Job summary
Applications are invited for this full time post in Radiotherapy Physics. You should have achieved HCPC registration or VCRT registration with experience and knowledge in Radiotherapy Physics Treatment Planning.
The radiotherapy department at Northampton General Hospital has 3 Truebeam linear accelerators, all fitted with ExacTrac and 6DoF couches, a dedicated CT scanner, and a HDR unit. Radiotherapy planning is done with the Eclipse treatment planning system. AI auto-contouring and knowledge-based planning tools are used routinely by the planning team. Experience with both Eclipse and image registration would be an advantage; but is not essential.
IMRT/VMAT is used to treat around 75% of our radical patients, and there are plans to expand the service further. Advanced practise in the planning of certain treatment sites is being ongoing; and the post holder would be expected to participate.
Main duties of the job
- Produce routine and complex treatment plans, in accordance with relevant clinical protocols
- Accurately outline anatomical volumes from CT scans
- Advise clinical staff on the effects of various treatment plan options on patient dose distributions
- Check treatment plans generated by other staff for accuracy and appropriateness prior to treatment commencing
- Participate in the acceptance testing, commissioning and routine quality assurance programs for radiotherapy planning software
- Assist in producing, implementing and maintaining written protocols for treatment planning as part of the department's Quality System
- Participate in the QA of new radiotherapy trials; and plan patients according to current approved trial protocols
- Participate in the training of trainee Physicists, student Radiographers, and Medical staff
About us
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Supporting Clinical Excellence
- Produce routine and complex treatment plans, in accordance with relevant clinical protocols.
- Check that all patient images required to produce treatment plans are available. Co-register images from different sources; evaluating the validity of the co-registration.
- Accurately outline anatomical volumes from CT scans for Gross Tumour Volumes and Organs at Risk, where trained.
- Advise clinical staff on the effects of various treatment plan options on patient dose distributions.
- Check treatment plans generated by other staff for accuracy and appropriateness prior to treatment commencing.
- Assist with the development of new techniques in conjunction with other staff groups and take an active role in introducing new equipment and clinical techniques. People/Management Excellence
- Participate in the training of trainee Physicists, student Radiographers, and Medical staff.
Quality Assurance and Monitoring
- Participate in the acceptance testing, commissioning and routine quality assuranceprograms for radiotherapy planning software.
- Assist in producing written protocols for treatment planning as part of the departmentsQuality System. Participate fully in implementing and maintaining this system.
- Keep careful records of all work performed. Assist in the maintenance of the Treatment Planning Database and production of management statistics. Able to report on the data.
- Participate in the QA of new radiotherapy trials; and plan patients according to current approved trial protocols.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Supporting Clinical Excellence
- Produce routine and complex treatment plans, in accordance with relevant clinical protocols.
- Check that all patient images required to produce treatment plans are available. Co-register images from different sources; evaluating the validity of the co-registration.
- Accurately outline anatomical volumes from CT scans for Gross Tumour Volumes and Organs at Risk, where trained.
- Advise clinical staff on the effects of various treatment plan options on patient dose distributions.
- Check treatment plans generated by other staff for accuracy and appropriateness prior to treatment commencing.
- Assist with the development of new techniques in conjunction with other staff groups and take an active role in introducing new equipment and clinical techniques. People/Management Excellence
- Participate in the training of trainee Physicists, student Radiographers, and Medical staff.
Quality Assurance and Monitoring
- Participate in the acceptance testing, commissioning and routine quality assuranceprograms for radiotherapy planning software.
- Assist in producing written protocols for treatment planning as part of the departmentsQuality System. Participate fully in implementing and maintaining this system.
- Keep careful records of all work performed. Assist in the maintenance of the Treatment Planning Database and production of management statistics. Able to report on the data.
- Participate in the QA of new radiotherapy trials; and plan patients according to current approved trial protocols.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Vocational degree or Radiotherapy degree or equivalent, eg HNC level plus relevant experience.
- VRCT registration; or State registration as a Radiographer.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Specialist training in treatment planning techniques and volume delineation.
- Experience of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment planning.
- A good awareness of the workings of computerised treatment planning systems, including their underlying algorithms and inherent strengths and weaknesses.
Desirable
- Experience with Eclipse.
- Experience of VMAT treatment planning.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Able to evaluate a treatment plan produced by other staff members.
- Broad knowledge in the field of radiotherapy.
- Specialist knowledge of treatment planning and radiation dosimetry as applied to radiotherapy treatment.
- Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from radiotherapy treatment.
Desirable
- Good working knowledge of radiographic procedures in Radiotherapy.
Personal Qualities & Attributes
Essential
- Proven ability to communicate complex information across professional boundaries.
- Proven ability to analyse and report data using appropriate format.
- Able to prioritise and manage own work.
- Able to work independently within departmental protocols.
- Able to concentrate for prolonged periods.
- Able to deal with occasional distressing circumstances.
Desirable
- Good negotiation skills.
- Efficient use of MS Excel and Word.
- To have an awareness of current and developing technology as relevant to radiotherapy.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Vocational degree or Radiotherapy degree or equivalent, eg HNC level plus relevant experience.
- VRCT registration; or State registration as a Radiographer.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Specialist training in treatment planning techniques and volume delineation.
- Experience of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment planning.
- A good awareness of the workings of computerised treatment planning systems, including their underlying algorithms and inherent strengths and weaknesses.
Desirable
- Experience with Eclipse.
- Experience of VMAT treatment planning.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Able to evaluate a treatment plan produced by other staff members.
- Broad knowledge in the field of radiotherapy.
- Specialist knowledge of treatment planning and radiation dosimetry as applied to radiotherapy treatment.
- Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from radiotherapy treatment.
Desirable
- Good working knowledge of radiographic procedures in Radiotherapy.
Personal Qualities & Attributes
Essential
- Proven ability to communicate complex information across professional boundaries.
- Proven ability to analyse and report data using appropriate format.
- Able to prioritise and manage own work.
- Able to work independently within departmental protocols.
- Able to concentrate for prolonged periods.
- Able to deal with occasional distressing circumstances.
Desirable
- Good negotiation skills.
- Efficient use of MS Excel and Word.
- To have an awareness of current and developing technology as relevant to radiotherapy.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
