Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic physicist with experience in Radiotherapy Physics to join the Physics and Engineering team at the Chelsea branch of the Hospital, in a permanent post.
Applicants should have a good honours degree in physics or a closely related discipline, plus an MSc relevant to Radiotherapy physics, and preferably Registration as a Clinical Scientist.
Experience of treatment planning , QA, dosimetry and an appreciation of brachytherapy and IT applied to RT are expected. Interest in linac maintenance and fault finding would also be advantageous. Participation in innovative project work is also encouraged.
The Radiotherapy Department at Chelsea has4 Varian Truebeams providing VMAT, SRS, SABR, CBCT and fff delivery. Additional equipment includes the Brainlab ExacTrac imaging system. A Cyberknife radiosurgery unit is in clinical use. External beam treatment planning systems include Eclipse, Preciseplan, Oncentra and BrainLab. 4D CT acquisition is applied for lung and liver imaging. HDR for gynaecological malignancies (using IGBT) (Oncentra) and Iodine seed brachytherapy are also performed.
For informal visits and further enquiries, contact Margaret Bidmead, Head of Physics on 020 78082506 or Carole Meehan , Head of Treatment planning, on 020 7 8082500.
Main duties of the job
- To provide specialist support to all aspects of the clinical, scientific, engineering and technical Radiotherapy Physics Service to Radiotherapy
- Responsible for day-to day essential complex treatment planning and checking performing Quality Assurance and dosimetry and analysing results, producing documented evidence and reports.
- Responsible for providing support for the Radiotherapy engineering equipment run up and maintenance
- To have sufficient understanding of IT systems that underpin radiotherapy to provide support and fault finding where appropriate.
- 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 indicated by the duty rota.
- Work closely with the Principal Physicists in all areas.
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.
- 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, Cyberknife and brachytherapy.
- 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 treatment and patient set-up, as required. Provide expert advice at multidisciplinary clinical audit meetings, when required.
- Check and approve routine and complex treatment plans, dose calculations and templates produced by other members of staff.
- 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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.
- 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, Cyberknife and brachytherapy.
- 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 treatment and patient set-up, as required. Provide expert advice at multidisciplinary clinical audit meetings, when required.
- Check and approve routine and complex treatment plans, dose calculations and templates produced by other members of staff.
- 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.
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, radiotherapy engineering and in the use of dosimetry equipment in radiotherapy.
- Specialist training on and practical experience with a range of radiotherapy treatment & scanning equipment, including clinical applications
IT
Essential
- Able to use Excel, Word, etc. to set up documents and spreadsheets, extract information from databases. Able to use non windows based operating systems e.g. UNIX
Communication
Essential
- Able to communicate complex information [e.g. postgraduate level physics material to other professional groups]
- Able to present scientific papers at national and international conferences
- Able to train groups of other professional staff
- Able to deliver teaching and training on complex subjects
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, radiotherapy engineering and in the use of dosimetry equipment in radiotherapy.
- Specialist training on and practical experience with a range of radiotherapy treatment & scanning equipment, including clinical applications
IT
Essential
- Able to use Excel, Word, etc. to set up documents and spreadsheets, extract information from databases. Able to use non windows based operating systems e.g. UNIX
Communication
Essential
- Able to communicate complex information [e.g. postgraduate level physics material to other professional groups]
- Able to present scientific papers at national and international conferences
- Able to train groups of other professional staff
- Able to deliver teaching and training on complex subjects
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).
