Healthcare Scientist Practitioner (Radiotherapy Dosimetrist)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Treatment planning

1. Responsible for the electronic import of radiological images (CT scans) to afford accurate interpretation for radiotherapy treatment planning purposes.
2. Independently identifies and delineates critical patient organs and avoidance structures at risk from acute or late radiation damage/ necrosis within patient image data sets.
3. Work in collaboration with the Consultant Clinical Oncologist to define the extents of the tumour volume and intended irradiation area. Provide guidance to junior clinical staff (Specialist Registrars) on the tumour definition process.
4. Responsible for independent validation and confirmation of critical data relating to tumour position/site against patient data sources.
5. Produce routine and complex radiation dose plans and carry out associated complex calculations to quantify the radiation dose received by the patient, in accordance with clinical prescription and agreed procedures, using computerised planning systems as appropriate.
6. Analyse proposed treatments and make highly analytical judgements regarding treatment parameters and patient radiation dose effects. Using visual objectivity and computerised dose volume histograms, to ensure adherence of dose uniformity and dose critical constraints.
7. Advise and discuss with clinical staff the various radiation plan approaches, resulting in an optimum patient specific treatment plan.
8. Calculate, and prepare templates for critical irradiation beam shielding blocks as specified by the referring clinician.
9. Evaluate requirements for and calculate complex beam modelling parameters affording field alignment for patient treatment plan application.
10. Transfer patient critical information to the department treatment management system, presenting the information in a clear accurate format for treatment application.
11. Create digital anatomical images to be used for the validation and verification checks required to ensure correlation of the plan parameters with the patient treatment set up.
12. Responsible for performing the final independent check on treatment technique, treatment plan data, dose calculations and templates. Prior to issuing for the commencement of the patients radiation treatment
13. Provide Therapy Radiographers with immediate unscheduled advice, relating to patient plan parameters. Confirming set-up or radiation dose tolerances and advising on appropriateness to continue or cease current treatment delivery session.
14. Re-plan patient treatments where required, following changes to the treatment regime or patient shape. Use judgment to subjectively analyse and determine the most appropriate actions required. Carry out manual dose calculations for review.

Research Trial Administration

1. The post holder will be assisting with the administration of trials within the RPU. This is a significant source of income for the Trust and RPU
2. Assisting the development of new trials; scoping for NCRI and International trials; reviewing trial requirements, and advising clinical staff of feasibility of proceeding
3. Maintaining detailed records of research work undertaken; ensuring that trial preparation is correctly undertaken; that patient CRFs are complete and processing and uploading data to trial centre.
4. Working with clinical and RPU staff to develop suitable local trial protocols and competencies
5. Maintaining adequate data to ensuring that income for trials work is properly accounted for

Quality Assurance

1. Undertake independent routine Quality Assurance tasks affording confirmation of the safe and accurate function of the highly complex radiotherapy treatment units and the continuing integrity of radiation beam data relating to radiation doses
2. Undertake individual patient-specific QA measurements in preparation for highly complex treatment delivery; responsible for approving patients for treatment
3. Assist in more complex testing under the supervision of a Radiotherapy Clinical Scientist.
4. Responsible for the personal safe use of highly complex radiotherapy treatment units.

1. Prioritise and manage own work. Provide support and advice within the RT Physics team on Radiotherapy applications.
2. Keep careful records of all work performed and other appropriate records as required for statistical purposes, in all work areas with in radiotherapy physics section.
3. Monitor stocks and order supplies as required enabling duties to be performed.
4. Assist in producing revised or new protocols for the departments quality system, when required

1. Provide theoretical and practical work based instruction to trainee Clinical Technologist, Therapy Radiographers and Trainee Clinical Scientists on all aspects of Radiotherapy Physics.
2. Demonstrate techniques to all students/trainees including pre-registration Clinical Scientists, student therapy radiographers.
3. Responsible for the development of training packages that can be used to train all students/trainees within Radiotherapy planning.
4. Train other qualified staff in the technical aspects of radiotherapy physics duties, as required.
5. Assist in producing and developing career literature, present at public career events to improve professional awareness.
6. Assist with the development of new clinical techniques in conjunction with other staff groups.
7. Participate in departmental and national research trials and audits.

1. The post-holder is professionally responsible to the Head of Radiotherapy Treatment Planning
2. Participate in Continuing Professional Development. To maintain skills and afford development of practical and theoretical skills and knowledge.
3. Present at department, local and regional meetings/ conferences on technical topics, as required.
4. Attend suitable seminars and courses as part of training and personal development and to further the work of the Department.
5. Ensure all activities are carried out and comply with the quality framework (BS EN ISO 9001-2000) and conform to Statutory Regulations, approved Codes of Practice and Local Safety Rules

• The Department provides a treatment planning service between 8am and 6pm.
• Discharge such other duties as may be required by the Head of Radiotherapy Planning, and/ or the Head of Radiotherapy Physics.
• The post holder will behave courteously and professionally at all times and seek to ensure that the highest level of service is provided by Radiotherapy Physics.

The working environment requires:

• Occasional exposure to controlled ionizing and non-ionizing radiations, with occasional exposure to uncontrolled radiations.
• Occasional exposure to conditions involving body odours/fluids, necrotic tissue and open wounds when attending to terminally ill patients.

• Any other duties commensurate with the post holders band as agreed with their line manager.
• All employees should understand that it is their personal responsibility to comply with all organisational and statutory requirements e.g. Health and Safety; Equal Treatment and Diversity; Confidentiality.

1. COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Excellent communication & interpersonal skills are required for the post
• Maintains effective communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Reports and records without delay any malfunction or fault with the equipment to the head of radiotherapy planning/head of radiotherapy physics.
• Participates in the training of all students/trainees who spend time in treatment planning.
• Demonstrates the work of the department to other professionals or interested parties.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Essential qualifications

Experience

Essential

• Radiotherapy planning experience

Desirable

• Leadership experience

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Address

Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust

Truro

TR1 3LJ

Employer's website

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