Senior Radiotherapy Engineer

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Clinical Technical

1.1 To ensure all linacs are run-up at the appropriate time and to check daily the electrical, electronic and mechanical performance and safety of the linear accelerators for patient treatments.

1.2 Act as an Operator under the Ionisation Radiations (Medical Exposures) Regulations

1.3 Undertake routine electronic and electro-mechanical servicing of the linear accelerators, and other equipment to ensure safe and reliable operation

1.4 Support manufacturer servicing and upgrading of the linacs, CT Scanners and patient treatment verification systems for optimum performance and safety

1.5 Ensure that equipment performs to manufacturers specification.

1.6 Liaise with the manufacturers engineers regarding good maintenance practice, safety and the provision of replacement parts, and provide feedback on equipment performance.

1.7 Using technical and clinical experience, identify potentially hazardous symptoms and faults when in clinical areas or in talking to clinical staff.

1.8 Communicate with clinical users to gain a clear understanding of the nature of problems with equipment. Assess the seriousness and implications of the problem and respond appropriately to the urgency of the user request. This may mean immediate closure of a treatment machine till the problem is resolved.

1.9 Undertake first-line fault finding. Apply suitable fault-finding techniques to diagnose and interpret problems, including those beyond the scope of manufacturer supplied information, and report unusual faults to manufacturers. Exercise judgment to determine the causes of faults in devices with multiple complex and inter-related systems (e.g. electro-mechanical and computer systems), which may be due to user error, equipment failure or environmental issues (e.g. temperature, barometric pressure, RF interference).

1.10 Undertake repairs (as appropriate) on complex and fragile mechanisms to component level.

1.11 Provide first line support for the networked patient systems directly involved with the On Set patient treatment, recording and verification systems so ensuring the Oncology computer network remains operational.

1.12 Carry out electrical and functional safety checks in accordance with MDA D89801 Sup 1.

1.13 Carry out quality control, safety and acceptance testing on new equipment.

1.14 Keep relevant engineering records of work performed.

1.15 Maintain a competency and authorized user list for Electronics Workshop. This is to ensure that when equipment is passed to others to use, they are competent and authorized to use it in a safe and effective manner.

1.16 Provide technical advice to medical and other staff groups.

1.17 Liaise and work with external contractors when involved in radiotherapy building projects (e.g. new linac installations) and with the Trusts estate department where modifications to electrical supplies or building works are required.

1.18 Review and comment on electrical and mechanical drawings and room data sheets for new radiotherapy equipment installations.

1.19 Provide technical expertise and assistance to other sections within the Physics Department as appropriate.

1. Managerial

2.1 Ensure radiographers receive a high quality, prompt and efficient service and are kept up to date on the progress of outstanding work.

2.2 To ensure that all members of the Service have sufficient training to act as an operator under the IR(ME)R) regulations.

2.3 Be familiar with and follow the Trusts incident reporting procedure and all other policies, in particular the Ionising Radiations Regulations and Radiation Protection Procedures, ensuring compliance by visiting engineers.

2.4 Take responsibility for the work of other staff when they are performing work under the post holders direction.

2.5 Ensure that careful records of all work performed, machine logs, equipment manuals and downtime statistics are kept in an up-to-date, accessible and orderly fashion.

2.6 Keep the Head of Radiotherapy Engineering, appropriate physicists and radiographer staff fully up-to-date regarding the condition and performance of the equipment within the post-holders care.

2.7 Take active participation in the regular MDT meetings which also include physicists and manufacturer's representatives and other engineers, and serve as an active member on any relevant working parties or project teams, as required.

2.8 Prioritize and manage own work in accordance with Section policies and competing service demands. Propose and implement changes in working practices, protocols and procedures, as deemed appropriate.

2.9 Assist with the recruitment process for Equipment Services staff.

1. Teaching, training, research and development

3.1 Organise and deliver teaching/training of other staff (engineers, technicians, trainees, physicists and radiographers) in the operation and care of Radiotherapy equipment.

3.2 Assist other groups within the Physics and Radiotherapy Department in the development and construction of new and novel devices to support clinical activity and research.

3.3 Participate in the evaluation and commissioning of medical equipment and associated rooms, if required.

1. Professional

4.1 Keep abreast of technical developments. Enrol in appropriate Continuing Professional Development Program.

4.2 Attend suitable seminars and courses as part of personal development and to further the work of the Department. This will involve giving presentations as a form of feedback.

4.3 Ensure all activities are carried out within the ISO 9001:2015 quality framework and meet regulatory requirements, professional standards and accepted guidelines.

4.4 Train engineers, physicists and radiographers in specific techniques and procedures as and when required.

4.5 Support and undertake research and development projects within Radiotherapy Physics, and where appropriate, other Sections as agreed with the Head of Section/Department.

1. Miscellaneous

5.1 Ensure compliance with an accredited Quality System in the areas of work for which the Post-holder carries responsibility.

5.2 Propose changes to the Departmental Quality System and other policies and procedures.

5.3 Carry out all duties in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act, relevant Statutory Regulations, Approved Codes of Conduct and Local Rules.

5.4 Work outside normal working hours, on occasion, when required.

5.5 When working in other departments, the appointee will liaise with local heads of department, medical consultants, superintendents, nursing sisters or their representatives as appropriate, adhering to local policies and practices. The post-holder will behave courteously and professionally at all times and seek to ensure that the highest level of service is provided by the Physics Department.

5.6 To carry out any assigned tasks appropriate to the grade as required by the Head of Technical Support Services.

5.7 Deputize for the Radiotherapy Engineering Team Manager if he/she and the deputy are both absent.

Please refer to the attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc Hons Clinical Technology or equivalent
• Incorporated or Associated membership with a registered Engineering Council or Professional Body

Desirable

• Relevant MSc or higher degree
• On the voluntary register of Clinical Technologists

Experience

Essential

• Proven experience in radiotherapy engineering
• Significant experience in supervising or managing staff

Desirable

• Procurement experience

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bracknell Healthspace

Eastern Gate, Brants Bridge

Bracknell

RG12 9RT

Employer's website

https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)