Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified radiographer to use highly developed specialist knowledge and clinical skills in the diagnosis of breast disease working closely with the multidisciplinary team to provide a high quality clinical service as required by the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme and Cancer Services within NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group .

Please note that this is not a training role. Applicants must already have the required qualifications and level of experience specified within the person specification and job description.



The exact job plan will be discussed with the successful applicant.



To provide reports and diagnosis on screening and symptomatic mammograms in accordance with national and local protocols, initiating further investigations as required.

Participate in personal and departmental audit of mammographic reporting and recall procedures.

To perform breast ultrasound within symptomatic and assessment clinics with an imaging Consultant. To perform ultrasound guided interventional procedures including cyst aspirations, image-guided fine needle aspiration and core biopsies. Also ultrasound guided

localisation of lesions prior to breast surgery. Issue autonomous reports on these procedures.

Participate in personal and departmental audit of ultrasound procedures.

To provide an ultrasound service for low risk clinics and manage symptomatic breast ultrasound lists, perform biopsies where appropriate and direct patient care



Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.



We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.



UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.



For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.



Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women's Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.



For roles at Liverpool Women's, visit their careers page .



To undertake a complex caseload within the field of breast imaging working with patients

being investigated for breast problems predominantly cancer and recurrent cancer and

undergoing invasive procedures.

To use advanced communication skills on a daily basis to communicate and empathise

with very anxious patients and their relatives about life threatening disease.

To discuss results of complex imaging procedures with patients. To communicate and discuss results of imaging procedures on an equal level of

understanding and credibility with Consultants in the multi-disciplinary team.

To assess and respond to individual developmental needs in the training and supervision

of medical staff and students in breast imaging.

To communicate with specialist groups nationally to improve services and develop best

practice, through attendance at specialist meetings and conferences.

To interpret screening and symptomatic mammograms, requesting either ultrasound or

further x-rays as necessary. Issue an autonomous report.

To perform breast ultrasound examinations to a high standard. Interpret and analyse the

findings of the examination from a range of complex components to produce a diagnosis.

Use judgement to perform a biopsy if required. Issue an autonomous report.

To localise abnormalities prior to surgery taking into account the visibility of the abnormality

on different X-ray views, ultrasound images and the position of the abnormality within the

breast.

To perform complex needle biopsies and aspirations using ultrasound or stereotactic

guidance on a range of breast abnormalities, using judgement to identify the abnormality

from the x-rays, ultrasound images and patient notes to determine the best patient

position, approach, needle type and length and number of biopsies to be taken.

To participate and assist in the effective Quality Control and Quality Assurance

programme, undertaking daily and periodic testing of all equipment ensuring optimum

conditions are in place before commencing clinical work

To comply with guidelines governing safe use of ultrasound machines in medicine. To interpret QA test results and take appropriate remedial action.

To plan film-reading sessions so the required number of screening films are read per year

whilst also fulfilling the requirements for performing audit on film reporting and biopsies/

localisations.

To plan and organise appointments and management of symptomatic ultrasound lists to

ensure optimum patient care and efficiency.

To organise and adjust appointments during rapid diagnosis and assessment clinics to

optimise patient flow, reprioritising to accommodate extra patients and emergencies.

To participate in planning of appointments for ultrasound and/or stereotactic techniques for

maximum efficiency.

To organise radiographers and assistants in ultrasound and/or stereotactic rooms on a

daily basis to facilitate smooth running clinics

To attend, assist and participate in multi-disciplinary planning meetings. To participate in the day to day running of the services provided at the Linda McCartney

Centre e.g. to adjust and reorganise the workload as required.

To organise incidental activities as required. To use a variety of computer applications to maintain patient records and write reports,

perform and present audit and for teaching purposes.

To maintain and develop advanced sensory skills for the interpretation and reporting of

complex breast images (mammograms and ultrasound).

To be an expert in the use of complex state of the art imaging equipment including

ultrasound scanners and/or digital stereotactic machines with computer guided biopsy

systems. Also, the use of vacuum assisted and spring loaded biopsy devices.

To perform complex interventional procedures accurately targeting and sampling breast

abnormalities with a biopsy needle under ultrasound or stereotactic guidance. Use

judgement to optimise patient position, approach, needle type and number of biopsies to

be taken. Deploy a radiopaque marker when judged necessary.

To manipulate sharp instruments within an area of restricted access without injury to self,

staff or patients.

To accurately localise breast abnormalities by ultrasound or stereotactic guidance prior to

surgery by skin marking, wire insertion or injection of radioactive isotope.

To train to perform vacuum assisted biopsies for diagnostic or therapeutic excision of

breast abnormalities.