Job summary
The Radiotherapy Physics Section is responsible for providing a clinical scientific and technical service to the Radiotherapy Department within the Berkshire Cancer Centre of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.
Functions include: performing radiotherapy planning and checking for external beam and brachytherapy treatments; advising clinical staff on scientific and technical issues; determining patient-received doses and calibrating radiotherapy treatment equipment; ensuring the safety of patients and staff in a hazardous environment which includes exposure to high levels of ionising radiation; ensuring equipment is operating safely and effectively and investigating complex faults; and the evaluation, selection, procurement, installation, acceptance testing and calibration of equipment.
This post has a direct impact on patient treatments and occasionally brings the post holder into direct contact with patients during their treatment. The post holder will be expected to liaise with a wide range of staff in Medical Physics, Radiotherapy, at all levels within the Trust and with external equipment manufacturers.
The post holder will work as part of the physics team providing a clinical brachytherapy physics service to the Berkshire Cancer Centre. They will be responsible for aspects of the day-to-day operation of the brachytherapy service. They will also be required to provide assistance within theatre.
Main duties of the job
- To contribute at senior level to the core work of the Radiotherapy Physics Section including the provision of brachytherapy, treatment planning, plan checking, machine QA and calibration, and deputising for area Heads where appropriate.
- To provide Medical Physics Expert advice in radiotherapy physics.
- To initiate, project manage and deliver, relevant developments in the services provided by the Radiotherapy Physics Section.
- To train other colleagues in specialist areas, particularly Brachytherapy and complex planning techniques (e.g. SABR)
About us
The Royal Berkshire Hospital is based in central Reading, near the River Thames and a short walk from fast train links to London. Radiotherapy equipment currently includes Elekta Versa HD(TM) and Synergy linear accelerators, equipped with 4D-CBCT and AlignRT SGRT, two wide-bore CT scanners, an orthovoltage unit and a microSelectron HDR unit.Radiotherapy planning is provided by Eclipse(TM) planning systems and the ProSoma virtual simulation software, with patient management provided by MOSAIQ. Radiotherapy services are also provided at our satellite centre in Bracknell.
The Radiotherapy Physics Section is responsible for providing a clinical scientific and technical service to the Radiotherapy Department within the Berkshire Cancer Centre of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. Functions include: performing radiotherapy planning and checking for external beam and brachytherapy treatments; advising clinical staff on scientific and technical issues; determining patient-received doses and calibrating radiotherapy treatment equipment; ensuring the safety of patients and staff in a hazardous environment which includes exposure to high levels of ionising radiation; ensuring equipment is operating safely and effectively and investigating complex faults; and the evaluation, selection, procurement, installation, acceptance testing and calibration of equipment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Clinical Scientific
- To perform the duties of a Medical Physics Expert in providing scientific advice to medical staff and other healthcare professionals in at least one specialist area of radiotherapy physics.
- To deputise for senior colleagues as required.
- To be responsible for the day to day scheduling of the brachytherapy pathway to ensure that the implants (i.e. ordering radioactive sources) and the post implant dosimetry plans are available for use / review within the agreed timescale.
- To take a leading role in developing services within Radiotherapy Physics, taking responsibility for project management to ensure that projects are completed within appropriate timescales.
- To supervise other clinical scientists, dosimetrists, engineers and radiographers as appropriate, delegating tasks to other staff as necessary.
- To contribute to the specification and selection of radiotherapy equipment and applications.
- To undertake commissioning, quality control, radiation safety checks and calibration of radiotherapy equipment used in the planning, verification and treatment of patients, in accordance with quality assurance procedures. Where identified to be system manager for such systems.
- Where appropriate, to be responsible for carrying out definitive calibrations of treatment machines and ionisation detectors, and supervise staff in this work activity.
- Where appropriate, to be responsible for returning radiotherapy equipment into clinical use after repair, liaising with senior equipment engineers and senior radiography staff.
- To perform treatment planning for external beam and/or brachytherapy treatments and to independently check plans.
- To be responsible for the scientific accuracy of radiation treatment calculations and checks, treatment verification, patient dosimetry and other associated measurements.
- To be able to use specialised computer software and hardware, adapt computer systems and develop software solutions to meet the needs of the Radiotherapy Physics Section.
- To investigate problems, find solutions and implement changes in these areas of wor
- Professional
- Maintain HCPC registration and an agreed programme of CPD.
- Gain and maintain certification as a Medical Physics Expert for Radiotherapy.
- Demonstrate standards of behaviour consistent with the 5 domains of Good Scientific Practice; Professional Practice, Scientific Practice, Clinical Practice, Research and Development and Innovation and Clinical Leadership.
- Keep abreast of technical and scientific developments having immediate or potential applications in medical diagnosis, therapy or research, and advise the Head of Radiotherapy Physics on their implications.
- Ensure that all aspects of the work are provided in accordance with the Quality Management System, and conform to relevant legislation, national protocols and Trust policies
- Managerial
- To prioritise and manage own work to meet agreed outcomes and deadlines. .
- To keep careful records of all work performed and complete other appropriate records
- Teaching and Training
- To participate in the training and supervision of Clinical Scientists and other staff groups working in radiotherapy physics.
- Contribute to the development of new techniques and protocols which improve the accuracy, efficiency and/or efficacy of brachytherapy treatments, and provide practical instruction in all brachytherapy techniques associated with the post.
- To participate in the training for medical and other NHS staff on a range of subjects relevant to the work of the Radiotherapy Physics Section.
- To participate in other teaching activities relevant to the Radiotherapy Physics Section
- Research and Development
- Initiate, undertake and supervise applied research and development, disseminating results through presentations, publications and at scientific meetings as appropriate.
- To identify appropriate areas for development projects and to ensure that these are carried through to a successful conclusion.
- To write research based reports, create spreadsheets and databases to assist in the analysis of measured data
- General
- Frequently use VDU equipment for periods up to or longer than half a shift.
- Occasionally lift moderately heavy, cumbersome dosimetry equipment for several short periods during a shift.
- When working in other departments, the post-holder will liaise with a wide range of staff including local heads of department, medical staff, radiography staff and nursing staff, adhering to local policies and practices. The post-holder will behave courteously and professionally at all times and seek to ensure that the highest level of service is provided by Medical Physics.
- Work the hours necessary for the proper and efficient performance of the work, within the flexible working system set up in the Department. In practice the post-holder will, at times, be required to perform duties outside the core working hours of the Department.
- To perform other appropriate duties which may be requested from time to time by the Head of Radiotherapy Physics or Head of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, commensurate with the grade.
Job description
Job responsibilities
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Clinical Scientific
- To perform the duties of a Medical Physics Expert in providing scientific advice to medical staff and other healthcare professionals in at least one specialist area of radiotherapy physics.
- To deputise for senior colleagues as required.
- To be responsible for the day to day scheduling of the brachytherapy pathway to ensure that the implants (i.e. ordering radioactive sources) and the post implant dosimetry plans are available for use / review within the agreed timescale.
- To take a leading role in developing services within Radiotherapy Physics, taking responsibility for project management to ensure that projects are completed within appropriate timescales.
- To supervise other clinical scientists, dosimetrists, engineers and radiographers as appropriate, delegating tasks to other staff as necessary.
- To contribute to the specification and selection of radiotherapy equipment and applications.
- To undertake commissioning, quality control, radiation safety checks and calibration of radiotherapy equipment used in the planning, verification and treatment of patients, in accordance with quality assurance procedures. Where identified to be system manager for such systems.
- Where appropriate, to be responsible for carrying out definitive calibrations of treatment machines and ionisation detectors, and supervise staff in this work activity.
- Where appropriate, to be responsible for returning radiotherapy equipment into clinical use after repair, liaising with senior equipment engineers and senior radiography staff.
- To perform treatment planning for external beam and/or brachytherapy treatments and to independently check plans.
- To be responsible for the scientific accuracy of radiation treatment calculations and checks, treatment verification, patient dosimetry and other associated measurements.
- To be able to use specialised computer software and hardware, adapt computer systems and develop software solutions to meet the needs of the Radiotherapy Physics Section.
- To investigate problems, find solutions and implement changes in these areas of wor
- Professional
- Maintain HCPC registration and an agreed programme of CPD.
- Gain and maintain certification as a Medical Physics Expert for Radiotherapy.
- Demonstrate standards of behaviour consistent with the 5 domains of Good Scientific Practice; Professional Practice, Scientific Practice, Clinical Practice, Research and Development and Innovation and Clinical Leadership.
- Keep abreast of technical and scientific developments having immediate or potential applications in medical diagnosis, therapy or research, and advise the Head of Radiotherapy Physics on their implications.
- Ensure that all aspects of the work are provided in accordance with the Quality Management System, and conform to relevant legislation, national protocols and Trust policies
- Managerial
- To prioritise and manage own work to meet agreed outcomes and deadlines. .
- To keep careful records of all work performed and complete other appropriate records
- Teaching and Training
- To participate in the training and supervision of Clinical Scientists and other staff groups working in radiotherapy physics.
- Contribute to the development of new techniques and protocols which improve the accuracy, efficiency and/or efficacy of brachytherapy treatments, and provide practical instruction in all brachytherapy techniques associated with the post.
- To participate in the training for medical and other NHS staff on a range of subjects relevant to the work of the Radiotherapy Physics Section.
- To participate in other teaching activities relevant to the Radiotherapy Physics Section
- Research and Development
- Initiate, undertake and supervise applied research and development, disseminating results through presentations, publications and at scientific meetings as appropriate.
- To identify appropriate areas for development projects and to ensure that these are carried through to a successful conclusion.
- To write research based reports, create spreadsheets and databases to assist in the analysis of measured data
- General
- Frequently use VDU equipment for periods up to or longer than half a shift.
- Occasionally lift moderately heavy, cumbersome dosimetry equipment for several short periods during a shift.
- When working in other departments, the post-holder will liaise with a wide range of staff including local heads of department, medical staff, radiography staff and nursing staff, adhering to local policies and practices. The post-holder will behave courteously and professionally at all times and seek to ensure that the highest level of service is provided by Medical Physics.
- Work the hours necessary for the proper and efficient performance of the work, within the flexible working system set up in the Department. In practice the post-holder will, at times, be required to perform duties outside the core working hours of the Department.
- To perform other appropriate duties which may be requested from time to time by the Head of Radiotherapy Physics or Head of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, commensurate with the grade.
Person Specification
HCPC Registration
Essential
MPE Certification
Essential
Desirable
SABR experience
Essential
- Experience in SABR planning and checking
Desirable
- Experience using Eclipse, Prosoma and RadCalc
Person Specification
HCPC Registration
Essential
MPE Certification
Essential
Desirable
SABR experience
Essential
- Experience in SABR planning and checking
Desirable
- Experience using Eclipse, Prosoma and RadCalc
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.
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).
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
