Job summary
- Main area
- Clinical Scientist in Radiotherapy Physics
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
- Job ref
- 265-6453005
- Employer
- Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Northampton General Hospital
- Town
- Northampton
- Salary
- £43,742 - £50,056 pro rata / per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 30/07/2024 23:59
Employer heading
Clinical Scientist Radiotherapy Physics
Band 7
Job overview
Applications are invited to join our dynamic, forward-thinking and friendly team as a Clinical Scientist in radiotherapy physics. We are looking for someone who has (or is soon to be eligible for) HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist in radiotherapy. Applicants in the final year of STP training are encouraged to apply.
The radiotherapy department at Northampton General Hospital has 3 TrueBeam linear accelerators, all fitted with ExacTrac and 6DoF couches, a dedicated CT scanner, and a HDR unit. Radiotherapy planning is performed with Eclipse and is integrated with the Varian Aria system.
AI auto-contouring and knowledge-based planning tools are in routine use in the department. The use of 3D printing for producing bespoke silicon bolus for external beam therapy is also routine, while we have recently developed our HDR skin brachytherapy techniques to utilise printed surface moulds.
Main duties of the job
To participate in all aspects of routine service provision of the Radiotherapy Physics department.
To be responsible for the provision of some aspects of the service involving external beam treatment planning, brachytherapy, and quality
assurance.
To undertake work as part of project based teams to assist in the development of new techniques and processes.
Working for our organisation
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
- Compassion
- Accountability
- Respect
- Integrity
- Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone’s full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Undertake standard and non-standard treatment planning duties, and perform complex manual calculations and adjustments where
necessary.
Check complex radiotherapy plans to ensure accuracy and clinical appropriateness of technique.
Assist in the provision of scientific and technical advice to consultants, other clinicians, radiographers, and any other relevant staff on all
matters relating to radiotherapy equipment and complex treatment procedures.
Perform quality assurance tests on a range of Radiotherapy equipment.
Assist in the development of processes and work instructions within brachytherapy, QA, dosimetry and treatment planning.
Assist with the support for computational aspects of Radiotherapy Physics Services; in particular supporting the networked system
linking treatment planning, simulation, therapy equipment and clinical information systems.
To support departmental compliance to dosimetry standards, ensuring that calibration and check measurements are performed in an accurate and timely manner.
To support the delivery and development of brachytherapy services through a range of activities including source preparation and QA,
intra-operative and post-operative planning, and equipment QA.
Participate in aspects of purchasing new radiotherapy equipment, including preparation of specification, evaluation, giving advice,
acceptance testing, as appropriate.
Take part in the commissioning of new Radiotherapy equipment.
To participate in local and national inter-departmental dosimetry and quality assurance programmes and initiatives.
Analyse in vivo dosimetry measurements to validate radiotherapy accuracy.
Participate in the Physics duty rota.
Manage own work and prioritise it on a day to day basis, working flexibly where necessary.
To participate in the training of trainee Physicists, student Radiographers, and Medical staff.
Supervise the work of Clinical Scientists, Trainees, Dosimetrists, and Medical Technical staff when they are performing work under the
post-holders’ direction.
Keep careful records of all work performed and complete other appropriate records in accordance to Quality System requirements.
To participate in maintaining the departmental ISO9001:2000 quality system by continual review of own procedures, writing and
checking of relevant documents and work instructions, and carrying out audits within Radiotherapy, Radiotherapy Physics and ward
areas.
To participate in the QA of new radiotherapy trials; and plan patients according to current approved trial protocols.
Present scientific/technical work/papers at local, regional or national meetings.
To remain up to date regarding the latest scientific and technical developments and their applications within radiotherapy physics.
Act as an Operator under the definitions of the IR(ME)R Regulations in accordance with Trust Policies.
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria
- Honours degree in Physical Science or a relevant subject or equivalent.
- MSc in Medical/Radiation Physics or knowledge equivalent to level of an MSc.
- State registration as a Clinical Scientist, or working towards it.
Desirable criteria
- Successful completion of a recognised training scheme.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of the characteristics of complex Radiotherapy equipment
- An understanding of safety critical nature of radiotherapy equipment
- Knowledge of techniques employed in the QA of Radiotherapy Equipment
- Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from radiotherapy treatment
- Knowledge of radiation protection legislation and standards of good practice to reduce radiation doses to staff and patients
- Significant experience of all areas of Radiotherapy Physics (dosimetry, quality assurance, radiotherapy treatment planning, brachytherapy etc).
- Experience of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment planning
Desirable criteria
- Experience in supporting the development of new processes
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to make judgements and decisions affecting patient care based on complex scientific data
- Experience in managing projects and evidence of meeting deadlines
- Ability to use word processing, spreadsheets and databases. Extracting information and preparing reports
- Good presentation, communication, negotiation and inter-personal skills
Desirable criteria
- Proven ability to present scientific papers locally and at national conferences.
Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential criteria
- Ability to manage own work, prioritise, delegate and exercise initiative
- Ability to work effectively in teams
- To have an awareness of current and developing technology as relevant to radiotherapy
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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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
- Mark Cowen
- Job title
- Head of Radiotherapy Physics
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01604 523781
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