Job summary
Due to an expanding team and increased opportunities to advance Healthcare Science Practitioner roles, we are seeking an individual with highly specialist knowledge, management and service development skills to contribute to the leadership of our x-ray equipment and radiation facility evaluation team. The successful applicant will join a team of ~30 scientists, technologists and administrators providing equipment quality assurance and scientific support to NHS radiology departments in the North West of England (a few customers are further afield).
Good communication and proactive team working is essential. A current driving license is essential as frequent travel is necessary in this role.
We welcome external applicants and would encourage you to get in touch if you would like to informally discuss your suitability for the post. For a discussion, please contact Will Mairs via email: William.mairs@nhs.net
Interviews will be in person, in Manchester to allow for practical assessment
Main duties of the job
You will assess the safety and performance of X-ray imaging equipment, provide technical support, radiation protection and patient dosimetry advice to users of ionising radiations, in order to optimise the use of X-rays in diagnostic imaging and comply with regulatory requirements.
The group operates within an ISO9001:2015 quality management system. You will work with other Lead Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioners and service leads in the team to manage and ensure the quality of the groups technical services, including equipment testing and the radiation safety service, in line with legislative requirements and national guidelines. You will take a lead, manage and develop the clinical technologists within the team and contribute to or lead the training/competence of staff involved in the work. As a lead, you will be expected to have breadth and depth of experience in testing imaging equipment and problem solving skills to allow you to provide real time solutions to technical and logistical issues day-to-day
You will be expected to undertake service developments and implement improved ways of working in close collaboration with scientific leads. The post holder must be willing to progress their knowledge, experience and skills as required to meet the level of the role and evolving team needs, through continued professional development.
You will line manage staff.
About us
The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This B7 Lead Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioners post will contribute to the leadership and advanced technical expertise within the service, dependent on skill set and group need. In this role, the post holder must be willing to progress their knowledge, experience and skills as required to meet the level of the role and evolving team needs, through continued professional development.
Work with other Lead Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioners and service leads in the team to manage and ensure the quality of the groups technical services, including equipment testing and the radiation safety service, in line with legislative requirements and national guidelines.
Line manage a number of Healthcare Science Practitioners in the team. If the group move towards allocating teams of Practitioners to large customers or regions, lead such a team.
Lead various group processes and be responsible (with available senior manager support as necessary) for delivery of those workstreams e.g. the Practitioner training schemes including apprentices, Health & Safety, Practitioner recruitment, Quality Management System, contracts/charging dependent on group need. The post holder will not take on all these roles but will take a share of them. Some examples are indicated below stating contribute to or potentially lead.
Undertake service development appropriate to role and support senior managers in rolling out changes.
Support service planning/delivery and take the initiative to temporarily step in to fill operational gaps while seeking longer term solutions to ensure continuity of our services. Contribute to routine survey booking, work allocation and survey duty manager cover (non-routine survey booking) as necessary e.g. to cover absence of our team scheduler. Take a share of duty management day to day (8am start time, on a rota e.g. 1 week in 3).
To assess the safety and performance of X-ray imaging equipment, provide technical support, radiation protection and patient dosimetry advice to users of ionising radiations, in order to optimise the use of X-rays in diagnostic imaging and comply with regulatory requirements. Activities fall within the framework provided by a Medical Physics Expert or Radiation Protection Adviser. Be highly specialist in our field with a particular in depth experience of at least one modality, including clinical understanding, and a specialist level of knowledge and experience in multiple modalities in our field.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This B7 Lead Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioners post will contribute to the leadership and advanced technical expertise within the service, dependent on skill set and group need. In this role, the post holder must be willing to progress their knowledge, experience and skills as required to meet the level of the role and evolving team needs, through continued professional development.
Work with other Lead Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioners and service leads in the team to manage and ensure the quality of the groups technical services, including equipment testing and the radiation safety service, in line with legislative requirements and national guidelines.
Line manage a number of Healthcare Science Practitioners in the team. If the group move towards allocating teams of Practitioners to large customers or regions, lead such a team.
Lead various group processes and be responsible (with available senior manager support as necessary) for delivery of those workstreams e.g. the Practitioner training schemes including apprentices, Health & Safety, Practitioner recruitment, Quality Management System, contracts/charging dependent on group need. The post holder will not take on all these roles but will take a share of them. Some examples are indicated below stating contribute to or potentially lead.
Undertake service development appropriate to role and support senior managers in rolling out changes.
Support service planning/delivery and take the initiative to temporarily step in to fill operational gaps while seeking longer term solutions to ensure continuity of our services. Contribute to routine survey booking, work allocation and survey duty manager cover (non-routine survey booking) as necessary e.g. to cover absence of our team scheduler. Take a share of duty management day to day (8am start time, on a rota e.g. 1 week in 3).
To assess the safety and performance of X-ray imaging equipment, provide technical support, radiation protection and patient dosimetry advice to users of ionising radiations, in order to optimise the use of X-rays in diagnostic imaging and comply with regulatory requirements. Activities fall within the framework provided by a Medical Physics Expert or Radiation Protection Adviser. Be highly specialist in our field with a particular in depth experience of at least one modality, including clinical understanding, and a specialist level of knowledge and experience in multiple modalities in our field.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in STEM subject or Diagnostic Radiography degree (or equivalent)
- Master's degree in medical physics, radiation protection or leadership/management OR equivalent 'highly specialist knowledge'
- Member of Register of Clinical Technologists / Registration as Healthcare Science Practitioner*.
Desirable
- Leadership or Management qualification
- Willingness to undertake masters level education if not already achieved
- Corporate membership of IPEM (may be needed in role)
Experience
Essential
- Highly specialised experience in the field of diagnostic radiology physics services including performing/reporting QA of multiple modalities (independently).
- Critical examination and commissioning of multiple modalities including complex modalities (CT, fluoro, mammography)
- Performing investigations into X-ray equipment performance issues
- Diagnostic radiology test development and implementation of new test methodology
- Delivering technical training
- Quality systems and service improvements
- Supervision of technical staff
Desirable
- Management of technical staff
- Calibration of dosemeters
Skills
Essential
- High level of literacy, numeracy & attention to detail
- Proficient in using Microsoft Office, scientific software and word processing
- Ability to problem solve/fault find/investigate issues
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Presentation and teaching skills
- Ability to analyse complex scientific data and clearly communicate findings/recommendations
- Problem Solving
- Organisation
Desirable
- Resource management
- Database Skills
Values
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate the organisation's values and behaviours
- Patient focused
- Commitment to reflective practice and CPD
- Adherence to RCT code of conduct
Knowledge
Essential
- Highly specialist knowledge of recommended standards for X-ray equipment
- Specialist knowledge of radiation instrumentation
- Specialist working knowledge of appropriate legislation and practical radiation protection
- Appropriate knowledge of radiation physics as applied to the testing of a wide range of diagnostic X-ray equipment
- Working knowledge of quality systems
- General health and safety requirements
Desirable
- Basic knowledge/awareness of emerging techniques/modalities in diagnostic radiology
- basic understanding of employment rights and practices
Other
Essential
- Valid FULL UK driving licence for a manual car (or FULL UK automatic licence and access to your own car for business use) - essential, do not apply if you do not have one of these
- Willing to work flexibly in line with service needs (see notes below).
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in STEM subject or Diagnostic Radiography degree (or equivalent)
- Master's degree in medical physics, radiation protection or leadership/management OR equivalent 'highly specialist knowledge'
- Member of Register of Clinical Technologists / Registration as Healthcare Science Practitioner*.
Desirable
- Leadership or Management qualification
- Willingness to undertake masters level education if not already achieved
- Corporate membership of IPEM (may be needed in role)
Experience
Essential
- Highly specialised experience in the field of diagnostic radiology physics services including performing/reporting QA of multiple modalities (independently).
- Critical examination and commissioning of multiple modalities including complex modalities (CT, fluoro, mammography)
- Performing investigations into X-ray equipment performance issues
- Diagnostic radiology test development and implementation of new test methodology
- Delivering technical training
- Quality systems and service improvements
- Supervision of technical staff
Desirable
- Management of technical staff
- Calibration of dosemeters
Skills
Essential
- High level of literacy, numeracy & attention to detail
- Proficient in using Microsoft Office, scientific software and word processing
- Ability to problem solve/fault find/investigate issues
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Presentation and teaching skills
- Ability to analyse complex scientific data and clearly communicate findings/recommendations
- Problem Solving
- Organisation
Desirable
- Resource management
- Database Skills
Values
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate the organisation's values and behaviours
- Patient focused
- Commitment to reflective practice and CPD
- Adherence to RCT code of conduct
Knowledge
Essential
- Highly specialist knowledge of recommended standards for X-ray equipment
- Specialist knowledge of radiation instrumentation
- Specialist working knowledge of appropriate legislation and practical radiation protection
- Appropriate knowledge of radiation physics as applied to the testing of a wide range of diagnostic X-ray equipment
- Working knowledge of quality systems
- General health and safety requirements
Desirable
- Basic knowledge/awareness of emerging techniques/modalities in diagnostic radiology
- basic understanding of employment rights and practices
Other
Essential
- Valid FULL UK driving licence for a manual car (or FULL UK automatic licence and access to your own car for business use) - essential, do not apply if you do not have one of these
- Willing to work flexibly in line with service needs (see notes below).
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).
