Clinical Scientist Radiotherapy

Job description

Job responsibilities

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Head of Radiotherapy Physics

REPORTS TO: Principal Clinical Scientist

JOB SUMMARY:

To provide Scientific Expertise and Clinical Technical Services for patients undergoing cancer treatment.

When required by the Radiotherapy Physics Rota, to provide scientific expertise and clinical technical services in the provision of Treatment Planning, Dosimetry, Mould Room and Machine Quality Control in Radiotherapy.

The post holder is required to plan own workload, organise own projects and prioritise requests. To adapt schedules several times a day in response to unpredictable urgent requests.

To discuss complex aspects of patient treatment with medical staff, scientists, technologists, radiographers and nurses. To scientifically interpret complex patient treatment related information from medical staff. To initiate and participate in research and development. To be accountable for the work of staff and students whose work they are supervising.

To discuss complex technical and scientific aspects of equipment and software performance with scientists, technologists and representatives of equipment manufacturers.

The holder decides how to achieve defined results, with discretion to work within the parameters of professional guidelines and departmental procedures. Guidance may be provided by colleagues, or the Head of Radiotherapy Physics.

MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. To provide Scientific Expertise in all aspects of Radiotherapy Physics; Treatment Planning, Dose Measurement, Mould Room, Machine Quality Control and Commissioning of new equipment and techniques.

2. To develop expertise towards the achievement of State Registration and Medical Physics Expert status.

3. Treatment Planning:

3.1. To produce a range of radiotherapy plans as required to support the clinical service

3.2. To check dose predictions and identify both errors and whether the treatment plan achieves the clinical objectives as far as practicable.

3.3. To check the calculation of treatment machine settings.

3.4. To check that adequate records of all outlining, treatment planning and calculations have been made.

4. Dosimetry:

4.1. To undertake all routine dose measurements including patient specific doses and machine calibration doses.

4.2. To provide scientific advice for treatment machine doses and patient doses which fall outside accepted tolerances and to re-calibrate machines when necessary.

4.3. To participate in the calibration of the Department's dosimeters against the Regional Secondary Standard.

4.4. To carry out quality control checks on dosimetry systems.

5. Mould Room:

5.1. To advise as required to specify the design of non-routine fixation devices, blocking devices and build-up materials for patient treatment, if necessary, in consultation with the Clinician.

6. Treatment machine quality control:

6.1. To carry out quality control checks, calibration and equipment tests on highly complex radiotherapy equipment, following agreed protocols.

6.2. To ensure that calibrations and equipment tests which directly affect radiation dose to the patient are carried out with strict reference to procedures and safety tolerance levels set out in the quality system.

6.3. To supervise and advise technologists on the quality control checks required following machine repair.

6.4. To record machine performance data, as required by the Head of Radiotherapy Physics.

7. Duty Physicist: When required by the Rota, to act as the first response source of specialist scientific advice in all aspects of Radiotherapy Physics.

8. Quality System:

8.1. To propose and develop procedures throughout Radiotherapy Physics to enhance the service. These procedures will impact on the work of radiographers and radiotherapy consultant staff.

8.2. To contribute to the development and maintenance of the Radiotherapy Quality System

9. Computing:

9.1. To develop knowledge and expertise in computing software, networks and image processing for radiotherapy.

9.2. To develop radiotherapy physics computing by writing software to meet physics and clinical specifications.

10. Research and Development:

10.1. To initiate, supervise and carry out research and development in Radiotherapy Physics, following a programme agreed with the Radiotherapy Physics Strategy.

10.2. To obtain external funding where appropriate.

10.3. To report on the results of such research at national and international scientific meetings and by published papers in refereed journals.

10.4. To provide support for the setup and delivery of radiotherapy clinical trials at WAHT under direction from the Radiotherapy Physics Strategy Lead.

11. Training:

11.1. To regularly deliver the training of small groups of staff and students, including both teaching and evaluation, in all aspects of Radiotherapy Physics within a defined programme.

12. To minimise financial costs by safe and effective use of high capital value equipment (in excess of £30,000).

13. To work such unsocial hours as are necessary for the safe and effective performance of their duties. To participate in rotas to support weekend emergency on-call treatments, or provision of the clinical service on or around bank holidays.

14. To keep abreast of current scientific and technical developments in radiotherapy physics and maintain own competency to practice through CPD activities.

15. To undertake any other duties required by the Head of Radiotherapy Physics in accordance with the grade and nature of the post.

Standard Clauses:The purpose of this post should remain constant, but the duties and responsibilities may vary over time within the overall role and level of the post. The post holder may from time to time be asked to undertake other reasonable duties. Any such changes will be made in discussion with the post holder in the light of service needs.

Competence:The post holder is responsible for limiting his/her actions to those which s/he feels competent to undertake. If the post holder has any doubts as to his or her competence during the course of his/her duties then s/he should immediately speak to their line manager or supervisor.

Codes of conduct:All employees of the Trust who are required to be registered with a professional body, to enable them to practise within their profession, are required to comply with their code of conduct and requirements of their professional registration. Those staff who are not required to be registered with a professional body are required to comply with the Trusts codes of conduct.

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

• Able to operate radiotherapy treatment and dosimetry equipment safely.
• Able to determine the exact cause of subtle or non-reproducible anomalies in test results.
• Able to propose and manage the introduction of new services and new pieces of equipment.
• Able to communicate complex technical information to a variety of non-specialist staff.
• Able to carry out measurements on a radiotherapy treatment machine.
• Able to analyse data by creating or modifying spreadsheets and databases.
• Able to prepare and deliver presentations using PowerPoint or equivalent.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Able to inspire confidence in medical and nursing staff and physics trainees.
• Able to work with people with terminal illnesses without becoming unduly distressed.

Desirable

• Able to present scientific papers to large groups.
• Able to write complex computer programs in a high level language.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within a Medical Physics Team

Desirable

• Experience in a similar post or relevant research

Qualifications

Essential

• Physics or related Science degree
• Relevant MSc
• State Registration or equivalent of these (if not yet registered appointment to a lower band may be considered until registration is achieved).

Desirable

• PhD in any branch of physics, but preferably in Medical Physics

Knowledge

Essential

• Specialist knowledge and understanding of a broad range of the principles and practice of Radiotherapy Physics.

Desirable

• Basic knowledge and understanding of a broad range of the principles and practice of Medical Physics.
• Basic knowledge of practice in other hospital departments.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD

Employer's website

https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)