Head Of Radiotherapy Physics

An exciting opportunity has arisen for Head of Radiotherapy Physics at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. The successful candidate will be an experienced scientist working at consultant level with extensive MPE experience in radiotherapy physics and an interest in providing scientific leadership for the radiotherapy physics team in a very rewarding senior position.
Please see recruitment brochure for full details.
Successful applicants will need to be available for a recruitment event in Plymouth on or around 20th January 2025 (date to be confirmed). Shortlisting notifications will be sent after the closing date along with presentation titles and invites for psychometric testing.
Relocation expenses will be considered for the successful candidate.
Applications not meeting all of the essential criteria who can demonstrate expertise in their field and extensive management/leadership experience will be considered for appointment at a lower band.
Informal enquiries and visits are welcomed, please contact Peter Wright, Service Line Director for Healthcare Science & Technology at ****** and Robin Laney, Head of Radiotherapy Physics at ******. ***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the jobThis role will include:
Act as consultant head of service for Radiotherapy Physics, providing expert advice and strategic leadership and management on highly complex radiotherapy service developments and the optimisation of radiotherapy techniques.
Manage the Radiotherapy Physics service to provide a well governed, highly specialised and innovative service to the Plymouth Oncology Centre.
Lead on service planning and shaping the group for the future, including a process for continuous improvement.
Provide appropriate scientific advice and guidance to the Trust on radiotherapy topics including specification and purchase of appropriate equipment.
Ensure that supervision and training of Clinical Scientists and Practitioners in Radiotherapy Physics is supported.
Ensure the provision of cross cover in special areas for TBI, Brachytherapy and Stereotactic Radiosurgery/Therapy.
Lead on a key areas of governance for the service line, e.g. governance framework, risk, training.
Continue to establish and grow research and development within Radiotherapy Physics
About usWe are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job responsibilitiesLead and manage all relevant staff in the Radiotherapy Physics group and work closely with Trust staff to provide a high quality, expert clinical and clinical support service to the Trust and across the surrounding health care community as appropriate.
Provide expert advice and leadership in connection with the provision of Radiotherapy Physics services, including policy and regulatory issues.
Undertake scientific investigations using quantitative and qualitative methods to aid service delivery as appropriate to their expert role.
Contribute to, and where appropriate take the lead on, the development of other policies in relation to the use and management of healthcare technologies.
Work with the Radiotherapy Manager and The Lead Clinical Oncologist as part of the management team for the Radiotherapy Service line.
Contribute to Radiotherapy peer review measures that apply to Radiotherapy physics.
Ability to provide cross cover in Brachytherapy and Stereotactic services.
Direct the work of the Radiotherapy Physics group to achieve objectives and service developments in line with service line and Trust strategies and policies, working closely with senior staff in Oncology, and with other customers as appropriate.
Awareness and advice on national guidance from Clinical Reference Group and Service Specification.
Professionally responsible for all the Radiotherapy Physics services undertaken, including the development of new treatment procedures, in collaboration with other senior staff.
Advise on national and international recommendations of best practice and ensure that the highest scientific and technical standards are promoted, achieved, and maintained, and comply with national regulations, Codes of Practice, professional guidelines, Trust and other requirements.
Act as the lead Medical Physics Expert (MPE) Radiotherapy Physics, under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations [IR(ME)R] and coordinate the work of other MPEs in the group.
Ensure that there is a training programme in place for staff to be trained to act as Radiation Protection Adviser for Radiotherapy and relevant Radiation Protection Supervisors.
To display sound and critical thinking in complex and unpredictable situations
To meet all activity, quality and performance targets. This includes for all service level agreements including training, commercial, clinical trials and other contracts as appropriate.
Ensure that the principles of Clinical Governance are applied throughout the group and reported through the HCST service line and Plymouth Oncology Centre.
Ensure that proper health and safety standards are maintained within the group, and all relevant regulations are applied.
Provide highly complex scientific and technical advice to clinical staff concerning the scientific and technical aspects of Radiotherapy/Brachytherapy treatment procedures.
Ensure that all the equipment used by the group is properly maintained and calibrated.
Ensure that all Radiotherapy treatment equipment (including Sealed Sources) is fit for clinical use and is checked regularly in accordance with national regulations and professional guidelines.
Overall responsibility for the Definitive Calibration of all the Radiotherapy treatment equipment (including Sealed Sources).
Maintain safe custody and control of the radioactive Sealed Sources and ensure compliance with all relevant legislation.
Provide expert advice and support on radiation safety matters relating to Oncology to ensure compliance with current statutory regulations, Codes of Practice, and guidelines, reporting directly to Trust Board level as necessary.
Liaise with external inspectors from Regulatory Bodies [Department of Health (DOH) and Health & Safety Executive (HSE)] and other regulatory authorities to facilitate inspections of the radiation activities as necessary.
Work with The Cancer Alliance, Operational Delivery Network or replacement bodies to ensure Radiotherapy Physics is adequately represented.
Responsible for ensuring that all aspects of clinical governance in relation to audit and quality applicable to areas of responsibility are met.
Initiate policies, procedures and SOPs and changes therein in the light of evidence and changes to relevant legislation, regulation and guidance
Advise the Trust on:
Radiotherapy Treatment room design, construction, and modification.
The selection, procurement, installation, acceptance, commissioning, and initial clinical use of major new Radiotherapy equipment items.
Take part in the maintenance and development of the service line computer systems, including databases, spreadsheets, and bespoke software programs for use within the service line.
Set up and monitor systems in radiotherapy and radiotherapy physics.
For further details please see attached JD&PS.
Person SpecificationKnowledge & ExperienceHighly advanced theoretical & practical proven knowledge of Radiotherapy Physics to be able to act as the Medical Physics Expert under IR(ME)R within the field of Radiotherapy.Expert theoretical & practical proven knowledge of ionising radiationSpecialist proven knowledge of all areas of radiation protection legislation in healthcare & biomedical researchAdvanced proven knowledge of issues relating to the application and safe use of ionising radiation in a clinical environmentSpecialist proven knowledge & extensive demonstrable experience in the use of specialist testing equipment employed to measure the performance & safety of modern radiotherapy treatment equipmentExtensive demonstrable experience in interpreting different situations & assessing measures required to ensure compliance in areas that relate to the relevant legislation, standards, and guidanceBroad & developed proven knowledge of clinical procedures & practices in radiotherapyHigh level of understanding of patient & staff risks arising from exposure to non-ionising and ionising radiationHigh level understanding of Risk Management processSpecialist proven knowledge with recent demonstrable experience of Brachytherapy techniquesProven knowledge of employment procedures and practicesWell-developed planning and organisational skillsAble to act as Trust expert in Ionising Radiotherapy PhysicsAble to effect Trust-wide safety management in ionising radiation safety through leadership and support, developing good working relationships with senior staff in a range of departments.Demonstrable experience of successful operational management within a complex organisationDemonstrable experience of managing a range of high value budgetsUnderstanding of NHS targets and the processes through which they are deliveredUnderstanding of NHS funding arrangements particularly NHS tariffsProven knowledge of performance management principles and practiceIn-depth proven knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, regulations, national standards, professional and other guidelinesDemonstrable experience of operating as an RPA for Radiotherapy for Radiotherapy and Sealed Sources, with at least two years in a large NHS Trust or equivalentProven evidence of recent publicationsDemonstrable experience of highly specialised services, TBI and Stereotactic RadiosurgeryQualifications1st or 2.1 class Honours Degree in Physical Science or equivalent subjectFormal management training at MSc. level or equivalentOther postgraduate level specialist trainingHCPC registration as Clinical ScientistDClinSci or PhD in relevant subjectAccreditation as an RPAChartered Status with a scientific bodyAdvanced proven knowledge of Excel, Word, Access etc for the purpose of setting up spreadsheets and databases for complex scientific analysisAble to use & develop specific software for scientific and technical applicationsAble to work accurately & quickly, applying scientific methods to resolve highly complex problems with Radiotherapy/Brachytherapy treatments & machinesAble to deal with occasional distressing circumstancesAble to communicate complex informationAble to deliver teaching & training on complex engineering, scientific and computing subjects to scientific, clinical, and other staff groupsWell-developed negotiation skills and effective influencing skills: in general, and when dealing with complex medical equipment and equipment interaction issues at organisational level.Able to lift medium and heavy weight test equipment occasionally, greater than 10 kg.Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.

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