Radiographers in IR undergo advanced specialist training and work alongside consultants and nurses to provide and control the imaging during minimally invasive image guided procedures.
They must learn different techniques and skills and work in a flexible manner in the fast-paced environment of IR which can sometimes be stressful, particularly when a patient is very ill and needs an emergency procedure. They need to have excellent communication skills to allow collaborative working as part of the wider multi-disciplinary team to provide a safe and efficient working environment to deliver patient centred care.
Radiographers are a vital component in the delivery of IR services and work as part of the on-call team to deliver emergency lifesaving procedures 24 hours a day.
At UHCW we are fortunate to have the newest, top spec, state-of-the-art equipment, which is upgraded every seven years, complete with a full suite of advanced software applications allowing for complex, high end procedures to be performed with ease.
One of these advanced applications enables us to create 3D models of the anatomy to use as guidance throughout the procedure, as shown below.
Another example of how this technology assists with intricate procedures is the ‘Trajectory Planning’ application, which allows us to plan the angle of entry for a needle where the procedure requires a high level of accuracy.
An advanced application helps us to track a pathway directly to a tumour so that we may treat all the vessels that feed it without damaging healthy tissues.
The IR department at UHCW has expanded considerably over the past few years and, as it develops, there will be ongoing opportunities for advanced practice radiographers. The department fully encourages and support staff to widen their scope of practice with continuous professional development.
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