Senior Radiotherapy Engineer

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Technical

1.1. Assist in the Installation, Commissioning and Acceptance Testing of the highly specialised Equipment, to a high degree of accuracy with suitable equipment.

1.2. Provide a comprehensive specialised maintenance and repair service to the Radiotherapy Department, with the aim of maximising the availability for clinical use.

1.3. Perform, complex tasks involved in dosimetry and quality control in radiotherapy, according to established protocols. Perform and analyse quality control and other measurements and procedures on highly-complex patient-critical equipment. Often perform corrective actions independently based on results.

1.4. The post holder will be required to be a lead player in the solution of extremely complex and sometimes unique problems on medical devices, often under clinical pressure, whilst avoiding potential risk to staff, the patient, equipment, or to the Trust.

1.5. Inspect, maintain, and where appropriate calibrate Radiotherapy equipment and, if required, assist with the servicing of other electromedical equipment, at the direction of the Head of Radiotherapy Physics.

1.6. Undertake advanced fault-finding and repair. Exercise judgement to determine and resolve the causes of faults in high-capital, highly complex patient-critical medical devices and systems, applying suitable fault-finding techniques to diagnose problems, including those beyond the scope of normal first-line maintenance.

1.7. Responsibility for producing and maintaining full records of all maintenance and repair work carried out on equipment.

1.8. Recommend, manage and maintain test equipment and apparatus used within the Group.

1.9. Working with Physicists and Radiographers to assess and evaluate radiotherapy equipment prior to purchase.

1.10. Commission new equipment in co-operation with physicists and radiographers.

1.11. Remove, re-deploy or dispose of redundant or surplus equipment, following agreed procedures.

1.12. Create and format spreadsheets and databases to meet departmental requirements.

Managerial

2.1. Attend and actively contribute to service Maintenance meetings.

2.2. When necessary, direct supervision of NMUH radiotherapy engineers.

2.3. Make decisions and formulate a course of action, in critical areas and at times of emergency without supervision such that patient and staff safety is safeguarded and the departmental reputation is maintained or enhanced.

2.4. Supervise the work of technical staff from other groups while assigned to radiotherapy engineering.

2.5. Maintain appropriate stocks of spare parts and supplies for the efficient provision of the Service, and follow agreed procurement and ordering procedures

2.6. Maintain equipment and software inventory lists relevant to the radiotherapy service.

2.7. Determine, in consultation, when it is appropriate to call on Manufacturers Engineers to carry out repairs and maintenance, in circumstances where the sub-optimal performance of the equipment is not immediately apparent.

2.8. Encourage and maintain efficient communication between staff and maintain good working relationships at all levels.

2.9. Liaise with:

Equipment manufacturers to obtain information and provide feedback on equipment performance.

Clinical users to ensure that: (a) there is a clear understanding gained of the nature and extent of clinical problems with equipment in order to assess the seriousness and implication of the problem in order determine a course of action to resolve the problem; (b) there is a clear understanding how problems were resolved (or managed) and the impact this has on the clinical operation and/or availability of the equipment.

The Radiotherapy Physics team to ensure that Quality Assurance measurements are made as required after maintenance or repair of equipment.

2.10. Maintain high standards of health and safety and risk management.

Research and Development

3.1. Undertake Research and Development work in Radiotherapy Engineering. Ensuring such activities are planned and executed in a timely manner and pertinent records are created and maintained. Ensuring a systematic level of testing is employed to ensure customer requirements are met and relevant technical and safety standards are adhered to.

3.2. Responsible for ensuring requirements are analysed and reviewed against safety and other standards, identifying conflicting issues.

3.3. Responsible for negotiating and agreeing complex development specifications, ensuring customer understanding of any limitations and implications.

3.4. Responsible for ensuring a systematic level of testing is employed to ensure customer requirements are met and relevant technical and safety standards are adhered to.

3.5. Responsible for the production of complex medical and other device prototypes.

3.6. Present lectures and courses to colleagues and others within the Radiotherapy and Radiotherapy Department.

3.7. Present original work at meetings and conferences, and in publications. Present seminars and feedback on meetings.

Training / continuing professional development

4.1. Take positive steps to develop personal competence in Radiation Physics.

4.2. Participate in Continuing Professional Development.

4.3. 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.

4.4. Attend training courses and seminars required to ensure the safe and efficient performance of the duties of the post.

4.5. Maintain a thorough knowledge of relevant current legislation.

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

4.7. Organise and participate in the training of technical officers, radiographers and other clinical and technical staff as required.

Quality System

5.1. Participate in the development, operation and maintenance of appropriate Quality Systems.

5.2. Produce and maintain written procedures and protocols relating to the maintenance and support of radiotherapy equipment.

5.3. Produce and maintain full records of all maintenance and repair work carried out on equipment.

5.4. Assist in monitoring the effects of maintenance on machine downtime, and assist in suggesting improvements to procedures to minimise this. Responsible for implementation of agreed changes.

Other duties

6.1. 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.

6.2. Act as an operator under the definitions of IR(ME)R 2017 in accordance with Trust policies, procedures and work instructions.

6.3. Occasionally work outside normal working hours (including bank holidays and weekends).

6.4. Take personal responsibility for promoting a safe environment and safe patient care by identifying areas of risk and following the Incident, Serious Incidents and Near Misses reporting policy and procedures.

6.5. Even in stressful circumstances, the post holder must be capable of efficient liaison and professional teamwork with other hospital and university staff groups.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

• Degree level qualification or equivalent in a STEM subject
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• HCPC / RCT registration or eligible

Desirable

• Relevant Masters degree

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Advanced fault diagnosis and rectification in complex and unpredictable situations.
• Complex data analysis skills.
• Must demonstrate consideration to patient care at all times
• Team working skills and able to prioritise own work within defined timeframes.
• Attention to detail and good organisational and record keeping skills.
• Highly skilled in standard computer applications

Desirable

• Tool making skills

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Clinical linear accelerators
• Computer control systems.
• Electrical and electronic engineering and fault finding.
• Vacuum systems, x-ray systems, water cooling and RF systems.
• Broad knowledge of Medical Devices Legislation.

Desirable

• Experience of Varian linear accelerator maintenance, including manufacturer training courses
• Good understanding of the risks associated with ionising radiation

Personal qualities

Essential

• Ability to motivate others
• Sensitive and considerate
• Ability to communicate and analyse complex information.

Desirable

• Ability to motivate others
• Leadership and management experience in a clinical technical environment

Trust Values

Essential

• 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).

Employer details

Employer name

North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust

Address

North Middlesex University Hospital

Sterling Way

London

N18 1QX

Employer's website

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