Lead Clinical Scientist Treatment Planning - Radiotherapy Physics

East and North Herts NHS Trust

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are recruiting for a Lead Clinical Scientist Treatment Planning who shares our vision to be trusted to provide consistently outstanding care and exemplary service to our patients.

The Radiotherapy Physics department provides a specialist technical radiotherapy physics service to the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, contributing to safe treatment of patients for radiotherapy. It is responsible for ensuring the accurate calibration, according to national recommendations, of all radiotherapy treatment machines and providing a routine quality control service for all equipment used inplanning, verifying and treating radiotherapy patients.

We are at an exciting time with the recent installation of 2 Halcyons and an Ethos. These machines come with Hypersight and Identify, enabling the accurate visulisation of stereotactic targets. We have also retrofitted one of our TrueBeam linacs with Hyperarc and Identify.

The aim of this post is to act as a lead physicist in the Treatment planning section.

This post is split with approximately 70% of the time in treatment planning and 30% of time in brachytherapy.

At the heart of everything we do are our core values:Include,Respect, andImprove. We encourage you to embrace these values throughout the recruitment process and in your role with us.

Main duties of the job

To perform treatment planning and checking the department (external beam, brachytherapy).

To provide appropriate training for physics and radiography staff with respect to treatment planning and to assist in the assessment of staff competency for staff both within the physics team and beyond.

To liaise with clinical staff about complex treatment plans and support the development of complex techniques

To line manage staff this may include supervision of STP trainees and those on route 2.

Many applicants at Band 8A are looking to complete their MPE portfolio within the next year and we are happy to support you with that. There are plenty of opportunities to gain experience that would contribute to an MPE portfolio and senior staff within the team will be available to provide encouragement and ideas.

At this stage of your career you may be looking to increase your management skills and the trust offers a number of training opportunities in this respect. These include healthy leadership, the Mary Seacole programme and the Edward Jenner programme. You will have plenty of opportunities to manage staff as the department is currently accredited for STP training and also has a number of staff Route 2.

About us

At East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, we are proud of the range of general & specialist services we provide & our 6,000 or so dedicated staff ensure our patients get the best care. Our ability to be flexible & innovative in the way in which we work and deliver our services to our catchment has never been more important than it is now.

We run the following hospitals:

  • The Lister Hospital, Stevenage
  • New Queen Elizabeth II (New QEII), Welwyn Garden City
  • Hertford County, Hertford
  • Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC), Northwood

We have ambitious plans to become an outstanding, patient-led Trust where dedicated staff provide high-quality, compassionate care to our patients. We continue to undergo significant transformation; our staff & patients are at the heart of delivering this ambitious agenda.

We understand that finding and starting a new job is an important life decision. If you need reasonable adjustments for a disability, or a life event, such as menopause - so that we can consider your application fairly & to get the best out of you during the selection process, please let us know.

We are committed to a positive work life balance for our employees. Employees are entitled to seek to work flexible working patterns & we are committed to listen and consider all requests. Such requests, of course, have to be made & considered formally, & will need to be balanced against service needs, but our starting point will always be to find ways to support making them happen.

Date posted

23 October 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£53,755 to £60,504 a year per annum plus 15% High Cost Area Supplement

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

361-6711915

Job locations

Mount Vernon Cancer Centre

Rickmansworth Road

Northwood

HA6 2RN


Job description

Job responsibilities

ENHT is seeking to maintain and expand the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre staff as we move to an exciting new future.

We welcome applications from those who would relish the opportunity to be part of new and developing cancer service, building on the excellent reputation, research and patient experience the Cancer Centre already delivers.

In addition, you will receive a High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of your basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £4,314 and a maximum payment of £5,436 per annum pro rata.

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification applicant pack for further detailed information regarding this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

ENHT is seeking to maintain and expand the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre staff as we move to an exciting new future.

We welcome applications from those who would relish the opportunity to be part of new and developing cancer service, building on the excellent reputation, research and patient experience the Cancer Centre already delivers.

In addition, you will receive a High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of your basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £4,314 and a maximum payment of £5,436 per annum pro rata.

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification applicant pack for further detailed information regarding this role.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Good (1st or 2nd class) honours degree in a relevant subject
  • Relevant MSc or higher degree
  • Completion of scientist training program or equivalent experience
  • HCPC registered
  • Good written and spoken English
  • MPE registration or within 1 year of submission of portfolio

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience in Radiotherapy Physics including: analysing and judging treatment options, identifying problems with patient-related equipment, exercising judgement to solve problems and making decisions on how equipment is to be used safely and correctly, all usually under time-pressure
  • Specialist training and practical experience in the use and calibration of radiotherapy equipment (including linear accelerators and treatment planning computers), specialist test and measurement equipment and dosimetry equipment calibration.
  • Significant experience in planning and checking complex patients treatment plans in one of brachytherapy, external beam or stereotactic radiotherapy (as appropriate to the post)
  • Team Leadership

Desirable

  • Experience in planning and checking patients treatment plans in an additional area from brachytherapy, external beam or stereotactic radiotherapy
  • Experience of imaging modalities other than CT

Knowledge

Essential

  • Broad knowledge of radiation and associated areas within Medical Physics.
  • Highly developed, specialist level of theoretical and practical knowledge across the full range of working procedures and practices within Radiotherapy Physics.
  • Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of Radiotherapy equipment, dosimetry and treatment planning, including sufficient knowledge and experience to act as a Medical Physics Expert in Radiotherapy Physics.
  • Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines, including IRR, IR(ME)R ISO9001-200, other relevant BSI and ISO standards, professional and regulatory body reports and guidelines.
  • Knowledge and ability to understand and use to their full extent a range of computerised treatment planning systems, including knowledge of treatment planning system algorithms and areas where their limitations may affect clinical decisions Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from treatment planning computer system errors, equipment failure, treatment errors and incorrect dosimetry
  • Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from treatment planning computer system errors, equipment failure, treatment errors and incorrect dosimetry

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Able to use judgement involving facts that require analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options as, for example, in analysing the results of scientific measurements or treatment plans, which may conflict, and deciding upon an appropriate course of action.
  • Able to supervise projects and small groups of staff.
  • Able to prioritise and manage own work
  • Highly developed physical accuracy and dexterity, for making precision measurements and adjustments on equipment, often under time pressure to ensure radiotherapy equipment is returned to clinical use as soon as possible.
  • Use of fine tools for equipment adjustment
  • Able to lift large, cumbersome medium/heavy weights on occasion (e.g. test instruments, measuring equipment and calibration jigs onto radiotherapy equipment)
  • Able to concentrate when subject to constantly unpredictable working patterns (e.g. when interrupted to provide urgent advice affecting patients' treatments).
  • Able to concentrate for prolonged periods in safetycritical areas (e.g. carrying out or analysing radiation measurements or checking patients treatment plans)
  • Able to use Excel, Word, Access etc. to set up documents and spreadsheets and extract information.
  • Able to design, develop and adapt software solutions to meet the needs of radiotherapy physics and radiotherapy
  • Able to exercise own initiative when dealing with issues within own specialist area of competence.
  • Able to communicate highly complex information e.g. advice to consultant oncologists on patient treatment options, equipment status or operation to other professional groups.
  • Able to present scientific papers at national and international conferences.
  • Able to train groups of other professional staff.
  • Able to deliver teaching and training on complex Radiotherapy Physics-related subjects.
  • Expected to act independently, without supervision, within professional guidelines, but can refer to his manager where necessary. The individual's manager assesses work at intervals
  • Evidence of team leadership and an ability to motivate staff
  • Evidence of CPD
  • Able to deal with occasional distressing circumstances when working with terminally ill patients in Radiotherapy
  • Good negotiation skills with staff and suppliers to optimise Radiotherapy Physics services
  • Able to deal with complex and unpredictable situations affecting patient treatments

Other Requirements

Essential

  • Experience and evidence of engagement around equality, diversity and inclusion issues in relation to policy, service development and service delivery in respect of both services to users and the management of staff
  • Role model our Trust values every day
  • Flexible regarding working hours
  • Willing to work different hours (Radiotherapy on call & shifts between 7am and 9pm, including occasional weekend work)
Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Good (1st or 2nd class) honours degree in a relevant subject
  • Relevant MSc or higher degree
  • Completion of scientist training program or equivalent experience
  • HCPC registered
  • Good written and spoken English
  • MPE registration or within 1 year of submission of portfolio

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience in Radiotherapy Physics including: analysing and judging treatment options, identifying problems with patient-related equipment, exercising judgement to solve problems and making decisions on how equipment is to be used safely and correctly, all usually under time-pressure
  • Specialist training and practical experience in the use and calibration of radiotherapy equipment (including linear accelerators and treatment planning computers), specialist test and measurement equipment and dosimetry equipment calibration.
  • Significant experience in planning and checking complex patients treatment plans in one of brachytherapy, external beam or stereotactic radiotherapy (as appropriate to the post)
  • Team Leadership

Desirable

  • Experience in planning and checking patients treatment plans in an additional area from brachytherapy, external beam or stereotactic radiotherapy
  • Experience of imaging modalities other than CT

Knowledge

Essential

  • Broad knowledge of radiation and associated areas within Medical Physics.
  • Highly developed, specialist level of theoretical and practical knowledge across the full range of working procedures and practices within Radiotherapy Physics.
  • Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of Radiotherapy equipment, dosimetry and treatment planning, including sufficient knowledge and experience to act as a Medical Physics Expert in Radiotherapy Physics.
  • Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines, including IRR, IR(ME)R ISO9001-200, other relevant BSI and ISO standards, professional and regulatory body reports and guidelines.
  • Knowledge and ability to understand and use to their full extent a range of computerised treatment planning systems, including knowledge of treatment planning system algorithms and areas where their limitations may affect clinical decisions Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from treatment planning computer system errors, equipment failure, treatment errors and incorrect dosimetry
  • Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from treatment planning computer system errors, equipment failure, treatment errors and incorrect dosimetry

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Able to use judgement involving facts that require analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options as, for example, in analysing the results of scientific measurements or treatment plans, which may conflict, and deciding upon an appropriate course of action.
  • Able to supervise projects and small groups of staff.
  • Able to prioritise and manage own work
  • Highly developed physical accuracy and dexterity, for making precision measurements and adjustments on equipment, often under time pressure to ensure radiotherapy equipment is returned to clinical use as soon as possible.
  • Use of fine tools for equipment adjustment
  • Able to lift large, cumbersome medium/heavy weights on occasion (e.g. test instruments, measuring equipment and calibration jigs onto radiotherapy equipment)
  • Able to concentrate when subject to constantly unpredictable working patterns (e.g. when interrupted to provide urgent advice affecting patients' treatments).
  • Able to concentrate for prolonged periods in safetycritical areas (e.g. carrying out or analysing radiation measurements or checking patients treatment plans)
  • Able to use Excel, Word, Access etc. to set up documents and spreadsheets and extract information.
  • Able to design, develop and adapt software solutions to meet the needs of radiotherapy physics and radiotherapy
  • Able to exercise own initiative when dealing with issues within own specialist area of competence.
  • Able to communicate highly complex information e.g. advice to consultant oncologists on patient treatment options, equipment status or operation to other professional groups.
  • Able to present scientific papers at national and international conferences.
  • Able to train groups of other professional staff.
  • Able to deliver teaching and training on complex Radiotherapy Physics-related subjects.
  • Expected to act independently, without supervision, within professional guidelines, but can refer to his manager where necessary. The individual's manager assesses work at intervals
  • Evidence of team leadership and an ability to motivate staff
  • Evidence of CPD
  • Able to deal with occasional distressing circumstances when working with terminally ill patients in Radiotherapy
  • Good negotiation skills with staff and suppliers to optimise Radiotherapy Physics services
  • Able to deal with complex and unpredictable situations affecting patient treatments

Other Requirements

Essential

  • Experience and evidence of engagement around equality, diversity and inclusion issues in relation to policy, service development and service delivery in respect of both services to users and the management of staff
  • Role model our Trust values every day
  • Flexible regarding working hours
  • Willing to work different hours (Radiotherapy on call & shifts between 7am and 9pm, including occasional weekend work)

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).

Employer details

Employer name

East and North Herts NHS Trust

Address

Mount Vernon Cancer Centre

Rickmansworth Road

Northwood

HA6 2RN


Employer's website

https://www.enherts-tr.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

East and North Herts NHS Trust

Address

Mount Vernon Cancer Centre

Rickmansworth Road

Northwood

HA6 2RN


Employer's website

https://www.enherts-tr.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Radiotherapy Physics

Karen Venables

karen.venables@nhs.net

02038262285

Date posted

23 October 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£53,755 to £60,504 a year per annum plus 15% High Cost Area Supplement

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

361-6711915

Job locations

Mount Vernon Cancer Centre

Rickmansworth Road

Northwood

HA6 2RN


Supporting documents

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