Clinical Scientist in Nuclear Medicine

NHS; Wales; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The NHS is seeking an HCPC-registered clinical scientist for a fixed-term role to train as a Medical Physics Expert in Nuclear Medicine. The position offers opportunities for professional development and direct involvement in advancing nuclear medicine services across North Wales, in a supportive and engaging environment.

Qualifications

• Registered Nuclear Medicine Clinical Scientist with HCPC.
• Knowledge of guidelines for nuclear medicine service delivery.
• Experience in scientific report writing and teaching.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific support to departments using radioactive substances.
• Participate in the quality assurance of nuclear medicine equipment.
• Carry out radiation risk assessments and therapeutic radiopharmaceutical administration.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Welsh Language Skills

Education

BSc (Hons) in a Physical Science

MSc Medical Physics

PhD in a relevant subject

Job description

This post is fixed term/secondment for 3 years to meet the needs of the service. If you are interested in applying for the secondment position, you must obtain permission from your current line manager prior to applying for this post.

We are looking for an HCPC-registered clinical scientist looking to train to become a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) in Nuclear Medicine. This is initially a 3-year fixed term post, with a focus on building a portfolio of evidence to support an application for certification as an MPE, but there may be opportunities to extend the period and we are also looking to establish a future permanent position as a Medical Physics Expert.

You will be working in a small friendly department currently supporting a nuclear medicine department with three SPECT-CT systems, radiopharmacy departments across North Wales, and a range of molecular radiotherapies. You will be involved in the development of a consolidated nuclear medicine centre planned to open in 2027 which will include two SPECT-CT systems and a PET-CT scanner so there will be plenty of scope to gain the experience needed to build an MPE portfolio.

Main duties of the job

Provide scientific support to departments using radioactive substances

In consultation with Medical Physics Experts, advise departments on aspects of medical exposures such as optimisation, equipment testing, employers procedures and risk assessments

Perform administration of radionuclide therapies for a variety of diseases.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

About us

If you relish a challenge, have a passion to help others or simply fancy a fresh start, then Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) North Wales, has all the right ingredients. The largest health organisation in Wales, providing a full range of primary, community, mental health, acute and elective hospital services for a population of around 700,000, across North Wales . Join our team and get the support you need, in line with our Organisational Values and 'Proud to Lead' competence framework.

Enjoy being part of working with engaged leadership at all levels, and be assured we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and are proud to welcome applicants under the "Disability Confident Employer" scheme.

Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh. Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job responsibilities

Clinical & Scientific

Participate in the provision of quality assurance for highly complex nuclear medicine equipment (e.g. gamma cameras,radionuclide calibrators, sample counters, sentinel node probe systems) to ensure their safe use by other members of staff.

Participate in the scientific development of the Nuclear Medicine service.

Carry out radiation risk assessments and carry out administration of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals to inpatients and outpatients.

Take responsibility for the release of radioactive inpatients and the hand-over of the treatment room for routine clinical use after decontamination.

Provide radiation protection advice to hospital staff, community care staff, patients and family members.

Ensure the consistency and quality of diagnostic test results by developing and improving computer based data analysis methods.

Use highly complex image processing software to reconstruct planar images and to generate quantitative data from a range of diagnostic scans.

Provide scientific support to departments using radioactive substances across BCUHB.

Act as a trained Operator under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017

Write and develop Standard Operating Procedures for the Nuclear Medicine service.

Investigate complaints, errors and deviations, including root cause analysis, determination and implementation of corrective and preventative actions.

Check image data for radionuclide bone imaging investigations, requesting further nuclear medicine imaging if necessary.

Dispense and prepare radioactive substances for equipment quality control purposes.

Prepare and present scientific and technical information at scientific and multidisciplinary meetings and conferences.

Transport radioactive materials between hospital sites in accordance with Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations.

Assist and provide advice in case of a radiation incident or emergency.

Planning and Design

Prioritise and manage own work.

Work independently within occupational guidelines, making decisions within the scope of competence, deciding when it is necessary to refer to their senior colleagues and/or manager

Improvement and Monitoring

Participate in, and initiate developments to, the service in response to legislative and regulatory changes, evolving consensus of good practice and the availability of new diagnostic tests and treatments.

Communications

The post holder will give complex information on radiation physics and risks to staff and patients where tact will be required and understanding often limited.

Work closely with senior medical staff (Consultant Radiologists, Physicians, Cardiologists), scientific staff and technical staff.

Discuss clinical results and results from testing of complex equipment with relevant staff who have a range of knowledge.

Management, Leadership and/or Training

Continue personal development through further study, projects, participation in scientific meetings etc.

Be aware of, and work in accordance with, documented procedures and safety instructions bringing any perceived deficiencies or improvements to the notice of the Head of Radioisotope Physics

Providing training on radiation protection issues, use of specialist equipment etc.

Provide supervision for trainees when required.

Research and Development

Collaborate in programmes of research and development commensurate with the achievement of clinical objectives.

Interpret legislation and national professional guidelines for this specialist area.

Undertake research projects and present the results of complex scientific research to large groups and produce scientific papers for wide dissemination.

Translate the results of research findings into service improvements

Person Specification

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) in a Physical Science (upper second or first class)
• MSc Medical Physics
• Registered Nuclear Medicine Clinical Scientist with HCPC (or registration pending following completion of training scheme)
• PhD in a relevant subject
• Chartered Scientist (C.Sci)

Knowledge and Experience

• Knowledge of guidelines and legislation relevant to delivery of a nuclear medicine service
• Nuclear medicine equipment QC and management
• Liaising with patients, relatives and other healthcare professionals
• Safe handling, storage, accumulation, transport and disposal of radioactive materials
• Experience of teaching and training
• Scientific publications
• Participation in national or international professional groups
• Computer programming knowledge

Skills

• Adhere to and can demonstrate BCUHB Values & Behaviours
• Good analytical skills for scientific research and development
• Excellent scientific report writing skills, communication and organisational skills
• Welsh Language Skills

Other

• Good time-keeping and ability to work flexibly
• Be able to work independently and as part of a team
• A good communicator and an ability to obtain co-operation of staff and patients
• Ability to work under pressure
• physical dexterity to draw up radiopharmaceuticals accurately and to fill radioactive test phantoms
• Can travel between sites in North Wales in a timely manner, on occasions transporting heavy test objects.

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.

£46,840 to £53,602 a yearper annum pro rata