Job responsibilities
The
post holder has overall responsibility for:
The provision of an effective
Radiological Physics service to the Trust and to external organizations who
purchase services from the Trust including responsibility for the trust
ionising radiation and laser safety policies.
Provision of radiation protection
advice and radiation protection services, and to act as a Medical Physics
Expert (a statutory role) providing specialist scientific advice, to the
Trust and external customers
Development of appropriate research
and teaching programmes
The
key areas of work include:
Scientific management of the
service provided by Diagnostic X-ray Physicists, Technologists and Engineers
involved in safety, installation, acceptance testing, commissioning,
optimisation, radiation protection and maintenance of diagnostic x-ray and associated equipment
Scientific management and advice
for projects involving the production and transfer of radological images
Responsibility for scientific input
for design and development of capital projects that require radiation
protection
Scientific management of
developments in testing equipment and methods
Development, in collaboration with
the departmental business manager, of commercial services to non-LTH
organisations, including private sector bodies
Provision of a comprehensive
quality assurance service for x-ray imaging equipment
Management of the quality assurance
group of physicists who ensure that all equipment conforms with accepted
standards in respect of safety and performance.
Fulfilling the role of Medical
Physics Expert as required by the Ionising Radiations (Medical Exposure)
Regulations 2017
Initiating, planning and
supervising appropriate research and development projects in the above areas
with the objective of continuous improvement of the clinical service
The Department of Medical Physics
and Clinical Engineering in the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust comprises
approximately 230 staff with an annual turnover of £10m. The Radiological
Physics Section comprises approximately 22 substantive clinical scientists,
clinical science trainees and clinical technologists, and has an annual
revenue budget of approximately ££1.5 million, of which approximately
£500,000 is income generated from external customers.
Services are provided to the Trust
(2 major teaching hospitals, a regional radiotherapy centre and 5 other
hospitals), 2 acute trusts (7 hospitals), 2 primary care trusts, and the
Yorkshire and Humberside Breast Screening Programme. Consultancy services are
provided to PFI contractors for major projects, and to research
establishments requiring expertise in imaging.
The Radiological
Physics and Radiation Protection Section:
Provides scientific and technical services to users of complex and
advanced diagnostic x-ray equipment, and associated computer systems
Provides a comprehensive radiation protection service to radiology and
in radiotherapy, department, other users of radiation and non-Trust
customers.
A non-ionising optical and ultrasound physics service including
non-ionising safety advice; the laser protection adviser sits within the
section
Scientific and technical services to clinical and scientific research
& development across the field of diagnostic radiology.
When
imaging with radiation, there is a continual need to balance the benefits of
imaging against the risks associated with radiation exposure of the patient.
The scientific service ensures that the performance of complex and advanced
clinical radiology equipment complies at all times with exacting national
standards and that patient dose and image quality are optimised.
PRINCIPAL
DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
To
take responsibility and be accountable for the provision of scientific and
technical support to diagnostic X-ray imaging, including imaging quality
assurance programmes, advice on equipment specification, commissioning new
equipment, advice on and measurement of patient doses across LTHT and to
other trusts and organisations.
To
provide strategic leadership to the section in collaboration with the Head of
Medical Physics & Clinical Engineering, this includes the development of
long-term strategic plans for the section and the provision of radiation
protection and radiology physics services across the trust and to other
organisations.
To
act in the role of Medical Physics expert in the field of diagnostic
radiology. This involves ensuring that patient doses are optimised and
monitored, and diagnostic reference levels are set at appropriate levels.
Liaise
with the trusts governance team and with statutory bodies such as HSE, and
the Care Quality Commission, particularly in the investigation and reporting
of incidents, and during inspections of Trust premises.
To
ensure that incidents involving the exposure of staff, patients or public are
appropriately investigated, and to advise the Trust regarding the reporting
of such matters to outside authorities.
To
advise senior medical staff and Trust Managers in the event of incidents such
as:
Overexposure of patients to
radiation during medical procedures
Exposure of female patients to
radiation during pregnancy
To
ensure that new developments (new buildings or major changes in use)
involving the use of radiation are designed and constructed with appropriate
levels of protection. This will involve liaison with building users,
Radiation Protection Advisers and PFI partners.
To
ensure that research programmes within the Trust, involving the exposure of
volunteers to radiation, are conducted ethically and in compliance with the
regulations. This work is performed in cooperation with the Local Research
Ethics Committees and the Trusts Director of Research.
To
coordinate, in cooperation with the clinical science service manager, the
provision of scientific and technical support to newer imaging techniques,
including digital X-ray systems and dual energy computed tomography, and
related information technology and AI, as appropriate.
To
take responsibility for the development and delivery of a robust quality
system for the services provided by the Radiological Physics and Radiation
Protection section and ensure compliance with the departmental ISO9001:2015
certification.
To
liaise with appropriate organisations, such as WYATT, ICBs and CDCs with
respect to workforce provision and future developments in radiographic
imaging.
To
ensure that appropriate equipment is available and calibrated, for the
monitoring of radiation levels, x-ray parameters and image quality.
To
ensure that radiation doses to staff are appropriately monitored. This
includes specifying the type and frequency of monitoring, and examining
results from the approved dosimetry service,
To
participate in the Trusts arrangements for responding to major incidents
involving radiation. This includes being included on the list of experts who
may be called out.
To
develop, manage and maintain appropriate services to external organisations
within the remit of Radiological Physics and Radiation Protection.
Take
responsibility for ensuring the operation of the Qaelum dose, radiation dose
management database system across the trust.
In collaboration with the
departmental Business Manager, ensure that appropriate service level
agreements are in place
Ensure that services are provided
at an appropriate level
To determine the appropriate level
of training for professional groups within the Trust and elsewhere, and to
manage and participate in such training by the Radiological Physics and
Radiation Protection section and staff of other groups.
To
participate in teaching and training programmes, including:
The
Higher Specialist Scientist Training Programme
Organising
and teaching on the FRCR (Diagnostic radiology) course
To participate fully in the
training scheme for Trainee Clinical Scientists, including line management of
the departmental training coordinator
To participate fully in the IPEM
national CPD scheme
To initiate, coordinate, develop
and facilitate appropriate research and development activity within the
Radiological Physics and Radiation Protection section and to collaborate with
related university departments.
To manage the deployment of staff
within the section to ensure an effective service, in close collaboration
with other Heads of Service within the Department.
To manage the scientific and
technical staff within the section, developing appropriate individual
performance review and professional development programmes
To deputise for the Head of
Department as directed by the Head of Department.
To develop effective working
relationships with Trust staff and relevant professional groups.
The
job description indicates the duties and responsibilities of the incumbent
that are appropriate to meet the present needs of the service. Since these needs may change as may the
resources of staff and material available, it is necessary to recognise that
the incumbent must be willing to undertake other and/or different duties that
may, after discussion, be assigned by the Head of Department or nominated
deputy.
