Job summary
We are seeking an experienced Dosimetrist in Radiotherapy Treatment Planning to take up an exciting opportunity to join us at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.
You will be joining our MDT of Clinical Oncologists, Radiographers and Physics staff. The team boasts a culture which is passionately committed to innovative, high-quality care.
The Beacon Centre at Musgrove Park Hospital opened in May 2009 bringing radiotherapy facilities to the population of Somerset. The service is equipped with a Canon Aquilion large bore CT simulator, Elekta Versa HD linear accelerators, XStrahl superficial x-ray unit, mould room and workshop, Elekta Mosaiq Oncology Management System, AcQSim Virtual Simulation and Pinnacle Treatment Planning System.
A full linear accelerator replacement programme has recently been completed, continuing the provision of cutting-edge service delivery. As part of the team you will have the opportunity to be a part of the continued commissioning of exciting developments including the expansion of treatment planning with FFF beam delivery, SABR, MRI planning and auto-planning/evaluation.
Applications will be considered from candidates with less experience for appointment at a lower banded role.
Main duties of the job
To participate in the day to day work of the treatment planning section, ensuring the timely production and delivery of computerised radiotherapy treatment plans for patients undergoing radiotherapy including both routine and highly complex treatments within the timescales dictated by the Cancer Standards.
To participate in the day-to-day work of the Mould Room, ensuring timely production of devices and accessories required for patient immobilisation and normal tissue shielding.
To participate in the routine dosimetry and quality control programme on treatment machines and patient specific QC.
To contribute to research and development output for the Radiotherapy service.
Fulfil the role of Operator within the meaning of the Ionising Radiations (Medical Exposures) Regulations 2017. The post holder must hold HCPC registration as a Radiographer or VRCT registration as a Clinical Technologist.
About us
You'll get to experience life in the West Country, and to take advantage of easy access to some of the UK's most desirable locations. From the beaches of North Devon, Dorset and Cornwall, to the cosmopolitan centres of Bristol, Bath and Exeter.
Taunton itself offers you all the perks of life in the country while still being less than two hours from London.
With a focus on promoting wellbeing we can also offer:o Flexible working hourso A hybrid of agile working from home and on siteo Training and development opportunities
Job description
Job responsibilities
Ensure the quality of treatment plans produced is of the highest standards.
Undertake CT planning for patients undergoing radiotherapy, analysing requirements and making complex judgements regarding treatment parameters and patient dose effects to produce the required dose distribution over the treatment volume ensuring, where applicable, conformance to international standards and following departmental protocols.
Identify and accurately contour critical organs-at-risk (OARs) on CT scans.
Check and approve patient treatment plans and dose calculations produced by treatment planning staff and radiography staff.
Review and re-plan patient treatments where required, following changes to the treatment regime or patient shape. Such changes may be required at short notice and necessitate re-prioritisation of the departmental workload on a regular basis.
Participate in the day-to-day work of the Mould Room, ensuring timely production of devices and accessories required for patient immobilisation and normal tissue shielding such as thermoplastic shells, electron end-frames, lead and/or low melting point alloy masks and wax blocks.
Please refer to the Job Description for full details on the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Ensure the quality of treatment plans produced is of the highest standards.
Undertake CT planning for patients undergoing radiotherapy, analysing requirements and making complex judgements regarding treatment parameters and patient dose effects to produce the required dose distribution over the treatment volume ensuring, where applicable, conformance to international standards and following departmental protocols.
Identify and accurately contour critical organs-at-risk (OARs) on CT scans.
Check and approve patient treatment plans and dose calculations produced by treatment planning staff and radiography staff.
Review and re-plan patient treatments where required, following changes to the treatment regime or patient shape. Such changes may be required at short notice and necessitate re-prioritisation of the departmental workload on a regular basis.
Participate in the day-to-day work of the Mould Room, ensuring timely production of devices and accessories required for patient immobilisation and normal tissue shielding such as thermoplastic shells, electron end-frames, lead and/or low melting point alloy masks and wax blocks.
Please refer to the Job Description for full details on the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc or equivalent
- HCPC registration as Radiographer or VRCT as Dosimetrist
Desirable
- MSc. modules or advanced professional development
Knowledge
Essential
- Specialised knowledge in advanced use of 3D treatment planning and virtual simulation systems
- Knowledge of CT and MRI anatomy
- Knowledge relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines, procedures and practices. (ISO9001, IR(ME)R, IRR, Health and Safety at work act)
- Understanding of medical terminology and principles of the cancer patient pathway.
Experience
Essential
- Production and checking of a wide range of clinical radiotherapy treatment plans using a modern treatment planning system
- Production and checking of patient immobilisation and shielding accessories in Mould Room environment
- Developing new procedures/processes and producing appropriate associated documentation
- Problem solving in context of a multi-disciplinary radiotherapy team
Desirable
- Experience with Philips Pinnacle TPS
- Experience with Elekta linear accelerators and Canon CT simulator
- Experience of quality control testing on linear accelerators
- Implementation of new radiotherapy techniques
Communication skills
Essential
- Evidence of a good standard of literacy/English language skills
- Effective written and oral communication
- Ability to train groups of other professional staff in treatment planning
- Ability to communicate well with patients and relatives
- Participation in a MDT environment
Physical, Analytical and Organisational skills
Essential
- Able to use Microsoft office programmes (Excel, Word, Powerpoint etc.) to manage data, extract and demonstrate information
- Ability to make rapid assessments under pressure in clinical environment, informing other team members/disciplines of appropriate courses of action
- Manual dexterity (e.g. for making precision measurements with Test equipment/ handling fragile/delicate equipment or working with materials in Mould Room or Fabrication Room)
- Ability to prioritise and manage own work and working within a team
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc or equivalent
- HCPC registration as Radiographer or VRCT as Dosimetrist
Desirable
- MSc. modules or advanced professional development
Knowledge
Essential
- Specialised knowledge in advanced use of 3D treatment planning and virtual simulation systems
- Knowledge of CT and MRI anatomy
- Knowledge relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines, procedures and practices. (ISO9001, IR(ME)R, IRR, Health and Safety at work act)
- Understanding of medical terminology and principles of the cancer patient pathway.
Experience
Essential
- Production and checking of a wide range of clinical radiotherapy treatment plans using a modern treatment planning system
- Production and checking of patient immobilisation and shielding accessories in Mould Room environment
- Developing new procedures/processes and producing appropriate associated documentation
- Problem solving in context of a multi-disciplinary radiotherapy team
Desirable
- Experience with Philips Pinnacle TPS
- Experience with Elekta linear accelerators and Canon CT simulator
- Experience of quality control testing on linear accelerators
- Implementation of new radiotherapy techniques
Communication skills
Essential
- Evidence of a good standard of literacy/English language skills
- Effective written and oral communication
- Ability to train groups of other professional staff in treatment planning
- Ability to communicate well with patients and relatives
- Participation in a MDT environment
Physical, Analytical and Organisational skills
Essential
- Able to use Microsoft office programmes (Excel, Word, Powerpoint etc.) to manage data, extract and demonstrate information
- Ability to make rapid assessments under pressure in clinical environment, informing other team members/disciplines of appropriate courses of action
- Manual dexterity (e.g. for making precision measurements with Test equipment/ handling fragile/delicate equipment or working with materials in Mould Room or Fabrication Room)
- Ability to prioritise and manage own work and working within a team
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
