Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Clinical Scientist to join the Radiosurgery Physics Section of the large and comprehensive Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering Department at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.
The post holder will be a Clinical Scientist, registered with the HCPC, with significant Stereotactic Radiosurgery experience in order to operate effectively at MPE level and deputise for the Head of Radiosurgery Physics as required. The Section holds ISO9001:2015 accreditation and the post holder will act as the quality manager and risk manager for the radiosurgery physics section.
Post holder will be required to participate in the section shift rota (usually 8am 4pm with some 12am 8pm shifts).
Main duties of the job
The Section provides scientific input and clinical expertise to The National Centre for Stereotactic Radiosurgery in Sheffield which operates a Gamma Knife radiosurgery service treating more than 800 patients each year. In addition to supporting the clinical service delivery, the team performs the routine quality assurance on the Gamma Knife treatment machine, oversees the collection and processing of treatment data and engages in related research and development activities.
Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering is a training centre for scientist trainees and the post holder will contribute to the scientific training of individuals on the STP scheme and other visitors to the department. Further training is encouraged, at all levels, within the team and staff development is paramount to our success.
About us
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals is one of the largest NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK and has a strong reputation for innovation and development of services. Sheffield lies on the boundary of the Peak District National Park and provides an excellent location for those who wish to live in an area that includes both city living and easy access to the countryside.
You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Service Management
- Participates alongside the section head in the supervision of the highly specialised team of Clinical Scientists and Clinical Technologists providing the physics support to the National Centre for Stereotactic Radiosurgery. The centre provides radiosurgery treatments using a Gamma knife treatment unit to around 850 patients per year through clinical services 5 days per week with extended day (8am to 8 pm) working.
- To deputise for the Head of Radiosurgery Physics Section when appropriate in all aspects of Radiosurgery.
- Oversee the scientific work and performance of the scientific and clinical technology staff.
- To report on and oversee the development and maintenance of a routine quality assurance programme of dosimetry and other checks on the equipment and accessories in accordance with the statutory requirements and with due regard to the unique and highly specialised nature of the Gamma Knife radiation treatment unit.
- Fulfil role as Physics Quality Manager for the ISO9001:2015 Quality Management System within the National Centre for Stereotactic Radiosurgery
- To ensure that all processes required by the Radiosurgery Quality Management System (ISO9001: 2015) are implemented, maintained and undergo continuous improvement.
- Report to the Head of Radiosurgery Physics, and the Quality Management Review Committee, having the ability to highlight data trends, such that the probability of treatment error may be minimised.
- To maintain accurate and current quality documentation.
- To be active in the development, writing, implementation and issuing of protocols to improve quality
- To ensure that all members of staff are aware of all relevant quality issues.
- To liaise with the Head of Radiosurgery Physics, Quality Manager (Radiography) and Superintendent Radiographer on all Quality issues.
- Attend Management Review meetings.
- To organise and implement regular internal audit of the quality system, in a planned and ongoing manner by the designated personnel (1 member from both the physics and radiography team). Review plans and audit procedures periodically in the light of previous experience.
- Maintain up-to-date training records for all physics personnel to ensure the correct level of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is maintained and reports this to the head of Radiosurgery physics.
- To maintain adequate records of Gamma-Knife maintenance and fault recording.
- Work with the Section Chief Technologist to ensure that the required standards of work and performance of the technologists are being achieved.
- To liaise with 4 Instrument Workshop technicians in relation to the first-line maintenance and quality assurance of the Gamma Knife equipment.
- Fulfil the role of Risk Manager for the radiosurgery section.
- To ensure the safe use of and security of the Gamma Knife and its radioactive sources. Ensure that adequate safety equipment is provided to guarantee the safe use of any equipment necessary for treatment and that all patients and personnel are safe from radiation hazards.
- The identification of hazards within the section
- Review and assessment of all of the sections procedures from a risk perspective
- Maintain and update the departmental risk assessment ensuring an annual review and update is performed. Ensuring that the clinical risk assessment for the directorate is kept up to date.
- To organise and implement schedules for Radiosurgery Emergency Procedure training for all section members.
- To maintain awareness of all current legislation that may impact both on quality and risk issues.
- To assist the Head of Radiosurgery Physics in organising and implementing rotas for extended days, weekend and overtime work for the physics personnel.
(see attached job description for full details)
Job description
Job responsibilities
Service Management
- Participates alongside the section head in the supervision of the highly specialised team of Clinical Scientists and Clinical Technologists providing the physics support to the National Centre for Stereotactic Radiosurgery. The centre provides radiosurgery treatments using a Gamma knife treatment unit to around 850 patients per year through clinical services 5 days per week with extended day (8am to 8 pm) working.
- To deputise for the Head of Radiosurgery Physics Section when appropriate in all aspects of Radiosurgery.
- Oversee the scientific work and performance of the scientific and clinical technology staff.
- To report on and oversee the development and maintenance of a routine quality assurance programme of dosimetry and other checks on the equipment and accessories in accordance with the statutory requirements and with due regard to the unique and highly specialised nature of the Gamma Knife radiation treatment unit.
- Fulfil role as Physics Quality Manager for the ISO9001:2015 Quality Management System within the National Centre for Stereotactic Radiosurgery
- To ensure that all processes required by the Radiosurgery Quality Management System (ISO9001: 2015) are implemented, maintained and undergo continuous improvement.
- Report to the Head of Radiosurgery Physics, and the Quality Management Review Committee, having the ability to highlight data trends, such that the probability of treatment error may be minimised.
- To maintain accurate and current quality documentation.
- To be active in the development, writing, implementation and issuing of protocols to improve quality
- To ensure that all members of staff are aware of all relevant quality issues.
- To liaise with the Head of Radiosurgery Physics, Quality Manager (Radiography) and Superintendent Radiographer on all Quality issues.
- Attend Management Review meetings.
- To organise and implement regular internal audit of the quality system, in a planned and ongoing manner by the designated personnel (1 member from both the physics and radiography team). Review plans and audit procedures periodically in the light of previous experience.
- Maintain up-to-date training records for all physics personnel to ensure the correct level of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is maintained and reports this to the head of Radiosurgery physics.
- To maintain adequate records of Gamma-Knife maintenance and fault recording.
- Work with the Section Chief Technologist to ensure that the required standards of work and performance of the technologists are being achieved.
- To liaise with 4 Instrument Workshop technicians in relation to the first-line maintenance and quality assurance of the Gamma Knife equipment.
- Fulfil the role of Risk Manager for the radiosurgery section.
- To ensure the safe use of and security of the Gamma Knife and its radioactive sources. Ensure that adequate safety equipment is provided to guarantee the safe use of any equipment necessary for treatment and that all patients and personnel are safe from radiation hazards.
- The identification of hazards within the section
- Review and assessment of all of the sections procedures from a risk perspective
- Maintain and update the departmental risk assessment ensuring an annual review and update is performed. Ensuring that the clinical risk assessment for the directorate is kept up to date.
- To organise and implement schedules for Radiosurgery Emergency Procedure training for all section members.
- To maintain awareness of all current legislation that may impact both on quality and risk issues.
- To assist the Head of Radiosurgery Physics in organising and implementing rotas for extended days, weekend and overtime work for the physics personnel.
(see attached job description for full details)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Honours degree in physics/engineering/other appropriate subject (according to medical physics specialty) or equivalent.
- Masters degree or equivalent in medical physics/medical engineering/relevant subject area
- Registered Clinical Scientist with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Entitled to act as Medical Physics Expert in Radiosurgery
Desirable
- Eligible for corporate membership of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine
Experience
Essential
- Post graduate experience in a clinical science with evidence of scientific activity and proven ability in a hospital environment or equivalent. It is generally expected that part of this experience will have been gained through structured basic and advanced training programmes.
- Previous experience in the specialised field of Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Desirable
- Competence in scientific computing and IT
- Experience in research resulting in presentation of results via written scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and oral presentation at approved scientific meetings
- Experience of source exchange procedures
- Experience working with an ISO9001 Quality Management System
Special Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
- Good communication, interpersonal, team working skills, ability to command respect
- Problem solving, attention to detail, organisational and Management skills
- Highly motivated with ability to motivate others with enthusiastic approach
- Understanding the need for confidentiality
Other Factors
Essential
- Smart appearance, pleasant and helpful manner, caring attitude
- Regular and Punctual attendance
- Flexible Attitude to working hours
- Positive attitude to continuous professional development within specialty
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Honours degree in physics/engineering/other appropriate subject (according to medical physics specialty) or equivalent.
- Masters degree or equivalent in medical physics/medical engineering/relevant subject area
- Registered Clinical Scientist with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Entitled to act as Medical Physics Expert in Radiosurgery
Desirable
- Eligible for corporate membership of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine
Experience
Essential
- Post graduate experience in a clinical science with evidence of scientific activity and proven ability in a hospital environment or equivalent. It is generally expected that part of this experience will have been gained through structured basic and advanced training programmes.
- Previous experience in the specialised field of Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Desirable
- Competence in scientific computing and IT
- Experience in research resulting in presentation of results via written scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and oral presentation at approved scientific meetings
- Experience of source exchange procedures
- Experience working with an ISO9001 Quality Management System
Special Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
- Good communication, interpersonal, team working skills, ability to command respect
- Problem solving, attention to detail, organisational and Management skills
- Highly motivated with ability to motivate others with enthusiastic approach
- Understanding the need for confidentiality
Other Factors
Essential
- Smart appearance, pleasant and helpful manner, caring attitude
- Regular and Punctual attendance
- Flexible Attitude to working hours
- Positive attitude to continuous professional development within specialty
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).
