Organisation: Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Job Title: Radiographer
Location: Herston
As validated throughout an accomplished career history including my current success as a Senior Radiographer within Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH), please accept my application for current advertised position Radiographer – Senior at Metro North Hospital and Health Service. Registered as a Medical Radiation Practitioner by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and in possession of both radiography and computed tomography (CT) accreditations certified by the Australian institute of Radiography. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Radiography completed at University of Salford, England in 1995 and a Master of Health Sciences, Medical Radiation Sciences, majoring in Computer Tomography via the University of Sydney completed in 2012. Commitment to significant professional development, I successfully completed the Computer Tomography Intermediate Certification with the Australian Institute of Radiography in 2014.
Possessing high-level skills and well developed experience in Medical Imaging techniques, I have been instrumental in the development of radiology staff including the emergency department. Evidence of these skills, I present seminars, case studies, attending Philips and Siemens CT user groups, conferences, symposiums and radiation work force user groups and official book reviewer for Australian Institute of Radiography.
My passion for orthogonal imaging computed tomography remains my motivator, which prompted me to pursue a path of clinical excellence and post-graduate study successfully gaining a Master Degree in Health Sciences, majoring in computed tomography and to further establish my standing in the clinical arena, I consequently completed the Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR) CT accreditation exam.
In my current position of Senior Radiographer with RBWH, I am regularly required to work autonomously, running a scanner single-handedly, performing administration tasks, inserting IV cannulas for the administration of intravenous contrast, and pre and post image and information processing. Accurately recording and modifying patient details to enable efficient receipt and transfer of imaging as well as reproducing imagines to disc or hard-copy format is essential to my successfully carrying out this role. Effectively moving patient information between various hospitals and sites, I consistently provide effective and efficient service, ensuring my technical proficiencies are up-to-date in regards to the operation of Radiology Information System (RIS), Picture Archiving Communication System and various Hospital Information systems (HIS).
I am an open and effective communicator driven to provide clear information to my colleagues and juniors about completing deadlines and time availability. My organised approach in any environment makes me accessible to colleagues and assists me to monitor personal workload deadlines.
At present, I hold the position of Senior Radiographer within (RBWH), this role requires me to possess extensive specialist clinical experience and demonstrate superior time management skills, excellent communication and planning abilities and maintain a professional and collaborative working environment. Eager to increase whole-hospital knowledge in all areas of Medical Imaging, I have actively participated in and added value to the quality of processes and procedures for the radiology department and am an integral member of the senior team driving learning framework and supporting the development and on-going evaluation of radiology practice and patient care. Acting as a facilitator sees me mentoring, advising and guiding staff with more junior qualifications in management of daily caseloads.
One part of my current role, includes supervising junior staff members as they carry out pre- and post-scan care of our patients; this includes cross-checking patient information and identification, correctly identifying the procedure list for each patient and accurately positioning the patient within the CT scanner according to the type of imaging required for the symptoms they display. Another important part of these steps is to be very sure that the patient remains in a fixed position until their post scan images have been checked by the senior team member. Recently whilst supervising Junior Radiographer (3rd year radiography student), I noticed that the student was preparing to move the patient after completing the scan, but I had not yet had the opportunity to review the images, I reminded the student that he was to wait for my go-ahead to allow the patient to move and continued to assess the scan. Although this patient’s scans showed no cause for concern, my experience with the patients actions and behaviours indicated to me that further assessment was required so I immediately alerted the attending physician and the radiology registrar and requested their attendance for a further patient assessment.
During consultation with the attending specialists, I elected that I would complete a cerebral profusion scan and recommended an angiogram of the carotid arteries; all of which subsequently displayed that the patient had in fact suffered an ischemic stroke. I reiterated to the student the need for patience and caution, helping him to gain a valuable lesson in the assessment of all information presented to us such as speech and unusual behaviours and not just assessing a patient on scan results alone. All of the above demonstrates my excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work in a team environment and demonstrated staff supervisory skills. Recognition of mentoring capabilities, I received a national vocational qualification from the UK government as a Mentor.
Actively involved in designing CT protocols and teaching/mentoring junior staff and members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and newly qualified radiographer undertaking their professional development year (PDY) I make myself available to impart knowledge and provide support when required. I am confident that the above confirms my significant experience in CT operation with a high level of knowledge of CT technology,
Throughout my career, I have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the development of my practice, a passion for patient-centred care, and the drive and resilience to achieve strong results in even the most challenging of circumstances. Active in initiating ongoing education, implementation and evaluation of quality and safety initiatives according to the Nations Safety and Quality Health Services Standard in my role as Senior Radiographer at RBWH.
Throughout my career thus far, I have effective in putting these skills into practice drawing on my personal and academic experiences in all situations aiming to identify and implement possible improvements, striving to continue to grow my knowledge base. Both my past and current employment roles have all relied on my ability to deliver required outcomes within tight timeframes under changing priorities, drawing on my academic knowledge and concepts and applying these to practical situations. The above evidence clearly demonstrates my registration with the Medical Radiation Practitioner by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
