Job description

This role provides an exciting opportunity for an experienced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) radiographer to take on a senior post within our specialist Perinatal Imaging Department - part of both King's College London's Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. The Department has a dedicated imaging suite within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Thomas’ Hospital, as well as access to state-of-the-art MRI systems within our Imaging Clinical Research Facility. These include 7T, 3T, 1.5T, 0.55T and 0.064T systems, with dedicated RF coils, positioning systems and image acquisition methods used to facilitate in-utero fetal, neonatal and paediatric imaging. Our work includes providing a clinical fetal and neonatal MRI service for patients from across South East London, as well as national referrals from other UK centres. Equally important is our strong portfolio of clinical research studies with collaborators from the University, Hospital, and other institutions (  https://www.kcl.ac.uk/bmeis/our-departments/perinatal-imaging-health ).

The post-holder will ensure excellence in clinical and research imaging by performing MRI and other related activities to a high standard. They will provide high quality care before, during and after imaging procedures, and take on research tasks as requested by the research lead. The post-holder will be responsible to the Perinatal MRI Superintendent Radiographer, and will help to ensure that perinatal imaging activities are aligned with clinical and research governance standards. They will be a key member of a multi-disciplinary team to provide an efficient, effective and timely MRI service to patients and research participants.

Key requirements for this post are prior experience of advanced MRI techniques, and commitment to excellent patient/participant care. The post-holder must have excellent MR safety knowledge and the ability to supervise non-MR-authorised personnel within the MR controlled access areas. Familiarity with fetal, neonatal or paediatric imaging techniques is welcomed, but not essential for a candidate who is keen to extend their skills in these areas. Applicants who have experience of supporting imaging research studies will be preferred. Development opportunities are available for those who show good aptitude to further their clinical and research skills in the perinatal field, with support available from very strong scientific and academic teams at the University and the Hospital.

The post will be based at St Thomas’ Hospital and the post holder will be required to work flexibly between 8:30am and 8:00pm, as requested.  Some weekend work will also be required. 

This full time post will be offered on an indefinite contract

Key responsibilities

• To perform excellent, high-quality imaging in accordance with departmental protocols in an efficient, safe and timely manner.
• To ensure all persons entering the scanners are MR safe and have completed an MR safety check and to be fully aware of the potential hazards of working in an area of strong magnetic fields.
• To provide a high level of patient care, before during and after MR imaging procedures: being cognizant of the additional requirements of scanning vulnerable infants and pregnant participants
• To participate in and take responsibility for image archive and quality assurance including proactive identification and resolving of problems related to image acquisition, archiving and quality
• To participate in the delivery of an extended working hours and out of hours service as required.
• To assist the Superintendent Radiographer in organising the workload in line with clinical and research priorities
• To work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary professional team to contribute to the delivery of a cutting-edge clinical and research programme.
• To understand the importance of consistency of technique and following protocols in carrying out research scans.
• To participate in and take responsibility for ongoing quality assurance audits of clinical and research examinations and to be proactive in identifying and resolving problems related to image quality.
• Working with clinical and MR physics colleagues, assist in the development, implementation and testing of imaging protocols.
• To be responsible for Health and Safety procedures including; to be fully aware of the potential hazards of working in an area of strong magnetic field and to be familiar with the safety guidelines issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). To be fully aware of the potential bio-effects of MRI and to ensure that the scanner is operated within safe limits at all times. To be familiar with safety procedures (quench, fire, cardiac arrest) which are specific to the MR environment.
• To ensure that images are presented for reporting purposes in a timely and accurate manner.
• To provide a detailed explanation of the scanning procedure to each patient/volunteer and/or their parents/carers prior to commencing, during and after the procedure.
• To be sensitive and supportive of each patient’s needs whilst ensuring that optimum quality scanning is achieved
• To ensure appropriate infection control measures are utilised where necessary.
• To assess whether each patient is able to comply with the requirements of the scanning procedures, taking steps to adapt the standard technique to take account of an individual’s limited capabilities.
• To ensure all research subjects or their parents have completed an appropriate Ethics-Committee approved consent form.
• To operate all Departmental equipment safely and effectively consistent with the instruction and advice issued by manufacturers and the Departmental leadership.
• To be responsible for ensuring all data are archived according to Departmental policies, protocols and procedures.
• To be responsible for ensuring all documentation relating to imaging sequences performed and relevant clinical information are recorded according to Departmental protocols.
• To perform routine quality control checks on all relevant equipment and to report any faults to the Superintendent Research Radiographer.
• To report any problems, malfunctions or failures of equipment to the Superintendent Research Radiographer or other senior members of the department, labelling and removing from circulation any unsafe equipment.
• To utilise the imaging networks for both KCL & GSTT in accordance with Departmental protocols.
• To liaise closely with the administrative staff to ensure efficient and timely patient and volunteer throughput is achieved.
• To participate and contribute in staff meetings as required.
• At all times to maintain the integrity of the data security system ensuring compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures for the data protection and Data Protection Act.
• To be aware of and work within the local rules pertaining to MRI safety, radiation protection, Health and Safety at Work and COSHH regulations.
• Communicate effectively and maintain a good working relationship with colleagues within KCL and GSTT.
• To assist and, in some cases, lead the training and supervision of junior members of the Department ensuring where appropriate that competency assessments are performed and documented against the training programme.
• To be prepared to attend training courses, seminars, conferences and to give talks and seminars as required.
• To assist in the supervision of students on placements and visitors to the Department.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria  

1. Minimum 3 years’ experience in MR imaging
2. BSc Radiology or Diploma of the College of Radiographers (DCR)
3. HCPC registration
4. Experience of working within the NHS
5. Knowledge of Health and Safety procedures relevant to MR and familiar with guidelines issued by the MHRA
6. Experience of working at a senior level
7. Demonstrate autonomy in MR imaging and operational decisions
8. Communicate effectively and maintain good working relationships with colleagues within KCL and GSTT.

Desirable criteria 

1. Experience of working in the research and academic environment
2. Experience in paediatric, neonatal and fetal MR imaging
3. Experience of supervising and mentoring other staff

Further information

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearance.