Job summary
Band 7
Full time,
The post holder will work at The Christie main site in Withington, Manchester, working a proportion of their hours from home. The postholder will be a qualified practitioner with experience in treatment planning and hold registration with either HCPC or the Register of Clinical Technologists. The individual will divide their time between clinical treatment planning and checking, technical/service development, day-to-day operational management as well as providing technical expertise, teaching and support across the radiotherapy network.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a Radiographer / Dosimetrist with expert knowledge in radiotherapy treatment planning to work within radiotherapy physics here at The Christie. The post holder will play an active role in the planning and development of conventional, IMRT, VMAT, and SABR techniques, as well as supporting the provision of training to a multi-disciplinary team. A high level of knowledge in treatment planning, developed leadership skills and active participation in service improvement is essential. Patient specific and machine QA, plus a working knowledge of the Philips Pinnacle3 or Raystation planning systems would be advantageous.
Working in a dynamic, fast paced environment, the post holder will be required to work both autonomously and as part of a team to ensure the provision of high-quality radiotherapy, taking an active involvement in service development. Operational management is a vital aspect of the role; the candidate must be organised, communicate well and remain calm under pressure.
About us
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, situated in south Manchester, is the largest cancer treatment centre of its kind in Europe, and an international leader in cancer research and development. The Christie provides a radiotherapy service to a population in excess of 3 million in the Greater Manchester and Cheshire area. The radiotherapy physics group provides a comprehensive support service to clinical oncology including advanced radiotherapy and brachytherapy techniques such as IMRT, IGRT, VMAT, intra-cranial SRS, extra-cranial SABR, PDR and HDR brachytherapy treatments. In addition to the Withington site there are three operational radiotherapy satellite centres located in Oldham, Macclesfield and Salford. These facilities provide local access to IMRT, IGRT and VMAT treatments for cancer patients. The centre at Salford also provides a stereotactic radiosurgery service. Completion of the Christie satellite centres has equipped The Christie radiotherapy network with a total of 14 linear accelerators across the three sites. The Christie team is delivering a National Proton Beam Therapy programme in conjunction with UCLH. Other exciting developments include participating in the international MR linac consortium with The Christie being one of the first hospitals in the UK to offer MRI-guided radiotherapy
Job description
Job responsibilities
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1.General
- The place of work is normally The Christie, Withington, but the post holder may be required to carry out work at the Oldham, Macclesfield or Salford satellite centres, and other local hospitals according to work demand.
- The post is full-time. Hours are worked flexibly, in agreement with the line manager, to provide round the clock services where necessary to cover the normal range of clinical duties.
- Ensure all work complies with current UK legislation for work with ionizing radiation (IRR 2017, IRMER 2017) and the Trusts ISO 9001:2008-compliant Quality Management System for the provision of radiotherapy.
- The post holder must be and must remain registered as a Therapy Radiographer with the health professions council or be on the register of clinical technologists and undertake regular continuing professional development.
- The post holder will be expected to perform Personal Development Reviews (PDRs) for colleagues within the Radiotherapy Physics team.
- The post holder will assist with recruitment of new members of the Radiotherapy Physics team where appropriate.
- Clinical Treatment Planning
- Assess the suitability of patient imaging, immobilisation and localisation information in preparation for treatment planning.
- Produce highly complex radiotherapy treatment plans, based on the evaluation of anatomical and clinical information using a highly complex three-dimensional treatment planning system for photons.
- Critically analyse and independently check routine highly complex treatment plans for transfer to linear accelerators.
- Provide and independently check calculations for external beam radiotherapy.
- Evaluate and approve pre-treatment verification details of final plans.
- Transfer patient data to imaging systems and treatment machines.
- Identify and report problems with clinical treatment planning systems
- Use professional judgement to solve treatment planning problems in collaboration with medical physics experts.
- Give expert advice to clinicians on problems arising in clinical treatment planning.
- Advise radiographers in the radiotherapy department on issues relating to the implementation of treatment plans.
- Handle internal and external enquiries from other professional groups and patients.
- Communicate with patients (including pediatric patients) and relatives during preparation of specialist radiotherapy techniques and when problem solving in radiotherapy.
- Participate in managing the implementation of new processes and techniques including the generation of work instructions for inclusion in the quality system.
- Participate in clinical audit for the evaluation of service provision
- Provide expert advice to other professional groups on both patient specific issues and on matters of clinical service provision, escalating issues where appropriate.
- Dosimetry and Quality Control
- Perform routine patient specific treatment plan verification (including measurement and analysis) on the radiotherapy treatment machines and provide specialist training and advice in this discipline to Physicists and Dosimetrists.
- The post holder will participate in the clinical quality control programme for highly complex radiotherapy equipment, including linear accelerators, imaging equipment and superficial therapy devices to ensure all such equipment is fit for clinical use.
- Perform routine morning run-up and output measurements on linear accelerators. Provide specialist training and advice in this discipline to physicists and Dosimetrists.
- Be involved in the commissioning process during the installation of new linear accelerators in the department. This work will include data collection working as part of a team with other staff groups and scheduling other Dosimetrists to perform tasks defined by the project leader.
- Participate in the departments system for performing in-vivo dosimetry measurements. This will include calibration of dosimeters, analysing in-vivo dosimetry results, investigating measurements that are out of tolerance and maintaining a database of results.
- Training and Education
- Co-ordinate and deliver specialist training to Radiographers, Dosimetrists, and students in appropriate areas of radiotherapy physics. Assist with the specialist training of clinical scientists and clinical oncologists in the use of the treatment planning systems and treatment planning techniques.
- Disseminate knowledge via lectures, tutorials, case studies and other appropriate methods; contribute to the departments CPD lectures.
- Mentor less experienced staff and undertake regular reviews of progress and training.
- Management
- To deputise for lead advanced practitioner where appropriate.
- To supervise and roster the clinical duties of radiotherapy physics staff, assigning resources in the most appropriate way.
- The post holder will be expected to prioritise and manage their own work and that of others on a day-to-day basis enabling daily targets to be met as per service level agreements.
- Promote best practice and raise standards within a multi-disciplinary group.
- Lead by example and facilitate less experienced staff to develop their skills and experience.
- Identify problems, errors or near misses and follow up as appropriate, escalating to the team leaders and offering solutions or improvements.
- Provide leadership within the treatment planning team to ensure quality, safety and efficiency.
- Participate in the development of the use of clinical IT systems for the benefit of the radiotherapy physics department and develop workflow efficiencies.
- Research and Development
- To be the radiotherapy advanced practitioner lead in clinical disease orientated groups, providing expert advice and specialist support in at least one treatment site.
- Participate in projects for the review and development of clinical techniques, and for the support of clinical trials, in at least one treatment site.
- To interpret national and international guidelines concerning the planning of the treatment sites allocated and to implement protocols to keep practice in line with recommended practice.
- To work with other professionals to provide a coordinated service implementing new techniques and technologies to maximise efficiency and align priorities.
This job description indicates the duties and responsibilities that are appropriate to meet the present needs of the service. Since from time to time these needs may change it is necessary to recognise that the postholder must be willing to undertake other and/or different duties that may, after discussion, be assigned by the Director.
Job description
Job responsibilities
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1.General
- The place of work is normally The Christie, Withington, but the post holder may be required to carry out work at the Oldham, Macclesfield or Salford satellite centres, and other local hospitals according to work demand.
- The post is full-time. Hours are worked flexibly, in agreement with the line manager, to provide round the clock services where necessary to cover the normal range of clinical duties.
- Ensure all work complies with current UK legislation for work with ionizing radiation (IRR 2017, IRMER 2017) and the Trusts ISO 9001:2008-compliant Quality Management System for the provision of radiotherapy.
- The post holder must be and must remain registered as a Therapy Radiographer with the health professions council or be on the register of clinical technologists and undertake regular continuing professional development.
- The post holder will be expected to perform Personal Development Reviews (PDRs) for colleagues within the Radiotherapy Physics team.
- The post holder will assist with recruitment of new members of the Radiotherapy Physics team where appropriate.
- Clinical Treatment Planning
- Assess the suitability of patient imaging, immobilisation and localisation information in preparation for treatment planning.
- Produce highly complex radiotherapy treatment plans, based on the evaluation of anatomical and clinical information using a highly complex three-dimensional treatment planning system for photons.
- Critically analyse and independently check routine highly complex treatment plans for transfer to linear accelerators.
- Provide and independently check calculations for external beam radiotherapy.
- Evaluate and approve pre-treatment verification details of final plans.
- Transfer patient data to imaging systems and treatment machines.
- Identify and report problems with clinical treatment planning systems
- Use professional judgement to solve treatment planning problems in collaboration with medical physics experts.
- Give expert advice to clinicians on problems arising in clinical treatment planning.
- Advise radiographers in the radiotherapy department on issues relating to the implementation of treatment plans.
- Handle internal and external enquiries from other professional groups and patients.
- Communicate with patients (including pediatric patients) and relatives during preparation of specialist radiotherapy techniques and when problem solving in radiotherapy.
- Participate in managing the implementation of new processes and techniques including the generation of work instructions for inclusion in the quality system.
- Participate in clinical audit for the evaluation of service provision
- Provide expert advice to other professional groups on both patient specific issues and on matters of clinical service provision, escalating issues where appropriate.
- Dosimetry and Quality Control
- Perform routine patient specific treatment plan verification (including measurement and analysis) on the radiotherapy treatment machines and provide specialist training and advice in this discipline to Physicists and Dosimetrists.
- The post holder will participate in the clinical quality control programme for highly complex radiotherapy equipment, including linear accelerators, imaging equipment and superficial therapy devices to ensure all such equipment is fit for clinical use.
- Perform routine morning run-up and output measurements on linear accelerators. Provide specialist training and advice in this discipline to physicists and Dosimetrists.
- Be involved in the commissioning process during the installation of new linear accelerators in the department. This work will include data collection working as part of a team with other staff groups and scheduling other Dosimetrists to perform tasks defined by the project leader.
- Participate in the departments system for performing in-vivo dosimetry measurements. This will include calibration of dosimeters, analysing in-vivo dosimetry results, investigating measurements that are out of tolerance and maintaining a database of results.
- Training and Education
- Co-ordinate and deliver specialist training to Radiographers, Dosimetrists, and students in appropriate areas of radiotherapy physics. Assist with the specialist training of clinical scientists and clinical oncologists in the use of the treatment planning systems and treatment planning techniques.
- Disseminate knowledge via lectures, tutorials, case studies and other appropriate methods; contribute to the departments CPD lectures.
- Mentor less experienced staff and undertake regular reviews of progress and training.
- Management
- To deputise for lead advanced practitioner where appropriate.
- To supervise and roster the clinical duties of radiotherapy physics staff, assigning resources in the most appropriate way.
- The post holder will be expected to prioritise and manage their own work and that of others on a day-to-day basis enabling daily targets to be met as per service level agreements.
- Promote best practice and raise standards within a multi-disciplinary group.
- Lead by example and facilitate less experienced staff to develop their skills and experience.
- Identify problems, errors or near misses and follow up as appropriate, escalating to the team leaders and offering solutions or improvements.
- Provide leadership within the treatment planning team to ensure quality, safety and efficiency.
- Participate in the development of the use of clinical IT systems for the benefit of the radiotherapy physics department and develop workflow efficiencies.
- Research and Development
- To be the radiotherapy advanced practitioner lead in clinical disease orientated groups, providing expert advice and specialist support in at least one treatment site.
- Participate in projects for the review and development of clinical techniques, and for the support of clinical trials, in at least one treatment site.
- To interpret national and international guidelines concerning the planning of the treatment sites allocated and to implement protocols to keep practice in line with recommended practice.
- To work with other professionals to provide a coordinated service implementing new techniques and technologies to maximise efficiency and align priorities.
This job description indicates the duties and responsibilities that are appropriate to meet the present needs of the service. Since from time to time these needs may change it is necessary to recognise that the postholder must be willing to undertake other and/or different duties that may, after discussion, be assigned by the Director.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- DCR(T) or Degree in Therapy Radiography/degree in Clinical technology or equivalent.
- HPC registered therapy radiographer/ register of clinical technologists.
- Post graduate education/experience at Masters level within area of expertise
Desirable
- Evidence of completion of a comprehensive treatment planning course
- Advanced practitioner accreditation with the society of radiographers/Full Membership of IPEM or other equivalent professional body
- MSc in relevant subject
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience in treatment planning
- Ability to operate complex planning systems
- Evidence of treatment planning activities in CPD
- Experience in training/teaching/supervising staff
- Experience in performing a variety of QC tests on a linear accelerator
Desirable
- Management of staff within radiotherapy physics
- Experience in modern and emerging clinical techniques (e.g. SABR, MR Linac and adaptive planning).
Skills
Essential
- Able to concentrate and keep focused with constant interruptions
- Ability to remain calm and deal with stressful situations
- Able to manage difficult situations
- Able to work effectively and efficiently ability to maintain high standard of work with low error rates including accurate documentation and record keeping
- Able to prioritise and manage own and others workloads
- Able to act as mentor, supervisor, trainer and assessor
- Able to motivate staff
- Ability to communicate complex information across professional boundaries
- Sound decision making skills in complex situations.
- Computer literate.
- Analytical and reflective skills.
- Highly developed physical accuracy and hand-eye co-ordination.
- Used to working with change and innovation
- Multi-disciplinary team working
Desirable
- Experience of implementing change
Knowledge
Essential
- Understands the risks associated with radiation and the optimisation of patients treatments
- Thorough knowledge and understanding of specialist radiotherapy planning techniques including SABR, VMAT and IMRT.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, national standards, professional guidelines (e.g. IRR2017, IRMER 2017, ISO:9K2K, Codes of Practice)
- Knowledge of current professional issues
- Knowledge and ability to ensure compliance with quality system
- A comprehensive knowledge of computerised treatment planning systems.
- Specialist knowledge of treatment planning and radiation physics as applied to radiotherapy.
Desirable
- Knowledge of clinical systems and their administration
Values
Essential
- A willingness to undertake research and development
- Participation in service development/improvement
Desirable
- Evidence of participation in research
Other
Essential
- Professional
- Ability to work independently and exercise initiative.
- Self-motivated
- Flexible attitude to work
- Punctual
- Good team worker
- Conscientious
- Willing to participate in shift rota including working unsocial hours
Desirable
- Able to attend training courses involving periods away from home
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- DCR(T) or Degree in Therapy Radiography/degree in Clinical technology or equivalent.
- HPC registered therapy radiographer/ register of clinical technologists.
- Post graduate education/experience at Masters level within area of expertise
Desirable
- Evidence of completion of a comprehensive treatment planning course
- Advanced practitioner accreditation with the society of radiographers/Full Membership of IPEM or other equivalent professional body
- MSc in relevant subject
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience in treatment planning
- Ability to operate complex planning systems
- Evidence of treatment planning activities in CPD
- Experience in training/teaching/supervising staff
- Experience in performing a variety of QC tests on a linear accelerator
Desirable
- Management of staff within radiotherapy physics
- Experience in modern and emerging clinical techniques (e.g. SABR, MR Linac and adaptive planning).
Skills
Essential
- Able to concentrate and keep focused with constant interruptions
- Ability to remain calm and deal with stressful situations
- Able to manage difficult situations
- Able to work effectively and efficiently ability to maintain high standard of work with low error rates including accurate documentation and record keeping
- Able to prioritise and manage own and others workloads
- Able to act as mentor, supervisor, trainer and assessor
- Able to motivate staff
- Ability to communicate complex information across professional boundaries
- Sound decision making skills in complex situations.
- Computer literate.
- Analytical and reflective skills.
- Highly developed physical accuracy and hand-eye co-ordination.
- Used to working with change and innovation
- Multi-disciplinary team working
Desirable
- Experience of implementing change
Knowledge
Essential
- Understands the risks associated with radiation and the optimisation of patients treatments
- Thorough knowledge and understanding of specialist radiotherapy planning techniques including SABR, VMAT and IMRT.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, national standards, professional guidelines (e.g. IRR2017, IRMER 2017, ISO:9K2K, Codes of Practice)
- Knowledge of current professional issues
- Knowledge and ability to ensure compliance with quality system
- A comprehensive knowledge of computerised treatment planning systems.
- Specialist knowledge of treatment planning and radiation physics as applied to radiotherapy.
Desirable
- Knowledge of clinical systems and their administration
Values
Essential
- A willingness to undertake research and development
- Participation in service development/improvement
Desirable
- Evidence of participation in research
Other
Essential
- Professional
- Ability to work independently and exercise initiative.
- Self-motivated
- Flexible attitude to work
- Punctual
- Good team worker
- Conscientious
- Willing to participate in shift rota including working unsocial hours
Desirable
- Able to attend training courses involving periods away from home
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
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).
