Higher Principal Clinical Scientist – Lead for Adaptive Radiotherapy

Job responsibilities

1. General

1.1. Ensure all work complies with current UK legislation for work with ionising radiation (IRR 2017, IRMER 2017) and the Trusts ISO 9001-2015 compliant Quality Management System for provision of radiotherapy.

1.2. Act as required in the role medical Physics Expert (MPE) under IR(ME)R, making judgements on individual patient treatments based on complex planning and delivery data where there may be conflicting information.

1.3. Act as primary point of contact (frequently on their own) for technical queries and to give scientific advice in individual technical and clinical cases.

1.4. The post holder will be expected to prioritise and manage their own work on a day-to-day basis.

1.5. Provide specialist technical advice within the trust for the procurement of high capital value complex clinical equipment.

1.6. To deputise for consultant clinical scientists where appropriate.

1.7. The post holder must participate in an agreed scheme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

1.8. The place of work is normally The Christie, Withington, but the postholder will be required to carry out work at other local hospitals with a radiotherapy service.

1.9. 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.

2. Management

2.1. To act as the primary point of scientific and technical contact dealing with issues relating to adaptive radiotherapy at The Christie.

2.2. Assist the Radiotherapy Group Leader, along with other consultant and principal clinical scientists in managing the activities of the department, specifically in the development and scientific direction of adaptive radiotherapy.

2.3. Participate in workforce development including selection, recruitment and retention of staff: undertake personal development reviews of staff as required by the Radiotherapy Physics Group Leader.

2.4. Prioritise and manage routine and project work and those managed by the post holder in accordance with section policies and competing service demands. Propose changes to working practices and procedures.

2.5. Ensure that appropriate risk management procedures and documents are in place in line with Trust policies.

2.6. Interpret national and international guidelines concerning adaptive radiotherapy and implement protocols to keep the sections work in line with recommended practice.

2.7. Communicate serious or strategic issues to the Lead Physicist for Treatment Planning and, where appropriate, take part in the operational decision making.

2.8. Communicate potentially sensitive and/or contentious expert advice to other professional groups regarding the treatment of individual patients and on matters of clinical service provision and development.

2.9. Negotiate with clinical and technical staff and equipment manufacturers to provide all the necessary support for equipment, resulting in maximum clinical usage of equipment.

2.10. Contribute to business cases to develop the service to achieve department aims and objectives. Management of procurement of new and replacement equipment.

2.11. Implement and maintain operational procedures and act as a section representative of the Quality Management system.

3. Clinical Radiotherapy Physics

3.1. Supervise the scientific aspects of adaptive radiotherapy treatments.

3.2. To liaise with the Lead Physicist for Treatment Planning to provide a high-quality clinical service.

3.3. To liaise with appropriate clinical groups and to develop radiotherapy treatments.

3.4. Produce and independently check highly complex radiotherapy treatment plans, based on the evaluation of anatomical and clinical information using a highly complex treatment planning system.

3.5. Implement new and improved treatment delivery techniques so that patients gain maximum benefit from the available equipment at the centre.

3.6. Manage the scientific aspects of the implementation of new processes and techniques including the generation of work instructions for inclusion in the quality management system.

3.7. Develop and maintain quality control procedures according to current national and international guidelines to ensure accurate calibration and optimum performance of treatment planning and delivery including imaging equipment, and to advise the section leader on potential improvements in practice. Additionally, define the configuration and safe operating procedures of systems in consultation with treatment radiographers.

3.8. Liaise with the Radiotherapy Physics Group Leader and head of radiation protection service in the investigation and reporting of any case of suspected or actual mistreatment of any patient.

3.9. Provide expert physics advice and specialist technical support for the review and development of clinical techniques.

4. Adaptive radiotherapy

4.1. Ensure effective multidisciplinary team working to support the development and delivery of adaptive radiotherapy by working closely with clinical oncologists, therapy radiographers and other supporting staff groups.

4.2. Provide scientific support to develop adaptive radiotherapy clinical protocols including imaging and treatment delivery.

4.3. Develop systems, including software development, to maximise the efficiency of adaptive radiotherapy techniques to minimise treatment time and make the best use of staff resources.

4.4. Act as the main local point of contact for external audits for the centre (related to adaptive radiotherapy) and to ensure participation of the department in appropriate audits.

4.5. Liaise with the national and international radiotherapy community to contribute to and collaborate on the development of adaptive radiotherapy strategies.

4.6. To liaise with the equipment manufacturers providing complex adaptive radiotherapy equipment to the department.

4.7. To manage the commissioning of highly complex adaptive radiotherapy treatment systems.

4.8. To ensure equipment and procedures are fit for clinical use.

5. Research and Development

5.1. To initiate, lead, and carry out R&D projects as agreed by the Radiotherapy Physics Group Leader or other section leads, and to supervise other staff working on such projects.

5.2. Work with colleagues across radiotherapy physics to manage research and development projects to achieve identified deliverables aligned to the departmental strategy.

5.3. Supervise research projects carried out by trainee and research physicists.

5.4. To publish research in internationally recognised peer reviewed research journals and to communicate research through national and international conferences.

5.5. Participate in identifying external funding opportunities and the writing of grant applications.

5.6. Assist with the establishment and maintenance of R&D collaborations with other radiotherapy physics groups, universities, and commercial organisations.

5.7. Provide scientific support to Clinical Oncologists participating in local, national, and international trials.

5.8. Maintain an up-to-date personal knowledge of national and international radiotherapy physics practice to identify improvements to the service.

6. Teaching and Training

6.1. Supervise Clinical Scientists, dosimetrists, engineers and radiographers.

6.2. Lecture and train Clinical Scientists, Radiographers, Specialist Registrars and others and assist in the organisation of the departments teaching programmes.

6.3. Develop project ideas, propose projects and supervise M.Sc. students performing project work.

Qualifications

Essential

• State Registered Clinical Scientist
• Honours degree in an appropriate physical science
• Postgraduate Degree (e.g. Masters level and above)

Desirable

• Management Qualification or experience
• Corporate member of IPEM or equivalent professional body
• PhD or equivalent evidence of research training

Experience

Essential

• Certified as a Medical Physics Expert.
• Experience of scientific leadership within a healthcare setting.
• Planning / implementation of new developments in Radiotherapy Physics.

Desirable

• Involved with the operation of Quality Management Systems.
• Supervision of trainees and students

Skills

Essential

• Strong scientific leadership
• Good interpersonal skills
• Clear and articulate communicator of complex concepts
• Excellent IT skills.

Desirable

• Effective collaboration with other organisations / departments
• Performance of staff reviews and appraisals

Knowledge

Essential

• Expert knowledge in 1 or more aspects of radiotherapy physics
• Working knowledge of quality management systems.
• Extensive knowledge of relevant legislation, national standards, professional guidelines (e.g., IRR 2017, IRMER 2017, ISO 9001:2015)
• Understanding of risk assessments

Desirable

• Basic understanding of HR policies and procedures
• Understanding of research and clinical governance.

Values

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Research and Development

Essential

• Record of dissemination / publication of scientific work

Professional Engagement

Essential

• Enthusiasm and commitment

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).