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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job description and person specification attached

The post holder will: -

•    Operate with a high level of autonomy in providing specialised scientific, technical and regulatory expertise, often of a complex nature, to the Trust and other organisations.
•    Work with the Radiology Physics Team Lead and Lead Clinical Scientist to provide a safe, efficient and effective service.
•    Act as Medical Physics Expert (MPE) for Radiology as required by the Ionising Radiations (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and in accordance with relevant Trust policies including:
o    Liaising with multi-professional teams to facilitate the introduction of new equipment and services. 
o    Producing technical specifications and evaluating tender responses. 
o    Carrying out acceptance testing, commissioning and, where appropriate critical examination on behalf of the supplier, of complex diagnostic imaging equipment.
o    Establishing, overseeing and reviewing suitable Quality Assurance programmes for this equipment.
o    Carrying out scientific quality control and performance assessments on a wide range of diagnostic X-ray and ultrasound imaging systems, including, computed tomography, interventional and cardiac, mammography and dental imaging.
o    Advising on the optimisation of image quality and radiation dose for diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology procedures in order to ensure maximum clinical benefit with minimum risk to patients and staff.
o    Advising on the establishment of local dose reference levels 
o    Investigating incidents involving accidental or unintended exposures, including providing risk assessments and advice regarding requirements for notifications.
o    Review and approval of research exposures for clinical trials involving diagnostic radiology. 
•    Assist the Radiation Protection Adviser(s) to EKHUFT under IRR17 and in accordance with relevant Trust policies. 
•    Work towards accreditation as Radiation Protection Adviser.
•    Support the chair of the Trust Radiation Advisory Committee by implementing and auditing legislation and other relevant guidance in radiation protection.
•    Contribute to Trust-wide policies relating to radiation safety and governance.
•    Contribute to maintaining accreditation of the Quality Management System.
•    Play a key role in the teaching, training and development of staff to achieve and maintain competence and work towards registrations and accreditations.
•    Keep abreast of technical and scientific developments relating to imaging physics, radiation protection and associated fields.
•    Initiate and participate in research and development.

Managerial

•    Plan and manage their own workload and projects; prioritising work appropriately, adapting in response to emerging urgent requests.
•    Provide operational line management to identified staff as directed by the Head of Clinical Physics.
•    Be accountable for the work of staff and students under their supervision.
•    Advise on the training and development needs of staff and trainees, including trainee Clinical Scientists, and encourage individual career development. 
•    Undertake appraisals in accordance with Trust policy for those staff line-managed by the post-holder or as delegated by the Head of Clinical Physics.
•    Develop and implement plans to manage changing workloads and patterns of work, ensuring that the commitments to service levels and quality assurance are maintained. 
•    Assist in the recruitment, selection and induction of staff and trainees.
•    Report to the Head of Clinical Physics such matters for which the post-holder is responsible that might affect the provision of a safe and efficient service.

Communication 

•    Have ability to produce detailed and accurate written reports.
•    Communicate complex scientific and technical information clearly and accurately, whilst taking account of understanding of the target audience.
•    Teach other groups of professionals, (e.g. non-medical referrers, practitioners, operators, RPSs) about issues relating to radiation safety and governance.
•    Communicate effectively and persuasively.
•    Demonstrate established negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations in particular managing staff.
•    Promote the Radiology Physics section within the Trust.
•    Develop and maintain strong professional links, both nationally and locally, appropriate to the specialist field.

Knowledge

•    Have knowledge and understanding of the nature, risks and clinical applications of ionising radiations.
•    Have knowledge and understanding of the legislation, approved codes of practice and professional guidance applicable to the use of ionising radiation in medicine.
•    Have knowledge and understanding of the risks to patients, staff and public arising from exposure to ionising radiation.
•    Have specialist knowledge and experience of techniques used to measure the performance and safety of complex radiological imaging equipment, (especially diagnostic and interventional radiology and CT).
•    Undertake planned professional development to maintain and develop advanced theoretical and practical knowledge related to the field of Radiology Physics and Radiation Protection
•    Keep abreast of scientific and technological developments within Radiology Physics and Radiation Protection
•    Understand the roles and responsibilities of other healthcare professionals 
•    Demonstrate experience of management 
•    Possess specialist knowledge of Quality Management and Risk Management 
•    Maintain a working knowledge of the principles of Clinical Governance and their application to professional practice.

Analytical and judgmental skills

•    Provide expert opinion and establish a way forward in situations where there are conflicting professional opinions 
•    Demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice
•    Contribute to the development and improvement of services and processes.  This is to include the design and use of monitoring mechanisms and audit and the resulting development of action plans.
•    Reflect on and learn from practice and to facilitate this ability in others.

Planning and organisational skills

•    Manage and prioritise own workload, and that of identified staff or trainees.
•    Take a delegated lead on the management of service developments and quality improvements.

Professional

•    Participate in a programme of continuing professional development (CPD).
•    Apply specialist skills and knowledge in order to maintain professional competence and fitness to practice and to maintain up to date registration with the Health Professions Council (as a Clinical Scientist) and any other relevant professional body.
•    Maintain and keep abreast of scientific and technological developments, and changes in standards and regulatory requirements related to all aspects of Radiology Physics, participating in further training as necessary.

Freedom to act

•    The post holder will need to manage their day-to-day responsibilities and act independently when situations arise that require decisions and actions. 
•    Accountable for own professional action and must recognise the boundaries of own professional competence, seeking advice as appropriate.

Miscellaneous

•    Developing and maintaining compliance with the ISO accredited Quality Systems (including writing and reviewing documentation and auditing processes) in the areas of work for which the post-holder carries responsibility.