Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a large team of Nuclear Medicine physicists providing scientific support to the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Guy's & St Thomas' Hospital.
Main duties of the job
This post provides a wide range of medical physics support to the Nuclear Medicine Department.
Nuclear Medicine Physics provides specialised clinical scientific and technical services and computing support to diagnostic and therapy services in the Nuclear Medicine Department.
The postholder works as part of a team of 7 physicists providing physics services to the Nuclear Medicine Department. The postholder will apply a broad range of skills and experience in nuclear medicine physics to ensure the efficient operation of physics services to Nuclear Medicine, and will liaise closely with medical and technical staff to deliver an effective service.
The postholder reports for their day to day responsibilities to more senior medical physicists for the provision of Nuclear Medicine Physics services. The postholder liaises with a wide range of staff in Nuclear Medicine and on some wards, and works with patients.
If not already attained, the post holder is encouraged to work towards registration as a Medical Physics Expert.
About us
This post provides an excellent training opportunity and start to a career in Nuclear Medicine, in a department that is dynamic and progressive and offers the potential for research and innovation. The Department of Nuclear Medicine, supported by its own Radiopharmacy, is a large tertiary referral centre, providing over 12,000 diagnostic investigations per year and has a busy radionuclide therapy service. The department has an international reputation in teaching, research and development. You have the opportunity to work at both hospital sites - our facilities include six gamma cameras (three SPECT-CT) and state-of-the-art computing.
There are close links with the Nuclear medicine departments at the Royal Brompton and Harefield sites and the Clinical PET Centre and the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, both part of King's College London
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Scientific
- Assist with the maintenance and development of nuclear medicine instrumentation, procedures and computing facilities. Help to introduce new techniques and procedures, in collaboration with other staff. Advise and assist clinicians on setting up and modifying diagnostic tests and new protocols, which requires the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options. Comment on the development of protocols in Nuclear Medicine Physics.
- Provide physics input to support the day to day work of the Nuclear Medicine Department. Advise Nuclear Medicine staff on a range of complex scientific, technical and clinical issues relevant to patient care.
- Dispense and administer radionuclide therapy to patients in the Department and on wards. Receive a prescription from the relevant clinician, prepare and assay the dose (which may require calculating and drawing up precise volumes of radioactive liquid). Check the activity and necessary paperwork, identify the patient according to applicable procedures. Provide verbal and written advice to the patient and recommend actions to take under different circumstances. Administer the activity, dispose of radioactive waste and carry out monitoring of inpatients.
- Undertake regular instrument quality assurance and quality control on allocated items of equipment, over a three-monthly cycle. Interpret and apply general QA protocols to specific devices. Organise access to equipment on a flexible basis to meet service requirements. Keep comprehensive records.
- Investigate and resolve complex equipment problems. Carry out fault-finding on gamma cameras and other complex equipment. Liaise with suppliers regarding equipment breakdown, and arrange for the maintenance and servicing of identified items of equipment. Participate in capital equipment evaluation and undertake commissioning.
- Identify the need for new instrumentation or equipment for use in Nuclear Medicine. Produce specifications for small items of equipment, for purchase or construction in-house.
- Work independently on other sites under external contracts, providing nuclear medicine physics services. Plan and organise the delivery of agreed services to these sites.
- Share responsibility and take appropriate action for ensuring that safe working practices are followed by all staff in Nuclear Medicine. Propose changes to working practices and policies that may affect the work of other professional groups in Nuclear Medicine. Write procedures as required for changed working practices.
- Act as Radiation Protection Supervisor for a function or site within the Nuclear Medicine Department if required. Ensure effective systems are in place for keeping an inventory of all radioactive material under the control of the Department. Liaise with the Trusts RPA, as required. Share overall responsibility with the other physicists for ensuring that day to day work in Nuclear Medicine meets the requirements of the Ionising Radiation Regulations and other relevant legislation concerning Health & Safety and radiation protection.
Managerial
- Prioritise own work in accordance with Departmental and Trust priorities and external demands. Meet expected results by using own initiative and following general principles and applicable regulations, standards and guidelines. Manage complex projects involving changes to equipment and practices.
- Take responsibility for the work of other more junior medical physicists and medical technical staff when they are performing work under the postholders direction.
- Keep careful records of all work performed and complete other appropriate records.
Teaching, Training and Research & Development
- Undertake research and development in collaboration with clinical staff and other researchers, in accordance with the priorities of the Directorate. Work on clinical trials in Nuclear Medicine.
- Take a leading role in reviewing computer applications packages for image acquisition and analysis, as required for clinical support and research and development, working with other members of Nuclear Medicine Physics.
- Supervise trainee clinical scientists and postgraduate students on placement.
- Teach and train staff, students and others as required on aspects of complex equipment use, including instrumentation and nuclear medicine physics.
- Present papers at national and international scientific meetings. Summarise and present complex scientific ideas to patients and to a range of other staff.
Professional - Participate in the IPEM (or other agreed) continuing Professional Development scheme when registered as a clinical scientist.
- Attend suitable seminars and courses as part of personal development and to further the work of the Department.
- Keep abreast of developments in the postholders areas of responsibility.
- Ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and conform to Statutory Regulations, Approved Codes of Practice and local safety rules.
- If not already attained, the post holder is encouraged to work towards registration as a Medical Physics Expert.
Miscellaneous - Implement and ensure compliance with an accredited Quality System in the areas of work for which the postholder carries responsibility. Participate in the development and routine operation of quality systems.
- Work hours necessary for the proper and efficient performance of the work. In practice, the appointee will occasionally be required to perform duties outside the normal working hours of the Department.
- 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 postholder will behave courteously and professionally at all times and seek to ensure that the highest level of service is provided by Medical Physics.
- Perform other appropriate duties which may be required from time to time by the Head of Nuclear Medicine Physics.
- Take all precautions when dealing with ionising and non ionising radiation hazards and when handling chemical and putrescent radioactive waste.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Scientific
- Assist with the maintenance and development of nuclear medicine instrumentation, procedures and computing facilities. Help to introduce new techniques and procedures, in collaboration with other staff. Advise and assist clinicians on setting up and modifying diagnostic tests and new protocols, which requires the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options. Comment on the development of protocols in Nuclear Medicine Physics.
- Provide physics input to support the day to day work of the Nuclear Medicine Department. Advise Nuclear Medicine staff on a range of complex scientific, technical and clinical issues relevant to patient care.
- Dispense and administer radionuclide therapy to patients in the Department and on wards. Receive a prescription from the relevant clinician, prepare and assay the dose (which may require calculating and drawing up precise volumes of radioactive liquid). Check the activity and necessary paperwork, identify the patient according to applicable procedures. Provide verbal and written advice to the patient and recommend actions to take under different circumstances. Administer the activity, dispose of radioactive waste and carry out monitoring of inpatients.
- Undertake regular instrument quality assurance and quality control on allocated items of equipment, over a three-monthly cycle. Interpret and apply general QA protocols to specific devices. Organise access to equipment on a flexible basis to meet service requirements. Keep comprehensive records.
- Investigate and resolve complex equipment problems. Carry out fault-finding on gamma cameras and other complex equipment. Liaise with suppliers regarding equipment breakdown, and arrange for the maintenance and servicing of identified items of equipment. Participate in capital equipment evaluation and undertake commissioning.
- Identify the need for new instrumentation or equipment for use in Nuclear Medicine. Produce specifications for small items of equipment, for purchase or construction in-house.
- Work independently on other sites under external contracts, providing nuclear medicine physics services. Plan and organise the delivery of agreed services to these sites.
- Share responsibility and take appropriate action for ensuring that safe working practices are followed by all staff in Nuclear Medicine. Propose changes to working practices and policies that may affect the work of other professional groups in Nuclear Medicine. Write procedures as required for changed working practices.
- Act as Radiation Protection Supervisor for a function or site within the Nuclear Medicine Department if required. Ensure effective systems are in place for keeping an inventory of all radioactive material under the control of the Department. Liaise with the Trusts RPA, as required. Share overall responsibility with the other physicists for ensuring that day to day work in Nuclear Medicine meets the requirements of the Ionising Radiation Regulations and other relevant legislation concerning Health & Safety and radiation protection.
Managerial
- Prioritise own work in accordance with Departmental and Trust priorities and external demands. Meet expected results by using own initiative and following general principles and applicable regulations, standards and guidelines. Manage complex projects involving changes to equipment and practices.
- Take responsibility for the work of other more junior medical physicists and medical technical staff when they are performing work under the postholders direction.
- Keep careful records of all work performed and complete other appropriate records.
Teaching, Training and Research & Development
- Undertake research and development in collaboration with clinical staff and other researchers, in accordance with the priorities of the Directorate. Work on clinical trials in Nuclear Medicine.
- Take a leading role in reviewing computer applications packages for image acquisition and analysis, as required for clinical support and research and development, working with other members of Nuclear Medicine Physics.
- Supervise trainee clinical scientists and postgraduate students on placement.
- Teach and train staff, students and others as required on aspects of complex equipment use, including instrumentation and nuclear medicine physics.
- Present papers at national and international scientific meetings. Summarise and present complex scientific ideas to patients and to a range of other staff.
Professional - Participate in the IPEM (or other agreed) continuing Professional Development scheme when registered as a clinical scientist.
- Attend suitable seminars and courses as part of personal development and to further the work of the Department.
- Keep abreast of developments in the postholders areas of responsibility.
- Ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and conform to Statutory Regulations, Approved Codes of Practice and local safety rules.
- If not already attained, the post holder is encouraged to work towards registration as a Medical Physics Expert.
Miscellaneous - Implement and ensure compliance with an accredited Quality System in the areas of work for which the postholder carries responsibility. Participate in the development and routine operation of quality systems.
- Work hours necessary for the proper and efficient performance of the work. In practice, the appointee will occasionally be required to perform duties outside the normal working hours of the Department.
- 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 postholder will behave courteously and professionally at all times and seek to ensure that the highest level of service is provided by Medical Physics.
- Perform other appropriate duties which may be required from time to time by the Head of Nuclear Medicine Physics.
- Take all precautions when dealing with ionising and non ionising radiation hazards and when handling chemical and putrescent radioactive waste.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject
Desirable
- Relevant MSc or higher degree
- Completion of STP training scheme (or equivalent)
Experience
Essential
- Some practical experience with a range of Nuclear Medicine equipment and computer applications
Desirable
- Specialist training on and practical experience with a range of Nuclear Medicine equipment and computer applications
Skills
Essential
- Able to deal with occasional distressing circumstances (Direct contact with patients having treatment for cancer)
- Able to deal with complex and unpredictable situations
Desirable
- Able to deliver teaching and training on complex subjects
Knowledge
Essential
- Working understanding of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines
- Reasonable knowledge across a range of working procedures and practices in the field of Nuclear Medicine
- Understanding of hazards posed by, and precautions needed with ionising radiation and infected material (clinical and radioactive waste)
- Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from equipment failure in Nuclear Medicine
Desirable
- Knowledge of wider clinical issues and their implications for Nuclear Medicine diagnosis and therapy
- Knowledge of research techniques
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject
Desirable
- Relevant MSc or higher degree
- Completion of STP training scheme (or equivalent)
Experience
Essential
- Some practical experience with a range of Nuclear Medicine equipment and computer applications
Desirable
- Specialist training on and practical experience with a range of Nuclear Medicine equipment and computer applications
Skills
Essential
- Able to deal with occasional distressing circumstances (Direct contact with patients having treatment for cancer)
- Able to deal with complex and unpredictable situations
Desirable
- Able to deliver teaching and training on complex subjects
Knowledge
Essential
- Working understanding of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines
- Reasonable knowledge across a range of working procedures and practices in the field of Nuclear Medicine
- Understanding of hazards posed by, and precautions needed with ionising radiation and infected material (clinical and radioactive waste)
- Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from equipment failure in Nuclear Medicine
Desirable
- Knowledge of wider clinical issues and their implications for Nuclear Medicine diagnosis and therapy
- Knowledge of research techniques
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).
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).
