Clinical Scientist - Diagnostic Radiology and Radiation Protection

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust; Taunton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider is seeking a Clinical Scientist for its Medical Physics team. The successful candidate will ensure the safety and performance of diagnostic radiology services. Qualifications include a BSc in Physics and experience in Medical Physics. This role offers career development opportunities in a supportive environment, alongside a range of employee benefits, including flexible working options and NHS pension scheme.

Benefits

Flexible working options

NHS pension scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

Career development focus

Qualifications

• Completed NHS Scientist Training Programme or equivalent.
• Working towards state registration as a Clinical Scientist.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert support in X-ray quality assurance.
• Work closely with Medical Physics Experts.
• Lead the local Quality Control programme.
• Train and mentor trainee Clinical Scientists.

Skills

Expertise in X-ray quality assurance

Radiation protection advice

Training and mentoring

Research and development

Education

BSc (Hons) in Physics or relevant subject

Relevant higher degree (MSc, MPhil, PhD)

Tools

Diagnostic X-ray equipment

Specialist testing equipment

Job description

Clinical Scientist - Diagnostic Radiology and Radiation Protection

Are you a Clinical Scientist passionate about applying your physics expertise to improve patient care and safety?

We're looking for a skilled Clinical Scientist to join our Medical Physics team at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.

We're a new service working in an innovative and exciting partnership with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and regional centres. We offer a supportive and dynamic work environment where your contributions are valued, alongside excellent career development opportunities.

Our team has a strong culture of training and development, you'll be encouraged and mentored to grow your scientific and leadership skills. This is an excellent opportunity to join a service at an exciting stage of growth and help shape the future of medical physics in Somerset.

Main duties of the job

As part of a dedicated team of Clinical Scientists, Clinical Technologists and a Radiation Assurance Manager, you'll play a key role in delivering the specialist clinical and technical services of the department. You'll contribute directly to testing the quality, safety and optimisation of a wide range of highly complex diagnostic and interventional equipment, ensuring patients receive safe, effective care every day.

This role combines hands-on clinical science, problem-solving and innovation, with the chance to work directly with healthcare professionals, engineers, and regulatory bodies to ensure patients receive safe, high-quality care.

If you're looking for a rewarding role where your scientific expertise will directly improve patient outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities

As a Clinical Scientist in Medical Physics, you will:

• Provide expert support in X-ray quality assurance and radiation protection advice for diagnostic radiology services.
• Work closely with Medical Physics Experts (MPEs) and Radiation Protection Advisers (RPAs), contributing to critical safety testing, patient dose optimisation, and compliance with legislation.
• Lead the local Quality Control programme with the support of senior colleagues.
• Play a key role in training and mentoring trainee Clinical Scientists and Technologists, sharing your expertise to develop the next generation.
• Be actively involved in research, development, and service improvement projects, with opportunities to present your work nationally and internationally.

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more details.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) in Physics or other relevant subject, or equivalentRelevant higher degree (eg MSc, MPhil, PhD) or equivalentHas completed and passed the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) or equivalent, or on track to complete within six months of appointment.Is, or is working towards state registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health & Care Professions Council

Experience

• Significant experience of the full range of Medical Physics workThe use of highly complex Diagnostic X-ray equipment and highly complex specialist testing equipment and techniques employed to measure safety and performance of radiological equipmentInterpretation and judgement of measurements to ensure compliance of equipment with legislation and guidance

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.