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Job summary

Main area
Medical Physics - Radiological Science
Grade
Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
279-6459815-JUL24
Employer
279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal Sussex County Hospital
Town
Brighton
Salary
£43,742 - £50,056 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
05/08/2024 23:59

Employer heading

279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust logo

Clinical Scientist/Technologist

Band 7

 About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

 Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First .  In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme  for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves. 

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex. 

 

Job overview

We are seeking to appoint a motivated Clinical/Healthcare Scientist or Radiographer looking for a career change, to join the Radiological Science section of the Medical Physics Department at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSussex). The main areas of work will be diagnostic radiology physics, Ultrasound QA, patient dosimetry and radiation protection. The areas of responsibility include the clients of UHSx so travel within Sussex and Kent is required and a valid driving licence essential.

We would expect you to have completed training in all aspects of ionising radiation physics. You should have a relevant BSc, MSc or PhD and ideally hold current HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist/Diagnostic Radiographer/Sonographer or set to completed the STP training scheme this year. Appointment at a lower band may be considered for those without HCPC registration but significant experience in a similar role. You should be able to demonstrate a clear ability to work well in a small team and possession of excellent communication and organisational skills is essential.

Main duties of the job

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

Perform routine QA tests on diagnostic ultrasound units.

Perform patient dose audits and calculate Local and Unit Diagnostic Reference Levels and compare to nationally published data. 

Perform effective dose calculations from typical patient exposures.

Contribute to training and teaching of medical physics trainees and other staff groups throughout the trust and other organisations

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme  for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves. 

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • Perform high precision quality assurance, calibration, acceptance and commissioning tests on specialist and complex, patient critical X-ray equipment, for appropriate areas of responsibility. 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 the other 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.
  • Provide specialist QA to the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSx) and external Hospitals for diagnostic ultrasound units commensurate with experience and training.
    • Conduct QA, acceptance and commissioning tests on expensive and highly complex ultrasound equipment unassisted.
    • Analyse complex data, make recommendations, draw appropriate conclusions and write reports as to the safety and performance of equipment for continued patient orientated use, under guidance from the lead specialist.
    • Support staff from other departments in routine user quality assurance testing. Provide training and analyse results, reporting to the lead specialist
  •  Work with the Medical Physics Experts (MPEs) 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 for review by the MPE and follow up on recommended actions.
    • Perform effective dose calculations from typical patient exposures to provide information to referrers and for incidents to assist the MPE.
    • 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.
  • 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.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • BSc (Hons) in Physics/Radiography, or other relevant scientific subject
  • MSc in Medical Physics or equivalent qualification or experience.
Desirable criteria
  • PhD in relevant or similar subject

Professional registration

Essential criteria
  • State registration as a Clinical Scientist or Diagnostic Radiographer/Sonographer with the Health and Care Professions Council or expected to be eligible for HCPC registration within 12 months
Desirable criteria
  • Certificate of Competence to act as an RPA issued by RPA2000
  • On the RPA2000 list of MPEs in the Diagnostic Radiology field.
  • Certificate of Competence to act as an LPA issued by RPA2000

Specialist knowledge and experience

Essential criteria
  • Practical experience with the full range of diagnostic radiology equipment commissioning and performance testing
  • Relevant post-graduate experience in diagnostic radiology physics and radiation protection
  • Understanding of ionising radiation hazards and safety.
  • Practical experience with using diagnostic ultrasound equipment
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of laser radiation uses in healthcare
  • Experience of training Clinical Scientists and other staff

Practical

Essential criteria
  • Valid UK Driving Licence
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of providing excellent levels of customer service.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible Working

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Paul Colley
Job title
Head of Radiological Science
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07368401579
Additional information

email is the preferred communication method

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