Job summary
Band 7 Clinical Scientist, Radiotherapy Physics and Clinical Scientific Computing (CSC), Full Time Permanent Post
We are seeking a registered Clinical Scientist (Radiotherapy Physics), with a demonstrated enthusiasm for computing, at our Queen Elizabeth Hospital site. The role is split equally between radiotherapy physics: dosimetry, machine QC and imaging, and radiotherapy computer system support, installation, interoperability and development. Applications from staff close to registration will be considered for appointment under the terms of Agenda for Change annex 21.
The Radiotherapy Physics Service has 48 WTE scientific and technical staff, with 10 WTE in the CSC group, working to help deliver approximately 60,000 radiotherapy patient fractions per year. The department supports a diverse range of treatment units (Elekta Versa, TomoTherapy HD, Radixact and CyberKnife), as well as wide-bore CT scanners, a dedicated HDR suite, and a superficial x-ray unit. The service uses the RayStation and Precision planning systems, and the Mosaiq Oncology Management System. 4DCT, SABR and SGRT techniques are in routine use, as is a well-developed adaptive planning service.
Main duties of the job
You will undertake a broad range of duties spanning the general area of Radiotherapy Physics, including calibration and QC of linear accelerators, TomoTherapy, and other treatment units, QC on CTs and HDR, as well as general dosimetry and patient specific QC measurements. There will also be opportunities for involvement in new developments and project work. The role is focused on dosimetry, but there will be opportunities to maintain and develop competencies in treatment planning and mould room related activities.
Within CSC you will provide day-to-day support for the diverse range of computer systems that underpin the clinical radiotherapy and dosimetry/QA services. You will also be involved in upgrading and maintaining these systems, considering clinical risk management, information governance, cyber security, and interoperability (including medical communication standards such as DICOM, HL7). You also will have opportunities to be involved in a range of Radiotherapy CSC projects including scripting (e.g. RayStation/QATrack), software development, and informatics (data extraction, analysis, modelling, visualisation and reporting).
Due to the nature of the role the post holder will be required to regularly work evening shifts on at least one to two days per week (typically until 8pm). There will be occasions where flexible working is required, including weekend and bank holiday working.
About us
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*
Job description
Job responsibilities
*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- *Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in Physics, Computer Science, Electronic Engineering or an appropriate relevant science.
- *M.Sc or equivalent Higher Degree in Medical Physics, Computer Science or other relevant subject.
- *State registration as a Clinical Scientist (or eligible for such registration) with the Health and Care Professions Council.
Desirable
- *Member of an appropriate professional body.
Experience
Essential
- *Recent experience in clinical science, ideally radiotherapy physics and clinical scientific computing.
- *Evidence through, for example, CPD and Appraisal, to confirm professional career progression and continuing learning.
- *Highly developed specialist knowledge of Radiotherapy Physics and peripheral knowledge of other areas within Medical Physics.
- *Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from equipment or process failure and staff error, with respect to Radiotherapy. Able to exercise judgement on complex facts or situations requiring urgent interpretation and analysis, followed by a comparison of the possible options for action.
- *Significant understanding of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines relevant to Radiotherapy e.g. IRR, IRMER, Advancing Safer Radiotherapy.
- *Ability to understand and write computer software required for medical physics applications.
Desirable
- *Experience in research and development activities.
- *A track record to demonstrate developing experience in project management.
- *Knowledge of Clinical Scientific Computing applied to the field of Medical Physics.
- *Specialist knowledge of a wide range of clinical radiotherapy techniques and work practices with an understanding of the clinical data flow patterns and processing used by the relevant professionals in Radiotherapy.
- *Good understanding of legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines relevant to Clinical Scientific Computing and Medical Physics practice in general e.g. Data Protection Act, Caldicott, Medical Devices Directive, ISO 9001.
- *Knowledge of database design and data extraction to enable work with the section's SQL, scripting activities and web-based applications.
- * Ability to understand and apply the relevant healthcare interface standards e.g. DICOM, DICOM-RT, HL7.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- *Strong abilities in solving scientific, mathematical and algorithmic problems.
- *Specialist skills in Radiotherapy Physics and Clinical Scientific Computing.
- *Effective written and oral communication skills.
- *Ability to work individually and as a team member
- *Manual dexterity and understanding to handle delicate electronic instruments and components.
- *Ability to effectively manage unpredictable workloads and resources.
Desirable
- *Effective teaching and research skills.
- *Ability to implement new developments and introduce system changes.
- *Able to demonstrate and sustain enthusiasm and show commitment.
- *Able to demonstrate self-motivation and initiative.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- *Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in Physics, Computer Science, Electronic Engineering or an appropriate relevant science.
- *M.Sc or equivalent Higher Degree in Medical Physics, Computer Science or other relevant subject.
- *State registration as a Clinical Scientist (or eligible for such registration) with the Health and Care Professions Council.
Desirable
- *Member of an appropriate professional body.
Experience
Essential
- *Recent experience in clinical science, ideally radiotherapy physics and clinical scientific computing.
- *Evidence through, for example, CPD and Appraisal, to confirm professional career progression and continuing learning.
- *Highly developed specialist knowledge of Radiotherapy Physics and peripheral knowledge of other areas within Medical Physics.
- *Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from equipment or process failure and staff error, with respect to Radiotherapy. Able to exercise judgement on complex facts or situations requiring urgent interpretation and analysis, followed by a comparison of the possible options for action.
- *Significant understanding of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines relevant to Radiotherapy e.g. IRR, IRMER, Advancing Safer Radiotherapy.
- *Ability to understand and write computer software required for medical physics applications.
Desirable
- *Experience in research and development activities.
- *A track record to demonstrate developing experience in project management.
- *Knowledge of Clinical Scientific Computing applied to the field of Medical Physics.
- *Specialist knowledge of a wide range of clinical radiotherapy techniques and work practices with an understanding of the clinical data flow patterns and processing used by the relevant professionals in Radiotherapy.
- *Good understanding of legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines relevant to Clinical Scientific Computing and Medical Physics practice in general e.g. Data Protection Act, Caldicott, Medical Devices Directive, ISO 9001.
- *Knowledge of database design and data extraction to enable work with the section's SQL, scripting activities and web-based applications.
- * Ability to understand and apply the relevant healthcare interface standards e.g. DICOM, DICOM-RT, HL7.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- *Strong abilities in solving scientific, mathematical and algorithmic problems.
- *Specialist skills in Radiotherapy Physics and Clinical Scientific Computing.
- *Effective written and oral communication skills.
- *Ability to work individually and as a team member
- *Manual dexterity and understanding to handle delicate electronic instruments and components.
- *Ability to effectively manage unpredictable workloads and resources.
Desirable
- *Effective teaching and research skills.
- *Ability to implement new developments and introduce system changes.
- *Able to demonstrate and sustain enthusiasm and show commitment.
- *Able to demonstrate self-motivation and initiative.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
