Senior Dosimetrist (Radiotherapy Treatment Planning)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

Treatment planning

1. Responsible for the manual and electronic import of radiological images (CT scans) to afford accurate interpretation for radiotherapy treatment planning purposes.
2. Independently identifies and delineates critical patient organs and avoidance structures at risk from acute or late radiation damage/ necrosis within patient image data sets.
3. Work in collaboration with the Consultant Clinical Oncologist to define the extents of the tumour volume and intended irradiation area. Provide guidance to junior clinical staff (Specialist Registrars) on the tumour definition process.
4. Responsible for independent validation and confirmation of critical data relating to tumour position/site against patient data sources.
5. Produce routine and complex radiation dose plans and carry out associated complex calculations to quantify the radiation dose received by the patient, in accordance with clinical prescription and agreed procedures, using computerised planning systems as appropriate.
6. Analyse proposed treatments and make highly analytical judgements regarding treatment parameters and patient radiation dose effects. Using visual objectivity and computerised dose volume histograms, to ensure adherence of dose uniformity and dose critical constraints.
7. Advise and discuss with clinical staff the various radiation plan approaches, resulting in an optimum patient specific treatment plan.
8. Evaluate requirements for and calculate complex beam modelling parameters affording field alignment for patient treatment plan application.
9. Transfer patient critical information to the department treatment management system, presenting the information in a clear accurate format for treatment application.
10. Create digital anatomical images to be used for the validation and verification checks required to ensure correlation of the plan parameters with the patient treatment set up.
11. Responsible for performing the final independent check on treatment technique, treatment plan data, dose calculations and templates. Prior to issuing for the commencement of the patients radiation treatment
12. Provide Therapy Radiographers with immediate unscheduled advice, relating to patient plan parameters. Confirming set-up or radiation dose tolerances and advising on appropriateness to continue or cease current treatment delivery session.
13. Replan patient treatments where required, following changes to the treatment regime or patient shape. Use judgment to subjectively analyse and determine the most appropriate actions required. Carry out manual dose calculations for review.

Mould room

1. Support, advise, and provide information to patients and relatives relating to pre-treatment sessions. Clearly communicate with patients during mould room activities, at times overcoming understanding difficulties with patients presenting with brain tumours.
2. Provide specialist technical advice to medical staff on patient positioning and suitable fixation devices to accurately immobilise patients during radiotherapy treatment.
3. Manufacture bespoke patient beam immobilisation shells for specialist treatments.
4. Coordinate the patient imaging session for mould room patients; provide guidance to the therapeutic and/or diagnostic radiographers affording acquisition of the appropriate imaging required for the treatment planning process.
5. Make other individual patient specific treatment aids to high degree of accuracy such as wax blocks, lead or low melting point alloy blocks, and electron cutouts, using a range of manufacturing techniques.
6. Arrange pre-treatment and treatment schedules for patients to ensure that they receive treatment when planned and in accordance with pre determined clinical protocols, liaising with medical and radiographic staff.

   Managerial

   1. Prioritise and manage own work. Provide support and advice within the RT Physics team on Radiotherapy applications.
   2. Keep careful records of all work performed and other appropriate records as required for statistical purposes, in all work areas with in radiotherapy physics section.
   3. Monitor stocks and order supplies as required enabling duties to be performed.
   4. Assist in producing revised or new protocols for the departments quality system, when required.

      Teaching, training and research

      1. Provide theoretical and practical work based instruction to trainee Healthcare Scientists (Clinical Technologist and Clinical Scientists), and Therapy Radiographers and on all aspects of Radiotherapy Physics.
      2. Demonstrate techniques to pre-registration Healthcare Scientists as required.
      3. Train other qualified staff in the technical aspects of radiotherapy physics duties, as required.
      4. Assist in producing and developing career literature, present at public career events to improve professional awareness.
      5. Assist with the development of new clinical techniques in conjunction with other staff groups.
      6. Participate in departmental and national research trials and audits.

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• oCurrent Specialist knowledge and experience in the areas of Radiotherapy physics
• oSound knowledge and background in the physics of radiotherapy and radiation safety.
• oWorking knowledge of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines (e.g., IRR, IR(ME)R, Health & Safety, COSHH)
• oWell-developed IT skills, including Office suite and specialist software systems; able to manage, manipulate and report information

Desirable

• Aware of the Clinical trial process.
• Advanced level of understanding of radiation risk (to patients and staff)
• Excellent patient handling techniques (including the movement / positioning of disabled patients)
• In depth understanding of anatomy, and the physiology of malignant disease
• Working knowledge and understanding of infection control.
• Able to work safely within a workshop environment, frequent exposure to chemical fumes and plaster dust. Ability to operate workshop equipment safely.

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• Vocational BSC (Hons) Degree in Clinical Technology, or hold a recognised qualification with clinical experience equivalent Thereto i.e. BSc Therapeutic Radiographer.
• Specialist knowledge of treatment planning and mould room advanced procedures
• Demonstrable experience in Radiotherapy Physics

Desirable

• Current GCP attendance/certification
• Relevant Postgraduate diploma, MSc and/or specialist knowledge of treatment planning and mould room advanced procedures, management acquired through accredited formal courses or equivalent in-depth experience to Masters level.
• Approved Clinical Technologist on IPEM registration (RCT). HCPC State Registration (or eligible to register)
• Eligible for membership of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM)

APTITUDE & ABILITIES

Essential

• oGood communication skills and ability to communicate effectively
• oAble to prioritise, manage and plan work for self.
• oAble to accept a high level of autonomy and under own initiative
• oAbility to work under pressure, at times in unpredictable work patterns and adjust to interruptions during periods of concentrations to meet reasonable deadlines.
• oApplication of sophisticated test/measurement equipment to afford high precision measurements
• oAble to concentrate for long periods

Desirable

• Manual dexterity and ability to move and position less able patients
• Able to make judgements on test results and report interpretation to clinicians
• Able to solve complex problems using analytical skills and clinical judgement.
• Aware of the need to maintain patient confidentiality.

DISPOSITION / ATTITUDE / MOTIVATION

Essential

• oPatient Focused
• oAble to deal with continuous change and technical updates.
• oAbility to deal with occasional distressing circumstances
• oOccasionally requirements lift and move equipment (moderate physical effort).

Desirable

• Able to deal frequently with emotionally demanding patients

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

University Hospitals Trust Plymouth, Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH

Employer's website

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