Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Radiotherapy Planning department at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth for two enthusiastic, Band 7 Advanced Specialist Dosimetrist - Healthcare Science Practitioner (Radiotherapy Physics) to join the friendly, supportive team.
As part of the Dosimetrist team, you will be responsible for the production and checking of all conformal and complex VMAT radiotherapy treatment plans. As well as actively involved in the departments SABR service for both primary cancer and oligometastatic disease. There is also an opportunity to be involved in the Specialist Peninsula Neuro SRS/SRT planning service.
Plymouth Oncology centre is a fully integrated Varian department with 3 Linacs all with OBI, RapidArc and gating facilities. We also have a Novalis with ExacTrac Image-Guided radiotherapy for stereotactic treatment (intracranial SRS and SRT). HDR Brachytherapy (including MRI guided) is delivered on a Varian GammaMed unit. Treatment Planning is carried out on the Eclipse TPS V15.6.
We have a strong multi-disciplinary approach to working and the successful candidates will have a wealth of opportunities to develop and broaden abilities.
To find out more about Plymouth and the Radiotherapy Physics Team please follow the link to the department Page Tiger (alongside the JD). Relocation may be considered.
Expected interview date will be 20th November 2024.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be involved in all aspects of treatment planning and plan checking.
The post holder will:
- Work as part of a team in the provision of highly specialised computerised treatment planning services for patients undergoing Radiotherapy.
- Advise clinical staff on the selection and optimisation of treatment techniques, related patient dosimetry and on the physics of radiation.
- Fulfil a specialised operator role in treatment planning.
- Assist in the development of treatment planning techniques and participate in audit.
- Responsible on a day-to-day basis to the Lead Treatment Planning Dosimetrist.
- Liaise closely with a wide range of staff in Radiotherapy and Radiotherapy Physics, including dosimetrists, clinicians, physicists, engineers and radiographers.
- Support the Lead dosimetrist in ensuring treatment planning pathways are delivered in a timely fashion across the radiotherapy service
- assist with the work of the Mould Room Department when required.
- You will contribute to the training of PTP apprentices, STPs and other staff rotating through treatment planning.
***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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.
When completing your application please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.
When completing your application please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Vocational BSC (Hons) Degree in Clinical Technology or hold a recognised /equivalent qualification with clinical demonstrable experience equivalent.
- e.g Degree in physical sciences with IPEM Diploma in Clinical Technology or equivalent.
- OR
- Degree or DCR (T) in therapy radiography Plus further, relevant, formal, in-service training.
Desirable
- Relevant Postgraduate diploma, MSc and/or specialist proven knowledge of treatment planning and mould room advanced procedures, management acquired through accredited formal courses or equivalent in-depth experience to Masters level.
- Membership of (or eligible to register) the Register of Clinical Technologists or state registered therapy radiographer
- Mentorship /Teacher/Training qualification.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Developed specialist proven knowledge and demonstrable experience in advanced radiotherapy treatment planning.
- Developed Specialist proven knowledge and understanding of principles and practice of Treatment Planning, Dose Measurement, Mould Room, Virtual Simulation and Quality System.
Desirable
- Advanced level of proven understanding of radiation risk (to patients and staff) i.e. treatment plan error or positional error
- Current proven knowledge of the Eclipse treatment planning computer systems used for treatment plan production. Understands the limitations of treatment planning algorithms during plan production.
- Current specialist demonstrable experience and proven knowledge of patient immobilisation techniques used in the field of radiotherapy.
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential
- Able to prioritise, manage and plan work for self. Exercise own initiative.
- Management skills: to supervise qualified staff within a Clinical technologist team, junior staff, students and clerical staff.
- Good communication skills and ability to communicate complex and highly complex information across clinical and professional boundaries.
Desirable
- Manual dexterity and ability to move and position less able patients and inert objects weighing over 10Kg.
- Able to make judgements on plan results and report interpretation to clinicians.
- Able to solve highly complex problems using analytical skills and clinical judgement.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Vocational BSC (Hons) Degree in Clinical Technology or hold a recognised /equivalent qualification with clinical demonstrable experience equivalent.
- e.g Degree in physical sciences with IPEM Diploma in Clinical Technology or equivalent.
- OR
- Degree or DCR (T) in therapy radiography Plus further, relevant, formal, in-service training.
Desirable
- Relevant Postgraduate diploma, MSc and/or specialist proven knowledge of treatment planning and mould room advanced procedures, management acquired through accredited formal courses or equivalent in-depth experience to Masters level.
- Membership of (or eligible to register) the Register of Clinical Technologists or state registered therapy radiographer
- Mentorship /Teacher/Training qualification.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Developed specialist proven knowledge and demonstrable experience in advanced radiotherapy treatment planning.
- Developed Specialist proven knowledge and understanding of principles and practice of Treatment Planning, Dose Measurement, Mould Room, Virtual Simulation and Quality System.
Desirable
- Advanced level of proven understanding of radiation risk (to patients and staff) i.e. treatment plan error or positional error
- Current proven knowledge of the Eclipse treatment planning computer systems used for treatment plan production. Understands the limitations of treatment planning algorithms during plan production.
- Current specialist demonstrable experience and proven knowledge of patient immobilisation techniques used in the field of radiotherapy.
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential
- Able to prioritise, manage and plan work for self. Exercise own initiative.
- Management skills: to supervise qualified staff within a Clinical technologist team, junior staff, students and clerical staff.
- Good communication skills and ability to communicate complex and highly complex information across clinical and professional boundaries.
Desirable
- Manual dexterity and ability to move and position less able patients and inert objects weighing over 10Kg.
- Able to make judgements on plan results and report interpretation to clinicians.
- Able to solve highly complex problems using analytical skills and clinical judgement.
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).
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).
