Job summary
Consultant Breast Therapeutic Radiographer
We are recruiting for a Band 7/ 8A Consultant Breast Therapeutic Radiographer role (dependant on candidate experience), here at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust (RBFT). This is an exciting career development opportunity to join an innovative, friendly organisation whilst experiencing all the benefits of working in a compassionate, aspirational, resourceful and excellent NHS Trust.
We are seeking the right candidate for this role, and therefore welcome applications from existing and aspiring Consultant Practitioners, or those working on a Trainee Consultant Practitioner pathway.
The banding for this role will be confirmed as per the appropriate level of candidate training and experience, e.g. Band 7 for those aspiring towards the role, and Band 8A for those candidates evidencing Consultant Practitioner level capabilities.
If appointed at Band 7 level, the postholder will be supported in their progression towards a Band 8A role, upon completion of the relevant Consultant Practitioner capabilities/ experience, and any Trust probationary period processes, as confirmed during the appointment process.
We strongly encourage all interested candidates to get in touch for an informal discussion, or to arrange a department visit. For further information please contact:
Charlotte Avery (Radiotherapy Operational Manager)Charlotte.Avery@royalberkshire.nhs.uk or telephone 0118 322 7873.
Main duties of the job
The Post Holder for the Consultant Breast Therapeutic Radiographer role will be required to work as an independent Consultant Practitioner delivering a comprehensive radiotherapy service to patients with breast cancer with a high degree of autonomy.
This will include accepting new patient referrals; obtaining informed consent, identifying and delineating treatment volumes, prescribing radiotherapy treatment, approving complex plans, and, as required, any long-term patient follow-up.
The post holder will be a key member of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) and work closely and collaboratively with the Breast Cancer Clinical Oncologists, and wider oncology team members.
The post will be structured around the four core functions of consultant practice, as identified in the NHS England Consultant Practitioner Capability and Impact Framework:
- Expert Clinical Practice
- Professional Leadership
- Education and Training
- Research and Innovation
The Post holder will be expected to work across both sites as required (Reading and Bracknell), and expected to participate in the department on call service. For further information please see the attached job description for this role.
About us
The Berkshire Cancer Centre at the RBFT provides fully CHKS accredited Radiotherapy treatment facilities across both its Reading and Bracknell health spaces, and is currently equipped with two GE CT scanners, four Elekta Linear Accelerators, and a high dose Brachytherapy unit.
All treatment choices for patients are underpinned by the latest national guidance for radiotherapy services, including advanced treatments such as SABR, DIBH, VMAT and Adaptive radiotherapy.
Since 2020 the department has also been recognized as a 'Centre of excellence' for its innovative provision of Surface Guided Radiotherapy, in alliance with Vision RT.
Our diverse workforce of staff and learners all benefit from working with high quality equipment and optimum treatment techniques, whilst experiencing positive levels of clinical support and professional development in all aspects of their training and competence.
The CQC recently rated the care provided by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as Good.
Our values:Compassionate,Aspirational,Resourceful,Excellent, reflect the type of Trust we aspire to be and you can join our dedicated and talented staff to make this happen.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Consultant Breast Therapeutic Radiographer will:
- Provide expert clinical practice, advice, and support to other professionals, the wider multidisciplinary team, patients and their families/carers, across the radiotherapy pathway from referral to treatment delivery and any required follow up.
- Provide a specialist service in breast radiotherapy that includes: Accepting new patient referrals; Obtaining informed consent; Identifying and delineating treatment volumes; Prescribing radiation therapy; Approving complex plans; managing and supporting patients holistically; prescribing medication as an independent prescriber; Any Long-term follow up as required.
- Have a broad understanding of health care issues within breast cancer radiotherapy and work alongside colleagues locally and nationally to provide professional and clinical leadership, acting as an expert resource for developing standards, protocols and guidelines.
- Be a key member of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and actively participate in the treatment decision making process for breast radiotherapy for individual patients.
- Contribute to the operational and strategic development of radiotherapy services in breast cancer, optimising existing resources and identifying opportunities for improving services.
- Develop links to ensure patient involvement will influence service delivery and provide patient centred service.
- Lead breast radiotherapy audit and research on both a local and network level to optimise breast radiotherapy and build upon the current evidence base.
- Promote the role through the dissemination of innovation and research through journal publications and conference proceedings.
- Lead the training and development of the wider multidisciplinary team, identifying educational needs and acting proactively with regard to breast radiotherapy.
- Establish links with the Cancer Units of District General Hospitals (DGHs) to provide support and advice on issues relating to breast radiotherapy.
- Be qualified to practice as a Referrer, Practitioner and Operator in Radiotherapy; as defined by Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations.
- Be competent to work as a Therapeutic radiographer and participate in the planning of radiotherapy treatment and occasionally the delivery of treatment.
- Work flexible hours and shift patterns, including weekends, according to the needs of the service.
- Use highly complex and expensive Radiotherapy equipment.
We currently provide great leadership opportunities for all our staff, with a focus on Radiographer led services, Brachytherapy treatments, and a comprehensive on treatment review service working in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support. A variety of staff grades are employed including Junior, Senior, Advanced and Consultant clinical practitioner roles, with the department being fully committed towards further study and professional development as part of our strategic vision for cancer care. In addition, all staff contribute to the training of the future Radiographer workforce through our dedicated provision of clinical placements for students and apprentices. We continue to strive towards expanding our Radiotherapy services, and providing state of the art care and treatment facilities for all our cancer patients. We look forward to welcoming prospective candidates on this journey of transformation, at the Berkshire Cancer Centre.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Consultant Breast Therapeutic Radiographer will:
- Provide expert clinical practice, advice, and support to other professionals, the wider multidisciplinary team, patients and their families/carers, across the radiotherapy pathway from referral to treatment delivery and any required follow up.
- Provide a specialist service in breast radiotherapy that includes: Accepting new patient referrals; Obtaining informed consent; Identifying and delineating treatment volumes; Prescribing radiation therapy; Approving complex plans; managing and supporting patients holistically; prescribing medication as an independent prescriber; Any Long-term follow up as required.
- Have a broad understanding of health care issues within breast cancer radiotherapy and work alongside colleagues locally and nationally to provide professional and clinical leadership, acting as an expert resource for developing standards, protocols and guidelines.
- Be a key member of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and actively participate in the treatment decision making process for breast radiotherapy for individual patients.
- Contribute to the operational and strategic development of radiotherapy services in breast cancer, optimising existing resources and identifying opportunities for improving services.
- Develop links to ensure patient involvement will influence service delivery and provide patient centred service.
- Lead breast radiotherapy audit and research on both a local and network level to optimise breast radiotherapy and build upon the current evidence base.
- Promote the role through the dissemination of innovation and research through journal publications and conference proceedings.
- Lead the training and development of the wider multidisciplinary team, identifying educational needs and acting proactively with regard to breast radiotherapy.
- Establish links with the Cancer Units of District General Hospitals (DGHs) to provide support and advice on issues relating to breast radiotherapy.
- Be qualified to practice as a Referrer, Practitioner and Operator in Radiotherapy; as defined by Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations.
- Be competent to work as a Therapeutic radiographer and participate in the planning of radiotherapy treatment and occasionally the delivery of treatment.
- Work flexible hours and shift patterns, including weekends, according to the needs of the service.
- Use highly complex and expensive Radiotherapy equipment.
We currently provide great leadership opportunities for all our staff, with a focus on Radiographer led services, Brachytherapy treatments, and a comprehensive on treatment review service working in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support. A variety of staff grades are employed including Junior, Senior, Advanced and Consultant clinical practitioner roles, with the department being fully committed towards further study and professional development as part of our strategic vision for cancer care. In addition, all staff contribute to the training of the future Radiographer workforce through our dedicated provision of clinical placements for students and apprentices. We continue to strive towards expanding our Radiotherapy services, and providing state of the art care and treatment facilities for all our cancer patients. We look forward to welcoming prospective candidates on this journey of transformation, at the Berkshire Cancer Centre.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Masters level in Advanced Clinical Practice or equivalent Radiotherapy Level 7 study/ modules
- HCPC registration as a Therapy Radiographer
Desirable
- Full MSC or PhD in Advanced Practice/ Radiotherapy Practice
- Independent or supplementary prescribing qualification
- Leadership experience or qualification
Experience
Essential
- Significant clinical oncology/ Radiotherapy experience
- Experience in leadership/ research/ facilitating the learning and development of others
- Experience in the development of clinical protocols and procedures
Desirable
- Specialist experience in Breast cancer
Skills
Essential
- Good management and communication skills
- Research Multidisciplinary team working experience
- Clinical skills appropriate to Breast oncology
- Ability to teach and train others, to include students, other healthcare professionals and external parties
Desirable
- Research skills including scientific report writing/track record of publications in scientific journals and conferences
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the hazards posed by the clinical use of radiation (both man-made and sealed source) and MR
- Evidence of clinical standard setting and audit
- Extensive knowledge of oncology and radiotherapy practice, particularly across the area of the Breast specialism.
- Evidence of knowledge and application of the legislative regulations for the use of ionising radiation for medical exposure (IR(ME)R 2017)
- Knowledge of informed consent procedures
- Expert understanding of research governance and methodologies
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Masters level in Advanced Clinical Practice or equivalent Radiotherapy Level 7 study/ modules
- HCPC registration as a Therapy Radiographer
Desirable
- Full MSC or PhD in Advanced Practice/ Radiotherapy Practice
- Independent or supplementary prescribing qualification
- Leadership experience or qualification
Experience
Essential
- Significant clinical oncology/ Radiotherapy experience
- Experience in leadership/ research/ facilitating the learning and development of others
- Experience in the development of clinical protocols and procedures
Desirable
- Specialist experience in Breast cancer
Skills
Essential
- Good management and communication skills
- Research Multidisciplinary team working experience
- Clinical skills appropriate to Breast oncology
- Ability to teach and train others, to include students, other healthcare professionals and external parties
Desirable
- Research skills including scientific report writing/track record of publications in scientific journals and conferences
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the hazards posed by the clinical use of radiation (both man-made and sealed source) and MR
- Evidence of clinical standard setting and audit
- Extensive knowledge of oncology and radiotherapy practice, particularly across the area of the Breast specialism.
- Evidence of knowledge and application of the legislative regulations for the use of ionising radiation for medical exposure (IR(ME)R 2017)
- Knowledge of informed consent procedures
- Expert understanding of research governance and methodologies
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).
