
Accountable to:
1. Radiology Services Manager
2. Clinical Modality Manager for Plain Film and
Fluoroscopy
3. Reporting to Modality Manager in area of placement
Responsible for: Not applicable
Role summary
As a trainee the post holder will be continually supervised throughout their
training but will work to the same job description as a qualified assistant
practitioner.
The post holder will be enrolled on an established course and successfully
undertaking training to Foundation Degree Level in Diagnostic Radiography.
The post holder will be expected to undertake training and work towards
providing high standards of radiography in plain film imaging for ambulant
clients using standard radiographic technique under the supervision of a fully
qualified radiographer.
The post holder will be expected to undertake training in radiography to assist
a radiologist or other clinician for agreed fluoroscopy procedures under the
supervision of a fully qualified radiographer.
The post holder will assist radiographers, nursing and clinical staff by
preparing rooms, equipment and patients prior to imaging examinations
where necessary.
Job Reference: 379-AUG341-08
Closing Date: 28th August 2008
They will assist radiographers, nursing and clinical staff with imaging
examinations and patient care during and after the examination.
They will ensure X-ray rooms are kept tidy and suitably stocked and that
equipment is clean and ready for use.
____________________________________________________
Knowledge Skills and Abilities
Knowledge
Minimum of 4 months experience working in an Imaging Department within
the last year. Working toward a Foundation Degree in Medical Imaging or
equivalent.
Skills
Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team. Excellent interpersonal and
patient care skills. IT skills essential. Excellent communication skills and
ability to relate to both patients and colleagues.
Abilities
Ability to successfully undertake the academic components of a Foundation
Degree course in diagnostic radiography. Able to work as a reliable,
consistent and dependable member of the team. Ability to acquire knowledge
and apply this to a practical setting. Ability to undertake training to provide
high quality diagnostic images in plain film radiography, dental radiography
and general fluoroscopic procedures under the supervision of a qualified
radiographer.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Undertake training to become competent in a limited area of
radiography under the direction and supervision of a qualified
radiographer. To be able to carry out limited radiographic examinations
within the scope of practice agreed by the department under the
supervision of a qualified radiographer.
2. To ensure that the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999, IRMER 2000
and associated codes of practice and guidance notes, and Health and
Safety at Work Act are understood and adhered to in respect of staff,
patients and members of the public.
3. To liaise with and discuss requests with the supervising radiographer
to ensure appropriate clinical examinations are performed within
departmental protocols and national guidelines.
4. To ensure that the department’s identification policy is adhered to and
that all patients are correctly identified prior to undergoing irradiation.
5. To assist radiographers, nursing and clinical staff by preparing
equipment and patients for Imaging examinations and in the care of
patients during and after examinations.
Job Reference: 379-AUG341-08
Closing Date: 28th August 2008
6. To ensure X-ray rooms are tidy and correctly stocked and that
equipment is clean and ready for use.
7. To be able to work with the department PACS system.
8. To assist in the Department al QA program and work in accordance
with departmental policies, protocols and procedure.
9. To be able to use the radiology computer system to book patient
attendances, and update patient information and carry out relevant
clerical duties as required.
10. To support the Service Improvement program, taking active
participation in data collection, process mapping and meetings as
required.
11. To promote a patient-focussed service in a caring environment and
ensure collaborative working relationships with all other departments.
12. To command a working knowledge of all equipment in the areas to
which assigned. To ensure radiographic equipment is functioning
correctly and to immediately report any faults errors to the supervising
radiographer. To make appropriate entries in the fault log.
13. To always behave in a professional manner in attitude, neatness of
appearance, punctuality and competence, thereby upholding the
reputation of the department and the hospital.
_____________________________________________________________
Competence

The post holder is required to participate in the Trust appraisal process
and work towards meeting identified development needs.
 The post holder is required to demonstrate on-going continuous
professional development.
 At no time should the post holder work outside their defined level of
competence. If the post holder has concerns regarding this they
should immediately discuss this with their
Manager/Supervisor/Consultant. The post holder has the responsibility
to inform those supervising their duties if they are not competent to
perform a duty.
__________________________________________________
Registered Health Professional
All staff who are members of professional bodies must comply with standards
of professional practice/conduct. It is the post holders responsibility to ensure
they are both familiar with and adhere to these requirements.
Job Reference: 379-AUG341-08
Closing Date: 28th August 2008
__________________________________________________
Risk Management/Health & Safety
The post holder has a responsibility to themselves and others in relation to
managing risk, health and safety and will be required to work within the
policies and procedures laid down by the Trust. All staff have a responsibility
to access occupational health, other staff support services and/or any other
relevant others in times of need and advice.
Flexibility Statement
This job description is not inflexible but is an outline and account of the main
duties. Any changes will be discussed fully with the post holder. This job
description will be reviewed periodically to take into account changes and
developments in service requirements.
__________________________________________________
Confidentiality
As an employer of this Trust you may gain privileged knowledge of a highly
confidential nature relating to private affairs, diagnosis and treatment of
patients, information affecting members of the public, personal matters
concerning staff, commercial confidences of third parties, and details of items
under consideration by the Trust. Such information should not be divulged or
passed to any unauthorised person or persons, and the requirements of the
Trusts Code of Conduct for Employees in Respect of Confidentiality, A copy
of which is available from your Head of Department, must be adhered to with
Particular regard to the responsibilities of individuals and the Trust under
appropriate legislation, notably the Data Protection Act. Failure to comply
with this requirement may constitute gross misconduct under the
Trust’s Disciplinary Policy which may lead to summary dismissal.
Date Reviewed: ………………………..
Agreed by:
Signed by Post Holder
Date .........................
………………………………………..
Signed by Line Manager
Date ……………….
………………………………………..
Date of Next Review:
……………………………………
Job Reference: 379-AUG341-08
Closing Date: 28th August 2008
Person Specification
Job Title: Trainee Assistant Practitioner in Diagnostic Radiography
Department: Imaging – Diagnostic Radiography
Area
Requirements
Qualifications
(Use categories e.g.
Nursing, scientific,
technical etc)
Essential
Working toward
Foundation degree
qualification in
diagnostic radiography.
Desirable
Registration( if
applicable)
Knowledge and Experience
Non-clinical (e.g.
scientific, technical,
administrative, etc
Clinical( where relevant
Minimum of a t least 4
months experience
working within an
Imaging Department
within the last year.
IT Skills.
Good knowledge of the
Radiology Management
system for updating
patient details, and
recording attendances
Understanding of
relevant national
standards, eg IR(ME)R,
Ionising Radiation
regulations (1990), and
associated codes of
practice.
Knowledge of manual
handling.
Working toward
qualification as an
assistant practitioner in
diagnostic radiography.
Job Reference: 379-AUG341-08
Closing Date: 28th August 2008
Works under
supervision of a
qualified radiographer
and is able to discuss
requests with other
qualified staff within
departmental and
national guidelines after
guidance from the
supervising
radiographer.
Undertaking training in
general radiography and
assisting with
fluoroscopic procedures
training to undertake
associated radiography
as agreed by the
department.
Manual handling
(patients) techniques –
attended in house
training sessions.
Basic life support
training.
Fire training –‘in house’
Skills
Communication/
Relationship
Analytical/
Judgement
To be able to
communicate
information to
patients/carers who are
ambulant and have
good understanding
themselves.
To be able to ensure
that compliance is
reached prior to
irradiation of these
patients.
Should be able to work
as part of a team and
liase with other staff to
provide a high class
radiographic service.
Learning to assess
radiographic images
produced for their
technical quality seeking
Job Reference: 379-AUG341-08
Closing Date: 28th August 2008
advice from supervising
radiographers.
To discuss requests
from referrers within
clinical and national
guidelines after advice
from supervisor.
To understand the
objectives of the
departmental QA
program.
Planning/
Organisational
Able to plan own
workload daily, liaising
with porters and
radiographers.
IT
To become able to use
the Radiology
management system to
update patient
information, attendance
and reports.
To become competent if
the use of PACS.
Undertaking training to
use and manipulate
imaging equipment on a
daily basis to produce
diagnostic images.
Physical
Abilities
Physical
Mental
Be able to use word
Be able to help move
patients using manual
handling skills and if
necessary hoists to
move a wide range of
patient types.
Working toward
accurate precise
manipulation of
equipment to tests with
small error of margin.
Occasional intense
concentration when
assisting radiographers
and radiologists in
dealing with very ill,
critical or badly injured
Job Reference: 379-AUG341-08
Closing Date: 28th August 2008
patients.
Consistently able to
produce high quality
images as standard
whilst keeping radiation
dose to a minimum
under the ALARP
principle.
Emotional
Able to cope with the
occasional assistance in
dealing with
critically/fatally injured
patients.
Able to cope with having
to deal with occasional
patient complaints.
Working Conditions
Able to assist in dealing
with unpleasant
conditions such as
bodily fluids –vomit,
blood and faeces.
Occasional aggressive
/verbal behaviour from
patients.
Other
Job Reference: 379-AUG341-08
Closing Date: 28th August 2008
Supplementary Job Description Information
Post Title:
Trainee Assistant Practitioner in diagnostic radiography
Ward/Dept and Site: Imaging Department, RSCH
Date Completed:
Please indicate in the boxes with a tick whether the post holder will be
expected in or be directly exposed to the following boxes. For all boxes
‘YES’ is ticked the guidance document must be used to provide relevant
details – a copy can be found in the Trust’s ‘Guide to writing/updating
job descriptions. Person specifications and supplementary
information’.
Working Conditions
Inclement weather
Excessive
temperatures
Unpleasant
smells/odours
Noxious fumes
Excessive
noise/vibration
Use of VDU more or
less continuously
Yes
No
Details
x
x
Rarely Assist with procedures on
patients in poor state.
x
x
x
Booking and confirming patients on
RIS several occurrences each working
day.
Occasionally body fluids, faeces, vomit.
x
Unpleasant substances
/non household waste
Infectious waste/ Foul
linen
x
x
Occasionally from infectious/
contagious patients.
Body
fluids/faeces/vomit
x
Occasionally when assisting with ill
patients and injured patients from A&E,
wards and OPD’s.
Dust/dirt
Humidity
Contaminated
equipment or work
areas
Driving/ being driven in
normal situations
x
x
Blood when assisting in trauma
situations
x
Job Reference: 379-AUG341-08
x
Closing Date: 28th August 2008
Driving/ being driven in
emergency situations.
Fleas or lice
x
Exposure to dangerous x
chemicals/substances
in/not in containers
Exposure to aggressive x
verbal behaviour where
there is little /no support
Exposure to aggressive
physical behaviour
where there is little/no
support
Comments
x
Physical effort
Yes
x
Very seldom but possible.
Processing chemicals.
Rarely assisting with A&E patients that
may be injured, drunk. Carers that may
be stressed and other patients due to
the nature of their condition.
As above
No
Processing(e.g.
typing/transmitting)
news of highly
distressing events
Giving unwelcome news
to patients
/clients/carers/ staff
Caring for the terminally
ill
Dealing with difficult
x
situations/circumstance
s
x
Designated to provide
emotional support to
front line staff
Communicating life
changing events
Dealing with people
with challenging
behaviour
x
x
Details
.
x
Dealing with patients that may have
just been given bad news by other
health professionals and following up
patients with potentially serious
outcomes.
x
x
Job Reference: 379-AUG341-08
Occasionally assist in dealing with the
full spectrum of patients including
physically disabled, with learning
difficulties, elderly, young children,
severely injured, and language barriers.
Closing Date: 28th August 2008
Arriving at the scene of
an accident
Comments:
x
Physical Effort
Yes
Working in uncomfortable/
unpleasant physical conditions
Working in physically cramped
conditions
Lifting weights, equipment or
patients with mechanical aids
Lifting weights/ equipment
without mechanical aids
Moving patients without
mechanical aids
Making repetitive movements
Climbing or crawling
Manipulating objects
Manual digging
Running
Standing/sitting with limited
scope for movement for long
periods
Kneeling, crouching, twisting
bending or stretching
Standing/ walking for
substantial periods of time
Heavy duty cleaning
Pushing/pulling trolleys or
similar
Job Reference: 379-AUG341-08
No
Details
x
x
Regularly moving x-ray
equipment. Assist in helping to
move patients.
x
x
x
Occasionally assisting in
moving patients who are
unable to help themselves for
x-ray examinations.
x
Operating X-ray equipment
often above the operator.
Several times a day.
x
Manipulating x-ray equipment
to obtain diagnostic images.
Several times a day.
x
x
x
x
x
Moderately to manipulate the xray equipment to optimise
range of examinations
preformed.
x
Undertaking radiographic
procedures, moving around
department. Several times a
day
x
x
Occasionally assist in moving
trolleys and beds short
distances for patients that are
immobile.
Closing Date: 28th August 2008
Working at heights
Controlled constraint i.e. Jobs
requiring training/ certification
in this.
x
Minimum requirement for
radiography is foundation
degree in radiography or
equivalent.
x
Comments:
Mental Effort
Carry out formal
student/trainee assessments
Carry out clinical/social care
interventions
Analyse statistics
Operate equipment/
machinery
Give evidence in a court/
tribunal/formal hearing
Attend meetings (describe
role)
Carry out screening tests/
microscope work
Prepare detailed reports
Check documents
Drive a vehicle
Carry out calculations
Carry out clinical diagnosis
Carry out non-clinical fault
finding
Comments
Job Reference: 379-AUG341-08
Yes
No
Details
x
x
x
Expected to operate a wide
range of x-ray equipment
including range of
manufacturers. Many times a
day.
x
x
Rarely attend meetings for
process mapping discussions.
x
x
x
Check imaging department
requests for legality and
appropriate examinations.
x
x
x
x
x
Closing Date: 28th August 2008
Freedom to Act
Yes
Does the post holder generally
work with the supervisor/
manager close by/available
Does the post holder generally
work with the
supervisor/manager
contactable by bleep or phone
Is the post holder the lead
specialist in their field
x
How often on average is
guidance/advice given
How often is your work
checked/ monitored/assessed
No
Details
x
x
Less frequent (state how
often)
Frequently whilst training.
Constantly whilst training.
Comments:
This post is a trainee post and as such the holder is very closely
supervised.
Please attach any additional information on a separate sheet.
Signed by post holder: _____________________________
Date: ____________
Signed by line manager: ___________________________
Date: ____________
Job Reference: 379-AUG341-08
Closing Date: 28th August 2008