Rachel Gittus

As a Superintendent Radiographer in the Cardiac Catheter Labs, I have led a multidisciplinary team in delivering high-quality imaging support for all interventional cardiology procedures. My role involves providing advanced fluoroscopic imaging during complex coronary interventions, structural heart procedures, and electrophysiology studies. I still actively participate in our cardiac on call service and work weekends so I lead by example and can empower staff.

Day to day I manage workflow efficiency, staff allocation, staff training, equipment complications and also ensuring adherence to Radiation safety protocols as Radiation Protection Supervisor.

I mentor all junior staff including nurses and physiologists and will educate all medical staff on imaging best practices as well as competency sign offs to ensure safety in the lab setting. As lead I also deliver the radiation protection programme in the labs ensuring everyone is adequately protected and monitored and that IRMER compliance is met in all labs.

I am very passionate about continuing professional development and have delivered talks at many Cardiology conferences as well as filming a radiation protection talk as part of a catheter lab basic skills programme. I ensure that as a team we are up to date with all new technologies and advances so that the patients have the best care and treatment.

I work very closely with Cardiologists, Nurses, Physiologists as well as other teams that present to the lab. At Morriston, I also work closely with industry representatives to enhance procedural outcomes and deliver excellent patient care.

I was chosen to be part of the all wales tender team in choosing the new cath lab imaging equipment. This involved collaborating with multiple teams and vendors to ensure we as a team chose the best imaging equipment as well as implementing these new technologies to the labs.

In a busy and high volume centre we as a team ensure that we are up to date with all the new technology and advances by attending as many conferences as we can and are also actively involved in research at our centre.

Having worked close to 26 years in cardiology I believe I have an in depth understanding in all aspects Cardiology. And believe that my ability to build relationships with key clinical stakeholders would put me in a good position to deliver the role of Territory manager for Cardiology products.