Job summary
We are looking for a dynamic, experienced physicist to join our friendly Radiotherapy Physics team here in North London. You will participate in all aspects of departmental activity with a specialist focus on the continuing development of SABR and clinical trials.
This would suit a scientist with MPE recognition through RPA2000, though consideration will be given to those with sufficient experience and aiming to gain MPE status in the next 12 months.
The department provides a comprehensive physics service to support the delivery of radiotherapy treatment. This includes all treatment planning, machine quality assurance and the provision of molecular radiotherapy. The department consists of 9 clinical scientists, including this post, 5 dosimetrists and 4 engineering and technical staff.
The Radiotherapy department has three matched Varian TrueBEAM linacs and an Xstrahl superficial unit. Varian Eclipse is used for all treatment planning activities.
Techniques are under continual review and development, with SABR for oligometastic disease joining our established primary lung practice. There is active participation in clinical trials, particularly those with significant radiotherapy questions.
The department offers MPE and RPA advice to Radiotherapy and clinical scientists are actively supported to achieve MPE status. Evaluation, procurement and clinical implementation of radiotherapy equipment is provided by the team.
Main duties of the job
The senior physicist's role is to ensure the safe delivery of the Medical Physics Service assisting the Head of the service as well as other designated Medical Physics Experts (MPE) in their various areas of responsibility.
The role is autonomous and the post-holder is expected to carry out their duties without supervision.
The senior physicist will have MPE responsibility in the safe delivery and development of the following areas:
- SABR and Clinical Trials (specific focus)
- Treatment Planning
- Quality Assurance
- Molecular Radiotherapy
About us
North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Hospital Trust is one of London's busiest healthcare providers, providing hospital care and community services for the 350,000 people living in Enfield, Haringey and beyond.
The Radiotherapy Physics department provides a comprehensive physics service to support the delivery of radiotherapy treatment at the North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust. This includes all treatment planning, machine quality assurance, mould room, and the provision of molecular radiotherapy. The department consists of 9 clinical scientists, 5 dosimetrists, and 4 engineering and technical staff.
The Radiotherapy department has three matched Varian TrueBEAM linacs and an XStrahl superficial unit. The department routinely delivers a consistently high proportion of VMAT treatments, including prostate, head & neck and lung patients.
Techniques are under continual review and development, with SABR for oligometastic disease joining our established primary lung practice. There is active participation in clinical trials, particularly those with significant radiotherapy questions.
The department offers MPE and RPA advice to Radiotherapy and clinical scientists are actively supported to achieve MPE status. Evaluation, procurement and clinical implementation of radiotherapy equipment is provided by the team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Scientific
SABR and Cllinical Trials
- Take a lead physics role in the continued development and activity of the Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) service, in collaboration with the Head of Treatment Planning and wider members of the SABR MDT.
- Attend SABR MDT, providing expert advice in discussions concerning new patients and service development.
- Take a lead role in the implementation of Radiotherapy Clinical Trials, working with the wider Radiotherapy team. Ensure resource implications are communicated to the Heads of Service.
Treatment Planning
- Assist the Treatment Planning Lead Physicist and provide MPE advice where needed to ensure safe delivery of service.
- Produce routine and complex treatment plans 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.
- 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.
- Check and approve routine and complex treatment plans, dose calculations and templates produced by other members of staff.
- Re-plan patient treatments where required, following a treatment error or changes in patient shape. Use judgement to analyse and determine the most appropriate compensation method. Calculate the compensation required and subsequent patient dose. Carry out manual dose calculations.
Quality Assurance
- Assist the Quality Control and Dosimetry Lead Physicist, providing MPE advice where needed to ensure safe delivery of service.
- Take responsibility for the development of the annual quality assurance programme including liaison with maintenance contract suppliers; medical physics engineers and radiotherapy.
- Take responsibility for physics dosimetry and quality control in radiotherapy, according to established protocols. Undertake dosimetry measurements to a high degree of accuracy with suitable equipment. Perform quality control and other measurements and procedures on highly-complex patient-critical equipment.
- Take responsibility for the revision of protocols and dosimetry techniques. Develop and revise working practices in accordance with national guidelines and codes of practice. Ensure the accurate calibration of all dosimetry equipment and Radiotherapy treatment machines is maintained.
Molecular Radiotherapy
- Take responsibility for administration of radioisotopes for therapeutic use. Explain procedures to patients and liaise with other groups such as ward staff as required. Assist with resolving problems with the procedure, including those arising with the patient present.
- Ensure all equipment used in the monitoring of patients, environment and source activity maintain a valid calibration.
- Ensure all procedures undertaken comply with relevant radiation protection regulations.
General
- Perform and advise on dosimetry measurements on patients. Provide advice to clinical staff and support developments in in-vivo dosimetry and imaging.
- 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.
- Participate in acceptance testing and commissioning of new equipment as appropriate.
- Provide scientific and technical advice to radiotherapy consultants and other clinical staff regarding patients treatment.
- Develop clinical and clinical scientific procedures and protocols under the Departments Quality System. Consult with Radiotherapy where changes impact on their systems. Take part in working parties to agree changes to protocols affecting both Pre-treatment and Treatment sections.
- 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.
- Act as a Medical Physics Expert in Radiotherapy Physics in accordance with the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017.
- Act as an operator under the definitions of the IR(ME)R regulations in accordance with Trust Policies and Practices.
- Implement legislation in radiation protection. The post holder is required to be up to date with current legal requirements, will analyse current practice against these requirements and make recommendations regarding alterations to practice and procedures.
Managerial
- Prioritise and manage own work to meet agreed outcomes.
- Keep careful records of all work performed and complete other appropriate records.
- Supervise the professional work of other junior staff groups working in areas or on projects being managed by the post holder.
- Perform regular 1-to-1 review meetings with junior staff.
Teaching, training and research
- Provide practical training to physicists, medics and radiographers in SABR, Trials, Treatment Planning, QC & Dosimetry, and in Molecular Therapy.
- Assist with training other staff, as required (e.g. radiation protection advice to nursing staff on wards with molecular radiotherapy in-patients)
- Supervise trainee clinical scientists on placement.
- Assess and approve staff competencies within specified areas of work.
- Present original work at meetings and conferences, and in publication. Present seminars and feedback on meetings.
- Instigate and participate in Research and Development projects and clinical audit. Develop and improve equipment and techniques for radiation therapy.
Professional
- Participate in an approved Continuing Professional Development scheme and maintain HCPC registration.
- 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.
- Ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and conform to Statutory Regulations, approved Codes of Practice and Local Safety Rules.
Miscellaneous
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Perform other appropriate duties which may be required from time to time by the Head of Service, Medical Physics.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Scientific
SABR and Cllinical Trials
- Take a lead physics role in the continued development and activity of the Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) service, in collaboration with the Head of Treatment Planning and wider members of the SABR MDT.
- Attend SABR MDT, providing expert advice in discussions concerning new patients and service development.
- Take a lead role in the implementation of Radiotherapy Clinical Trials, working with the wider Radiotherapy team. Ensure resource implications are communicated to the Heads of Service.
Treatment Planning
- Assist the Treatment Planning Lead Physicist and provide MPE advice where needed to ensure safe delivery of service.
- Produce routine and complex treatment plans 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.
- 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.
- Check and approve routine and complex treatment plans, dose calculations and templates produced by other members of staff.
- Re-plan patient treatments where required, following a treatment error or changes in patient shape. Use judgement to analyse and determine the most appropriate compensation method. Calculate the compensation required and subsequent patient dose. Carry out manual dose calculations.
Quality Assurance
- Assist the Quality Control and Dosimetry Lead Physicist, providing MPE advice where needed to ensure safe delivery of service.
- Take responsibility for the development of the annual quality assurance programme including liaison with maintenance contract suppliers; medical physics engineers and radiotherapy.
- Take responsibility for physics dosimetry and quality control in radiotherapy, according to established protocols. Undertake dosimetry measurements to a high degree of accuracy with suitable equipment. Perform quality control and other measurements and procedures on highly-complex patient-critical equipment.
- Take responsibility for the revision of protocols and dosimetry techniques. Develop and revise working practices in accordance with national guidelines and codes of practice. Ensure the accurate calibration of all dosimetry equipment and Radiotherapy treatment machines is maintained.
Molecular Radiotherapy
- Take responsibility for administration of radioisotopes for therapeutic use. Explain procedures to patients and liaise with other groups such as ward staff as required. Assist with resolving problems with the procedure, including those arising with the patient present.
- Ensure all equipment used in the monitoring of patients, environment and source activity maintain a valid calibration.
- Ensure all procedures undertaken comply with relevant radiation protection regulations.
General
- Perform and advise on dosimetry measurements on patients. Provide advice to clinical staff and support developments in in-vivo dosimetry and imaging.
- 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.
- Participate in acceptance testing and commissioning of new equipment as appropriate.
- Provide scientific and technical advice to radiotherapy consultants and other clinical staff regarding patients treatment.
- Develop clinical and clinical scientific procedures and protocols under the Departments Quality System. Consult with Radiotherapy where changes impact on their systems. Take part in working parties to agree changes to protocols affecting both Pre-treatment and Treatment sections.
- 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.
- Act as a Medical Physics Expert in Radiotherapy Physics in accordance with the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017.
- Act as an operator under the definitions of the IR(ME)R regulations in accordance with Trust Policies and Practices.
- Implement legislation in radiation protection. The post holder is required to be up to date with current legal requirements, will analyse current practice against these requirements and make recommendations regarding alterations to practice and procedures.
Managerial
- Prioritise and manage own work to meet agreed outcomes.
- Keep careful records of all work performed and complete other appropriate records.
- Supervise the professional work of other junior staff groups working in areas or on projects being managed by the post holder.
- Perform regular 1-to-1 review meetings with junior staff.
Teaching, training and research
- Provide practical training to physicists, medics and radiographers in SABR, Trials, Treatment Planning, QC & Dosimetry, and in Molecular Therapy.
- Assist with training other staff, as required (e.g. radiation protection advice to nursing staff on wards with molecular radiotherapy in-patients)
- Supervise trainee clinical scientists on placement.
- Assess and approve staff competencies within specified areas of work.
- Present original work at meetings and conferences, and in publication. Present seminars and feedback on meetings.
- Instigate and participate in Research and Development projects and clinical audit. Develop and improve equipment and techniques for radiation therapy.
Professional
- Participate in an approved Continuing Professional Development scheme and maintain HCPC registration.
- 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.
- Ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and conform to Statutory Regulations, approved Codes of Practice and Local Safety Rules.
Miscellaneous
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Perform other appropriate duties which may be required from time to time by the Head of Service, Medical Physics.
Person Specification
education
Essential
- Good Honours degree in a Physical Science or equivalent
- Relevant Masters or higher degree
- IPEM Training Exit Certificate or equivalent Experience
- HCPC registered Clinical Scientist
- Qualified to act as a Medical Physics Expert under IR(ME)R in the field of radiotherapy, or able to achieve within next 12 months
Desirable
- Member of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (or equivalent)
Experience
Essential
- Relevant post-graduate experience in Radiotherapy Physics or equivalent
- Experience in the clinical environment with patients and clinical staff
- Relevant experience in Radiotherapy Dosimetry and Quality Assurance
- Relevant experience in Treatment Planning
- Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from treatment planning computer system errors, equipment failure, treatment errors and incorrect dosimetry
- Knowledge of radiotherapy techniques and clinical applications
- Logical approach to problemsolving
- Knowledge of appropriate legislation [e.g. IRR, IR(ME)R, BSI and ISO standards, professional and regulatory body reports and guidelines]
- Knowledge of relevant anatomy, physiology and pathology
- Good knowledge of radiotherapy physics
Desirable
- Relevant experience in Radioisotope therapies
- Experience of linac commissioning
- Experience in working with Varian TrueBeams and ARIA Oncology Information systems
Person Specification
education
Essential
- Good Honours degree in a Physical Science or equivalent
- Relevant Masters or higher degree
- IPEM Training Exit Certificate or equivalent Experience
- HCPC registered Clinical Scientist
- Qualified to act as a Medical Physics Expert under IR(ME)R in the field of radiotherapy, or able to achieve within next 12 months
Desirable
- Member of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (or equivalent)
Experience
Essential
- Relevant post-graduate experience in Radiotherapy Physics or equivalent
- Experience in the clinical environment with patients and clinical staff
- Relevant experience in Radiotherapy Dosimetry and Quality Assurance
- Relevant experience in Treatment Planning
- Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from treatment planning computer system errors, equipment failure, treatment errors and incorrect dosimetry
- Knowledge of radiotherapy techniques and clinical applications
- Logical approach to problemsolving
- Knowledge of appropriate legislation [e.g. IRR, IR(ME)R, BSI and ISO standards, professional and regulatory body reports and guidelines]
- Knowledge of relevant anatomy, physiology and pathology
- Good knowledge of radiotherapy physics
Desirable
- Relevant experience in Radioisotope therapies
- Experience of linac commissioning
- Experience in working with Varian TrueBeams and ARIA Oncology Information systems
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.
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).
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.
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).
