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MILTON KEYNES GENERAL NHS TRUST
DIRECTORATE OF IMAGING
JOB DESCRIPTION
1. Job Title:
Location of Post:
Responsible to:
Grade:
Hours of duty:
PACS System Administrator/Manager
Imaging Department, Milton Keynes General Hospital
Radiology Services Manager
Superintendent 3 Radiographer
Full Time
2. Job Purpose:
1.
To assist the Radiology Services Manager in providing ongoing PACS system management.
2.
Provide expert knowledge on PACS integration within the Imaging & hospital environment
3.
Be responsible for the PACS clinical service provision and support for all PACS users
4.
To Co-ordinate and supervise the PACS expert users team
5.
To facilitate system maintenance and the integrity of the PACS database
6.
To work within and advise on Trust IT policies and implementation
7.
To support and participate in the clinical imaging service provided by the Directorate.
8.
Be responsible for subsequent development of the PACS system as various staff requirements evolve.
9.
To facilitate a training and development programme which will encompass current trust staff and subsequent new trust staff
10.
To undertake highly skilled and specialised work by rotating through the various
imaging modalities and sites supported by the Imaging Directorate
11.
To develop advanced skills in imaging practise & technology
12.
To provide a high quality responsive diagnostic radiographic service whilst
maintaining a high standard of patient care.
13.
To participate in the out of hours service provision
14.
To assist in the training and development of student radiographers within the department.
15.
To participate, supervise and assist in the provision of the imaging services
undertaken by the Imaging Directorate.
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3. Directorate Data
Radiologists
Radiographers
Nursing Staff 5 4.5 wte
Radiographic Helpers 12 8.58 wte
Administrative staff
Revenue Budget
10 8.18 wte
45 39.23 wte
32 24.77 wte
£3.2 million
Activity 120,000 exams per year
Organisational Chart: See Appendix A.
The department has 6 general radiographic rooms, 2 digital fluoro/angio rooms, ultrasound,
CT, MRI, Breast Services, and is fully computerised.
As part of the NPfIT program the existing PACS will be replaced by an enterprise wide
PACS early in 2005
4. Operational Environment
The Imaging department provides a wide range of services for patients within a variety of settings.
Services provided range from simple radiography to complex procedures such as arteriography and
CT or interventional procedures such as the introduction of intrarterial therapeutic devices, the implantation of indwelling feeding catheters and pain relief devices where the patient may be sedated or anaesthetised.
These procedures may be performed at an outpatient appointment or may involve an in-patient stay.
Patients may present in a relatively simple and co-operative manner, such as when performing a noncomplex GP procedure on a mobile patient or may present in more difficult situations such as when xraying a seriously injured patient involved in an RTA either within the x-ray department, in A&E or in the operating theatre.
The Imaging department utilises a variety of computerised systems both to provide the actual imaging used and to support the operational processes.
The PACS system is a Trust wide digital image storage and viewing system used by the imaging department for the provision of all imaging modality images and diagnostic medical reports utilised in the medical management of patients across the Trust. The system is integrated with the hospital PAS system, the Radiology Information System and each of the Imaging machines.
It is expected that the post holder will be mainly working within the imaging department and clinical areas of the Trust.
All staff within the imaging directorate are expected to maintain their CPD studies and take part in regular audit and training sessions.
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5. Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Expert knowledge of Imaging Systems and the interrelationship of these with other clinical services within a complex hospital environment

Qualifications – BSc (Hons) or DCR(R) in Radiography

State Registration with HPC

Minimum of 2 years experience in RIS and PACS systems management

Minimum of 5 years experience in clinical diagnostic imaging.

Knowledge of PCs, MS Windows and Desktop OS

Knowledge of networks and communication protocols

Understanding of network infrastructure and hardware

Database administration knowledge

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Proven experience in instruction of transfer of skills

An analytical approach to problem solving

Postgraduate qualification to support the required knowledge
6. Freedom to act.

To resolve issues and make changes within the system to maintain the operational effectiveness of the imaging service as required of the key specialist within the area.

To liase with the Radiology services manager regarding system changes that may affect the operational effectiveness of the imaging service or other services within the Trust.

To practise as an independent radiographic practitioner within professional codes of conduct

 and within the existing departmental guidelines.
To work without supervision and without ready access to guideance and advice.
The post holder will be expected to work as an independent practitioner within the guidelines of the imaging directorate and the specialist superintendent radiographers without direct supervision and often without access to supervision and assistance.

Where alterations to standard practise occur these must be discussed with the relevant superintendent to ensure that an appropriate risk assessment is performed and guidelines on departmental practise are updated.
7. Specific Duties and responsibilities

Co-ordinate and supervise the PACS expert users team and assist in the maintenance of the
PACS/RIS database

Initiate a method of maintaining accurate and timely records on all aspects of the system

Design working procedures to be implemented during periods of system downtime

Ensure that PACS and RIS databases are updated and synchronised after the resumption of normal service

Implement a system for controlling access to the system including the issuing of passwords after appropriate training.

Ensure that there are systems for training of new staff and maintaining the knowledge base.
Designing and implementing these as required.
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
To set up and co-ordinate a QA programme

Undertake system demonstrations and department tours as required


Represent the department on PACS committees/ groups
Provide effective training and keep full records of all training

Ensure that all users have correct privileges for the system

Create protocol for input of new doctors twice yearly and drop leaving doctors from the system

Address user application problems as required that cannot be resolved by the expert users.

Monitor the systems remotely to ensure correct use/log outs etc.

Manage the printing of hard copy for patient transfers to other hospitals, controlling access rights for those carrying out the activity
 Control the creation of CD’s with images for medico legal purposes , out-reach clinics and multidisciplinary meetings/case studies

Be responsible for ensuring continued connectivity and interoperability with Cluster storage system, NCRS and other Trust IT systems.

Liaise with other hospitals and departments regarding PACS issues

To liase with the Imaging Directorate via the Radiology Services manager on system changes occurring by preparation of a monthly report

To liase with the Trust IM&T department and other IT system managers across the Trust

Advise and manage the systems in accordance with the Trust policies and advise where

 difficulties may arise.
To monitor contract performance and audit PACS use.
To maintain clinical skills and performance in accordance with the requirements of the post and registration with the HPC.

To maintain awareness of the national clinical targets and guidelines and advise on issues affecting delivery pertinent to use of PACS and IT systems within imaging.

Participate in the senior 1 staff rotation to main x-ray/triage, A&E, theatres, interventional and CT areas and undertake all associated managerial and clinical duties when required

Undertake all clinical duties required to a high radiographic standard in the modalities identified above

Assist in the organisation and participate in the day to day running of the assigned area of radiographic work.

Participate in departmental shifts, stand by and on call services to ensure an adequate 24 hour
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
8. General
To comply at all times with any regulations issued by the Trust, especially those governing
Health & Safety at work and to ensure that any defects which may effect safety at work are brought to the attention of the appropriate manager.

All staff must maintain the confidentiality of all matters that they may learn relating to their employment, other members of staff and to the general public.
All staff must adhere to the requirements under the Data Protection Act 1998.

This job description reflects the present requirements and objectives of the post, it does not form part of your contract of employment.
As this reflects the present requirements and objectives of the post, it does not form part of your contract of employment. As the duties of the post change and develop, the job description will be reviewed and will be subject to amendments, in consultation with the post holder.

This hospital is committed to equal opportunities and operates a non smoking policy

We are moving towards a seven day working pattern and welcome applications from people of all ages including people over 65.
Agreement
Job Holder’s Signature.......................................................................................
Radiology Services Manager............................................................................
January 2005
Keith Marfleet
Imaging Services Lead
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