Job summary
Applications
are invited for the post of Band 8A Clinical Scientist - Principal Nuclear
Medicine Physicist to join our growing Radionuclide Physics Group within the
Department of Medical Physics & Engineering.
This
clinical scientist role will fulfil the role of Medical Physics Expert (MPE)
as required by the Ionising Radiations (Medical Exposures) Regulations 2017
(IR(ME)R).
Applicants
must be registered Clinical Scientists with significant experience in Nuclear
Medicine Physics. Applicants should either be on the list of MPEs held by
RPA2000 or in a position to submit a portfolio and obtain certification
within 1 year. Applicants with less experience but the right qualities may be
considered for appointment at a lower level until MPE certification is
gained.
The
Radionuclide Physics group provides specialised and complex scientific and
technical support to the Nuclear Medicine service at two locations within the
Trust and to other providers. This includes PET/CT service support to a
non-NHS provider.
The
therapeutic administrations of unsealed radioactive materials are also
delivered by the group. The group also advises on radiation protection and
other regulatory matters relating to the use of unsealed radioactive
materials, as agreed with the lead Trust Radiation Protection Adviser and the
Radioactive Waste Adviser.
Expected Shortlisting
Date
20/04/2025
Planned Interview
Date
09/05/2025
Main duties of the job
This
job offers a unique opportunity for an experienced nuclear medicine clinical
scientist.
Key
aspects of this job role are:
Delivering specialised and complex
clinical services
Providing specialised and complex
scientific and technical support and advice to staff delivering clinical
services, particularly with respect to specialist clinical computer systems,
quality assurance, service developments and equipment
Providing scientific &
technical advice to staff and others as relates to services delivered or
supported, including radiation protection and IRMER advice as appropriate
Provide supervision and line
management of scientific and technical staff.
Providing teaching and training for
a range of staff groups in basic and advanced Physics, techniques,
applications and safety, trainees in radiology (FRCR) & oncology;
Participating in collaborative
research and development work with NHS and university departments.
About us
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust cares for 2 million patients each year and is
one of the largest hospital trusts in the UK serving an immediate population
of 770,000, providing regional specialist care for 5.4 million people. The
Trust has strong academic links with regional universities, collaborating
closely with commercial partners in the development, investigation &
evaluation of medical equipment & clinical systems. Medical Physics &
Engineering Department supports the established range of applications of
physics & engineering in medicine, tries to be actively involved in the
development / assessment / implementation of new & existing health care
technologies / procedures / treatments. Radionuclide Physics is based in the
Leeds Cancer Centre at St Jamess University Hospital. The Trust is committed
to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to
new roles.
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'
members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts
are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove
adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the
shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this
process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any
questions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
PRINCIPAL
DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Scientific
& Clinical
To act as a Medical Physics Expert
as defined in the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017,
e.g. to provide expert medical physics, radiation protection and dosimetry
advice to clinical staff on technology and diagnosis; to others in the Trust
or outside.
To provide expert medical physics
support to the provision of nuclear medicine within the Trust and to its
external customers
To deputise for the Head of Section
if required
To supervise other staff, as agreed
with the Section Head.
To assess competency of trainees
and recommend when staff are competent to carry out procedures unsupervised.
To provide expert advice in the
event of technology failure; to determine when technology is fit for clinical
use.
To manage quality assurance work of
the Medical Physics department for relevant systems.
Clinical
Service Development
To identify areas where service
improvements can be made and work as part of multidisciplinary teams.
To implement new and improved
techniques so that patients gain maximum benefit from the available equipment
To take responsibility for the
development and evaluation of new equipment, accessories, techniques, and
highly complex specialist nuclear medicine software & associated systems
Teaching
and training
To provide teaching and training of
students, radiographers, technologists, physicists, clinicians, management
and members of the public on relevant aspects of nuclear medicine as required
Research
and Development
Research and development are
necessary for continuous improvement of nuclear medicine and for the
implementation and development of the potential of new equipment and
facilities and the development of new diagnostic techniques and methods. This is a significant role of Clinical
Scientists.
Job description
Job responsibilities
PRINCIPAL
DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Scientific
& Clinical
To act as a Medical Physics Expert
as defined in the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017,
e.g. to provide expert medical physics, radiation protection and dosimetry
advice to clinical staff on technology and diagnosis; to others in the Trust
or outside.
To provide expert medical physics
support to the provision of nuclear medicine within the Trust and to its
external customers
To deputise for the Head of Section
if required
To supervise other staff, as agreed
with the Section Head.
To assess competency of trainees
and recommend when staff are competent to carry out procedures unsupervised.
To provide expert advice in the
event of technology failure; to determine when technology is fit for clinical
use.
To manage quality assurance work of
the Medical Physics department for relevant systems.
Clinical
Service Development
To identify areas where service
improvements can be made and work as part of multidisciplinary teams.
To implement new and improved
techniques so that patients gain maximum benefit from the available equipment
To take responsibility for the
development and evaluation of new equipment, accessories, techniques, and
highly complex specialist nuclear medicine software & associated systems
Teaching
and training
To provide teaching and training of
students, radiographers, technologists, physicists, clinicians, management
and members of the public on relevant aspects of nuclear medicine as required
Research
and Development
Research and development are
necessary for continuous improvement of nuclear medicine and for the
implementation and development of the potential of new equipment and
facilities and the development of new diagnostic techniques and methods. This is a significant role of Clinical
Scientists.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Qualifications, knowledge and experience to act as Medical Physics Expert under IR(ME)R within the field of nuclear medicine.
- Expert knowledge and extensive practical experience of all main areas of nuclear medicine physics.
- Experience of acceptance testing and commissioning of nuclear medicine equipment, other technology and Quality Assurance Techniques
- Radiation Protection and the safe handling of sealed and unsealed radioactive sources.
- Understanding all aspects of patient progress through a nuclear medicine service and the requirements of a radionuclide physics service to ensure that it is performed in a safe and accurate manner
- Detailed understanding of patient and staff risks arising from the use of ionising radiation and radioactive sources for nuclear medicine
- Detailed understanding of relevant legislation, national standards, codes of practice, professional and other guidelines
Desirable
- Understanding of research matters including study design, funding and ethical issues.
- Project management experience
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Problem solving on his/her own initiative and in partnership with others.
- To think laterally to solve problems, and to apply specialist scientific knowledge to provide innovative solutions to clinical problems.
- Plan and organise own workload / research projects and that of others.
- Plan and organise projects and tutorials for students / trainees.
- Ability to accept responsibility within a team structure, relates well to people at all levels.
- Ability to manage change in a complex environment.
- Ability to work flexibly and proactively, accepting the need for change and adjusting their own behaviour easily to changing circumstances and targets.
- A critical approach to ones own work, seeks and welcomes feedback from others.
- Ability to work unsupervised and supervise others.
- Good interpersonal skills and effective oral and written communication skills.
- Establishes and responds to user needs and requirements
Desirable
- Able to develop good working relationships with external bodies (contractors, research partners, suppliers, academic bodies).
- Able to negotiate with external contractors and PFI partners.
- Able to direct and supervise the work of others.
Qualifications
Essential
- Good (1st or 2nd class) honours degree in physical sciences.
- Masters (MSc) in medical physics [or relevant subject area].
- HCPC registered Clinical Scientist
- RPA2000 registered MPE
Desirable
- PhD in relevant subject
- Corporate Membership of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM)
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Technical skill and concentration when handling radioactive materials and fragile and sometimes heavy imaging test objects.
- May be a requirement to exert light physical effort for short periods.
- Uses database, word processing and spreadsheet skills for data analysis and report production where accuracy is important.
- Highly developed physical skills with the ability to set up, calibrate and operate expensive equipment used in Nuclear Medicine.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Qualifications, knowledge and experience to act as Medical Physics Expert under IR(ME)R within the field of nuclear medicine.
- Expert knowledge and extensive practical experience of all main areas of nuclear medicine physics.
- Experience of acceptance testing and commissioning of nuclear medicine equipment, other technology and Quality Assurance Techniques
- Radiation Protection and the safe handling of sealed and unsealed radioactive sources.
- Understanding all aspects of patient progress through a nuclear medicine service and the requirements of a radionuclide physics service to ensure that it is performed in a safe and accurate manner
- Detailed understanding of patient and staff risks arising from the use of ionising radiation and radioactive sources for nuclear medicine
- Detailed understanding of relevant legislation, national standards, codes of practice, professional and other guidelines
Desirable
- Understanding of research matters including study design, funding and ethical issues.
- Project management experience
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Problem solving on his/her own initiative and in partnership with others.
- To think laterally to solve problems, and to apply specialist scientific knowledge to provide innovative solutions to clinical problems.
- Plan and organise own workload / research projects and that of others.
- Plan and organise projects and tutorials for students / trainees.
- Ability to accept responsibility within a team structure, relates well to people at all levels.
- Ability to manage change in a complex environment.
- Ability to work flexibly and proactively, accepting the need for change and adjusting their own behaviour easily to changing circumstances and targets.
- A critical approach to ones own work, seeks and welcomes feedback from others.
- Ability to work unsupervised and supervise others.
- Good interpersonal skills and effective oral and written communication skills.
- Establishes and responds to user needs and requirements
Desirable
- Able to develop good working relationships with external bodies (contractors, research partners, suppliers, academic bodies).
- Able to negotiate with external contractors and PFI partners.
- Able to direct and supervise the work of others.
Qualifications
Essential
- Good (1st or 2nd class) honours degree in physical sciences.
- Masters (MSc) in medical physics [or relevant subject area].
- HCPC registered Clinical Scientist
- RPA2000 registered MPE
Desirable
- PhD in relevant subject
- Corporate Membership of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM)
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Technical skill and concentration when handling radioactive materials and fragile and sometimes heavy imaging test objects.
- May be a requirement to exert light physical effort for short periods.
- Uses database, word processing and spreadsheet skills for data analysis and report production where accuracy is important.
- Highly developed physical skills with the ability to set up, calibrate and operate expensive equipment used in Nuclear Medicine.
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).
