Job summary
This post provides an exciting opportunity to join our new Medical Physics Department. Currently expert service is provided via a consortium arrangement between Imperial College Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (ICHT), St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (SGH) and King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (KCH). The consortium is committed to supporting and handing over to our new service as we grow.
The post holder will work as part of a team providing physics support services to Nuclear Medicine. The post holder will apply a broad range of skills and experience in Nuclear Medicine Physics to ensure the efficient operation of physics services to the department, and will liaise closely with medical and technical staff to deliver an effective service.
The post holder will report to a Principle Clinical Scientist in the Nuclear Medicine Department. The nature of the work will require them to work with senior members of staff such as the Radiation Protection Adviser, Radiation Waste Adviser and Medical Physics Experts.
The service operates as a team and the post holder will be expected to support, train, supervise, liaise and work with other members of that team as the need arises.
The post holder liaises with a wide range of staff in Nuclear Medicine and on some wards, and works with patients.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be expected:
- to carry out quality assurance measurements on hybrid imaging (SPECT-CT) and other radiation detecting equipment,
- to assist in the delivering of the radionuclide therapies,
- to assist in the development and update of clinical software and camera protocols and provide support to other members of staff involved in all aspects of software and network development.
- To assist in the radioactive waste management and act as departmental Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS).
- To carry out teaching and training activities
About us
About the Trust
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provide services from two main hospitals, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital, and a number of clinics across London and the South-East.
We have nearly 7,000 members of staff that arePROUD to Carefor nearly one million people.Both hospitals provide full clinical services, including full maternity, emergency and children's, in addition to a range of community-based services across London, such as award-winning sexual health and HIV clinics.
We're one of the best performing Trusts in the country. We're also one of the top trusts to work for - our staff says they're engaged, motivated, and would recommend us as a place to work and receive treatment.Our Trust has been rated by the Care Quality Commission as 'Good' in all five of the main domains of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led, giving an us overall rating of 'Good'. We've also been awarded an'Outstanding' rating for 'use of resources' by an NHS Improvement inspection.
Our facilities are some of the best in the country. We have been investing significant Capital year on year in our estate. We have recently completed a £30m expansion of our adult and neonatal critical care facilities at Chelsea and Westminster and are planning an ambitious £60m development of an Ambulatory Diagnostics Centre at West Middlesex.
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
- 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 in setting up diagnostic tests and new protocols, which requires the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options.
- Provide physics input to support the day to day work of the Nuclear Medicine Department. Advise Nuclear Medicine staff on a range of scientific, technical and clinical issues relevant to patient care. Responsible for the checking and processing of data for clinical reporting sessions.
- Dispense and administer radionuclide therapy to patients. 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 dose 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 dose. Dispose of radioactive waste and carry out monitoring of inpatients. Liaise with nursing staff, ward pharmacist and clinicians during in-patient treatment and in preparation for discharge.
- Undertake regular instrument quality assurance and quality control on allocated items of equipment that include Gamma Cameras and radionuclide calibrators. 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 imaging and other complex equipment. Liaise with suppliers regarding equipment breakdown, and arrange for the maintenance and servicing of identified items of equipment.
- Modify image processing software to meet specific clinical needs. Support computer networking across the Department. Assist in the implementation and maintenance of a comprehensive QC programme for clinical software.
- 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.
- Write local rules for radiation safety and share responsibility for ensuring that safe working practices are followed by all staff in Nuclear Medicine. Take appropriate actions to ensure that the work of all staff in Nuclear Medicine meets the requirements of the Ionising Radiation Regulations and other relevant legislation concerning Health & Safety and radiation protection. Propose changes to working practices and policies that may affect the work of other professional groups in Nuclear Medicine. Write procedures for changed working practices, as required.
- Manage the accumulation and disposal of radioactive waste and the safe storage of all radioactive sources, ensuring compliance with site certification limits. Produce monthly statistics and keep comprehensive records.
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
- 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 in setting up diagnostic tests and new protocols, which requires the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options.
- Provide physics input to support the day to day work of the Nuclear Medicine Department. Advise Nuclear Medicine staff on a range of scientific, technical and clinical issues relevant to patient care. Responsible for the checking and processing of data for clinical reporting sessions.
- Dispense and administer radionuclide therapy to patients. 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 dose 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 dose. Dispose of radioactive waste and carry out monitoring of inpatients. Liaise with nursing staff, ward pharmacist and clinicians during in-patient treatment and in preparation for discharge.
- Undertake regular instrument quality assurance and quality control on allocated items of equipment that include Gamma Cameras and radionuclide calibrators. 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 imaging and other complex equipment. Liaise with suppliers regarding equipment breakdown, and arrange for the maintenance and servicing of identified items of equipment.
- Modify image processing software to meet specific clinical needs. Support computer networking across the Department. Assist in the implementation and maintenance of a comprehensive QC programme for clinical software.
- 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.
- Write local rules for radiation safety and share responsibility for ensuring that safe working practices are followed by all staff in Nuclear Medicine. Take appropriate actions to ensure that the work of all staff in Nuclear Medicine meets the requirements of the Ionising Radiation Regulations and other relevant legislation concerning Health & Safety and radiation protection. Propose changes to working practices and policies that may affect the work of other professional groups in Nuclear Medicine. Write procedures for changed working practices, as required.
- Manage the accumulation and disposal of radioactive waste and the safe storage of all radioactive sources, ensuring compliance with site certification limits. Produce monthly statistics and keep comprehensive records.
Person Specification
Interview criterie
Essential
- Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject
- Masters degree in Medical Physics [or equivalent]
- Scientific Training Programme Certificate of completion, Post-graduate diploma of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM), or substantive post graduate experience
- Follow a suitable programme of training towards Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health Professions Council
- Up to date record of Continuing Professional Development
- Responsive to, and supportive of, patients and staff
- Determined to develop our skills and continuously improve the quality of care
- Knowledge and experience of Nuclear Medicine practices.
- Experience in analysing and interpreting different situations and judging measures required to ensure compliance in areas that relate to relevant legislation.
- Experience in processing nuclear medicine scan data, and the administration of radioactive substances to patients.
Desirable
- Registered Clinical Scientist
- Working knowledge of Quality Systems
- Leadership skills and/or potential
- Previous experience of communicating in difficult circumstances
Person Specification
Interview criterie
Essential
- Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject
- Masters degree in Medical Physics [or equivalent]
- Scientific Training Programme Certificate of completion, Post-graduate diploma of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM), or substantive post graduate experience
- Follow a suitable programme of training towards Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health Professions Council
- Up to date record of Continuing Professional Development
- Responsive to, and supportive of, patients and staff
- Determined to develop our skills and continuously improve the quality of care
- Knowledge and experience of Nuclear Medicine practices.
- Experience in analysing and interpreting different situations and judging measures required to ensure compliance in areas that relate to relevant legislation.
- Experience in processing nuclear medicine scan data, and the administration of radioactive substances to patients.
Desirable
- Registered Clinical Scientist
- Working knowledge of Quality Systems
- Leadership skills and/or potential
- Previous experience of communicating in difficult circumstances
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).