MRI Clinical Scientist - Radiology Physics

Job responsibilities

Clinical and Scientific

• To act as Magnetic Resonance Safety Expert (MRSE) for East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
• To advise employers, staff, patients and others as appropriate of all safety matters relating to MRI, and to carry out the duties of an MRI Safety Expert as recognised by National Guidance.
• Maintain the Trusts inventory of MRI equipment including carrying out surveys of facilities and audits of safety and radiological practice; undertake detailed investigations following MRI incidents and present at meetings and committees within the post holders scope.
• Develop, provide and direct the highest quality MRI safety and Physics advice, analysis, measurement and training services. This will involve a close working relationship with members of staff from other sections and groups who will also provide services to the Trust.
• To assist with the development of clinical MR services in a variety of clinical areas, to optimise MR protocols and to provide support and expert advice with the procurement, evaluation and planning of new MR installation (including hardware and software and associated site requirements for the Trust).
• To carry out commissioning and acceptance testing of new MRI
• To provide a comprehensive and effective quality assurance service to all MRI (and other non-ionising where appropriate) departments within the Trust and other organisations as necessary. Develop this service as required and interpret the QA results and provide recommendations when appropriate and also advise on image quality.
• To prepare written reports on results of equipment and instrument testing, effectively communicating results of complex tests to users.
• To design and implement new QA techniques for advance MRI techniques.
• Provide scientific and technical support for other clinical and scientific R&D programmes within the Trust.
• Evaluate complex medical image MR artefacts in clinical patient data. Analyse and identify possible causes and provide immediate advice on their reduction or elimination.
• Perform first line troubleshooting for faults, which may be complex, non-reproducible and subtle, on highly-complex patient-critical MRI systems and extensive complicated auxiliary equipment (e.g. chilled water plant, air conditioning/handling units) and make decisions on whether faults require immediate remedial action.
• Work/liaise with manufacturers engineering and technical staff to identify and rectify equipment faults to minimise system down time. In conjunction with the Trusts technical staff and outside contractors implement and supervise preventative maintenance systems.
• Train radiographic staff in aspects of fault finding and rectification and ensure that written procedures are available for dealing with common fault situations. Maintain an overview of the proper operation of supporting plant, particularly with respect to functioning of indicators, proper setting of control parameters, and maintenance of appropriate environmental conditions within the Unit.
• To assist in the provision of other parts of the non-ionising and ionising Radiology Physics service, including ultrasound, lasers, UV and imaging with ionising radiation (general X-Ray, CT, mammo etc) where appropriate
• To carry out scientific quality control and performance assessments on non-ionising systems.
• To provide a comprehensive and effective quality assurance service to all MRI and non-ionising radiology departments within the Trust and other organisations as necessary
• To provide scientific advice to users of medical imaging equipment, within own scope of practice.
• To provide training and teaching in MR Physics for medical physics STP trainees, other trainees, other professional groups (e.g. non-medical referrers, operators)
• To maintain safe working practices under the guidance of established protocols, Local Rules, regulations and professional guidelines.
• To advise the Trust on compliance with statutory regulations relating to the safe use of non-ionising radiation within own scope of practice.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current legal requirements and anticipate the impact of future regulation and legislation on working practices, identify the implications for resources and formulate long-term strategic plans for the development of policy
• To develop and maintain computerised records, scientific spreadsheets, databases and inventories used by the section; assisting in their validation and full documentation as required by the departments Quality System.
• Develop and design techniques, software and equipment to enhance the quality and efficiency of radiology physics
• Write software where necessary modifying and customising existing scripts, programmes and macros

Managerial

• The post holder will lead the MRI Physics section and will have line management responsibility for any MRI Physics staff if appointed in the future. The postholder may need to deputise for the Radiology Physics Team Lead in their absence.
• Take responsibility and supervise the work of other scientific, technical and administrative staff when they are performing work under the postholders direction
• In collaboration with the Physics Lead for Non-Ionising Radiation, manage the operational budget of the section.
• Contribute to income generation by proactively setting up contracts with external customers.
• Help to facilitate the professional development of line managed staff.
• To plan, prioritise and manage own workload and have a positive input into all routine and research and development services provided by the section.
• Represent the department at local governance / management meetings if required

Professional

• To maintain evidence of Continuing Professional Development in order to maintain HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist.
• To participate in clinical governance activities of the Trust.
• To develop professional, scientific and technical skills across the range of activities being undertaken in the role. This may include competencies required for professional accreditation schemes such as LPA.

Miscellaneous

• Carry out all duties in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act, relevant Statutory Regulations, Approved Codes of Conduct and Local Rules.
• When working in other departments, liaise with local heads of department, medical consultants, superintendents, nursing sisters or their representatives as appropriate, adhering to local policies and practices.
• Behave courteously and professionally at all times.
• Develop, implement and maintain compliance with the ISO accredited Quality Systems in the areas of work for which the post-holder carries responsibility.
• Work hours necessary for the proper and efficient performance of the work. In practice, the appointee will occasionally be required to perform duties outside the normal working hours of the department.
• Perform other appropriate duties that may be required from time to time by the Radiology Physics Team Lead/ Head of Clinical Physics.

• Take all precautions as required by the relevant regulations when dealing with ionising and non-ionising radiation hazards.

Qualifications

Essential

• 1st or 2nd class honours degree in Physics or closely related subject
• HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist
• IPEM-accredited MSc in Medical Physics, or relevant higher degree
• Membership of relevant professional body

Desirable

• Relevant PhD

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Highly specialist knowledge of the scientific, technical, and safety aspects of magnetic resonance imaging physics, and its clinical applications
• Significant responsible experience in MRI including appointment as MRSE
• High level of understanding of patient procedures and problems arising from system errors, equipment failure and clinical factors
• Broad knowledge of MR techniques and clinical applications
• Specialist understanding of risks to patients and staff arising from non-ionising, and the precautions required.
• Experience of managing scientific staff members
• Good negotiating and influencing skills; able to gain acceptance and agreement in situations where change is needed
• Knowledge of Excel, Word, Access etc for the purpose of setting up spreadsheets and databases to carry out complex scientific analysis of measurement data.
• Good understanding and practical experience of other non-ionising modalities including ultrasound, UV and laser

Desirable

• oSpecialist theoretical and practical experience of diagnostic radiology imaging, (especially X-ray and ultrasound) equipment, (including design, performance, quality assurance and calibration), patient dosimetry, image processing and analysis techniques
• oRecord of Scientific publications in relevant peer reviewed journals
• oParticipation in national professional affairs
• oProject management
• oExperience of managing operational budgets
• oUnderstanding of risks to patients and staff arising from ionising radiation

Governance

Essential

• oIn-depth understanding of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines

Personal and Professional Attributes

Essential

• oAbility to motivate self and others
• oAble to analyse highly complex and unpredictable situations and promote solutions in multi-disciplinary settings
• oAble to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• oGood interpersonal skills for collaboration with colleagues
• oAbility to manage own workload.
• oGood time management.
• oAbility to exercise own initiative when dealing with issues within own area of competence.
• oAbility to supervise work of technical and scientific staff and trainees
• oAbility to train groups of other professional staff.
• oAbility to concentrate for prolonged periods during unpredictable working patterns, particularly when making extensive sets of measurements. oGood manual dexterity to enable precise measurements using sophisticated testing equipment.
• oExcellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to convey complex information effectively and accurately to non-specialists at all levels.
• Ability to produce detailed and accurate written reports and present scientific papers at national and international conferences

Desirable

• oAble to develop national guidelines and policies

Other

Essential

• oHold a valid UK driving licence
• oTo be aware of and adhere to the Trust's Vision, Mission and Values

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).