Senior Radiotherapy Engineering Technician

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Job overview

An opportunity as a Band 6 Senior Radiotherapy Engineering Technician (Electronics) has arisen at the University Hospitals of Leicester.

The Leicester Radiotherapy Department is a friendly, busy and modern training department. It is housed in a purpose built Oncology Unit, which is centrally located with easy access to both road and rail connections. Leicester itself is a vibrant, friendly multicultural city within beautiful countryside.

The post requires specialised technical expertise founded on formal training to HND or BSc degree level in an appropriate subject eg. healthcare science (engineering) / electronic engineering or equivalent. Three years' minimum relevant technical experience and recent experience of servicing radiotherapy equipment is required. Experience of fault diagnosis on Varian Linacs is desirable. Registration with the RCT as a Clinical Technologist is required within 1 year of appointment if not already held. Suitable candidates showing potential without the required experience may be considered for appointment at a lower grade.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work as part of a team in the electronic section of the technical service which is responsible for the Linac maintenance programme. Good systems knowledge of radiotherapy equipment and the ability to contribute across different engineering disciplines is required. The post holder contributes to the immediate response to equipment breakdown and scheduled maintenance and performs project work to meet defined research and development needs. Good communication skills are required to liaise with other staff groups and external suppliers.

The radiotherapy department is based at Leicester Royal Infirmary and provides state of the art treatment including SABR treatments for lung cancer and oligomets, respiratory gating and deep inspiration breath hold for breast radiotherapy. Over 40% of all radical treatments are IMRT, of which 95% are VMAT. All IMRT patients receive IGRT as routine and we have an ongoing program to further increase utilisation. We provide Oncology services to a catchment population of approximately 1 million within Leicestershire and Rutland and are ISO 9001(2015) accredited. We fully support staff development; the department has an impressive clinical trials portfolio and established links with Leicester University.

Working for our organisation

We are one of the biggest and busiest NHS trusts in the country, incorporating the General, Glenfield and Royal Infirmary hospitals. We have our very own Children's Hospital and run one of the country's leading heart centres.

Our team is made up of more than 17,000 staff providing a range of services primarily for the one million residents of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

We work with partners at the University of Leicester and De Montfort University providing world-class teaching to nurture and develop the next generation of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, many of whom go on to spend their working lives with us.

Our purpose is to provide 'Caring at its best' and our staff have helped us create a set of values that embody who we are and what we're here to do. They are:
We focus on what matters most
We treat others how we would like to be treated
We are passionate and creative in our work
We do what we say we are going to do
We are one team and we are best when we work together

Our patients are at the heart of all we do and we believe that 'Caring at its best' is not just about the treatments and services we provide, but about giving our patients the best possible experience.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (leicestershospitals.nhs.uk)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY RESULT AREAS
1. Clinical Technical
Maintain clinical technology expertise by undertaking funded Radiotherapy equipment
manufacturers certified courses, self-study and liaison with manufacturers.
Use specialist electronics knowledge and communication skills to cross
engineering/clinical boundaries when working on radiotherapy equipment breakdown events. Resolve or escalate as appropriate expediency/safety conflicts and staff stress arising from crisis repairs.
Exchange technical and planning information during communication with multi-disciplinary
staff involved in cancer patient care. Implement the best engineering strategy to restore and maintain patient treatment and clinic schedules.
Calibrate Radiotherapy equipment and assure that performance is within manufacturers
limits.
Contribute to the multi-disciplinary commissioning of very high cost radiotherapy equipment as part of Oncology service developments. Contribute to the design and planning process for the engineering aspects of new facilities.
Analyse Radiotherapy fault scenarios taking evidence from multi-parameter diagnostic
facilities, radiographer's/patients accounts of untoward actions and invasive investigation.
Interpret the recovered information and make decisions on corrective actions within own competence or with support from senior staff in highly complex cases, discussing the broad consequences with the patient team and supporting scientific staff.
Rectify faults to component level on complex electronic, electro-mechanical and subsystems. Undertake repairs on MLC systems, electron guns and other delicate assemblies requiring great care and precision by utilising specialised tools and disassembly/assembly techniques. Apply safety procedures in line with COSHH and Health and Safety policies to effect repairs.
Exchange technical information and debate repair strategies with manufacturers' technical helpdesks, referring to senior staff as required.
Participate in research on the suitability, purchase and supply of components and subsystems used in the specialist support for Radiotherapy treatment machines and allied equipment. Undertake study to update and develop Radiotherapy software knowledge.
Undertake duties within the Radiotherapy technical support bleep holder rota and contribute to an effective rapid response repair service to preserve the continuity of patient treatment. Contribute to periods of technical support outside normal working hours as required to support the clinical service. Negotiate with radiographers for access to radiotherapy treatment machines and network facilities.
Undertake linear accelerator run up duties prior to normal working hours. Capture Linac performance data as part of the Radiotherapy servicing programme. Interpret treatment machine standby & running values, to identify possible deterioration of specific components, predict useful life remaining and be proactive in the acquisition of replacement items prior to machine failure.
Assist in analysing network problems that directly impact on the continuity of patient treatment. Support and assist radiographers to work through minor treatment and networking technical problems.
Propose and implement actions to improve the security of radiotherapy equipment.
Contribute to the maintenance of a safe working environment at all times.
Maintain high value test equipment in a safe and operable condition.
Participate in Quality Assurance duties, including equipment testing and rotas.
Contribute to work required for compliance with manufacturer safety bulletins.
Participate on weekend, early, evening and on-call rotas when required.

2. Managerial
Manage and prioritise own day-to-day workload as allocated by Lead Technician. Work with the Mechanical Engineering section or other agencies as necessary.
Participate in meetings / working parties proposing service changes.
Maintain radiotherapy servicing documentation and assist with development of Radiotherapy treatment machine and allied equipment planned preventative maintenance programmes under the Quality System. Propose changes to maintenance regimes.
Participate in appropriate action as required by releases of safety / technical information related to radiotherapy equipment.
Maintain quality records, analyse fault records/data and prepare statistics to aid the planning of future servicing events, enhancing reliability and bringing efficiency benefits to the patient service.
Maintain a detailed knowledge of software back-up systems for patient images and machine data.
Using technical experience and clinical awareness identify potentially hazardous symptoms and situations when operating in the hospital environment. Maintain up to date knowledge of the Divisional and Trust incident reporting procedures.
Assist with maintaining and controlling stock of essential spare components for Radiotherapy equipment in accordance with quality procedures and current financial policy.
Acknowledge the receiving of goods and equipment into the service.
Take responsibility for repairing, maintaining and the safe use of very high value equipment whilst carrying out prescribed duties.
Contribute to the development of the Quality System. Propose updates to procedures.
Take responsibility for all tools and equipment within the post holder's care. Ensure adequate safety devices and signs are in place prior to live working on lethal voltages
Participate in regular meetings with the other technical staff in the Section.
Keep accurate records of all work performed and complete appropriate records.

3. Teaching and Training
Undertake self-led study to maintain knowledge of fast evolving radiotherapy technologies
Contribute to technical forums within staff communication meetings.
Contribute to the induction and instruction of new staff members and students assigned to the section. Demonstrate workplace tasks and procedures.
Ensure own mandatory training is kept up to date.
Contribute to training of staff in Radiotherapy procedures including run-up.
Maintain own training records.
Participate in the evaluation of medical equipment.
Give presentations at seminars and training courses.

4. Professional
The post holder must be registered as a Clinical Technologist
Keep abreast of technical developments and attend appropriate funded seminars and courses, when authorised, to enable to the service to respond to new technologies.
Keep abreast of changes to standards and legislation, particularly regarding radiotherapy technology and medical equipment safety issues.
Undertake periodic personal appraisal and development review (PADR). Maintain a programme of personal education relevant to the needs of the Radiotherapy technical support. Seek to meet the requirements of the skills and knowledge framework and national accreditation process
Undertake designated specialised training by mutual consent and formally evaluate the received training on completion.

Person specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Appropriate academic qualifications
• Professional Registration

Desirable criteria

• Varian manufacturer training tm1 and tm2

Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential criteria

• good knowledge of trust values and behaviours

Experience

Essential criteria

• Minimum 3 years relevant experience

Desirable criteria

• Experience with Varian products

Communication

Essential criteria

• Good literacy
• Good computing/IT skills
• Able to communicate technical information to an appropriate level
• Teamworking

Analytical and judgement

Essential criteria

• Fault finding electronic circuits
• Fault finding mechanical systems
• Decision making skills

Physical Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to do appropriate manual handling tasks
• Ability to effect repairs on electronic systems
• Ability to use a variety of electronic test equipment

Planning and Organisational

Essential criteria

• Evidence of planning and time management skills

Role Specific

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of radiotherapy systems and workflow

Desirable criteria

• Risk assessment skills
• Quality system knowledge

Equality and diversity

Essential criteria

• Knowledge and application of equality and diversity

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.

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

• JD/PS (PDF, 576.5KB)
• Employee Benefits (PDF, 578.5KB)
• Understanding your Right to Work (PDF, 1.1MB)
• Understanding your right to work in the UK (PDF, 1.1MB)
• Employee Benefits (PDF, 578.5KB)