Clinical Scientist in Imaging and Nuclear Medicine

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare institution in Plymouth is looking for a Clinical Scientist to provide clinical scientific and radiation protection services. You will support Nuclear Medicine operations, oversee radiation safety, and contribute to patient treatment programs. The ideal candidate holds relevant degrees and has experience in radiation protection and medical imaging equipment. Join a dedicated team committed to clinical excellence in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Supportive working environment

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Essential: Specialist knowledge of radiation protection in Medicine.
• Essential: Extensive knowledge of measuring performance and radiological safety.
• Essential: Ability to use complex software.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Radiation Protection Supervisor for the Nuclear Medicine physics service.
• Administer radioiodine therapies and support other treatments.
• Ensure compliance with radiation protection legislation.

Skills

Excellent communication

Excellent organization

Ability to exercise initiative

High physical accuracy and manual dexterity

Education

Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject

MSc in a relevant subject

Membership of IPEM (MIPEM)

HCPC Registration as Clinical Scientist

Tools

Excel

Complex software (e.g., image processing)

Job description

Overview

Job summary: Provide clinical scientific and radiation protection services in support of uses of ionising radiation. Support the diagnostic and therapeutic Nuclear Medicine service. Act as a Radiation Protection Supervisor for specific areas within the remit of the Nuclear Medicine physics service (e.g. radionuclide therapies, External Waste Store). Appointment at Band 6 within 6 months of attaining Clinical Scientist registration would be considered for those with less experience with a modified job description. Proposed Interview date: Monday 03 November 2025.

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 job

To support the Clinical and Radiation Physics service within Nuclear Medicine. This includes administering radioiodine therapies for both thyroid cancer and thyrotoxicosis and supporting administrations of other therapies such as Ra-223. A SIRT service will be implemented within the next year. Undertake quality control tests on imaging equipment (i.e. gamma cameras and PET scanner) and other associated equipment to the relevant standards. Involvement in teaching and training of a range of staff groups including external customers such as FRCR and University of Plymouth.

About us

We 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. If you have any issues with applying online or 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 invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. 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 responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. Specialist Duties / Appointed Expert
   1. The post-holder will act as the Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) for specific areas within the remit of the Nuclear Medicine physics service (e.g. radionuclide therapies, External Waste Store).
   2. The post-holder will be required to dispatch radioactive materials in such a way as to comply with the requirements for lawful transport of radioactive materials by road as advised by the Trust DGSA.
2. Other Clinical Scientific
   1. This section includes responsibilities for other aspects of clinical scientific work in support of Imaging with Ionising Radiations.
   2. Support the Lead Physicist for the Quality Assurance programme for Nuclear Medicine equipment, including highly complex, patient-critical equipment and high-precision measurements.
   3. Support the Lead MPE for CT doses as part of hybrid imaging, including ensuring audit and establishment of CT LDRLs.
   4. Analyse results and provide reports and advice on findings to the relevant senior scientist, the Trust and users on safety and efficacy of equipment.
   5. Investigate and resolve complex equipment problems. Liaise with suppliers regarding equipment breakdown, and arrange for maintenance and servicing of identified items of equipment.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Essential: Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject [e.g. Physics]
• Essential: MSc in a relevant subject [e.g. Radiation Physics]
• Essential: Membership of IPEM (MIPEM)
• Essential: HCPC Registration as Clinical Scientist

Knowledge & Experience

• Essential: Specialist proven theoretical and practical expert knowledge of the field of radiation protection in Medicine
• Essential: Specialist proven knowledge of radiation protection legislation in healthcare and biomedical research
• Essential: Extensive knowledge and experience of measuring performance and radiological safety of modern medical imaging equipment
• Essential: Experience interpreting situations and implementing compliance with relevant legislation and guidance
• Essential: Specialist knowledge of the biological effects of ionising radiation
• Essential: Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from radiation exposure and from equipment failure
• Essential: Knowledge of clinical issues and their implications for patient dosimetry and safety
• Essential: Knowledge of relevant legislation, national standards, guidelines; proficiency with Excel/Word for data analysis
• Essential: Working knowledge of computer hardware/OS and interfacing platforms; ability to use complex software (e.g. image processing); working knowledge of PACS and patient administration systems

Desirable

• Record of scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Knowledge of other imaging modalities (NM, MRI, etc)
• Understanding of Risk Management processes
• Management training
• Advanced knowledge of coding in relevant computational languages
• Experience with accredited quality management systems

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential:

• Excellent communication and ability to interact at all levels
• Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills
• Ability to exercise initiative in the specialist area
• High physical accuracy and manual dexterity for precise measurements
• Able to lift medium/heavy test equipment (>10 kg) occasionally
• Ability to work accurately and quickly, applying scientific methods to resolve complex problems
• Ability to concentrate on complex problems amid unpredictable working patterns and for prolonged periods

Desirable:

• Willingness to train and develop further skills

Other

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure to be submitted to the Disclosure and Barring Service 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 government site.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Employer name
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address
Derriford Hospital, Level 6, University Hospitals Plymouth, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, PL6 8DH

Employer's website