Principal Physicist - Treatment Planning

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Clinical Scientific

Treatment Planning

1.1. Supervise, advise and produce routine and highly complex treatment planning for external beam radiotherapy. Use computerised planning systems to design and customise treatment plans. Analyse requirements and make complex judgements regarding treatment parameters and patient dose effects to produce the required dose distribution over the treatment volume. Take responsibility for the accurate production of individualised treatment plans and associated dosimetry calculations.

1.2. Supervise, advise, check and approve highly complex treatment plans produced by other members of staff. Ensure second/independent checks are performed on all external beam plans.

1.3. Advise clinical staff on the effects of various treatment plan options on patient dose distributions. Discuss, negotiate and agree approaches with clinical staff to create optimum treatment plans and advise on aspects of the treatment and patient set-up, as required. Often these negotiations take place under time pressure, directly affecting immediate patient management.

1.4. To contribute towards the commissioning and development of new treatment techniques.

1.5. To take responsibility for clinical application of new treatment techniques, including IMRT and SABR.

1.6. Take responsibility for the accuracy and applicability of external beam radiation data used in the treatment planning process. Organise and manage the maintenance of the treatment planning computer systems, including commissioning, upgrades, back-up, archiving and quality assurance.

1.7. Take responsibility for the organisation and verification of software and hardware upgrades to Treatment Planning Systems and associated systems e.g. independent monitor unit check programs.

1.8. Take responsibility for and contribute towards the development and checking of in-house software, including databases used in the treatment planning process.

1.9. Oversee the flow of treatment data between Planning and Treatment computer systems.

General

1.10. Provide leadership in and day to day management of the Treatment Planning section.

1.11. Provide scientific and managerial cover for Principal colleagues in the other sections.

1.12. To participate in the routine provision of the Radiotherapy Physics service as required.

1.13. Perform and advise on dosimetry measurements on patients. Provide advice to clinical staff and support developments in in-vivo dosimetry and megavoltage imaging.

1.14. Provide support to physics computing in Radiotherapy. Write software to the requirements of the Department and adapt existing software packages as required. Monitor and resolve problems on computing systems in Radiotherapy and Radiotherapy Physics.

1.15. Participate in acceptance testing and commissioning of new equipment as appropriate.

1.16. Provide complex scientific and technical advice to Radiotherapy consultants and other clinical staff regarding patients treatment.

1.17. Act as liaison contact for identified radiotherapy equipment. Oversee work carried out on this equipment and give physics advice and direction as required. Investigate and resolve complex problems on complex, patient-critical radiotherapy and associated equipment.

1.18. Act as an Operator and Medical Physics Expert under the definitions of the IR(ME)R regulations in accordance with Trust policies and practices.

1.19. Investigate incidents and errors related to their section and ensure that the reports and action plans are made as appropriate. Report any patient related incident to the Head of Radiotherapy Physics, RPA and Lead Clinician.

2. Managerial

2.1. Prioritise and manage own work to meet agreed outcomes.

2.2. Oversee audit and statistics within area of responsibility of the postholder and manage the record keeping activities of their section.

2.3. Assist the Head of Radiotherapy Physics in management of the section and advise on policy decisions and procurement.

2.4. Organise, manage and supervise the professional work of other staff working in the postholders area of responsibility and review their competencies.

2.5. Perform appraisals of staff as appropriate by grade and area of work.

2.6. Participate in the recruitment of Radiotherapy Physics staff.

2.7. Review the procedures and processes within their section on an ongoing basis to keep them effective and up to date.

2.8. Take responsibility for Physics input in multi-disciplinary working parties, including chairing, in order to negotiate changes to procedures and protocols affecting Radiotherapy Physics and Radiotherapy.

2.9. Manage and supervise professional and project work of other staff in their area of responsibility.

3. Teaching, training and research

3.1. Provide practical training to physicists, medics and radiographers in their area of responsibility.

3.2. Organise and participate in the training and induction of other Physics staff, as required.

3.3. Supervise trainee clinical scientists, MSc student projects and other departmental visitors.

3.4. Present original work at meetings and conferences, and in publication. Present seminars and feedback on meetings.

3.5. Lead research and development projects and participate in other projects and clinical audit.

3.6. Participate in providing appropriate training in Radiation Safety to all Radiotherapy workers.

4. Professional

4.1. Participate in an approved Continuing Professional Development scheme and maintain HCPC registration.

4.2. Keep abreast of the latest technical and scientific developments and their applications in medical and associated fields. Attend suitable seminars and courses as part of training and personal development and to further the work of the Department.

4.3. Maintain a thorough knowledge of current relevant legislation.

4.4. Ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and conform to Statutory Regulations, approved Codes of Practice and Local Safety Rules.

5. Miscellaneous

5.1. Ensure compliance with accredited Quality Systems in the areas of work for which the post holder carries responsibility. Participate in the development and routine operation of quality systems.

5.2. Carry out all duties in accordance with the requirements of the Health & Safety at Work Act, relevant Statutory Regulations, Approved Codes of Conduct and Local Rules.

5.3. 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.

5.4. When working in other departments, the postholder will liaise with local heads of department, medical consultants, superintendents, nursing sisters or their representatives as appropriate, adhering to local policies and practices. The post holder will behave courteously and professionally at all times and seek to ensure that the highest level of service is provided by Medical Physics.

5.5. Perform other appropriate duties which may be required from time to time by the Head of Service, Medical Physics.

5.6. The post holder will be expected to actively participate in annual appraisals and set objectives in conjunction with their manager. Performance will be monitored against set objectives.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

• (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a physical science or equivalent.
• Relevant Masters or higher degree.
• HCPC Registered Clinical Scientist.
• Medical Physics Expert certificate (RPA2000).
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to lead and motivate a team.
• Ability to deal with complex and unpredictable situations.
• Ability to organise own workload.
• Ability to communicate complex information to colleagues and other professionals.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Several years relevant post-graduate experience of Radiotherapy Physics.
• In depth knowledge and experience of Radiotherapy Treatment Planning, including IMRT, SABR..
• Broad experience in the clinical environment.
• Experience and knowledge of quality management systems.

Desirable

• Experience of image guided radiotherapy techniques.
• Proven record of research and development.

Personal qualities and Values

Essential

• Enthusiastic and motivated.
• Clarity of thought and articulate in presenting ideas and opinions.
• Demonstrable ability to meet Trust 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).

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

North Middlesex University Hospital

Sterling Way

London

N18 1QX

Employer's website

https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)