Clinical Scientist in Imaging & Radiation Protection

NHS; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A national healthcare organization in Plymouth is seeking a Clinical Scientist in Imaging & Radiation Protection to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Responsibilities include conducting quality assurance tests on medical imaging equipment and supervising staff training. Candidates must have a strong background in radiation protection and medical imaging physics. A degree in Physics or relevant field is required, along with HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist.

Qualifications

• Proven scientific publications in relevant peer-reviewed journals.
• Ability to interpret and judiciously assess situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical information.

Responsibilities

• Conduct quality assurance testing on medical imaging equipment.
• Supervise and train trainees in the department.
• Develop and maintain IT solutions for departmental activities.

Skills

Advanced knowledge of radiation protection legislation

Advanced knowledge of physics of imaging in Medicine

Quality Control techniques in Medical Imaging

Advanced IT skills

Good communication skills

Education

Honours degree in Physics or relevant subject

MSc in Radiation Physics

HCPC registered as a Clinical Scientist

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Visual Basic

Job description

Clinical Scientist in Imaging & Radiation Protection

Provide clinical scientific/technical services for uses of ionising radiations

Performance and analysis of QC tests for imaging equipment

Responsible for organisation and delivery of QC tests for specified modality.

Participate in the training of Service Line trainees, and other staff.

Participate in service development and improvement.

Initiate and contribute to research and development projects

***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

Assist with the performance of the Quality Assurance programme for all equipment involved in the exposure of patients and staff to ionising radiation to ensure statutory compliance. This will include highly complex, patient critical equipment. This will include Diagnostic Radiology and Radiation Protection.

Responsible for the delivery of the programme of radiation safety and equipment performance testing of x-ray equipment for a specified modality with responsibility for ensuring all testing is performed within required timescales. Plan and organise QA testing and liaise with relevant clinical staff.

Undertake quality control testing on a wide range of complex imaging equipment including CT scanners, DR x-ray systems, Fluoroscopic x-ray systems, Mammography systems, Dental x-ray systems, gamma cameras etc.

Analyse data and make professional judgments based on the findings to inform safe and appropriate clinical use of the equipment.

Maintain and develop protocols and procedures for testing of x-ray equipment, for both the high level physics tests, and routine testing carried out by radiographers in other departments, in accordance with regional and national guidelines, to satisfy legislative requirements.

Develop and maintain IT solutions for departmental activities. This includes development and maintenance of spreadsheets and databases, simple networking and specialist analytical tools.

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, 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 responsibilities

Managerial

Maintain appropriate and accurate records of the procedures performed, and in compliance with the accredited Quality System

Organise staffing for the programmes of testing of x-ray equipment

Monitor performance data for service to the breast screening service in accordance with NHSBSP and SLA standards and report to the Lead Physicist for Mammography

Plan, prioritise and manage own workload and contribute towards the planning of work programmes with others.

Respond in a timely manner to requests for advice and assistance by customers, using own judgment to prioritise the request against existing workload.

Responsible for supervision of junior staff and trainees when under immediate direction of the post holder.

Teaching, Training and Research

Participate in formal training programmes and courses (include preparation and presentation of lectures) for staff on areas of Radiation Protection and Imaging Physics e.g.:

Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists training for Radiologists

Statutory staff training under IRR 2017 and IR(ME)R 2017

Undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses as directed by the Head of Department (for example, Plymouth University degree in Diagnostic Radiography)

Other staff training

Participate in the training of Clinical Scientists and Clinical Technologists, including supervision of trainees.

Participate and present in the Service Line programme of seminars.

Present work at national and regional meetings.

Initiate, direct and support research and development projects as directed by the Head of Group. Act as Group representative in research initiatives.

Introduce new techniques and undertake applied research, for example, developing phantoms and methods for new imaging techniques including optimisation.

Quality and Clinical Governance

Follow procedures for record keeping and maintain accurate records of all work carried out.

Participate in Directorate and Trust-wide corporate and clinical governance initiatives as appropriate.

Be familiar with relevant quality management systems, procedures and work instructions. Ensure documentation for own area of work are maintained up to date.

Propose changes to quality documentation for own work areas.

Support the maintenance and development of the accredited quality system.

Be familiar with the Trusts adverse incident reporting procedure.

Participate in audit and review of the service.

Professional

Maintain records of CPD in accordance with relevant professional standards.

Participate in further training programmes as directed by the Head of Group.

Keep abreast of the latest scientific and technical developments and their applications in medical and associated fields and attend suitable seminars and courses as part of training and personal development and to further the work of the department.

Ensure that all activities are carried out within a quality framework and conform to Statutory Regulations, Approved Codes of Practice and local safety rules.

Participate in relevant professional activities with the agreement of the Head of Group.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

• Advanced proven knowledge of radiation protection legislation in healthcare and biomedical research.
• Advanced proven knowledge of physics of imaging in Medicine
• Advanced proven knowledge of Quality Control techniques in Medical Imaging
• Advanced proven knowledge of the use of specialist testing equipment employed to measure the safety and performance of medical imaging equipment.
• Advanced proven understanding of patient and staff risks arising from radiation exposure.
• Demonstrable ability in interpreting different situations and judging measures required to ensure safety and compliance in areas listed above
• Advanced IT skills to enable development of customised IT solutions [spreadsheets, databases, image analysis
• Record of Scientific publications in relevant peer reviewed journals
• Advanced proven knowledge of the physics of digital image detectors
• Advanced proven knowledge of quantitative techniques for image analysis
• Advanced proven knowledge of physics applied to Breast Imaging with x-rays
• Specialist proven knowledge of diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures
• Advanced programming skills [e.g MATLAB, Python, Visual Basics]

Qualifications

• Honours degree in a relevant subject [e.g. Physics] or equivalent or equivalent level of proven knowledge & demonstrable experience
• MSc in a relevant subject [e.g. Radiation Physics] or equivalent level of proven knowledge & demonstrable experience
• Successful completion of the MSC Scientist Training Programme in either Radiation Safety or Imaging with Ionising Radiation, or equivalent e.g. IPEM graduate diploma in medical physics (DipIPEM)
• GCSE English at grade A- C / 4-9 (or equivalent)
• HCPC registered as a Clinical Scientist
• Membership of Professional Body e.g., IPEM

Aptitude and Abilities

• Good communication skills and ability to communicate effectively
• Able to make judgements on test results and report interpretation to customers
• Able to plan work for self and others
• Able to prioritise and manage own and other's workload
• Ability to work well within a busy working environment and meet reasonable deadlines
• Able to utilise sophisticated test/measurement equipment to afford high precision measurements Able to concentrate frequently when subject to unpredictable working patterns
• Able to concentrate for long periods
• Occasional requirement lift and move equipment (moderate physical effort)
• Ability to deal with occasional distressing circumstances

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.

Joint Head of Clinical & Radiation Physics