Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic Clinical Scientist with MPE and RPA accreditations and a background in providing scientific leadership and support in Radiology Physics.
Please Note: MPE accreditation is essential for this role. We may be able to consider candidates who are close to submitting a portfolio for RPA accreditation within an agreed time frame.
Radiology Physics is part of the Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering Department, which has a high profile within the Trust and is building networks with other Trusts and Universities. We support a wide range of Diagnostic Radiology facilities, including CT, Mammography, Cardiac and the Kent Interventional Radiology Centre. Committed to providing a high quality, safe and effective service, we are able to offer opportunities for career development and progression within a vibrant, progressive and supportive team.
Main duties of the job
Main duties of job
helping to ensure that a safe and effective Radiology Physics service is provided to the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT)
the delegated day-to-day scientific, technical, clinical and regulatory aspects of the Radiology Physics service
the delegated day-to-day managerial aspects of the Radiology Physics service, in conjunction with the operational lead
being the lead Medical Physics Expert under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IR(ME)R 2017) for Diagnostic Radiology, leading the equipment assessment program, including specification, acceptance testing, commissioning, quality assurance and optimisation of complex imaging equipment, acting with a high degree of autonomy when dealing with varied and specialist issues.
leading on the investigation of complex radiation dosimetry issues and advising on the associated risks.
calculating dose and risk in the event of planned, unintended or accidental exposures including to the unborn child, and advising clinicians.
providing / overseeing specialist radiation protection teaching and training to a range of staff groups and being the training lead for STP and Route 2 within the section.
being an appointed Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) under the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR 2017) to EKHUFT.
improving the delivery of the Radiology Physics services and conducting research and development.
About us
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.
Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates on a Skilled Worker Visa applying for roles Band 5 and above.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Detailed JD and main responsibilities
Acting as a Radiation Protection Adviser, (RPA), Medical Physics Expert (MPE) and Operator for Radiology within the Trust and other healthcare organisations, fulfilling the legal requirements of IRR, IR(ME)R and associated guidelines / approved codes of practice. Providing expert advice at all levels on highly complex issues, including:
Specification, selection, commissioning and routine assessment of highly complex and patient-critical equipment for X-ray imaging, in an efficient and timely manner.
The design of new or modified radiation facilities including sophisticated shielding calculations and surveys to ensure staff and the public are protected in accordance with the limits and recommendations set in national legislation.
Regular IRR and IR(ME)R compliance audits of radiation facilities
Managing programs for the examination, testing and calibration of radiation protection and quality assurance equipment in accordance with national guidance and best practice.
Clinical incident investigation, including notification of clinically significant incidents to the Care Quality Commission; advising when the patient and IR(ME)R duty holders need to be notified.
Incident investigation and reporting, including notification of serious incidents to the Health and Safety Executive.
Specific risk assessments for patients, staff and members of public relating to radiation exposure.
Leading on Trust input and response to external reviews and audits from the Care Quality Commission and Health and Safety Executive regarding the use of ionising radiation in imaging.
Optimisation programs, dose audits and local diagnostic reference level setting for radiographic equipment.
Assisting clinical teams in the implementation of new techniques and diagnostic procedures using X-ray imaging equipment
Devising assessment methodologies for a wide-range of imaging equipment to establish and maintain diagnostic suitability and radiation safety.
Creation and review of IR(ME)R Employers Procedures in collaboration with clinical staff.
Oversight of the development, testing, validation and full documentation of software tools required for the Radiology Physics service.
Provision of MPE advice to clinical trials involving X-ray imaging.
Keeping scientific and clinical developments in Diagnostic Radiology under review. Working with Radiographers, Radiologists and other medical staff to introduce new techniques for patient processes so as to provide the highest standards of imaging.
Advising the Head of Clinical Physics and the Head of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering on issues relating to Radiology Physics.
Producing and maintaining good documentation for protocols and procedures of the Radiology Physics service and assisting in the development and maintenance of the ISO accredited quality system.
Maintaining agreed statistics and producing the required data for regulatory agencies
Job description
Job responsibilities
Detailed JD and main responsibilities
Acting as a Radiation Protection Adviser, (RPA), Medical Physics Expert (MPE) and Operator for Radiology within the Trust and other healthcare organisations, fulfilling the legal requirements of IRR, IR(ME)R and associated guidelines / approved codes of practice. Providing expert advice at all levels on highly complex issues, including:
Specification, selection, commissioning and routine assessment of highly complex and patient-critical equipment for X-ray imaging, in an efficient and timely manner.
The design of new or modified radiation facilities including sophisticated shielding calculations and surveys to ensure staff and the public are protected in accordance with the limits and recommendations set in national legislation.
Regular IRR and IR(ME)R compliance audits of radiation facilities
Managing programs for the examination, testing and calibration of radiation protection and quality assurance equipment in accordance with national guidance and best practice.
Clinical incident investigation, including notification of clinically significant incidents to the Care Quality Commission; advising when the patient and IR(ME)R duty holders need to be notified.
Incident investigation and reporting, including notification of serious incidents to the Health and Safety Executive.
Specific risk assessments for patients, staff and members of public relating to radiation exposure.
Leading on Trust input and response to external reviews and audits from the Care Quality Commission and Health and Safety Executive regarding the use of ionising radiation in imaging.
Optimisation programs, dose audits and local diagnostic reference level setting for radiographic equipment.
Assisting clinical teams in the implementation of new techniques and diagnostic procedures using X-ray imaging equipment
Devising assessment methodologies for a wide-range of imaging equipment to establish and maintain diagnostic suitability and radiation safety.
Creation and review of IR(ME)R Employers Procedures in collaboration with clinical staff.
Oversight of the development, testing, validation and full documentation of software tools required for the Radiology Physics service.
Provision of MPE advice to clinical trials involving X-ray imaging.
Keeping scientific and clinical developments in Diagnostic Radiology under review. Working with Radiographers, Radiologists and other medical staff to introduce new techniques for patient processes so as to provide the highest standards of imaging.
Advising the Head of Clinical Physics and the Head of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering on issues relating to Radiology Physics.
Producing and maintaining good documentation for protocols and procedures of the Radiology Physics service and assisting in the development and maintenance of the ISO accredited quality system.
Maintaining agreed statistics and producing the required data for regulatory agencies
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- 1st or 2nd class honours degree in Physics or closely related subject.
- IPEM-accredited MSc in Medical Physics, MSc in Medical Imaging or relevant higher degree.
- HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist.
- Corporate Membership of IPEM or equivalent relevant professional body
- Inclusion on RPA2000 list of Core Competence to act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) under IR(ME)R17
- Certificate of Competence to act as a Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) under IRR17
Desirable
- PhD in relevant field
- Chartered Physicist (CPhys) or Chartered Scientist (CSci)
- HSS registration or the necessary experience to obtain this
- Chartered Radiation Protection Professional (CRadP)
- Radioactive Waste Adviser (RWA)
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Highly specialised practical experience in Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Protection
- Knowledge of budget holding and financial resource management
- Specialist knowledge and practical experience of the techniques employed to measure the performance and radiological safety of a wide variety of digital and analogue state of the art X-ray imaging equipment.
- Specialist knowledge and practical experience of the dose measurement techniques of ionising radiations including the various techniques for measurement of patient dose in radiography, fluoroscopy, cardiology, CT, mammography and dental
- Specialist understanding of risks to patients and staff arising from ionising radiation, and the precautions required.
- Able to supervise individual staff in their clinical and scientific practice
- Experience in the application of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines and ability to communicate their application to other health professionals including senior management.
- Experience working in teams
- Experience of auditing others
- Experience of service provision
- Ability to communicate highly complex, sometimes sensitive information effectively in oral and written forms to multi-disciplinary groups at all levels and to patients and their carers.
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex data, compare ranges of options, make judgements from the results and determine the cause of erroneous results.
- Ability to interpret technical and scientific situations, in which facts may conflict, and judging measures required to deal with them.
- Ability to produce detailed and accurate written reports and present scientific papers at national and international conferences.
- Highly developed manual dexterity skills to achieve precision and speed in the use of sophisticated scientific and technical equipment
- Ability to develop electronic documents, spreadsheets and Clinical Applications software.
- Ability to teach, train and supervise
- Experience of supervising STP and/or Route 2 trainees
- Good negotiating and influencing skills; able to gain acceptance and agreement in situations where change is needed.
Desirable
- Use of Quality Systems
- Knowledge of risk management systems
Governance
Essential
- Understanding of incident reporting pathways (internal and external) in the context of diagnostic imaging
- Participating in and contributing to Radiation Protection Committees, the Trust Radiation Modalities Group and the Trust Radiation Advisory Committee.
Personal/Professional Attributes
Essential
- An understanding of the risks associated with the incorrect calibration, misuse or failure of equipment
- Highly developed scientific, analytical, interpretation and reasoning skills
- Able to concentrate for long periods and when the work pattern is unpredictable
- Flexibility in approach to coordinating workload
- Able to work independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Awareness of and adherence to the Trust's Vision, Mission and Values
- Full UK driving license and access to vehicle.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- 1st or 2nd class honours degree in Physics or closely related subject.
- IPEM-accredited MSc in Medical Physics, MSc in Medical Imaging or relevant higher degree.
- HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist.
- Corporate Membership of IPEM or equivalent relevant professional body
- Inclusion on RPA2000 list of Core Competence to act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) under IR(ME)R17
- Certificate of Competence to act as a Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) under IRR17
Desirable
- PhD in relevant field
- Chartered Physicist (CPhys) or Chartered Scientist (CSci)
- HSS registration or the necessary experience to obtain this
- Chartered Radiation Protection Professional (CRadP)
- Radioactive Waste Adviser (RWA)
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Highly specialised practical experience in Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Protection
- Knowledge of budget holding and financial resource management
- Specialist knowledge and practical experience of the techniques employed to measure the performance and radiological safety of a wide variety of digital and analogue state of the art X-ray imaging equipment.
- Specialist knowledge and practical experience of the dose measurement techniques of ionising radiations including the various techniques for measurement of patient dose in radiography, fluoroscopy, cardiology, CT, mammography and dental
- Specialist understanding of risks to patients and staff arising from ionising radiation, and the precautions required.
- Able to supervise individual staff in their clinical and scientific practice
- Experience in the application of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines and ability to communicate their application to other health professionals including senior management.
- Experience working in teams
- Experience of auditing others
- Experience of service provision
- Ability to communicate highly complex, sometimes sensitive information effectively in oral and written forms to multi-disciplinary groups at all levels and to patients and their carers.
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex data, compare ranges of options, make judgements from the results and determine the cause of erroneous results.
- Ability to interpret technical and scientific situations, in which facts may conflict, and judging measures required to deal with them.
- Ability to produce detailed and accurate written reports and present scientific papers at national and international conferences.
- Highly developed manual dexterity skills to achieve precision and speed in the use of sophisticated scientific and technical equipment
- Ability to develop electronic documents, spreadsheets and Clinical Applications software.
- Ability to teach, train and supervise
- Experience of supervising STP and/or Route 2 trainees
- Good negotiating and influencing skills; able to gain acceptance and agreement in situations where change is needed.
Desirable
- Use of Quality Systems
- Knowledge of risk management systems
Governance
Essential
- Understanding of incident reporting pathways (internal and external) in the context of diagnostic imaging
- Participating in and contributing to Radiation Protection Committees, the Trust Radiation Modalities Group and the Trust Radiation Advisory Committee.
Personal/Professional Attributes
Essential
- An understanding of the risks associated with the incorrect calibration, misuse or failure of equipment
- Highly developed scientific, analytical, interpretation and reasoning skills
- Able to concentrate for long periods and when the work pattern is unpredictable
- Flexibility in approach to coordinating workload
- Able to work independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Awareness of and adherence to the Trust's Vision, Mission and Values
- Full UK driving license and access to vehicle.
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).
