Radiotherapy Physics Technician (apprentice option)

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

Medical Physics Technician Apprentice (Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner) in Radiotherapy Physics

Salary range: Band 4 £26282 (Band 4 Annex 21 if following apprenticeship training route: £17083 in year 1, £18394 in year 2, £19711 in year 3, then £26,282)

The Radiotherapy Physics Section of the Portsmouth Medical Physics Department is seeking to appoint a candidate wishing to commence their career as a Medical Physics Technician, joining the established, friendly and enthusiastic team of 22 staff.

This is an entry-level post and applications from both undergraduate and postgraduate candidates are welcome; candidates should have qualifications in relevant STEM subjects. For appointment via the apprenticeship route, qualifications must include 3 A-Levels (minimum BBC), including Physics. You will undertake training via a three-year course leading to BSc in HealthCare Science supplemented with local training, providing the theoretical and practical skills required for a career as a Clinical Technologist in Radiotherapy Physics. The BSc is fully funded including travel expenses. Candidates with prior experience or BSc in appropriate physics subject may be appointed directly onto band 4.

Main duties of the job

The role will include a flexible mix of radiotherapy treatment planning and quality control measurements, and includes a significant role supporting fusion biopsy service in theatre.

The hospital has four high-spec Varian radiotherapy treatment units, with Pinnacle, Prosoma, Diamond and Compass planning systems, a Varian Bravos HDR brachytherapy unit and Siemens CT scanner. Seed LDR brachytherapy and kV treatments are also provided. The department has good links with Universities of Surrey and Portsmouth.

Portsmouth is an attractive and historical seaside city with an enviable south coast location opposite the Isle of Wight, with mild sunny climate, miles of beaches, many cultural, sporting and leisure amenities. The city has excellent road and rail links to London, ferries to the continent, and a nearby international airport.

For further information, please contact Sam Barnes, Principal Clinical Scientist, via email sam.barnes@porthosp.nhs.uk.

About us

The Trust is committed to driving excellence in care for our patients and communities and was rated good by the Care Quality Commission report published 2020 and became a University Hospital. We are ranked as the third in the country for research; embedding education and training across the organisation and we continuously strive to achieve our core values which are at the heart of everything we do. The Trusts main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, starting life as a military hospital over a century ago and now one of the largest hospitals on the south coast and you may have seen us on the TV series Nurses on the Ward. The Trust provides comprehensive secondary care and specialist services to a local population of 675,000 people across South East Hampshire. The Trust employs over 8,000 staff and are #ProudtobePHU; our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because its the right thing to do, but because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for providing outstanding care and support for patients, colleagues and our community you will find a home at PHU. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veterans status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.

Date posted

06 December 2022

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£23,949 to £26,282 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C8192-CD-22-1173C

Job locations

Queen Alexandra Hospital

Southwick Hill Road

Cosham

Portsmouth

PO6 3LY

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary:

Contribute to the technical and scientific service provided by the Medical Physics Department. Specifically to provide a flexible mix of treatment planning, quality control, support to theatre and workshop activities, within the Radiotherapy Physics Section.

Key Responsibilities:

Provide specialised technical support in the field of Radiotherapy Physics, involving a broad range of technical and scientific work in the following;

Attendance at theatre to provide technical support to fusion biopsy and brachytherapy procedures.

Perform routine quality control and radiation dosimetry measurements, unsupervised once sufficient competence achieved,

Radiotherapy treatment planning and calculations for external beam and brachytherapy treatments,

Technical and administrative support across a range of radiotherapy physics activities,

Production of patient-specific devices in the mould room and workshop

Direct contact with radiotherapy patients may be required in the mould room and in theatre

3Manage own work to provide technical support to a number of areas within the section.

Contribute to development and research work activities of the section, as appropriate.

Work closely with line-manager, the Head of Radiotherapy Quality Control, and also the Heads of Radiation Dosimetry and Treatment Planning to achieve coordinated delivery of specialised scientific and technical services that demand skilled performance to ensure accuracy and patient safety.

Specific Functions:

Work is carried out in accordance with protocols and procedures to the required tolerances and standards.

Complex clinical and technical data are evaluated with care and accuracy applying a high level of professional judgment and also in accordance with protocols and procedures to the required tolerances and standards.

Routine technical support within the Radiotherapy Physics Treatment Planning group is planned and prioritized according to schedules taking into account pressing service demands as they arise. Own work and that of supporting staff is managed accordingly.

Work is carried out in a timely and effective manner, showing care and consideration to the needs of patients and colleagues at all times.

Calibrations, measurements and radioactive source manipulations are undertaken precisely and accurately. Results are entered into spreadsheets and software with care and errors minimized. Unusual findings are checked and repeated for validation.

Results, measurements and observations are recorded and analyzed with care and accuracy. Unusual results are validated and reported promptly. Results are analyzed and reports are issued under the authority of the Head of Radiotherapy Quality Control or registered clinical scientist.

Work with complex equipment, appliances and sources is performed strictly to protocol and procedure. Equipment is not operated outside the normal modes of operation unless covered by specific protocol.

New procedures and policies for areas of complex technical work are developed. Changes are proposed that will lead to the improvement of quality, safety and effectiveness of the service.

New equipment is commissioned and procedures are evaluated, with support for their implementation into routine use.

Supplies and services are ordered in accordance with Medical Physics Department and Trust policies

Close collaboration with clinical users is sustained by understanding their needs and facilitating delivery of appropriate service.

Assistance is provided with the maintenance of statutory records required by relevant radiation legislation.

Act as an Operator as required by the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations

Training and development is provided and supported to trainee/entry level Medical Physics Technicians and Medical Physics Technicians in the Radiotherapy Physics Group to a training plan agreed with the Principal Physicist. Assistance is provided with the maintenance of training records

Assistance is provided with the training of Clinical Scientists, Pre-registration Clinical Scientists and staff of allied departments as directed by the Head of Radiotherapy Physics.

Work and activities are undertaken that involve some exposure to unpleasant conditions and exposure to hazards.

Department protocols, Health and Safety policies, Local Rules and Systems of Work for radiation procedures are applied and adhered to by members of the Radiotherapy Physics Section, so that work is undertaken in a safe manner in compliance with ionising radiation legislation.

Supervision and training support is provided to staff, in accordance with approved programmes. Competence to practise is monitored and formal records of competency maintained for inspection by IRMER regulators.

Internal and external courses/seminars/lectures are attended to update knowledge in the field of Radiotherapy Physics. Communications are maintained within the section, and professional contact with peers