Clinical Scientist - Radiotherapy Physics

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 11 May 2025

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Job summary

The post holder is a Clinical Scientist working in the Radiotherapy Physics Department in The Beacon Centre, Taunton, Somerset FT. The post holder is a member of a team of dosimetrists, a radiotherapy physics assistant and clinical scientists who provide the specialist clinical, scientific and technical services of the department. The post holder contributes directly to these services, supporting the highly complex radiation science infrastructure, producing and checking radiotherapy treatment plans, performing quality assurance checks on radiotherapy planning and delivery equipment and contributing to, and taking a lead in, research and development activities.

The Radiotherapy Service in Somerset FT treats around 1600 patients a year on 3 Elekta Versa HD linear accelerators - all equipped with CBCT, FFF and SGRT (Align RT) functionality. A Canon Aquilion CT scanner provides imaging for treatment planning which over the next 12 months will move from Philips Pinnacle to Raysearch Raystation.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will perform quality assurance and calibration procedures on radiotherapy treatment and radiation dosimetry equipment. They will also participate in the work of the Treatment Planning Section and undertake development projects as assigned by the Head of Radiotherapy Physics and Lead Clinical Scientists. The post holder will have a role in governance and quality management for the Department and participate in multi-disciplinary meetings as a the radiotherapy physics representative.

The post holder is expected to fulfil the role of an Operator under the Ionising Radiations (Medical Exposures) Regulations 2017 and is registered as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

  • Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
  • NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
  • Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
  • A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Date posted

22 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-PU-2352

Job locations

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder provides specialist clinical scientist services to patients of the Radiotherapy Department such that they receive safe, accurate and efficient radiotherapy treatments. The key duties performed by the post-holder are detailed in the attached job description.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder provides specialist clinical scientist services to patients of the Radiotherapy Department such that they receive safe, accurate and efficient radiotherapy treatments. The key duties performed by the post-holder are detailed in the attached job description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subjectRelevant MSc or higher degreeCertificate of completion of Post-qualification Training, e.g. through STP or IPEM route 2.

Desirable

  • PhD in relevant subject

Experience

Essential

  • Completion of a wide range of routine QC checks of radiotherapy equipment, including imaging system QC checksCompletion of patient specific QC checksProduction and checking of a wide range of clinical radiotherapy treatment plans in a modern treatment planning systemDeveloping new procedures/processes and producing appropriate associated documentationProblem solving in the context of a multi-disciplinary radiotherapy team

Desirable

  • Commissioning new radiotherapy equipmentUsing Pinnacle and/or Raystation TPS and Mosaiq R+V systems

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Able to demonstrate a good standard of English language.Effective written and oral communicationAble to communicate effectively when relating complex, technical concepts and advice.Show good interpersonal skills when dealing with patients or carers, leaving a positive impression. Able to use Excel, Word etc to set up documents and spreadsheets. Ability to make accurate measurements with highly complex electronic equipment. Ability to concentrate for frequent and prolonged periods in all aspects of work. Ability to deal effectively with unpredictable situations.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subjectRelevant MSc or higher degreeCertificate of completion of Post-qualification Training, e.g. through STP or IPEM route 2.

Desirable

  • PhD in relevant subject

Experience

Essential

  • Completion of a wide range of routine QC checks of radiotherapy equipment, including imaging system QC checksCompletion of patient specific QC checksProduction and checking of a wide range of clinical radiotherapy treatment plans in a modern treatment planning systemDeveloping new procedures/processes and producing appropriate associated documentationProblem solving in the context of a multi-disciplinary radiotherapy team

Desirable

  • Commissioning new radiotherapy equipmentUsing Pinnacle and/or Raystation TPS and Mosaiq R+V systems

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Able to demonstrate a good standard of English language.Effective written and oral communicationAble to communicate effectively when relating complex, technical concepts and advice.Show good interpersonal skills when dealing with patients or carers, leaving a positive impression. Able to use Excel, Word etc to set up documents and spreadsheets. Ability to make accurate measurements with highly complex electronic equipment. Ability to concentrate for frequent and prolonged periods in all aspects of work. Ability to deal effectively with unpredictable situations.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Employer's website

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

For questions about the job, contact:

Hiring Manager

Steve McCormack

stephen.mccormack@somersetft.nhs.uk

01823344834

Date posted

22 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-PU-2352

Job locations

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Supporting documents

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