Job summary
We are seeking a clinical scientist to join our team at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, working in the Radiotherapy Physics department. You will be joining our MDT of Dosimetrists, Clinical Oncologists and Radiographers. The team boasts a culture which is passionately committed to innovative, high-quality care.
The Beacon Centre at Musgrove Park Hospital provides a cutting-edge radiotherapy service for Taunton and the surrounding area, including an established SABR programme and SGRT. We operate a modern fleet of three Elekta Versa HD linear accelerators (installed 2019-20) with Align RT SGRT system, a Canon Aquilion LB CT simulator and an Xstrahl 200 superficial therapy unit.
The core purpose of the radiotherapy physics service is to:
- Maintain, update and develop the highly complex radiation science infrastructure upon which The Beacon Centre radiotherapy service depends.
- Produce and check treatment plans for patients undergoing radiotherapy.
- Regularly perform quality assurance checks on all relevant radiotherapy planning and delivery equipment.
- Contribute to and take a lead in the research and development activities of the Beacon Radiotherapy Service.
Main duties of the job
The post holder provides specialist clinical scientist services to patients of the Radiotherapy Department such that they receive safe, accurate and efficient radiotherapy treatments.
The post holder will perform quality assurance and calibration procedures on radiotherapy treatment and radiation dosimetry equipment. They will also participate in the work of the Treatment Planning Section and undertake development projects as assigned by the Head of Radiotherapy Physics and Lead Clinical Scientists. The post holder will have a role in governance and quality management for the Department.
The post holder is expected to fulfil the role of an Operator under the Ionising Radiations (Medical Exposures) Regulations 2017 and is registered as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
About us
You'll get to experience life in the West Country, and to take advantage of easy access to some of the UK's most desirable locations. From the beaches of North Devon, Dorset and Cornwall, to the cosmopolitan centres of Bristol, Bath and Exeter. Taunton itself offers you all the perks of life in the country while still being less than two hours from London.
With great educational opportunities, an abundance of open countryside, cultural festivals, local traditions, and throw in a cost of living that will see you afford a higher quality of life - Somerset has so much to offer you. It is a beautiful county which offers a diverse lifestyle to suit the needs for your work life balance.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be working as a Clinical Scientist in Radiotherapy Physics. Please refer to the Job Description for full details on the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be working as a Clinical Scientist in Radiotherapy Physics. Please refer to the Job Description for full details on the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good (1st or 2nd class) honours degree in a relevant subject (2)
- MSc or equivalent in radiotherapy physics [or equivalent field]
- HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist
Knowledge and Understanding
Essential
- Qualifications, knowledge and experience to act as an Operator under IR(ME)R
- Knowledge and practical experience of all main areas of radiotherapy physics, particularly radiation physics, radiotherapy technology and radiation dosimetry
- Good understanding of all aspects of patient progress through radiotherapy and the requirements of a radiotherapy physics service to ensure that it is performed in a safe and accurate manner
- Good understanding of relevant legislation, national standards, codes of practice, professional and other guidelines
Experience
Essential
- Production and checking of external beam radiotherapy treatment plans
- Completion of machine specific QC checks
- Completion of patient specific QC checks
- Developing new procedures/processes and producing appropriate associated documentation
- Assisting in the commissioning new radiotherapy equipment
- Problem solving in the context of a multi-disciplinary radiotherapy team
- Working with Radiotherapy imaging equipment
- Participation in training of other staff
Desirable
- Experience in use of Elekta linac and Mosaiq, Pinnacle3 TPS, Align RT SGRT and Sun Nuclear instrumentation
Communication skills
Essential
- Evidence of a good standard of literacy/English language skills
- Effective written and oral communication including teaching
- Able to present scientific papers at national and international conferences
- Able to communicate complex information to a mixed audience
Desirable
- Negotiation skills and effective influencing skills: in general and when dealing with complex medical equipment and equipment interaction issues at operational level
- Evidence of coordination of staff/teams to achieve specific aims
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good (1st or 2nd class) honours degree in a relevant subject (2)
- MSc or equivalent in radiotherapy physics [or equivalent field]
- HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist
Knowledge and Understanding
Essential
- Qualifications, knowledge and experience to act as an Operator under IR(ME)R
- Knowledge and practical experience of all main areas of radiotherapy physics, particularly radiation physics, radiotherapy technology and radiation dosimetry
- Good understanding of all aspects of patient progress through radiotherapy and the requirements of a radiotherapy physics service to ensure that it is performed in a safe and accurate manner
- Good understanding of relevant legislation, national standards, codes of practice, professional and other guidelines
Experience
Essential
- Production and checking of external beam radiotherapy treatment plans
- Completion of machine specific QC checks
- Completion of patient specific QC checks
- Developing new procedures/processes and producing appropriate associated documentation
- Assisting in the commissioning new radiotherapy equipment
- Problem solving in the context of a multi-disciplinary radiotherapy team
- Working with Radiotherapy imaging equipment
- Participation in training of other staff
Desirable
- Experience in use of Elekta linac and Mosaiq, Pinnacle3 TPS, Align RT SGRT and Sun Nuclear instrumentation
Communication skills
Essential
- Evidence of a good standard of literacy/English language skills
- Effective written and oral communication including teaching
- Able to present scientific papers at national and international conferences
- Able to communicate complex information to a mixed audience
Desirable
- Negotiation skills and effective influencing skills: in general and when dealing with complex medical equipment and equipment interaction issues at operational level
- Evidence of coordination of staff/teams to achieve specific aims
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
