Abraham Cheriyakavil Koshy

As a Senior Radiographer my duties and responsibilities includes;

• To assess patients and their clinical requirements to work out which radiographic techniques to use.
• Perform a wide range of radiographic examinations on patients to produce high-quality images.
• To optimize the protocols as per the site requirements and produce high quality images.
• Provide training to the Radiographers, Graduates and help them to meet the management requirements.
• To perform the monthly audits and submit to Manager and the HR.
• Work with the clerical team to manage patients bookings effectively.
• Ensure the timely PPM of the equipments.
• To take responsibility for radiation safety in my work area as a RPS, including checking equipment for malfunctions and errors.
• To manage referrals to ensure patients receive a radiation dose as low as reasonably possible supervise visiting staff and patients in radiation work areas.
• To help in more complex radiological examinations, working with doctors such as radiologists, surgeons and other clinicians.
• To provide support and reassurance to patients, taking into account their physical and psychological needs.
• To supervise radiography and imaging support assistants.
• Keeping myself up to date with health and safety guidelines, including ionising radiation regulations (IRMER) & MHRA guideliness to protect others.

As a Clinical Application Specialist followings are my duties and responsibilities:

• Providing Clinical Application Training to the Radiologists and the Radiographers on Philips CT Scanners to perform various CT examinations.
• To perform special investigations such as, CT Coronary Angiography, Triple Rule Out, Brain Perfusion, Myocardial perfusion, Liver Perfusion, Whole body CT Angiography, CT Enterography, CT Cisternography, CT Virtual Colonoscopy and other routine studies for all age groups (Neonatal, Paediatrics, Adults and Geriatrics) and to train the Radiographers to perform all procedures.
• To educate very well all the radiology procedures to the Radiographers and to explain the patients as well.
• To use specialized knowledge of Anatomy and Pathology to alert the Radiographers to unexpected abnormalities on image which possibly requires further investigations.
• To educate radiographers on adverse contrast reactions and it's management.
• Ensuring all clinical applications training, with both new and existing Radiographers, complies with the company's quality policy.
• Retraining Radiographers in case of any new releases, upgrades of software versions in the CT systems.
• Perform system quality checks and calibrations if necessary.
• Optimize Image Quality, Rectifying Image artifacts and providing support on image post-processing techniques.
• Regularly conduct training for Radiographers and supervise them on difficult radiology imaging Procedures.
• To provide training on Radiation safety to all Radiology staffs as per the ALARA (As Low as Reasonably Achievable) principle.
• Tailor and implement institutional CT scan protocols especially rebuilding Low Dose protocols for all age groups (Neonatal, Paediatrics, Adults and Geriatrics) and to save in a customized tree and categorize those based on various body parts and clinical conditions.
• Taking part in all quality control programs and its implementation.
• Ensuring that to all customers training provided with high quality and attention so that, customers are fully satisfied with the training received from me.
• Responsible for reporting customer feedback according to applicable quality standard policy and follow up relevant assigned quality & regulatory training in a timely manner.
• I was responsible to take lead role in conducting CME (Continuing Medical Education) and Hands on clinical workshop sessions to the Radiologists and Radiographers on all new releases and updates of products in my region.
• Actively participating with the product sales team in coordinating and executing clinical evaluations, product demonstrations, presentations and engaging Key Opinion Leaders (KOL's)

As a Radiographer followings were my duties and responsibilities in the department of Radiology and Imaging:

• Undertook duties in CT, MRI, and X-rays on a weekly rotation basis.
• Handled night duties in CT, MRI & X-rays.
• To identify, protect and explain patient's rights.
• To ensure radiation safety in my work area including equipment for malfunctions and errors.
• To monitor the visits of staffs and patients in radiation zones.
• To provide support and reassurance to patients taking in to account their physical and psychological needs.
• To perform a “Timed out” a brief pause taken to confirm the correct patient, correct procedure and correct site and identifying exact patient by verification of his/her name and the unique hospital identification number.
• To ensure intravenous cannulation and its patency checked in patients those who require IV contrast examinations.
• To position patient correctly, keep immobilization devices such as pads, sandbags, headrest, side arms and headbands to ensure the patient safety, comfort and to reduce the movement artifacts.
• To give precise instructions to the patients about the procedure and breath hold techniques and rehearse it prior to the examinations.
• To check the image quality of all plain X rays, Computed Tomography(CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) and ensure the absence of image artifacts in the images.
• To ensure calibration of all Radiology equipments on a regular basis.
• To inform Radiology Lead/Manager and log online complaints in case of any equipment breakdowns or technical problems.
• To reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections, maintaining disinfection strategies and follow guidelines in cleaning the machines and accessories immediately after examination of patients with infectious diseases.
• To maintain universal precautions including the use of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) like gloves and masks. Hand wash before and after patient/contaminated material contacts.
• Alert public on radiation hazards with radiation warning signs and labels
• To ensure the availability of emergency drugs, crash carts, defibrillators, oxygen mask and other accessories.
• To announce code ‘BLUE' (Code ABC- Airway, Breathing, Circulation) in case of patients with cardiac or respiratory distress.
• To perform post processing, 3D, Reformations and image reconstructions in the workstation from the source images acquired.
• To annotate the images appropriately and record the images on films, CD/DVD and push images to the PACS (Picture Archiving Communication System) network for future query/retrieval.
• To query/retrieve data and reports from the PACS (Picture Archiving Communication System) for clinical reference and follow up comparisons of studies if necessary.
• Clearly explain the procedures to each patients in a calm and reassuring manner, responding with empathy to expression of fear or claustrophobia.
• To confirm an informed consent is obtained from the patient/patients relatives and screen patients with metal detector before entering the MRI room to avoid metal related artifacts and injuries.