Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Dosimetrist or Clinical Technologist to act as a Senior Dosimetrist (Team Leader). The group provides the clinical dose planning service at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care both in Newcastle and Carlisle. The post holder will be based at the Freeman Hospital.
The radiotherapy department benefits from state-of-the-art equipment which includes dedicated planning MRI scanner facilities, 3 Siemens CT scanners with 4D capability, access to a PET/CT facility, 2 Tomotherapy treatment units, 2 Varian TrueBeam STx linacs with stereotactic capability, 7 Varian TrueBeam linacs, a high doserate Flexitron afterloader and SXT.
The NCCC Dose Planning Section comprises of a large team of Dosimetrists/Clinical Technologists split between the two hospital sites. Since the introduction of Raystation treatment planning system into clinical use the section is responsible for VMAT planning for the majority of disease sites. The Centre is committed to delivering a high-quality service, maintaining the highest specification equipment and contributing to radiotherapy research and development.
The postholder will have the opportunity to lead developments within the section, providing supervision and training for other staff.
- Interview Date: 10 January 2025
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
Main duties of the job
They will be expected to progress through a comprehensive in-house competency-based training programme in target volume definition for specific treatment sites. Whilst formal application specific training will be delivered, participation in post-graduate training is also encouraged.
The post holder would be expected to contribute to the development and training of other staff members, both within the dosimetry section and throughout NCCC. They should ensure that all the Dosimetrists within the assigned team follow agreed work procedures to ensure that safety critical work is completed in an accurate and timely way.
This will be achieved by acting as mentor for their team members to ensure development and the achievement of planning and voluming competencies. They will be encouraged to take responsibility for the organisation of aspects of the Dose Planning Induction Course and the Dose Planning competence-based training scheme undertaken by Dosimetrists.
They will also be expected to play an active role in the development of training courses within Dose Planning for other staff groups and tailoring the training to a level appropriate to the trainee's knowledge. Service improvement is a continuous process within radiotherapy and the post holder would be encouraged to contribute to this to the benefit of our patients.
The post holder may also be required to deputise for the Principal Dosimetrist at meetings and in their absence.
About us
Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
o Freeman Hospital
o Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
o Newcastle Dental Hospital
o Newcastle Fertility Centre
o Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
o Northern Genetics Service
o Cramlington Manor Walks
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
Responsible for the technical aspects of the radiotherapy dose planning service, at Freeman Hospital site.
- Provides professional technical leadership in an area of expertise locally.
- Maintains and develops high standards of service provision throughout their area of responsibility.
- Develops, implements and monitors clinical and organisational strategies within areas of expertise.
- Actively involved in research and development projects.
- Supervises and trains less experienced staff and trainees.
- Contributes to service and staff development.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Responsible for the technical aspects of the radiotherapy dose planning service, at Freeman Hospital site.
- Provides professional technical leadership in an area of expertise locally.
- Maintains and develops high standards of service provision throughout their area of responsibility.
- Develops, implements and monitors clinical and organisational strategies within areas of expertise.
- Actively involved in research and development projects.
- Supervises and trains less experienced staff and trainees.
- Contributes to service and staff development.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Significant and up to date knowledge of relevant areas of medical physics applied to treatment planning, radiotherapy physics, imaging and treatment.
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of current radiation legislation relevant to this role.
- Evidence of knowledge of clinical oncology Evidence of knowledge of current scientific and technological developments
- Knowledge of Quality Systems.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work both independently and as a member of the team.
- Good communication skills with all staff groups
- Teaching and training skills
- Ability to communicate scientific advice to all staff groups.
- Efficient time management.
Desirable
- Good report writing and presentational skills Patient handling skills
Experience
Essential
- Significant current experience in treatment planning for radiotherapy for a wide range of disease sites employing advanced techniques.
Desirable
- Previous experience in SABR/SRS planning.
- Evidence of career progression demonstrating both breadth and depth of experience
- Evidence of completed research and development projects.
Qualifications
Essential
- Master's level knowledge and experience, an honours degree in a related subject such as clinical physiology; radiotherapy oncology or an equivalent qualification.
- Registration with the HCPC or RCT.
Desirable
- Evidence of attendance at conferences or training courses intended to extend the breadth and depth of knowledge.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Significant and up to date knowledge of relevant areas of medical physics applied to treatment planning, radiotherapy physics, imaging and treatment.
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of current radiation legislation relevant to this role.
- Evidence of knowledge of clinical oncology Evidence of knowledge of current scientific and technological developments
- Knowledge of Quality Systems.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work both independently and as a member of the team.
- Good communication skills with all staff groups
- Teaching and training skills
- Ability to communicate scientific advice to all staff groups.
- Efficient time management.
Desirable
- Good report writing and presentational skills Patient handling skills
Experience
Essential
- Significant current experience in treatment planning for radiotherapy for a wide range of disease sites employing advanced techniques.
Desirable
- Previous experience in SABR/SRS planning.
- Evidence of career progression demonstrating both breadth and depth of experience
- Evidence of completed research and development projects.
Qualifications
Essential
- Master's level knowledge and experience, an honours degree in a related subject such as clinical physiology; radiotherapy oncology or an equivalent qualification.
- Registration with the HCPC or RCT.
Desirable
- Evidence of attendance at conferences or training courses intended to extend the breadth and depth of knowledge.
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).
