Specialist Brachytherapy Practitioner

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General

Ensure all work complies with current UK legislation for work with ionizing radiation (IRR 2017, IR(ME)R 2017) and the radiotherapy quality system (9001-2015).

The post holder must be registered as a therapy radiographer with the Health and care professions council (HCPC) or be on the voluntary register of clinical technologists and undertake regular continuing professional development.

Expected to prioritise and manage their own work on a day-to-day basis; a rota is in place for core tasks.

The place of work is normally The Christie in Withington, but the post holder may be required to carry out work at other local hospitals.

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. Brachytherapy staff usually work within the core hours of 7:30am - 6pm Monday-Friday.

Be able to connect patient applicators for treatment, including moving and handling patients.

Brachytherapy

Provide information and support to patients undergoing complex brachytherapy procedures, often in the peri-operative setting who may be distressed, anxious or in pain.

Attend multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings to discuss and review cases, offering suggestions to optimize treatment plans.

Handle internal and external enquiries from other professional groups and patients.

Assist with the insertion of brachytherapy applicators and associated record keeping.

Liaise with other departments to facilitate the patient pathway to include supporting patient transfers.

Programme and operate brachytherapy afterloaders delivering high doses of radiation to patients.

Carryout scheduled Quality Assurance (QA) checks on radiotherapy equipment, reporting errors or faults to the MPE/engineers as appropriate. Ensure correct process are followed to return equipment to clinical use.

Demonstrate the safe use of medical devices, contributing to commissioning of new equipment, routine QA and reporting of problems.

Produce highly complex brachytherapy plans for a range of treatment sites using brachytherapy planning systems and a variety of imaging modalities (CT/MR/US).

Evaluate and check complex brachytherapy plans prior to treatment.

Undertake post implant dosimetry for prostate seed implants, providing reports and analysis.

Demonstrate knowledge of the physics of brachytherapy including independent checking of calculations, modern techniques, and equipment.

Identify and where appropriate escalate brachytherapy problems/errors/near misses in collaboration with Medical Physics Experts, leadership team and Consultant Oncologists.

Participate in the implementation of new processes and techniques including the generation of work instructions for inclusion in the quality system.

Participate in departmental clinical audit, governance, and research programme.

Training and Education

Provide specialist training in radiation protection, brachytherapy equipment, and techniques to trainees and students of all disciplines.

Disseminate knowledge via lectures, tutorials, and other appropriate methods.

Research and Development

Participate in projects for the review and development of clinical techniques and clinical trials.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Therapy Radiography/clinical technology.
• HCPC registered therapy radiographer or on the VRCT.

Desirable

• Willingness to undergo further study

Experience

Essential

• Competencies and skills in a range of settings appropriate to post registration experience as a band 5 radiographer or clinical technologist.
• Experience of working with a quality system.

Desirable

• Brachytherapy experience
• Attendance at brachytherapy courses/conferences.

Skills

Essential

• Ability to maintain high standard of work with low error rates.
• Able to prioritise and manage workload.
• Able to manage difficult people/situations.
• Ability to communicate information across professional boundaries.
• Computer based skills.
• Highly developed physical accuracy and hand-eye co-ordination.
• Manual handling experience/ability.

Desirable

• Experience of using Mosaiq

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of radiotherapy and radiation protection.
• Understanding of legal responsibilities.

Desirable

• Knowledge of computerised brachytherapy planning systems
• Knowledge of brachytherapy physics

Values

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours
• Treat patients with compassion and respect
• Deliver quality care.

Other

Essential

• Professional.
• Flexible attitude to work-able to stay late when required.
• Punctual.
• Good team worker

Desirable

• Willing to attend training courses and conferences.

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).