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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities of this post

Management

1. Prioritise and manage own work.
2. Supervise the work of trainee Clinical Scientists and other staff during placements within the service for appropriate areas of responsibility, or when working under the post holder’s direction.
3. Assist with or manage projects as agreed with the Head of the Radiological Science, for research and development within the Service.
4. Keep full records of all work performed and complete other appropriate records in accordance with Trust requirements.

Clinical/Scientific

1. Perform high precision quality assurance, calibration, acceptance and commissioning tests on specialist and complex, patient critical X-ray equipment, for appropriate areas of responsibility (primarily the customers of UHSussex (East) but not exclusively). This covers most types of x-ray equipment for compliance with relevant legislation, standards and agreed good practice.

• Perform tests accurately using complex test equipment.
• Interpret results and report with appropriate conclusions and recommendations. This involves designing and using complex spreadsheets for yourself and others.
• Make recommendations for the modification of the equipment tested for compliance with regulations and reduction of patient and staff radiation doses.
• Analyse and investigate erroneous test results and modify test procedures as appropriate.
• Provide quality assurance checks on reports written by  Band 7 DR Clinical Scientist as necessary.
• Ensure protocols are up to date and appropriate for use during testing. For new equipment develop appropriate protocols.
• Provide appropriate support for other members of the Service’s staff as necessary to perform quality assurance tests on X-ray equipment within their area of responsibility.

2. If not already certificated, work towards being a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) as defined in the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IR(ME)R) both for UHSussex (East) and external customers.

• Perform patient dose audits and calculate Local and Unit Diagnostic Reference Levels and compare to nationally published data. Produce reports  and follow up on recommended actions.
• Perform effective dose calculations from typical patient exposures to provide information to referrers and for incidents  .
• Provide data and recommendations for changes to radiology department protocols and/or equipment for the reduction of patient radiation doses and/or suspension of existing x-ray equipment. Attend Image Optimisation Group meetings and provide scientific support.
• Conduct mock inspections of radiology departments and other users of x-rays for compliance with relevant legislation.

3. Support the work of the Radiation Protection Advisers (RPA) to UHSussex (East) and its customers.

• Assist in performing audits of ionising radiation (and, when required, laser facilities) policies and procedures for compliance with relevant legislation.
• Assist in perform calculations of shielding requirements and testing of new or modified installations. Make written recommendations as appropriate to the Trust’s RPA.
• Assist in training of staff in radiation protection and associated legislation for UHSussex (East) and its customers.