Job summary
We are recruiting for a Clinical Scientist who shares our vision to be trusted to provide consistently outstanding care and exemplary service to our patients.
We currently have 7 Varian linear accelerators (5 TrueBeam and 2 Clinacs), a cyberknife and an active brachytherapy service providing both HDR and I125 seed implants. Treatment planning is performed on Pinnacle and Eclipse.
The Physics department has an active project development portfolio and has recently been successful in obtaining funding for the evaluation of AI for contouring and automated calculation of treatment dose for head and neck rescans.
This project aims to significantly improve our head and neck service streamlining the pathway for both time to treatment and adaptive treatment during the course of radiotherapy.
It is anticipated that extensive use will be made of the Velocity system and evaluation will be performed on a number of manufacturers AI systems.
This post has been created to support this work however depending on the skills of the candidates they may work either on this project or on routine work within the department.
If there are no suitable candidates for appointment at band 7 then consideration will be given to appointing candidates who do not yet have registration at band 6 with a revised job description and person specification
Our Values are Include, Respect and Improve. It is important that you understand and refer to our values during your recruitment process and beyond!
Main duties of the job
*Candidates who have not yet achieved registration but who already have a relevant postgraduate qualification may be considered for appointment as Graduate Trainee Clinical Scientists using Annex 21*
Undertake routine and complex treatment planning for external beam radiotherapy.
Carry out associated dosimetry calculations, 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.
Take responsibility for the accurate production of individualised treatment plans and associated dosimetry calculations.
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.
Assist in clinical audit and clinical trials, where appropriate, with particular regard to the Quality System.
About us
At East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, we are proud of the range of general & specialist services we provide & our 6,000 or so dedicated staff ensure our patients get the best care. Our ability to be flexible & innovative in the way in which we work and deliver our services to our catchment has never been more important than it is now.
We run the following hospitals:
- The Lister Hospital, Stevenage
- New Queen Elizabeth II (New QEII), Welwyn Garden City
- Hertford County, Hertford
- Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC), Northwood
We have ambitious plans to become an outstanding, patient-led Trust where dedicated staff provide high-quality, compassionate care to our patients. We continue to undergo significant transformation; our staff & patients are at the heart of delivering this ambitious agenda.
We understand that finding and starting a new job is an important life decision. If you need reasonable adjustments for a disability, or a life event, such as menopause - so that we can consider your application fairly & to get the best out of you during the selection process, please let us know.
We are committed to a positive work life balance for our employees. Employees are entitled to seek to work flexible working patterns & we are committed to listen and consider all requests. Such requests, of course, have to be made & considered formally, & will need to be balanced against service needs, but our starting point will always be to find ways to support making them happen
Job description
Job responsibilities
ENHT is seeking to maintain and expand the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre staff as we move to an exciting new future.
We welcome applications from those who would relish the opportunity to be part of new and developing cancer service, building on the excellent reputation, research and patient experience the Cancer Centre already delivers.
In addition, you will receive a High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of your basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £4,314 and a maximum payment of £5,436 per annum pro rata.
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification applicant pack for further detailed information regarding this role
Job description
Job responsibilities
ENHT is seeking to maintain and expand the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre staff as we move to an exciting new future.
We welcome applications from those who would relish the opportunity to be part of new and developing cancer service, building on the excellent reputation, research and patient experience the Cancer Centre already delivers.
In addition, you will receive a High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of your basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £4,314 and a maximum payment of £5,436 per annum pro rata.
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification applicant pack for further detailed information regarding this role
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- Good (1st or 2nd Class) Honours degree in a relevant subject (physics or engineering).
- Completion of a formal period of training within radiotherapy physics (eg IPEM Part I and II or MSC specialist training program)
- Registration as a Clinical Scientist or equivalent international qualification
Desirable
- Basic training within nuclear medicine such as that provided by the rotations in year 1 of the STP scheme
- Basic training within MRI such as that provided by the rotations in year 1 of the STP scheme
Previous Experience
Essential
- Experience working within a radiotherapy physics environment
- Specialist training and practical experience on linear accelerators, treatment planning systems and dosimetry
Desirable
- Training in either stereotactic physics or brachytherapy
Skills
Essential
- Able to communicate complex information to individuals e.g. postgraduate level physics to other professional groups.
- Ability to use own judgement involving complex facts that require analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options as, for example, in analysing the results of scientific measurements or processes, which may conflict, and deciding upon an appropriate course of action
- Ability to use own judgement involving complex facts that require analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options as, for example, in analysing the results of scientific measurements or processes, which may conflict, and deciding upon an appropriate course of action
- Highly developed physical accuracy and dexterity in order to be able to manipulate equipment, for example, in setting up and using delicate instruments to make precise measurements to detect and calibrate radiation doses within "phantom" patients; to load milimetric, radioactive iodine-125 seeds in theatre. The post holder is also required to use 3D visualisation skills in treatment planning
- Able to act independently, without supervision, within professional guidelines, but can refer to his manager where necessary. The individual's manager assesses work at intervals
- Able to concentrate where the work pattern is unpredictable, for example when working as duty physicist, or performing complex calculations. Occasionally, there will be a requirement for prolonged concentration
- Teamwork
Desirable
- Use of Macros in Excel
- Presentation of material to groups of staff
- Relevant use of computer programming skills (eg MATLAB, ESAPI, Python)
Knowledge
Essential
- Specialist theoretical knowledge of the range of work procedures of radiotherapy physics at least to Masters level with associated practical experience
- Knowledge of patient and machine dosimetry in radiotherapy (external beam and brachytherapy)
- Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from treatment planning computer system errors, equipment failure, treatment errors and incorrect dosimetry.
- Broad knowledge of radiotherapy techniques and clinical applications
- Understanding of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines (eg IRR, IRMER, ISO 9001, BSI and ISO standards, professional and regulatory body reports and guidelines.)
Desirable
- Knowledge of imaging and therapy techniques and procedures used in nuclear medicine
- Knowledge and understanding of patient and staff risks arising from use of ionising radiation with unsealed radionuclides, including equipment failure, procedural defects and human error.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion
- Role model our Trust values every day
- Able to work with radiotherapy equipment and to manoeuvre associated physics equipment
- The post holder works in an environment of cancer patients, and may have to interact with them (for example, in performing measurements on a patient undergoing radiotherapy; loading of radioactive seeds in theatre). Therefore there may be occasional exposure to distressing circumstances and also exposure to bodily fluids.
- The post holder must be prepared to work in an environment where there is a radiation hazard, and so must understand the hazards posed by ionising radiation and sources of high voltage
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- Good (1st or 2nd Class) Honours degree in a relevant subject (physics or engineering).
- Completion of a formal period of training within radiotherapy physics (eg IPEM Part I and II or MSC specialist training program)
- Registration as a Clinical Scientist or equivalent international qualification
Desirable
- Basic training within nuclear medicine such as that provided by the rotations in year 1 of the STP scheme
- Basic training within MRI such as that provided by the rotations in year 1 of the STP scheme
Previous Experience
Essential
- Experience working within a radiotherapy physics environment
- Specialist training and practical experience on linear accelerators, treatment planning systems and dosimetry
Desirable
- Training in either stereotactic physics or brachytherapy
Skills
Essential
- Able to communicate complex information to individuals e.g. postgraduate level physics to other professional groups.
- Ability to use own judgement involving complex facts that require analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options as, for example, in analysing the results of scientific measurements or processes, which may conflict, and deciding upon an appropriate course of action
- Ability to use own judgement involving complex facts that require analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options as, for example, in analysing the results of scientific measurements or processes, which may conflict, and deciding upon an appropriate course of action
- Highly developed physical accuracy and dexterity in order to be able to manipulate equipment, for example, in setting up and using delicate instruments to make precise measurements to detect and calibrate radiation doses within "phantom" patients; to load milimetric, radioactive iodine-125 seeds in theatre. The post holder is also required to use 3D visualisation skills in treatment planning
- Able to act independently, without supervision, within professional guidelines, but can refer to his manager where necessary. The individual's manager assesses work at intervals
- Able to concentrate where the work pattern is unpredictable, for example when working as duty physicist, or performing complex calculations. Occasionally, there will be a requirement for prolonged concentration
- Teamwork
Desirable
- Use of Macros in Excel
- Presentation of material to groups of staff
- Relevant use of computer programming skills (eg MATLAB, ESAPI, Python)
Knowledge
Essential
- Specialist theoretical knowledge of the range of work procedures of radiotherapy physics at least to Masters level with associated practical experience
- Knowledge of patient and machine dosimetry in radiotherapy (external beam and brachytherapy)
- Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from treatment planning computer system errors, equipment failure, treatment errors and incorrect dosimetry.
- Broad knowledge of radiotherapy techniques and clinical applications
- Understanding of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines (eg IRR, IRMER, ISO 9001, BSI and ISO standards, professional and regulatory body reports and guidelines.)
Desirable
- Knowledge of imaging and therapy techniques and procedures used in nuclear medicine
- Knowledge and understanding of patient and staff risks arising from use of ionising radiation with unsealed radionuclides, including equipment failure, procedural defects and human error.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion
- Role model our Trust values every day
- Able to work with radiotherapy equipment and to manoeuvre associated physics equipment
- The post holder works in an environment of cancer patients, and may have to interact with them (for example, in performing measurements on a patient undergoing radiotherapy; loading of radioactive seeds in theatre). Therefore there may be occasional exposure to distressing circumstances and also exposure to bodily fluids.
- The post holder must be prepared to work in an environment where there is a radiation hazard, and so must understand the hazards posed by ionising radiation and sources of high voltage
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).
