Job summary
This is an opportunity to join our outstanding radiotherapy physics team based at Weston Park Cancer Centre in Sheffield. The successful applicant will be part of a team of Dosimetrists working in treatment planning, brachytherapy and mould room.
The successful candidate will be based at Weston Park Cancer Centre, part of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
We expect to recruit someone with working experience of radiotherapy treatment planning. Some flexibility around working hours will be required.
If you have a suitable degree, an understanding of the role and would like the opportunity to develop both your academic and practical skills whilst working closely with colleagues in the field of radiotherapy physics as a Dosimetrist we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be a specialist provides technical services to patients and clients as an aid to the accurate delivery of radiotherapy.
They will perform machine calibrations, produce treatment plans and immobilisation devices and may provide technical support for brachytherapy procedures.
The post holder will liaise with Consultants and other therapy service providers to ensure radiotherapy physics support and maintenance of essential specialist clinical equipment.
They will maintain standards in all areas as laid down by the departmental quality system (QART) and all relevant Health and Safety regulations.
About us
In Sheffield, treatment planning, brachytherapy and mould room work are performed by a team of 15 Technicians/Dosimetrists, forming part of the Radiotherapy Physics Department.
This Trust has been one of the best performing NHS organizations in the country including winning the title of 'Hospital Trust of the Year' in the Good Hospital Guide three times in five years. Located on the edge of the beautiful Peak District, Sheffield is a lively and friendly city, a wonderful place to live and work.
Among the most productive departments in the UK, Weston Park Cancer Centre provides radiotherapy for a population of 1.8 million, treating around 4,500 patients per year with recent expansion to 8 linear accelerators plus PDR brachytherapy, and various other specialized services. Treatment planning is performed using Eclipse. We are a leading contributor to clinical trials in radiotherapy and involve all staff in research and development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Be involved in the production of custom made, highly specialised apparatus for use in patient care, which contributes directly to the level of treatment of patients. For example, the production of beam directional shells for the immobilisation of patients undergoing radiotherapy. The post holder will need to be empathetic to the needs and anxieties of both patients and their carers. The post holder will also work with patients that have communication difficulties, such as those with varying degrees of deafness, patients having undergone surgery to their larynx and patients and/or carers that do not speak English as their first language.
- To be responsible for patient care when attending for procedures undertaken in the mould room, making direct decisions. This involves a wide range of patients, such as the elderly, mentally and physically disabled, children and the terminally ill. When working with patients there will be occasional exposure to uncontained body fluids, recent surgical wounds, and patients carrying MRSA and other infections and having to deal with them in accordance with quality procedures.
- To be responsible for the production of other highly specialised apparatus for use in patient care, which contributes directly to the level of treatment of patients. For example wax bolus, electron shielding equipment and other innovative prototypes and devices for use in radiotherapy. The production of these devices requires a high level of skill with both power and hand tools. Also necessary is an ability to employ a wide variety of materials that need to be manipulated with a degree of urgency and speed, unsupervised.
- To be produce a diverse range of patient-specific treatment plans, under tight time constraints.
- These treatment plans require skilled and experienced interpretation considering a range of options to produce the best plan for the patient. The process includes the transfer of patient data (images, contours, etc) between computer systems, and the creation of further reports, documents and images. The process requires high level of attention to detail and precision as well as advanced technical understanding and skills.
- To undertake both routine and complex dosimetry measurements, following procedures and guidelines as appropriate. Perform quality control and other measurements and procedures on highly complex patient critical equipment using departmental procedures set out in the Quality System.
- To be responsible for ensuring treatment plans are produced within time limits in order for other groups to process preparation for a patients treatment. Responsible for ensuring appropriate treatment machines are suitable for a patients treatment and liaising with booking clerks and Radiographers to rebook the patient on an appropriate machine, when this has not been done.
- To maintain accurate records of work produced, both in Planning and Mould Room. Record radiation doses prescribed to patients in Planning. Record all calibrations performed on treatment machines and other radiotherapy equipment and their results. Proceed with further investigations if calibrations are out of tolerance, liaising with Physicists, whilst following quality assurance protocols.
- To provide technical assistance to alleviate fluctuating workloads in Treatment Planning, Mould Room, Brachytherapy and Therapy Machine Calibrations, thereby ensuring all needs of the service are met.
- The post holder will be required to take part in the departmental on-call rota system for the provision of out of hours cover for the brachytherapy service.
- To ensure compliance with accredited Quality Systems in the areas of work for which the post holder carries responsibility. Participate in the development and routine operation of quality systems.
- To assist in developing clinical and technical procedures and protocols under the Departments Quality System, under supervision. Consult with other staff groups where changes impact on their system. Take part in working groups to agree changes to protocols affecting both Radiotherapy Physics and Radiotherapy.
- To provide practical training to Technicians, Physicists, Radiographers, and medical staff on planning practices and quality assurance on radiotherapy equipment. Provide advice to the above staff groups on the most appropriate techniques to use in mould room procedures.
- To supervise the training of junior technicians in all aspects of treatment planning, mould room, quality assurance and brachytherapy..
- To assist in the formal and informal training of all grades of staff and students of the Health Authority, NHS Trusts and University as required.
- To maintain training records relevant to post.
- To keep up to date with technical and scientific developments and their applications in medical and associated fields.
- To attend suitable seminars and courses as part of training and personal development. Liaise with other Technicians, Physicists and Radiographers in other radiotherapy centres regarding best current practices and future developments in particular areas.
- To ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and conform to Statutory Regulations, such as COSHH, approved Codes of Practice, Local Safety Rules and legal radiation requirements such as IRMER
- To participate in Continuous Professional Development.
- Aim to produce radiotherapy plans that conform to international protocols such as ICRU 50 and ICRU 62.
- To prioritise own workload to meet deadlines set by a variety of factors, such as producing a plan in a limited time so an Oncologist may approve it or producing a plan in a shortened time so that the patients treatment may be expedited. Often required to put back a piece of work so that a more urgent piece of work is produced on time.
- To keep careful and accurate records of all work performed and complete other appropriate records.
- To supervise the work of lower grade technicians and assist with prioritisation of their workload if needed.
- To check on stock levels of various materials in the mould room and inform the Chief Technician when reordering is necessary.
- To regularly undertake research and development activity as part of the job. Develop and improve equipment and techniques for radiotherapy. Takes a senior role in the evaluation of new equipment that may be tested.
- To liaise with Research Radiographers and Physicists to ensure that planning patients involvement with clinical trials is coordinated.
- To provide feedback on research and development activity in meetings to varying staff groups.
- To persuade patients to undergo procedures which they often find upsetting or distressing such as Plaster of Paris impressions of their entire heads and necks.
- The post holder will need to be empathetic to the needs and anxieties of both patients and their carers. The post holder will also work with patients that have communication difficulties, such as those with varying degrees of deafness, patients having undergone surgery to their larynx, affecting their speech, and patients and/or carers that do not speak English as their first language.
- To explain to patients the whole radiotherapy process, from our own involvement through to several other procedures that they will undertake involving different staff groups, such as Radiographers, Dieticians, Dentists and Chemotherapy nurses.
- To deliver advice and reassurance to patients regarding treatment progress that were unexpected, such as why a new plan has to be produced or why a start date for their treatment is not achievable.
- To provide a vital link between patients and their Consultants, Dieticians, Dental Assessors, ambulance transport and other health professionals when they visit our department or telephone us directly asking for support.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Be involved in the production of custom made, highly specialised apparatus for use in patient care, which contributes directly to the level of treatment of patients. For example, the production of beam directional shells for the immobilisation of patients undergoing radiotherapy. The post holder will need to be empathetic to the needs and anxieties of both patients and their carers. The post holder will also work with patients that have communication difficulties, such as those with varying degrees of deafness, patients having undergone surgery to their larynx and patients and/or carers that do not speak English as their first language.
- To be responsible for patient care when attending for procedures undertaken in the mould room, making direct decisions. This involves a wide range of patients, such as the elderly, mentally and physically disabled, children and the terminally ill. When working with patients there will be occasional exposure to uncontained body fluids, recent surgical wounds, and patients carrying MRSA and other infections and having to deal with them in accordance with quality procedures.
- To be responsible for the production of other highly specialised apparatus for use in patient care, which contributes directly to the level of treatment of patients. For example wax bolus, electron shielding equipment and other innovative prototypes and devices for use in radiotherapy. The production of these devices requires a high level of skill with both power and hand tools. Also necessary is an ability to employ a wide variety of materials that need to be manipulated with a degree of urgency and speed, unsupervised.
- To be produce a diverse range of patient-specific treatment plans, under tight time constraints.
- These treatment plans require skilled and experienced interpretation considering a range of options to produce the best plan for the patient. The process includes the transfer of patient data (images, contours, etc) between computer systems, and the creation of further reports, documents and images. The process requires high level of attention to detail and precision as well as advanced technical understanding and skills.
- To undertake both routine and complex dosimetry measurements, following procedures and guidelines as appropriate. Perform quality control and other measurements and procedures on highly complex patient critical equipment using departmental procedures set out in the Quality System.
- To be responsible for ensuring treatment plans are produced within time limits in order for other groups to process preparation for a patients treatment. Responsible for ensuring appropriate treatment machines are suitable for a patients treatment and liaising with booking clerks and Radiographers to rebook the patient on an appropriate machine, when this has not been done.
- To maintain accurate records of work produced, both in Planning and Mould Room. Record radiation doses prescribed to patients in Planning. Record all calibrations performed on treatment machines and other radiotherapy equipment and their results. Proceed with further investigations if calibrations are out of tolerance, liaising with Physicists, whilst following quality assurance protocols.
- To provide technical assistance to alleviate fluctuating workloads in Treatment Planning, Mould Room, Brachytherapy and Therapy Machine Calibrations, thereby ensuring all needs of the service are met.
- The post holder will be required to take part in the departmental on-call rota system for the provision of out of hours cover for the brachytherapy service.
- To ensure compliance with accredited Quality Systems in the areas of work for which the post holder carries responsibility. Participate in the development and routine operation of quality systems.
- To assist in developing clinical and technical procedures and protocols under the Departments Quality System, under supervision. Consult with other staff groups where changes impact on their system. Take part in working groups to agree changes to protocols affecting both Radiotherapy Physics and Radiotherapy.
- To provide practical training to Technicians, Physicists, Radiographers, and medical staff on planning practices and quality assurance on radiotherapy equipment. Provide advice to the above staff groups on the most appropriate techniques to use in mould room procedures.
- To supervise the training of junior technicians in all aspects of treatment planning, mould room, quality assurance and brachytherapy..
- To assist in the formal and informal training of all grades of staff and students of the Health Authority, NHS Trusts and University as required.
- To maintain training records relevant to post.
- To keep up to date with technical and scientific developments and their applications in medical and associated fields.
- To attend suitable seminars and courses as part of training and personal development. Liaise with other Technicians, Physicists and Radiographers in other radiotherapy centres regarding best current practices and future developments in particular areas.
- To ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and conform to Statutory Regulations, such as COSHH, approved Codes of Practice, Local Safety Rules and legal radiation requirements such as IRMER
- To participate in Continuous Professional Development.
- Aim to produce radiotherapy plans that conform to international protocols such as ICRU 50 and ICRU 62.
- To prioritise own workload to meet deadlines set by a variety of factors, such as producing a plan in a limited time so an Oncologist may approve it or producing a plan in a shortened time so that the patients treatment may be expedited. Often required to put back a piece of work so that a more urgent piece of work is produced on time.
- To keep careful and accurate records of all work performed and complete other appropriate records.
- To supervise the work of lower grade technicians and assist with prioritisation of their workload if needed.
- To check on stock levels of various materials in the mould room and inform the Chief Technician when reordering is necessary.
- To regularly undertake research and development activity as part of the job. Develop and improve equipment and techniques for radiotherapy. Takes a senior role in the evaluation of new equipment that may be tested.
- To liaise with Research Radiographers and Physicists to ensure that planning patients involvement with clinical trials is coordinated.
- To provide feedback on research and development activity in meetings to varying staff groups.
- To persuade patients to undergo procedures which they often find upsetting or distressing such as Plaster of Paris impressions of their entire heads and necks.
- The post holder will need to be empathetic to the needs and anxieties of both patients and their carers. The post holder will also work with patients that have communication difficulties, such as those with varying degrees of deafness, patients having undergone surgery to their larynx, affecting their speech, and patients and/or carers that do not speak English as their first language.
- To explain to patients the whole radiotherapy process, from our own involvement through to several other procedures that they will undertake involving different staff groups, such as Radiographers, Dieticians, Dentists and Chemotherapy nurses.
- To deliver advice and reassurance to patients regarding treatment progress that were unexpected, such as why a new plan has to be produced or why a start date for their treatment is not achievable.
- To provide a vital link between patients and their Consultants, Dieticians, Dental Assessors, ambulance transport and other health professionals when they visit our department or telephone us directly asking for support.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- oHNC / HTEC in Medical Physics or suitable science degree or Radiography qualifications or Clinical Technology degree.
- oState Registered Radiographer or on or eligible for Voluntary Register of Clinical Technologists.
Desirable
- oHold IPEM Clinical Technologist Diploma/Certificate
Experience
Essential
- oDemonstrable understanding of the work of Mould Room, Brachytherapy, Treatment Planning, Treatment Machine QA in Radiotherapy
Desirable
- oHave experience in at least two of Mould Room, Brachytherapy, Treatment Planning, Treatment Machine QA
Further Training
Essential
- oTraining in Computerised Radiotherapy Planning
Special Skills.Aptitudes
Essential
- oManual Dexterity (ie Small hand tool work)
- oComputer Applications User
- oGood Communicator
Desirable
Other Factors
Essential
- oWork in multi disciplinary environment as part of a Team
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- oHNC / HTEC in Medical Physics or suitable science degree or Radiography qualifications or Clinical Technology degree.
- oState Registered Radiographer or on or eligible for Voluntary Register of Clinical Technologists.
Desirable
- oHold IPEM Clinical Technologist Diploma/Certificate
Experience
Essential
- oDemonstrable understanding of the work of Mould Room, Brachytherapy, Treatment Planning, Treatment Machine QA in Radiotherapy
Desirable
- oHave experience in at least two of Mould Room, Brachytherapy, Treatment Planning, Treatment Machine QA
Further Training
Essential
- oTraining in Computerised Radiotherapy Planning
Special Skills.Aptitudes
Essential
- oManual Dexterity (ie Small hand tool work)
- oComputer Applications User
- oGood Communicator
Desirable
Other Factors
Essential
- oWork in multi disciplinary environment as part of 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.
