Registered Clinical Scientist – Radiotherapy Physics

Job description

Job responsibilities

To participate in the provision of routine physics support to brachytherapy treatments. In particular:

Prostate Seed Implants

Perform and check routine planning and dose calculations for each patient.Perform and check weekly source calibration measurements.Prepare sterile radioactive sources for implant.Attend theatre sessions for real time planning.Ensure that all radioactive sources are accounted for and secure. Monitor all areas for radiation following a theatre session.Perform and check post treatment planning analysis.Maintain patient brachytherapy records.

High Dose Rate (HDR)

Prepare standard plans and treatment time charts for HDR gynaecological, oesophageal or rectal treatments.Prepare and check non-standard HDR treatment plans.Perform and check source calibration and quality assurance on new HDR sources.

To liaise with clinical oncologists, urologists, theatre staff, physicists, radiographers, engineers and technical staff to ensure efficient running of the service.

To assist in development work within the Prostate Seed and HDR Programmes and help train students and new or visiting staff in procedures.

To participate in External Beam Treatment Planning including:

To produce individualised treatment plans for patients requiring radiotherapy (using protocols), optimising the plans based on machine limitations, tolerance doses to organs and clinical oncologist requirements.

Liaise with planning staff, superintendent radiographers and clinical oncologists as appropriate where deviations from protocols occur

Checking of treatment plans.

Quality assurance of treatment plans and the manual checking of doses and monitor units.

Assisting in the introduction of new planning techniques, including the training of radiographers.

Preparation of IMRT/VMAT plans and associated verification measurements.

Patient planning for clinical trials.

Project-based work to advance treatment techniques, validate new methods or provide complex IT based solutions to enhance efficiency.

Preparation of non-routine plans and electron beam plans, if required.

To participate in Radiation Dosimetry, Quality Assurance and Calibrations as follows:

Calibration of ionisation chambers

Preparation and checking of data that will be used for routine radiation output measurements

Strontium-90 constancy checks of dosimeter performance

Monitoring of quality assurance checks performed on radiotherapy treatment units, CT scanners and other ancillary equipment to ensure performance is maintained and corrective action is taken when necessary.

Perform quality assurance tests on any of the radiotherapy machines and equipment in the Cancer Centre including linear accelerators, kV unit, contact radiotherapy unit, CT scanner and treatment planning systems.

Calibration of in-vivo dosimetry (IVD) systems and review/analysis of IVD measurements during a patients treatment.

Participate in interdepartmental audits.

Assist in commissioning of new radiotherapy treatment units and ancillary equipment.

To comply with Trust and department policies and procedures, ensuring that all activities are carried out within a quality framework and that they meet regulatory requirements, professional standards and recommended guidelines. To actively participate in the formation and review of protocols and procedures to ensure that there are clear systems of work.

To exercise responsibilities in accordance with ionising radiation legislation.

To multitask, work under pressure to deadlines, manage and prioritise workload and be available immediately for scientific and clinical issues.

To undertake any other duties as requested by your line manager in consultation with the post holder.

3.1.1 To prioritise and manage own work to meet agreed outcomes and deadlines. To multitask, work under pressure to deadlines, prioritise work and be available immediately for clinical issues if required.

3.1.2 To ensure high quality, accuracy and clarity of documentation presented in an unambiguous way to ensure error free interpretation. To keep careful records of all work performed.

To work effectively and proactively with a multidisciplinary team, liaising with physicists, radiographers, technicians, clinical oncologists, clerical and ancillary staff and patients, as required by the post, ensuring good working relationships and a coherent, seamless service, including across two sites.

To contribute to research and development in radiotherapy physics through the ongoing development programme leading to opportunities to publish or present at national and international meetings.

To be involved in clinical trials participating in implementation planning studies and following clinical trial protocols in respect of the patient planning requirements

To participate in the implementation and development of new software or techniques.

To keep up to date with best practice in radiotherapy planning locally and nationally and contribute to the implementation of evidence-based clinical practice.

To present results of development work and literature.

To report on scientific meetings and seminars.

3.1.1 To participate in the training of STP trainees in radiotherapy physics and radiographers in particular areas of expertise. To plan and organise the work of trainees to meet required competencies.

To participate in the provision of practical demonstrations to other students and visitors having practical training within the Cancer Centre

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Good B.Sc.(Hons) degree
• MSc in Medical Physics (or related subject)
• IPEM Part II training, STP training or ACS certificate of attainment, or equivalent.
• HCPC registered Clinical Scientist

Desirable

• PhD in Radiotherapy Physics, or equivalent scientific experience

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of a wide area of radiotherapy physics (for example that accrued from national 3 year training scheme or equivalent demonstrable experience)
• Specialised theoretical and practical knowledge of the field of ionising radiation
• In depth experience of modern external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy techniques
• Knowledge and experience in the use of specialist testing and measurement equipment to monitor the performance and safety of modern radiotherapy treatment machines.
• Specialist Knowledge of clinical issues and their implications for radiotherapy physics practices.
• Specialist Knowledge of clinical procedures in radiotherapy
• Knowledge of physical and radiological anatomy and disease states relevant to Oncology practice
• Knowledge of patient and staff risks arising from exposure to ionising radiation
• Broad knowledge of other areas of medical physics e.g. Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, MRI and Ultrasound
• Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from equipment failure or operator error
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, regulations, national standards, professional codes of practice and other guidelines.
• Understanding of hazards posed by and precautions needed with ionising and non-ionising radiation and electrical, material, biological and mechanical hazards
• Knowledge of external beam treatment planning systems and algorithms, including necessary quality assurance procedures.
• Registered for Continuing Professional Development

Desirable

• Experience of various Radiotherapy Clinical Trials
• Experience of managing projects
• Experience of working in or supporting research in the clinical environment
• Experience in teaching and training.
• Aria/Eclipse experience
• Corporate Member of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (or equivalent)

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Surrey

Guildford

GU2 7XX

Employer's website

https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)