Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic clinical physicist to join the Radiotherapy Physics group at band 7 at the Sutton branch of the Royal Marsden Hospital. An appointment may be made at a lower band for a less qualified candidate.
The Radiotherapy Department in Sutton has 7 Elekta linacs, an Elekta Unity MR-Linac and a Cyberknife S7. Additional equipment includes EPID portal imaging, in-vivo EPID dosimetry, and cone beam CT on all machines. Treatment planning on conventional linacs is performed using the RayStation treatment planning system, with most treatment sites planned using a VMAT technique. We have established workflows for robust optimisation, 4DCT, plan-of-the-day adaptive and breathhold techniques. Multimodality imaging (CT, PET-CT, MR) is used for planning of several treatment sites. We are currently implementing a new Trust-wide digital health record with considerable opportunities for physics.
The radiotherapy physics group consists of 35 physicists, dosimetrists and engineers and forms a substantial part of the Royal Marsden/Institute of Cancer Research Joint Department of Physics, through which we have many active research collaborations, most notably on the MR-linac which was the first in the UK to treat patients.
Sutton is pleasantly located on the border of Surrey with excellent transport links to central London and easy access to the countryside. House prices are a third lower than the London average and schools are excellent.
Main duties of the job
- The post holder will provide specialist support to all aspects of the clinical, scientific and technical Radiotherapy Physics Service to Radiotherapy.
- The post holder has particular clinical and scientific responsibilities for day-to-day essential complex treatment planning and checking and performing Quality Assurance and dosimetry and analysing results.
- Responsible for ensuring radiographers and trainee clinical scientists are supervised and assisted in their training and to act as their mentor.
- Supervise and assign junior staff and participate on clinical duties as outlined in the activities of the Radiotherapy Physics Group on a day-to-day basis as indicted by the duty rota.
- Work closely with the Principal Physicist in all area.
About us
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital
At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.
At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits and learning and development opportunities. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.
- Participate in the commissioning of new radiotherapy treatment equipment, including the preparation and checking of complex beam data for treatment planning systems.
- Perform and advise on dosimetry measurements in patients. Provide complex advice to clinical staff and support developments in treatment planning.
- Produce complex treatment plans. Carry out associated dosimetry calculations and verification measurements, in accordance with clinical prescription and agreed procedures. Analyse requirements and make complex judgements regarding treatment parameters and patient dose effects to produce the required dose distribution over the treatment volume, using computerised planning systems as appropriate. The post holder is expected to use specialised planning software to perform and check routine and complex radiotherapy treatment planning for treatments on linear accelerators and Cyberknife.
- Replan patient treatments where required, following a treatment error or changes in patient shape. Use judgement to analyse and determine the most appropriate compensation method. Calculate the compensation required and subsequent patient dose. Carry out manual dose calculations.
- Check and approve routine and complex treatment plans, dose calculations and templates produced by other members of staff.
- Advise clinical staff on the effects of various treatment plan options on patient dose distributions. Discuss and agree approaches with clinical staff to create optimum treatment plans and advise on aspects of the critical treatment and patient set-up. Provide expert advice at multidisciplinary clinical audit meetings, when required.
- Undertake both routine and complex dosimetry measurements, following procedures and/or guidelines as appropriate. Perform quality control, dosimetry and other measurements and procedures on highly complex, patient-critical treatment machines.
- Attend clinical audit, MDT and similar review meetings, as required.
- Develop clinical and scientific procedures and protocols under the Departments Quality System. Consult with Radiotherapy users where changes impact on their systems. Take part in working parties to agree changes to protocols affecting both Radiotherapy Physics and Radiotherapy.
- Participate in Research and Development projects, including clinical trials. Develop and improve equipment and techniques for radiation therapy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.
- Participate in the commissioning of new radiotherapy treatment equipment, including the preparation and checking of complex beam data for treatment planning systems.
- Perform and advise on dosimetry measurements in patients. Provide complex advice to clinical staff and support developments in treatment planning.
- Produce complex treatment plans. Carry out associated dosimetry calculations and verification measurements, in accordance with clinical prescription and agreed procedures. Analyse requirements and make complex judgements regarding treatment parameters and patient dose effects to produce the required dose distribution over the treatment volume, using computerised planning systems as appropriate. The post holder is expected to use specialised planning software to perform and check routine and complex radiotherapy treatment planning for treatments on linear accelerators and Cyberknife.
- Replan patient treatments where required, following a treatment error or changes in patient shape. Use judgement to analyse and determine the most appropriate compensation method. Calculate the compensation required and subsequent patient dose. Carry out manual dose calculations.
- Check and approve routine and complex treatment plans, dose calculations and templates produced by other members of staff.
- Advise clinical staff on the effects of various treatment plan options on patient dose distributions. Discuss and agree approaches with clinical staff to create optimum treatment plans and advise on aspects of the critical treatment and patient set-up. Provide expert advice at multidisciplinary clinical audit meetings, when required.
- Undertake both routine and complex dosimetry measurements, following procedures and/or guidelines as appropriate. Perform quality control, dosimetry and other measurements and procedures on highly complex, patient-critical treatment machines.
- Attend clinical audit, MDT and similar review meetings, as required.
- Develop clinical and scientific procedures and protocols under the Departments Quality System. Consult with Radiotherapy users where changes impact on their systems. Take part in working parties to agree changes to protocols affecting both Radiotherapy Physics and Radiotherapy.
- Participate in Research and Development projects, including clinical trials. Develop and improve equipment and techniques for radiation therapy.
Person Specification
Scientific Grades
Essential
- Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject.
- Relevant MSc or higher degree or equivalent.
- Close to achieving, or awarded IPEM Certificate of completion of Post-qualification Higher Training or equivalent (e.g. Corporate Membership of IPEM)
Desirable
- PhD in relevant subject
- IPEM Diploma or equivalent in Medical Physics or Medical Engineering.
Registration
Essential
- Close to achieving or State Registered as a Clinical Scientist
Scientific/Technical/Specialist
Essential
- At least a few years of basic knowledge across the range of working procedures and practices in radiotherapy physics, building on theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
- Some experience in clinical radiotherapy treatment planning, brachytherapy and in the use of dosimetry equipment in radiotherapy.
- Specialist training on and practical experience with a range of radiotherapy treatment & simulation/scanning equipment, including clinical applications.
Person Specification
Scientific Grades
Essential
- Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject.
- Relevant MSc or higher degree or equivalent.
- Close to achieving, or awarded IPEM Certificate of completion of Post-qualification Higher Training or equivalent (e.g. Corporate Membership of IPEM)
Desirable
- PhD in relevant subject
- IPEM Diploma or equivalent in Medical Physics or Medical Engineering.
Registration
Essential
- Close to achieving or State Registered as a Clinical Scientist
Scientific/Technical/Specialist
Essential
- At least a few years of basic knowledge across the range of working procedures and practices in radiotherapy physics, building on theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
- Some experience in clinical radiotherapy treatment planning, brachytherapy and in the use of dosimetry equipment in radiotherapy.
- Specialist training on and practical experience with a range of radiotherapy treatment & simulation/scanning equipment, including clinical applications.
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).
