Radiology Staff Nurse

Job Description- Radiology Nurse

Purpose of the post:

As a Radiology Staff Nurse in Beaumont Hospital you will be expected to provide quality nursing care to both inpatients and outpatients within the Department of Radiology. In addition, you are expected to practice within the Code of Practice guidelines from An Bord Altranais and within the Nursing and other Hospital Policies and Procedures.  You will be held accountable to the Clinical Nurse Manager 2&1. In their absence will be held accountable to the delegated nurse holding shift responsibility for the Radiology nursing service. At all times you will practice within the limits of your experience and will have available to you more senior expert nurses.

You must be qualified and prepared to handle all unexpected emergencies that occur during any radiological procedure and work closely with the Radiologists and Radiographers in order to provide efficient and effective services to patients within the available resource constraints.

Overall, your responsibilities may be divided into clinical, professional, managerial and educational categories.

Areas where radiology nurses function are: General Intervention, Neuro Intervention, Ultrasound Intervention, Computerized Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, however you may be called to emergency situations anywhere within the Radiology Department.

 Summary:

1. To maintain a high standard of nursing care.

2. To develop clinical expertise, leadership and teaching skills through nursing practice.

3. To share responsibility with the nursing team for the management of nursing care and the patients environment under the direction of the Clinical Nurse Manager/Charge Nurse.

4. To work closely with the multidisciplinary team ensuring the safe passage of patients through the Radiology department.

5. To maintain a high standard of professional and ethical responsibility.

Main Job Responsibilities:

1. Clinical Nursing Practise

1.1 Provide planned, individualised and holistic care for patients undergoing invasive procedures in Radiology.

1.2 Use a framework and model of nursing to assess patient needs consistent with hospital nursing policy.

1.3 Assess, plan, implement, evaluate and document accurately nursing care given to patients in the radiology department.

1.4 Work closely with other members of the multidisciplinary team to help plan the safety and care of patients attending the radiology department.

      1.5 Participate in the competency based induction training for Radiology staff nurses. Work closely with a mentor until deemed competent in all aspects of radiology nursing.

1.6 Once required competency levels are achieved participate in the On Call rota which offers a 24hr/7day nursing cover for emergency cases.

1.7 In the Interventional Suites participates in Pre-procedural, Procedural and Post-procedural nursing care:

Pre-Procedural

1. Assess the physical and psychological well-being/safety of patients by completing a pre-procedural checklist.
2. Liase with referring doctors and ward staff to ensure pre-procedural work is completed
3. Prepare environment and equipment for the safe care of the patient during the procedure.

Procedural

1. Co-ordinate and document planned care during the procedural phase.
2. Practise the principles of asepsis and act as a lead professional in infection control.
3. Communicate effectively with other members of the interventional team.
4. Perform duties as scrub nurse and circulating nurse as required.

Post-procedural

1. Recognise the early signs of complications and act upon these as appropriate.
2. Complete NEWS before transferring patient back to the ward.
3. Escort patients back to ward as per Beaumont Hospital Escort Guidelines.
4. Give accurate hand over to ward nurse accepting the care of the patient.

1.8 Ensure the safe custody and administration of drugs in accordance with established procedures, policies and the law.

1.9 Respect the dignity and confidentiality of patients, serving as an advocate as necessary.

1.10 Participate in the development, formulation, implementation and evaluation of guidelines, policies and procedures to enhance a quality service.

1.11 Partake in departmental audits.

1.12 Keep up to date with current research to ensure evidence based practise is utilised and delivered.

1.13 Deal with incidents and accidents in accordance with hospital policy. Accurately record and report detail.

1.14 Maintain competencies for cannulation and intravenous drug administration in accordance with Beaumont Hospital policies. Be updated in anaphylaxis management.

2. Professional

2.1 Support the philosophy, objectives and goals of the nursing department and hospital.

2.1 Follow appropriate lines of authority by discussing issues firstly with Clinical Nurse Manager, then with Divisional Nurse Manager for professional issues and Radiology Business manager for operational issues.

2.3 Demonstrate flexibility by assisting in other areas of hospital as needed.

3. Management

3.1 Demonstrate ability to organise caseload on a daily basis.

3.2 Use time effectively.

3.3 Display initiative.

3.4 Show ability to delegate work appropriately.

4. Education

4.1 Maintain, update and develop knowledge on relevant professional development and on speciality current trends by attending a number of study days each year.

4.2 Show an interest in Post Graduate Education/ Self development.

4.3 Attend mandatory training study days and complete E learning training as per Hospital Policy.

4.4 Discuss present performance and future self development needs with Clinical Nurse manager.

The job description indicates the main function and responsibilities of the post and is subject to review and amendment.  Other specific work not covered in this job description may also be assigned by the Director of Nursing from time to time. 

            Uniform

Scrub suits are supplied and laundered by Beaumont hospital.

Shoes: White clogs

Qualifications:

Mandatory:

Active registration with NMBI.

Desirable:

Post registration experience in the acute hospital setting is desirable.

Informal Enquiries ONLY to:

Reporting relationships:

Professional issues:

Responsible to:    Director of Nursing

Report to:            Clinical Nurse Manager 2 (Radiology)

                             Directorate Nurse Manger (Critical Care and Anaesthetics Directorate)

Clinical and Patient Care issues:

Responsible to:  Clinical Director of Radiology Directorate

Report to:            Clinical Nurse Manager 2 (Radiology)

                             Radiology Directorate Business Manager