The Senior Radiographer Sonographer will reporting directly to the Radiography Service Manager III (RSM III), or designate. The Senior Radiographer Sonographer will work as part of the ultrasound team but will rotate through the department as required.

The main responsibilities are, quality assurance, scheduling workflow, staff development, facilitating communication and professional/clinical leadership.

The ability to manage in a rapidly changing environment and the willingness to undertake additional duties as may be assigned from time to time are essential.

This campaign will run in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA).

The CPSA is responsible for establishing the principles that should be followed when making an appointment. These are set out in the CPSA Code of Practice. The Code outlines the standards that should be adhered to at each stage of the selection process and sets out the review and appeal mechanisms open to candidates should they be unhappy with a selection process.

The CPSA Code of Practice can be accessed via https://www.cpsa.ie/.

The RCSI Hospital Group includes the following hospitals: 

• Beaumont Hospital
• Cavan General Hospital
• Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown
• Louth County Hospital
• Monaghan General Hospital
• Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
• Rotunda Hospital
• The Academic Partner for the Group is the RCSI

RCSI Hospital Group provides a national service and a regional service to Dublin and the North East and is committed to the provision of world-class care, exceptional clinical services with respect and compassion.

Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown is a major teaching hospital providing a range of acute medical and surgical services, day care, outpatient, diagnostic and support services.  Emergency services are provided on a 365-day, 24 hour basis.  Multi-disciplinary teams representative of medical, nursing, allied health professionals, management and general support staff play a pivotal role in the development, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of these services.  The hospital has a current bed complement of >300 beds.

The hospital is affiliated to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) for medical education, to Dublin City University (DCU) for nursing education and to University College Dublin (UCD), Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and the Institute of Technology for allied health professional education.

Connolly Hospital is one of 8 hospitals in the RCSI Hospitals Group covering a population of over 800,000 people.  Connolly Hospital’s Catchment Population of over 331,000 covers Dublin West, North Kildare and South Meath.

Carry out duties appropriate to a Senior Radiographer in relation to Ultrasound and other areas within the Diagnostic Imaging Department, including the provision of an on-call service as required and  to provide leadership in the delivery of specialised services as follows:

Clinical / Professional

The Senior Radiographer Sonographer will:

• Carry out his / her duties under the supervision of the Radiography Services Manager or his / her designate from time to time.
• The Senior Radiographer Sonographer will be responsible for performing general radiography, imaging, specialised radiography and ultrasound examinations to a high standard of technical quality in a caring and efficient manner and in line with established guidelines and operating procedures. The post holder, when in ultrasound will be required to scan independently and provide preliminary reports for the Radiologist and operate within the professional guidelines of the Irish Institute of Radiography and Radiation Therapy.
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in the provision of an integrated patient-centred service.
• Assist in planning, organising and coordinating all aspects of the service.
• Communicate effectively with staff at various levels of seniority.
• Adhere to all departmental imaging protocols; be responsible for the correct identification of patient images.
• Be willing to participate in General on-call Rotas.

• Rotate through all areas of x-ray as required.

• Ensure that appropriate radiation protection is used and that the radiation dose is kept to a minimum consistent with the ALARA principle. Be familiar with and observe national and local radiation safety rules and legislation.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice.
• Monitor and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards relevant to the use of ionising radiation.
• Take part in routine inspection of equipment and quality assurance procedures.
• Be responsible for the cleaning and care of all imaging equipment.
• Be responsible for the safe use of all imaging equipment and adhering to instructions on its use. Also ensure other staff complies with same.
• Be responsible for the logging of and reporting of all equipment faults to Radiography Services Manager or his / her designate.
• Demonstrate flexibility in response to service needs.
• Lead and assist in audit and quality assurance programmes; participate in the implementation of findings.
• Maximise the use of NIMIS.
• Ensure the correct completion of records and reports.
• Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the service user and in relation to all hospital activities as per statutory requirements.
• Relate to and communicate with all other staff in a courteous and helpful manner at all times.

Education & Training

The Senior Radiographer Sonographer will:

• Participate in mandatory training programmes.

• Participate in continuing professional development including in-service training, attending and presenting at conferences / courses relevant to practice, promoting and contributing to research etc. as agreed with the Radiography Services Manager or designated officer.

• Engage in a department professional development plan with his / her line manager.

• Provide peer support when necessary.

• Actively participate in induction / teaching / training / supervision of radiographers and other staff within the department.

• Identify teaching / learning / audit / opportunities within the department for themselves / others.

Health & Safety

The Senior Radiographer Sonographer will:

• Be required to bring to the attention of a responsible person any perceived shortcoming in our safety arrangements or any defects in work equipment.
• Familiarise themselves with the relevant Organisational Policies, Procedures & Standards and attend training as appropriate in the following areas:
  • Continuous Quality Improvement Initiatives
  • Document Control Information Management Systems
  • Risk Management Strategy and Policies
  • Hygiene Related Policies, Procedures and Standards
  • Decontamination Code of Practice
  • Infection Control Policies
  • Safety Statement, Health & Safety Policies and Fire Procedure
  • Data Protection and confidentiality Policies

• Work in a safe manner with due care and attention to the safety of self and others.
• Be responsible and be aware of and comply with the HSE Health Care Records Management / Integrated Discharge Planning (HCRM / IDP) Code of Practice.
• Implement agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

• Contribute to risk assessment and oversee the implementation of the department’s safety statement; identify risks and take appropriate action.

• Document appropriately and report any near misses, hazards and accidents and bring them to the attention of the relevant person(s).

• Be responsible for the cleaning and proper care and storage of all safety equipment including personal protective equipment.

• Be responsible for keeping the department in general and their work area specifically clean, tidy and safe.

• Have a working knowledge of HIQA Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare and National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc.

• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Administrative

The Senior Radiographer Sonographer will:

• Lead in the establishment and maintenance of standards for quality improvement and ensure adherence to existing International, National and local standards and policies.
• Assist in the organisation, maintenance and / or ordering of equipment and materials as required.
• Contribute to the planning and development of the service and participate in service improvements.
• Represent the department at meetings and conferences as required.
• Engage in IT developments as they apply to service user and service administration.
• Keep up to date with developments within the organisation and the Irish Health Service.
• Receive visiting professionals and visitors to the department.

KPIs

The Senior  Radiographer Sonographer will:

• Identify and develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which are congruent with the hospital’s service plan targets.
• Assist in the development of Action Plans to address KPI targets.
• Drive and promote a Performance Management culture.
• In conjunction with line manager assist in the development of a Performance Management system for your profession.
• Be involved the management and delivery of KPIs as a routine and core business objective

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING GENERAL CONDITIONS

• Employees must attend fire lectures periodically and must observe fire orders.
• All accidents within the Department must be reported immediately.
• Infection Control Policies must be adhered to.
• In line with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 all staff must comply with all safety regulations and audits.
• In line with the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004, smoking within the Hospital Building is not permitted.
• Hospital uniform code must be adhered to.
• Provide information that meets the need of Senior Management.

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. 

1. Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.

(i) Be registered on the Radiography Division of the Radiographers Register maintained by the Radiographers Registration Board at CORU.

                                                                         AND

(ii) Have 3 years fulltime (or an aggregate of 3 years) post qualification clinical experience.

                                                                         AND

(iii) Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability, managerial, leadership and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

2. Annual Registration

(i) Practitioners must maintain annual registration on the relevant division of the Radiographers Register maintained by the Radiographers Registration Board at CORU

                                                                         AND

(ii)  Confirm annual registration with CORU to the HSE

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Age

Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004).  A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.

* A list of ‘other statutory health agencies’ can be found here.

Post Specific Requirements:

• To be competent to perform and provide a preliminary report for Radiologist on NIMIS.
• Have a minimum of three years experience in Ultrasound.
• Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in the area of sonography.
• Hold a QQI level 9 or equivalent in ultrasound.

Technical & Professional Expertise

Has a command over the technical/ professional skills and knowledge required within the job holder’s role and continues to upskill to maintain high professional standards and continuous professional development requirements.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Speaks and writes clearly, fluently and effectively to both individuals and groups; communicates in a manner that will persuade, convince and influence others, in order to motivate, inspire or encourage them to follow a particular course of action.

Teamwork

Has the ability and desire to work cooperatively with others; collaborating to get the job done. Provides support to colleagues to help develop a strong and cohesive team ethos. Wiling to participate as a member of the team. 

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Identifies and solves problems by understanding the situation, seeking additional information, developing and weighing alternatives, and choosing the most appropriate course of action given the circumstances.

Leadership & Management

Manages performance to deliver team goals; demonstrates accountability for leading, directing, monitoring and evaluating RCSI Hospital Group services. Creates a climate in which people want to do their best. Promotes confidence and positive attitude; influences others to follow a common goal.

Commitment to Quality and Risk

The ability to focus on understanding stakeholder’s needs and to respond effectively and efficiently to them.

Have a good knowledge and is committed to offer a quality service through the achievement of goals, standards and guidelines.o

This Job Description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the position and is subject to regular review and amendment. The role holder will be required to be flexible in this position and is expected to facilitate working additional hours on occasion, when requested.

The RCSI Hospital Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer.