Job description

This role provides an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and enthusiastic individual to join our multi-disciplinary team at the leading clinical PET centre in the UK. The Centre is part of both King's College London's Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. It includes a purpose designed scanning suite with two GE Discovery 710 PET-CT scanners and a Siemens Biograph mMR PET-MRI scanner at St Thomas’, and a third Siemens Biograph PET-CT scanner in the Cancer Centre at Guy's. Our work includes providing a clinical PET service for >8,000 patients per year from across South East London as well as national referrals from other UK centres. We also carry out clinically related research with collaborators from the Hospital, the Medical School and other institutions. Clinical and research imaging capabilities are greatly enhanced by our on-site cyclotrons and radiochemistry laboratories, with tracers produced to GMP standards. 

The post holder will be responsible for providing high quality, effective and timely PET-CT imaging services to the patients, clinicians and researchers using the Centre.  The successful candidate will be required to provide a high level of clinical care to all patients and research subjects, working within all relevant local and National regulatory and clinical governance guidelines.  The post holder will be required to assist the Radiation Protection Supervisor, Superintendent Radiographers and clinical and academic leads in all aspects of service provision, including working with new staff, trainees, students and visitors. The role will involve all aspects of PET imaging using standard and advanced techniques and a variety of different tracers (short and long lived). The post holder will have an opportunity to rotate through all parts of the Department. Scans undertaken will include applications in oncology, neurology, cardiology, radiotherapy planning, and paediatric imaging.

We welcome an ambitious qualified Radiographer/Technologist with experience of working in PET imaging or nuclear medicine. We are supportive of postgraduate education and career progression in candidates who have the right aptitude. An important criterion for selecting the successful post holder will be their commitment to ensure excellence in all examinations they undertake, and to be proactive in engaging with training opportunities. As part of the PET Centre, the post holder will have access to a diverse group of clinicians, researchers and scientists across the School and University.

This post will be offered on an indefinite contract.  

This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent.

Key responsibilities

•        To perform excellent quality imaging studies in PET-CT in  accordance with departmental protocols in an efficient, safe and timely manner 

•        To work as a member of a professional team, liaising closely with and supporting colleagues in the delivery of a high quality scanning service in all modalities 

•        To provide a high level of patient care before, during and after imaging procedures 

•        To be responsible for handling radioactive tracers in accordance with the local rules. 

•        After initial training, to be able to establish venous access and be responsible for drawing, measuring and injecting radiotracers into patients under the guidance of the ARSAC license holder 

•        To act as an operator under the IRMER regulations 

•        To be responsible for and ensure that relevant documentation e.g. referral forms, ARSAC, study consents are completed correctly prior to administering radioactivity 

•        To interview each patient and accurately record all relevant information on the scanning data sheet/CRIS, being aware of the risks and limitation for scanning for PET-CT. 

•        To provide a detailed explanation of PET-CT scanning procedure to each patient and their carers prior to commencing the procedure 

•        To be prepared to answer queries relating to the procedure or the patient’s condition, requesting additional help from senior or clinical colleagues as appropriate, being sensitive and supportive of each patient’s needs whilst ensuring that optimum quality scanning is achieved 

•        To provide support for trainee radiographers/technologists, students and visitors.  

•        To be able to perform, Paediatric Imaging, adjustments to routine protocol and dosage. Including cannulation and sedation. 

•        In the absence of Superintendent Radiographer or their deputies take clinical lead as per the assigned shift in conjunction with other senior staff. 

•        Assist the Radiation Protection Supervisor in the radiation safety aspects as required, including radioactive contamination monitoring as per the departmental local rules 

•        To actively support departmental research as required and instructed by the senior members within the centre.  

•        To perform and evaluate routine quality control checks on all relevant equipment, liaising with Physics team to timely resolve any possible issues arising 

•        Report any problems, malfunctions or failures of equipment to the Superintendent Radiographer or other senior members of the department, labelling and removing from circulation any unsafe equipment  

•        To utilise the imaging networks for both KCL & Guy's & St Thomas' Hospitals in accordance with departmental protocols 

•        To liaise closely with the administrative staff to ensure efficient and timely patient throughput is achieved 

•        To assist the Superintendent Radiographer or senior member of the imaging staff in organising the workload in line with clinical priorities 

•        To participate in a flexible rota providing cover between 7:30am and 8pm depending on workload requirement. The rota may include weekend working. 

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential criteria  

1.      BSc / Diploma in Radiography or recognised Nuclear Medicine qualification  

2.      Prior experience in PET or Nuclear Medicine  

3.      Sound awareness of good patient care and confidentiality 

4.      Good knowledge of cross sectional anatomy 

5.      Up to date knowledge of imaging techniques used in PET, CT and NM.  

6.      Knowledge of the principles of PET scanning 

7.      IV cannulation skills 

8.      Excellent computing skills 

9.      Excellent verbal and written communication skills 

10.   Ability to act on own initiative and respond to non-standard situations 

11.   Experience in following protocols and complying with local rules 

12.   Willing to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends 

Desirable criteria

1.      Registration with IPEM or HCPC 

2.      Postgraduate education in CT, MRI, NM or Research 

3.      Prior hands-on experience of radio-isotope imaging, including handling blood products and unsealed radiation sources

4.      Demonstrates an understanding of current Research trials utilising PET-CT for assessment. 

5.      Team working skills 

Further information

•        The role will require the post holder to rotate in both sections of the PET Department (St Thomas Hospital – Guys Cancer Centre) 

•        The job tasks will be mainly clinical and “hands-on” requiring daily attendance at workplace, with very limited opportunity of remote working.

•        Participation in a rota that includes extended day and weekend working will be expected