Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic clinical physicist to join the Radiotherapy Physics group at band 8A at the Sutton branch of the Royal Marsden Hospital for a fixed term of 28 months. An appointment may be made at a lower band for a less qualified candidate.
The Radiotherapy Department in Sutton has 7 Elekta linacs, an Elekta Unity MR-Linac and a Cyberknife S7. Most of the funding for this post comes with a pair of new Accuray Radixact units, which are being installed in 2024 and 2025. These will have online adaptive capability, built on the main department planning system, RayStation. We have established workflows for robust optimisation, 4DCT, plan-of-the-day adaptive and breathhold techniques. The postholder will provide MPE-level support to all appropriate areas, depending on their experience and inclination.
The radiotherapy physics group consists of 38 physicists, dosimetrists and engineers and forms a substantial part of the Royal Marsden/Institute of Cancer Research Joint Department of Physics, through which we have many active research collaborations, most notably on the MR-linac which was the first in the UK to treat patients.
Sutton is pleasantly located on the border of Surrey with excellent transport links to central London and easy access to the countryside. House prices are a third lower than the London average and schools are excellent.
Main duties of the job
The radiotherapy physics department in Sutton provides a comprehensive service to support radiotherapy delivery. Equipment includes 2 CT scanners, RayStation treatment planning, 7 conventional linacs, one Unity MR linac and one Cyberknife S7. A programme is in hand to replace 3 conventional linacs with 2 Radixact ring-gantry linacs with online adaptive planning through RayStation and RayCare.
- The post holder will be expected to give expert advice and judgement on resolving problems with treatment plans and equipment as well as technical aspects of radiation physics and dosimetry to different staffing groups in and external to the department.
- The post holder will take special responsibility for aspects of the commissioning and clinical development of treatments on the Radixact linac installation, and/or provide high level backfill for other team members to do so, as specified by section leads.
- When working outside this area of specific responsibilities, the post holder will participate in and supervise day-to-day duties carried out by assigned staff on the duty rota.
- The post holder will also have particular scientific and training responsibilities for providing support to all aspects of the specialist clinical, scientific and technical service provided by the Radiotherapy Physics group at RMH.
About us
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.
At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.
At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.
- The postholders responsibility for some scientific aspects of the Radixact linac installation, commissioning and service development will be clarified as the project develops. The postholder will have scientific responsibility for either an area of that major project or another area in the Radiotherapy Physics department, depending on their particular expertise and the timing of their starting.
- Produce and check complex treatment plans. Carry out associated dosimetry calculations in accordance with clinical prescriptions and agreed procedures. Analyse requirements and make complex judgements regarding treatment parameters and patient dose effects to produce the required dose distribution over the treatment volume, using computerised planning systems as appropriate.
- Perform complex quality control measurements to ensure equipment at the Royal Marsden is performing to an acceptable standard. Check measurements performed by others and act on them appropriately. Calibrate physics equipment for such measurements.
- Advise clinical staff on the effects of various treatment plan options on patient dose distributions. Discuss and agree approaches with clinical staff to create optimum treatment plans and advise on aspects of the critical treatment and patient set-up.
- Replan patient treatments where required, following a treatment error or changes in patient shape. Use judgement to analyse and determine the most appropriate compensation method. Calculate the compensation required and subsequent patient dose.
- Perform and advise on dosimetry measurements in patients. Provide complex advice to clinical staff and support developments in treatment planning.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.
- The postholders responsibility for some scientific aspects of the Radixact linac installation, commissioning and service development will be clarified as the project develops. The postholder will have scientific responsibility for either an area of that major project or another area in the Radiotherapy Physics department, depending on their particular expertise and the timing of their starting.
- Produce and check complex treatment plans. Carry out associated dosimetry calculations in accordance with clinical prescriptions and agreed procedures. Analyse requirements and make complex judgements regarding treatment parameters and patient dose effects to produce the required dose distribution over the treatment volume, using computerised planning systems as appropriate.
- Perform complex quality control measurements to ensure equipment at the Royal Marsden is performing to an acceptable standard. Check measurements performed by others and act on them appropriately. Calibrate physics equipment for such measurements.
- Advise clinical staff on the effects of various treatment plan options on patient dose distributions. Discuss and agree approaches with clinical staff to create optimum treatment plans and advise on aspects of the critical treatment and patient set-up.
- Replan patient treatments where required, following a treatment error or changes in patient shape. Use judgement to analyse and determine the most appropriate compensation method. Calculate the compensation required and subsequent patient dose.
- Perform and advise on dosimetry measurements in patients. Provide complex advice to clinical staff and support developments in treatment planning.
Person Specification
Scientific Grades
Essential
- Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject
- MSc in radiation Physics (or equivalent)
- PhD in relevant subject or equivalent specialised scientific knowledge
Desirable
- IPEM Diploma or equivalent in Medical Physics or Medical Engineering.
Registration
Essential
- HCPC Registered as a Clinical Scientist
Scientific/Technical/Specialist
Essential
- Significant experience and knowledge of radiotherapy
- Sufficient knowledge and experience to act as a Medical Physics Expert under IR(ME)R in the field of Radiotherapy
- Knowledge of the techniques employed to measure the performance and radiation characteristics of complex radiotherapy treatment equipment
- Experience of working with treatment planning and other computer systems
Managerial
Essential
- Experience of managing project teams
IT
Essential
- Able to use Excel, Word, etc. to set up documents and spreadsheets, extract information
Desirable
- Able to set up and manage the acquisition, structure and networking of information, including image transfer formats
- Experience in programming
Physical
Essential
- Manual dexterity: ability to make accurate measurements using sophisticated testing equipment
Communication
Essential
- Able to communicate highly complex information at postgraduate level to other professional groups
- Able to present scientific papers at national and international conferences and write up scientific material for publication
- Able to train groups of other professional staff
- Able to deliver teaching and training on highly complex subjects
Person Specification
Scientific Grades
Essential
- Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject
- MSc in radiation Physics (or equivalent)
- PhD in relevant subject or equivalent specialised scientific knowledge
Desirable
- IPEM Diploma or equivalent in Medical Physics or Medical Engineering.
Registration
Essential
- HCPC Registered as a Clinical Scientist
Scientific/Technical/Specialist
Essential
- Significant experience and knowledge of radiotherapy
- Sufficient knowledge and experience to act as a Medical Physics Expert under IR(ME)R in the field of Radiotherapy
- Knowledge of the techniques employed to measure the performance and radiation characteristics of complex radiotherapy treatment equipment
- Experience of working with treatment planning and other computer systems
Managerial
Essential
- Experience of managing project teams
IT
Essential
- Able to use Excel, Word, etc. to set up documents and spreadsheets, extract information
Desirable
- Able to set up and manage the acquisition, structure and networking of information, including image transfer formats
- Experience in programming
Physical
Essential
- Manual dexterity: ability to make accurate measurements using sophisticated testing equipment
Communication
Essential
- Able to communicate highly complex information at postgraduate level to other professional groups
- Able to present scientific papers at national and international conferences and write up scientific material for publication
- Able to train groups of other professional staff
- Able to deliver teaching and training on highly complex subjects
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
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).
