Advanced Practitioner

The post holder is responsible for performing with the highest standard of patient care and practice at all times, and for deciding the course of action in complex clinical care scenarios referred to them by others. Responsible for leading the development of the departmental technical / clinical standards This will include a thorough knowledge and understanding of the patient needs and techniques / systems for patient treatment and also appropriate supervision, development and on-going performance management of those in their allocated area, ensuring that they undertake their allotted roles in relation to patients, carers, trainees and departmental visitors Main duties of the job The radiotherapy department delivers treatment care packages to approximately 6,500 patients with cancer per year. Advanced Practitioners are expected to work across the radiotherapy department, using their specialist expertise to contribute to the efficient, effective and safe flow of workload. The postholder will be expected to work closely with the Principle radiographers when developing protocols for clinical practice and to ensure there is appropriate back-up to their Area of advanced practice. Advanced practitioners are required to make clinical judgments which fall outside of protocol. They will be required to use their experience, highly specialist knowledge & initiative in order to achieve the expected results, within professional codes of practice, referring to the management team where appropriate. As an Advanced Practitioner, the post holder will lead on the development of practice within a specified clinical area, requiring a highly specialised level of knowledge / skill., Radiotherapy roles are additionally expected to contribute towards the NHS Cancer Plan. Successful performance requires a clear personal commitment to the radiotherapy service, working across the department, Trust and Cancer Network as appropriate., Lead the development of radiographers skills in relation to area of practice (staff training, technique development, equipment development, future service development etc.). Develop technique protocols for the dept. Ensure area of advanced practice is evidence based and in-line with national guidance. Represent the department at national conferences presenting development work to professional audiences. Liaise with MDT group to ensure clinical / technical practice is of the highest standards. Education Provide a highly specialised resource for radiotherapy both locally and nationally. Carry out teaching, supervision and delivery of core specialist knowledge and work place activities. Plan, implement and evaluate education programmes based on evidence based practice. Collaboratively develop multidisciplinary competency frameworks to underpin the expanding scope of practice Management Line management of select group of staff ensuring appraisals are performed and on time. Undertake routine daily management of these staff. Undertake assessment, feedback, training and development of staff in response to observed, reported or incident related practice to ensure appropriate staff behaviour. General Maintain personal high standards of clinical / technical practice. Maintain appropriate level of awareness of current and developing radiotherapy pathways and treatments. Create good interpersonal relationships and working atmospheres where 2 way discussion, learning and development of all staff can take place. Attend appropriate departmental, service and external meetings, contributing appropriately to the on-going smooth operational delivery and development of the service. Carrying out additional duties as requested by the Operational Head of Radiotherapy, commensurate with the grade of the post. Health and Safety / Risk Management 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 and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system. Additionally for radiotherapy Complying with statutory Ionizing Radiations (Medical Exposures) Regulations IR(ME)R and Local Rules (Ionising Radiations Regulations -IRR) and departmental radiotherapy incident reporting procedures,. Responsible for prompt reporting of radiation incidents, equipment, patient and safety related incidents in accordance with departmental / Trust procedures. Also identifying and reporting any areas of perceived risk Infection Control 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. Equality and Diversity The jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc. Patient and Public Involvement The Trust has a statutory duty to involve patients and public in evaluating and planning services. All staff have a responsibility to listen to the views of patients and to contribute to service improvements based on patient feedback. Training and Personal Development Continuous Professional 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 jobholder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role. Respect for Patient Confidentiality The jobholder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role., To recognize and act upon the emotional and psychological needs of cancer patients and carers, visitors, colleagues, team and ones self due to the exposure to highly distressing and emotional circumstances, working with patients with terminal illness. Dealing empathetically with patients, families and carers with challenging behaviour, caused by either the physical and / or emotional effects of diagnosis or the disease, impacts on the emotional effort required for this post. Dealing with the large age range of patients and carers / dependants of varying physical states including anaesthetized and unconscious. To act in an influencing role in areas that may cause significant conflict due to changes in traditional working practice. WORKING CONDITIONS : Approximately 40% of time will be spent in clinical, activities when treating patients and as such would be expected to maintain a professional approach to the occasional exposure to unpleasant working conditions (uncontained body fluids, smells) and lead by example in effectively dealing with any exposure to verbal aggression and threatening behaviour (direct and indirect). The remainder of the role is split between staff support and development, service development, teaching, departmental meetings and functions, with at least 40% of time spent in a specialist advisory role to others. Approximately 20% of time is spent using VDU and various IT packages

The post holder will be honest, reliable & professional and demonstrate the behaviours outlined by the Trust and the College of Radiographers Professional Code of Conduct. They must ensure that professional attitudes and standards are maintained They will have a commitment to team working, creating good interpersonal relationships and working atmosphere so that 2-way discussion, learning and development of the whole team can occur. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING A basic understanding of the cancer pathway must be developed for the role. A more thorough understanding of the radiotherapy pathway and support functions involved in service delivery is also required. Both of these can be acquired through training in post over a few weeks induction. A specialised knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the radiotherapy service is essential for this role. In addition, the postholder must have demonstrated highly specialised knowledge and skills for their specific area of practice (commensurate with Masters level). The ability to relate and develop radiotherapy practice to relevant guidance and research is expected. They must be acutely aware of the potential for harm of high energy, variable and complex beams of X-rays that must be delivered accurately on a daily basis., An ability to provide and receive complex and sensitive information to / from patients and others in an empathetic, reassuring and professional manner. Assess potential communication barriers and demonstrate where necessary persuasive, motivational and negotiating skills, referring to more senior staff where appropriate. To recognize the potential for conflict in relationships and seek to minimize this, and contribute to effective communication and team working. To promote and maintain effective communication and relationships with immediate colleagues, the multi-disciplinary team, patients and visitors. Ability to use and justify professional judgment when problems arise , recognizing when solutions may be outside of the jobholders scope of practice and referring to appropriate staff for advice SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS PHYSICAL EFFORT : This post requires dexterity and highly developed co-ordination and sensory skills in order to speedily and accurately manipulate equipment with a high degree of precision, as well as finely manipulating the patients body to align the relevant anatomy with the radiation beam to accuracy within 1 mm. They should also be able to accurately apply permanent patient skin marks (tattoo) with needles and ink. This is a physically demanding post with constant manoeuvring of patients and equipment, which can often be heavy and / or awkward. The postholder will need to exert intense physical effort by reaching over and twisting heavy patients at height (approx 5 feet from the ground) for short periods of time (5 minutes), several times a day (15-20), every day. The postholder will also need to lift accessory equipment (some weighing 6-10Kg) and position these at head / shoulder height onto other equipment. There are postural constraints involved in this due to limitations in work design. These risks have been assessed by the Trust Back Care Lead and physio. Postholder works in pairs so lifting of accessories is recommended as a two person lift. MENTAL EFFORT : A high level of concentration is required constantly when treating patients (10-30 mins per patient / up to 50 patients per day) in order to undergo patient assessment and maintain a high level of care. A lapse in mental concentration could result in compromising patient safety. Ability to view patient set-ups in both 2D and 3D. Excellent psychomotor and spatial awareness to accurately position patients (to within 1mm). For this post when not treating patients, periods of prolonged concentration are required when undertaking development work., Experience Essential

• Recent significant experience at senior 1 or specialist practitioner level with highly specialised knowledge and skills
• Highly developed clinical skills relevant to the specialist area
• Evidence of leading / developing service development
• High level teaching / facilitation / coaching / motivation / leadership / decision making / technical skills
• Awareness of current research and findings relevant to specialist area.
• Experience of managing staff
• Able to write development reports / business cases
• Time and deadline focussed
Desirable
• Wide experience base
• Proven project management skills
• Detailed knowledge of radiotherapy development and wider cancer agenda
• Awareness of current research and findings in the specialist area, BSc in Therapy Radiography or equivalent
• Current State Registration (HCPC)
• Specialised training to Masters level or equivalent in relevant subject.
Desirable
• Strong evidence of leading service development
Skills & Behaviours Essential
• Willingness to undergo all training requirements of the post
• Ability to devise and deliver departmental training to develop competence in others
• Able to develop and maintain effective communication
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Standard keyboard skills
Desirable
• Key organizer of events / programmes
• Evidence of developing training packages
• Enthusiastic and upbeat in the face of challenges
• Advanced keyboard skills
Other Criteria Essential
• Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary), including clearance on blood borne viruses in compliance with Trust Policy
  
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