Clinical Scientist Imaging/ Radiation Protection Diagnostic Radiology

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

Applications are invited for this exciting professional and managerial opportunity at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust to support the operational management and raise the scientific profile of the Clinical and Radiation Physics Group.

Amongst other professional roles and skillsets, the successful candidate will hold a certificate of competence (RPA2000) as a Radiation Protection Adviser and Medical Physics Expert.

The role will be critical in providing managerial and leadership support to the Head of Clinical and Radiation Physics and will contribute to the strategic direction of the group during an exciting period of service development. This is a formal deputy position to the Head of Department and an excellent opportunity for those wishing to develop in leadership and management.

We welcome applications from highly demonstrably experienced candidates, offering the possibility of advancement into senior management and leadership roles as part of our commitment to continued professional growth and progression.

Informal enquiries are welcomed, please contact Rob Loader, Head of Clinical & Radiation Physics (01752) 439669 robert.loader@nhs.net

Main duties of the job

The Clinical & Radiation Physics group in Plymouth has an excellent reputation with both internal and external customers. We work closely with our clinical colleagues to deliver high quality, safe and patient centred radiological imaging and therapy services to our patients and

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust provides acute and specialist services to Plymouth and the wider Southwest Peninsula, has teaching status as part of the Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, and Radiography, and hosts one of the UK's radiology academies. The Trust hosts the Peninsula Trauma Centre, providing all the major specialist services relevant to the care of major trauma, i.e. general surgery, emergency medicine, vascular, orthopaedic, plastic, spinal, maxillofacial, cardiothoracic and neurological surgery and interventional radiology. Our Trust is expanding rapidly, recognising the key benefits of medical Imaging and therapeutic uses of Ionising radiation in optimising patient experience and outcome. The service provides scientific support to West Devon & East Cornwall Breast Screening Programme and excellent operational relationships with R&D, Medical Imaging, and other Service Lines as an onsite service provider.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY.

If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission.

We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Date posted

02 April 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£70,417 to £81,138 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-AH-C6055612-A

Job locations

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH

Job description

Job responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Appointed as Medical Physics Expert under IRMER 17 for Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology

Appointed as Radiation Protection Adviser under the Ionising Radiations Regulations

Appointed as Radioactive Waste Adviser under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (desirable)

Deputise to the Head of Clinical & Radiation Physics

1. CLINICAL SCIENTIFIC

1.1 To act as an appointed Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) for the Trust and its customers. In providing RPA services, to discuss, analyse and advise independently and without supervision, and to receive, analyse and present highly complex information, to the Trust at all levels up to, and including, the Chief Executive. RPA duties include:

1.1.1 to provide expert advice to the Chief Executive, senior management and staff at all levels on all aspects of radiation safety in the use of radiation generators and radionuclides.

1.1.2 to provide expert advice on compliance with all relevant radiation safety legislation.

1.1.3 to provide expert advice on the design of new facilities and techniques where ionising radiations are used.

1.1.4 to provide advice on protection of staff and the public from radiation hazards, and on actions to be taken in the event of a radiation incident;

1.1.6 to conduct audits of compliance with radiation safety legislation and Trust policies on a regular basis, to report the results of audits in writing, and to make recommendations for actions and improvements to the Trust at a senior level.

1.1.7 to formulate, develop and maintain the radiation safety policies and strategies of the Trust to meet standards required by radiation safety legislation, and to advise heads of departments on the implementation of these policies and strategies through local procedures and codes of practice.

1.1.8 to provide dose assessments or estimates for staff, and the public as required and to report findings and make recommendations to heads of service.

1.1.9 to conduct surveys of radiation areas in order to assess and monitor levels of radiation exposure to staff, patients and visitors, to report findings in writing and to formulate measures for dose reduction and optimisation.

1.1.10 for the Trust, to ensure, prior to purchase, that radiation equipment purchased is necessary and can be operated in a safe manner by qualified staff.

1.1.11 to advise on the specification, commissioning, acceptance and quality assurance of all equipment generating radiation, monitoring radiation or restricting radiation exposure in relation to the safety of staff and public.

1.1.13 to be responsible for, and to provide instruction and training in radiation protection.

1.2 To act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) to the Trust and its customers for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology. In doing so, to understand the clinical aspects of medical exposures and to present highly complex information to clinicians and other staff involved in medical exposures, and, where relevant, to patients and others undergoing a medical exposure. The MPE role is carried out independently and without supervision. MPE duties include:

1.2.1 to provide expert advice on the optimisation of diagnostic medical exposures and on patient dosimetry and quality assurance.

1.2.2 to provide dosimetry data for standard operating protocols at the request of the relevant department manager.

1.2.3 to provide radiation dose data to clinicians for individual medical exposures, including research exposures, to enable the clinical justification of an exposure to occur.

1.2.4 to give expert advice to clinicians on the appropriate information to be given to patients and research volunteers regarding their medical exposure and how they might minimise the radiation dose to themselves and others.

1.2.5 to give expert advice on the establishment of diagnostic reference levels for medical exposures and on their use in auditing current clinical practice regarding medical exposures.

1.1.5 to provide expert advice on dose minimisation to comforters and carers who may be exposed to radiation in their care of an exposed individual.

1.2.6 to give expert advice to the Trust on the implementation of legislation relating to medical exposures and in general on the radiation protection of the patient.

1.2.7 to advise on the specification, commissioning, acceptance, and quality assurance of all equipment generating radiation, monitoring radiation or restricting radiation exposure in relation to the safety of staff and public.

1.2.8 to advise on the investigation and analysis of incidents involving suspected accidental or unintended exposure to patients.

1.3 To act as a Medical Physics Expert in the Physics of Diagnostic Radiology under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations i.e. to act as a lead source of knowledge and expertise in this field.

1.4 Responsible for the planning and delivery of the programme of radiation safety and equipment and performance testing of highly complex, patient critical, x-ray equipment, to ensure statutory compliance, and adherence to professional standards.

1.5 Test highly complex, patient-critical x-ray equipment requiring high precision measurements. Analyse results and provide reports and advice on findings to the Trust and users on the safety and efficacy of the use of the equipment.

1.6 Advise on and assist with safe methods for storage and disposal of solid and liquid waste including maintenance of disposal records, liaison with the Environment Agency, licence applications and associated assessment of the local environmental impact of disposals.