Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Radiotherapy Planning department at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth for an enthusiastic Band 6 Senior Dosimetrist - Healthcare Science Practitioner (Radiotherapy Physics) to join the friendly, supportive team.
As part of the Dosimetrist team, you will be responsible for the production and checking of all conformal and complex VMAT radiotherapy treatment plans.The department also has an active SABR service for both primary cancer and oligometastatic disease and runs a Specialist Peninsula Neuro SRS/SRT planning service,.
Plymouth Oncology centre is a fully integrated Varian department with 3 Linacs all with OBI, RapidArc and gating facilities. We also have a Novalis with ExacTrac Image-Guided radiotherapy for stereotactic treatment (intracranial SRS and SRT). HDR Brachytherapy (including MRI guided) is delivered on a Varian GammaMed unit. Treatment Planning is carried out on the Eclipse TPS V15.6.
We have a strong multi-disciplinary approach to working and the successful candidates will have a wealth of opportunities to develop and broaden abilities.
To find out more about Plymouth and the Radiotherapy Physics Team please follow the link to the department Page Tiger.
* Interview date - 01st May 2025 *
Main duties of the job
The post holder will:
- Work as part of a team in the provision of highly specialised computerised treatment planning services for patients undergoing Radiotherapy.
- Advise clinical staff on the selection and optimisation of treatment techniques, related patient dosimetry and on the physics of radiation.
- Fulfil a specialised operator role in treatment planning.
- Assist in the development of treatment planning techniques and participate in audit.
- Responsible on a day-to-day basis to the Lead Treatment Planning Dosimetrist.
- Liaise closely with a wide range of staff in Radiotherapy and Radiotherapy Physics, including dosimetrists, clinicians, physicists, engineers and radiographers.
- Support the Lead dosimetrist in ensuring treatment planning pathways are delivered in a timely fashion across the radiotherapy service
assist with the work of the Mould Room Department
** Available as a Fixed Term contract or Secondment opportunity (with current line managers agreement - Internal applicants only). Fixed Term contract with the possibility of becoming Permanent.**
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see JD
- Experience of working in treatment planning
- Experience of working within radiotherapy
- Experience in advanced 3D conformal and IMRT/VMAT treatment planning
- Specialist knowledge of computerised treatment planning systems, including their underlying algorithms and inherent strengths and weaknesses
- Experience of SABR treatment planning
- Experience with Eclipse TPS
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see JD
- Experience of working in treatment planning
- Experience of working within radiotherapy
- Experience in advanced 3D conformal and IMRT/VMAT treatment planning
- Specialist knowledge of computerised treatment planning systems, including their underlying algorithms and inherent strengths and weaknesses
- Experience of SABR treatment planning
- Experience with Eclipse TPS
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Vocational BSC (Hons) Degree in Clinical Technology, or hold a recognised qualification with demonstrable clinical experience equivalent Thereto i.e. BSc Therapeutic Radiographer.
- Specialist proven knowledge of treatment planning and mould room advanced procedures
- Demonstrable experience in Radiotherapy Physics
Desirable
- Current GCP attendance/certification
- Relevant Postgraduate diploma, MSc and/or specialist knowledge of treatment planning and mould room advanced procedures, management acquired through accredited formal courses or equivalent in-depth experience to Masters level.
- Approved Clinical Technologist on IPEM registration (RCT). HCPC State Registration (or eligible to register)
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Current Specialist proven knowledge and demonstrable experience in the areas of Radiotherapy physics
- Sound proven knowledge and background in the physics of radiotherapy and radiation safety.
- Working proven knowledge of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines (e.g., IRR, IR(ME)R, Health & Safety, COSHH)
Desirable
- Advanced level of proven understanding of radiation risk (to patients and staff)
- Aware of the Clinical trial process.
- In depth proven understanding of anatomy, and the physiology of malignant disease
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential
- Good communication skills and ability to communicate effectively
- Able to prioritise, manage and plan work for self.
- Ability to work well within a busy working environment, at times in unpredictable work patterns and adjust to interruptions during periods of concentrations to meet reasonable deadlines.
Desirable
- Manual dexterity and ability to move and position less able patients
- Able to make judgements on test results and report interpretation to clinicians.
- Able to solve complex problems using analytical skills and clinical judgement.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Vocational BSC (Hons) Degree in Clinical Technology, or hold a recognised qualification with demonstrable clinical experience equivalent Thereto i.e. BSc Therapeutic Radiographer.
- Specialist proven knowledge of treatment planning and mould room advanced procedures
- Demonstrable experience in Radiotherapy Physics
Desirable
- Current GCP attendance/certification
- Relevant Postgraduate diploma, MSc and/or specialist knowledge of treatment planning and mould room advanced procedures, management acquired through accredited formal courses or equivalent in-depth experience to Masters level.
- Approved Clinical Technologist on IPEM registration (RCT). HCPC State Registration (or eligible to register)
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Current Specialist proven knowledge and demonstrable experience in the areas of Radiotherapy physics
- Sound proven knowledge and background in the physics of radiotherapy and radiation safety.
- Working proven knowledge of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines (e.g., IRR, IR(ME)R, Health & Safety, COSHH)
Desirable
- Advanced level of proven understanding of radiation risk (to patients and staff)
- Aware of the Clinical trial process.
- In depth proven understanding of anatomy, and the physiology of malignant disease
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential
- Good communication skills and ability to communicate effectively
- Able to prioritise, manage and plan work for self.
- Ability to work well within a busy working environment, at times in unpredictable work patterns and adjust to interruptions during periods of concentrations to meet reasonable deadlines.
Desirable
- Manual dexterity and ability to move and position less able patients
- Able to make judgements on test results and report interpretation to clinicians.
- Able to solve complex problems using analytical skills and clinical judgement.
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).
