Senior Clinical Scientist

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Job overview

We are looking for a motivated registered clinical scientist to act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) and join our friendly team of around 30 staff in Radiotherapy Physics.

The postholder will need to participate in all aspects of the service but will be encouraged to develop in a specialist area to meet the needs of the service.You will join the department, based at Leicester Royal Infirmary, at an exciting time. A new Brachytherapy facility, two new TrueBeam linear accelerators and an ARIA 17 Oncology management system upgrade have been commissioned to support treating patients with modern equipment and techniques. The department will also be receiving a Halcyon accelerator at the end of 2024. Equipment currently includes 4 Varian TrueBeam linear accelerators, Prosoma Virtual Simulation software, the Varian Eclipse treatment planning system, 2 wide bore CT scanners with 4DCT (Canon and GE), an XStrahl superficial unit and a Varian GammaMed brachytherapy unit.The postholder will be required to cover all aspects of Radiotherapy Physics but will be encouraged to develop in a specialist area to meet the needs of the service and develop and maintain expertise.

The postholder will work closely with other physicists, dosimetrists, clinical oncologists and radiographers. For staff not yet recognised as an MPE at appointment there is an expectation that MPE certification will be gained within 2 years to progress through the pay band.

Main duties of the job
• Perform and supervise radiation dosimetry work for external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy, ensuring all external beam treatment units are kept in calibration, in accordance with national codes of practice and local protocols.
• Resolve problems with the checking and implementation of highly complex, patient specific, radiotherapy treatment plans.
• Ensure that adequate measures are in place to provide assurance that equipment and procedures are providing safe and accurate radiotherapy.
• Undertake design, research and development projects relevant to Radiotherapy Physics.
• Investigate and resolve complex problems on radiotherapy and associated equipment, determining the exact cause of subtle or non-reproducible equipment faults.
• Conduct quality and clinical audits.
• Lead service development projects and line manage staff.
• Work with other radiotherapy physics staff and multidisciplinary teams to develop techniques and new ways of working to improve safety, quality and consistency of radiotherapy delivery.

Working for our organisation

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals:

• high-quality care for all,
• bing a great place to work,
• partnerships for impact, and
• research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• we are compassionate,
• we are proud,
• we are inclusive, and
• we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacanc...

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY RESULT AREAS

Lead service development projects and line manage staff.

Support a safety and quality culture, including the ISO 9001 quality system.

Conduct quality and clinical audits.

Ensure that adequate measures are in place to provide assurance that equipment and procedures are providing safe and accurate radiotherapy.

Investigate and resolve complex problems on highly complex, expensive (>£1 million) patient-critical radiotherapy and associated equipment, determining the exact cause of subtle or non-reproducible equipment faults.

Perform and supervise radiation dosimetry work for external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy, ensuring all external beam treatment units are kept in calibration, in accordance with national codes of practice and local protocols.

Resolve problems with the checking and implementation of highly complex, patient specific, radiotherapy treatment plans.

Supervise the commissioning of new and modified radiotherapy equipment.

Ensure the accuracy of any data gathered during equipment commissioning. Take an active role in projects to deliver complex new and amended radiotherapy equipment and systems.

Undertake design, research and development projects relevant to Radiotherapy Physics.

Maintain HPC registration and MPE certification.

Keep abreast of the latest technical and scientific developments and their applications in medical and associated fields. Attend suitable seminars and courses as part of training and personal development and to further the work of the Department.

Participate in the routine maintenance and calibration of dosimetry equipment.

Participate in the "on-call" Duty Physicist rota.

Perform and check planning of brachytherapy treatments.

Service Delivery & Development

Carry out duties in compliance with the relevant legal requirements and safety regulations, with which the post holder must be conversant.

The nature of the job requires that the post holder works their contracted hours in a flexible manner, e.g. there may be occasional late evenings.

Governance (E.g, CQC, Audit)

Ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and conform to
Statutory Regulations such as IRR and IR(ME)R, approved Codes of Practice and Local Safety Rules.

Patient/Customer Service

The post holder is required to promote a professional image and must appear smartly dressed for duty.

Research

The postholder undertakes specific research and development activities and keeps abreast of new developments in the field of radiotherapy.

They will provide support (with MPE and general scientific input) to radiotherapy clinical trials at UHL.

GENERAL

This job description indicates the main functions and responsibilities of the post. It is not intended to be a complete list. You may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.

You will be required to maintain compliance with all statutory and mandatory training requirements.

The link to the Trust's policies and procedures is:

https://secure.library.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/PAGL/SitePages/Home.aspx

Person specification

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential criteria

• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours

Training and Qualificaitons

Essential criteria

• A first or second class honours degree in Physics or relevant subject.
• MSc. in relevant subject
• HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist
• Evidence of post qualification specialist training (CPD)

Desirable criteria

• Corporate Member of IPEM
• PhD or equivalent expertise

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience and skills to be recognised as a Medical Physics Expert or ability to gain recognition as an MPE within 2 years.
• Sufficient post-registration experience.
• Expert theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding of patient and staff risks arising from clinical failure and staff error.
• Able to use Excel, Word, Access etc to set up documents, drawings, spreadsheets and extract information for reports

Desirable criteria

• Demonstrates the ability to initiate, develop, and deliver advise and projects with a record of achievements underpinned by reports and or publication in peer-reviewed journals
• The post holder must have sufficient knowledge and experience in Radiotherapy Physics to be able to operate as a Medical Physics Expert.

Communication and relationship skills

Essential criteria

• Excellent oral and written communication
• Able to communicate highly complex information at postgraduate level to clinical and Medical Physics staff at all levels and to other professional groups.
• Advanced negotiation skills with staff groups across the Trust
• Able to present scientific papers at national and international conferences.
• Able to train groups of other professional staff.
• Able to deliver teaching and training on highly complex subjects.
• Able to deal with complex and unpredictable situations

Analytical and Judgement skills

Essential criteria

• Able to deal with complex and unpredictable situations.
• Able to make decisions involving complex facts which require analysis.
• Able to plan complex ongoing activities.
• Understands the reasons and importance of confidentiality and the need for accurate records

Planning and organisation skills

Essential criteria

• Self-motivated and able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Initialise and coordinate research e.g. clinical trials and local projects
• Able to act independently within professional guidelines.
• Takes responsibility for the work of other scientific and technical staff when they are performing work under the post holder's direction.
• Able to take managerial responsibility for running and supervising small teams.
• Able to prioritise and manage own work.
• Able to exercise own initiative when dealing with issues within own specialist area of competence.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential criteria

• Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
• All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others.

Other requirements specific to the role

Essential criteria

• Medical Physics Expert understanding of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and regulatory body reports and guidelines.
• Knowledge of other medical imaging/physiological monitoring techniques.
• Knowledge of relevant anatomy, physiology and disease processes.

Additional Information

Please submit your application form without delay to avoid disappointment; we will close vacancies prior to the publishing closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.

Please check the email account (including your junk mail) that you supplied as part of your application on a regular basis following the closing date and throughout the recruitment process, as this is how we will communicate with you.

UHL is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who match our job criteria.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

UHL is committed to helping colleagues balance the demands of both their work and personal needs through flexible working arrangements wherever reasonably practicable and subject to service needs.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Please note if you are successful in obtaining this position and the post involves regulated activity you will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service check.

The Trust will pay for the check initially and the money will then be deducted from your salary over a three month period commencing on your first month's payment.

The current price of a check is £38 for an enhanced and £18 for a standard check.

COVID 19 Risk Assessment

Due to the current Covid pandemic we have introduced a staff risk assessment into our pre-employment process. This now forms part of the mandatory pre-employment checks that will be carried out if you receive a conditional offer.

The risk assessment is intended to ensure you are able to safely perform your duties in any of our work areas, and if you have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. Our main aim is to reduce risk and to ensure the safety of all new starters to the Trust as well as current staff, patients and visitors.

If it is identified that you are within a vulnerable category, we will endeavor to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate this through discussions with both Occupational Health and your recruiting manager.

Covid Vaccination Status

Covid-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, family, colleagues and our patients/service users from the Covid-19 virus. We therefore continue to encourage our current and potential colleagues to get vaccinated.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust holds the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything it does and all that it stands for. We are committed to developing a workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We welcome applications from the diverse community of Leicester, Leicester and Rutland, to help deliver healthcare services that meets the needs of our diverse communities.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Job Description and Person Specification (PDF, 584.5KB)
• Understanding your right to work in the UK (PDF, 1.1MB)
• Employee Benefits (PDF, 578.5KB)