Job summary
- Main area
- Radiotherapy Physics
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 216-CB-C6684300-A
- Employer
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Town
- Plymouth
- Salary
- £53,755 - £60,504 Per Annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 20/01/2025 23:59
- Interview date
- 05/02/2025
Employer heading
Clinical Scientist
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Job overview
We are seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic HCPC registered Clinical Scientist to take on a leadership role within the Radiotherapy Physics team at Plymouth.
The successful candidate must have significant experience in Radiotherapy Physics, be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge in all areas of Radiotherapy Physics and to be able to act as a Medical Physics Expert. Expertise in imaging applications of radiotherapy will be beneficial. Candidates with at least four years of recent experience in working as an HCPC-registered Clinical Scientist may be considered for appointment as a Band 7 Clinical Scientist on a development pathway.
The applicant must be able to work and communicate effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team in order to co-ordinate the current development of radiotherapy physics service provision to Plymouth Oncology Centre.
Previous experience in brachytherapy or SRS would be desirable but training will be provided as required. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to develop their radiotherapy physics skills, as well as attend scientific conferences and partake in development projects and continuing professional development. They will also actively participate in teaching and training within the section.
Expected interview date will be 05/02/2025.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work as a Medical Physics Expert undertaking specialist and complex scientific duties.
The post holder will supervise and manage scientific support for the following key Oncology work streams:
Image-guided radiotherapy
Radiation Dosimetry
Quality Assurance
Oncology Management System
Radiation Protection
Provide support as required in specialist areas, including but not limited to:
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
High dose rate (HDR) Brachytherapy
Radiotherapy Treatment Planning Services
Total Body Irradiation (TBI)
Act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) in Radiotherapy Physics for UHPNT.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Working for our organisation
We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Managerial
Prioritize and manage own work.
Adhere to the ISO 9001:2015 accredited quality system.
Coordinate competency program for new staff and Clinical scientists
Coordinate staff assignment for quality assurance programme.
Work with the Head of Radiotherapy Physics in developing relevant Service Level Agreements.
Plan and develop commissioning programs for new IGRT equipment or upgrades to existing equipment.
Supervise unregistered clinical scientists employed in Radiotherapy Physics.
Maintain appropriate and accurate records of the procedures performed.
Organize the annual calibration of dosimetry equipment in accordance with statutory requirements.
Participate and organize regular multi-disciplinary meetings, as required.
Teaching, Training and Research
Participate in training programmes for other staff including the preparation and presentation of lectures on areas of Radiation Protection, Imaging Physics and Radiotherapy Physics to:
· Radiology Registrars undertaking the FRCR Part 1 examination.
· Staff training under the Ionising Radiation Regulations (IRR17) and the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 [IR(ME)R].
· Trainee Clinical Scientists and Technologists
Participate and present in regular journal club meetings.
Attend national and international meetings/conferences, providing structured feedback to local staff.
Present original work at national meetings and conferences, and in publication.
Regularly propose and participate in research and development projects and clinical audits.
Co-ordinate development work within areas of responsibility.
Person specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Advanced theoretical proven knowledge and practical demonstrable experience across the range of working procedures and practices in Image Guided Radiotherapy
- Advanced proven knowledge of radiation protection legislation in healthcare and biomedical research
- Advanced proven knowledge of pre-treatment imaging technologies and image processing software
- Proven knowledge of the techniques employed to measure the performance and radiological safety of state-of-the-art radiotherapy equipment
- Advanced demonstrable experience in judging measures required to ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
- Demonstrable experience in radiotherapy treatment planning.
- Advanced demonstrable experience in the use of dosimetry equipment in radiotherapy.
- Detailed proven knowledge of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines (e.g. IRR, IR(ME)R, Health & Safety, COSHH)
- Well-developed IT skills, including Office suite and specialist software systems; able to manage, manipulate and report information
- Understanding of hazards and precautions needed when frequently exposed to: a) Ionising radiation (x-rays, other radiation types, radioactive materials). b) Non-ionising radiations (e.g. Lasers & other optical devices, Radio frequency radiation, static and time-varying magnetic fields, ultraviolet radiation, ultrasound). c) Electrical hazards. d) Hazardous material (e.g. radioactive material) e) Mechanical hazards. f) Biological hazards (e.g. occasionally handling equipment or in a working environment that is potentially contaminated with body fluids)
Desirable criteria
- Basic proven knowledge of other areas Medical Physics e.g. Diagnostic Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, MRI etc.
- Demonstrable experience of Varian equipment.
- Proven evidence of publications.
- Demonstrable experience of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and brachytherapy.
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- B.Sc. or equivalent
- M.Sc. in Radiation/Medical Physics or related subject.
- HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist.
Desirable criteria
- PhD. or equivalent
- Certificate of competence as a Medical Physics Expert from RPA2000
Disposition, Attitude, Motivation
Essential criteria
- Patient focus. Able to deal with occasional distressing circumstances (e.g. work occasionally involves contact with patients with terminal disease).
- Honesty, integrity and respect for confidentiality.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Chris French
- Job title
- Head of Dosimetry
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01752 431939
List jobs with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust in Health Science Services or all sectors