Clinical Scientist & MPE (Nuclear Medicine)

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; Lewes; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare trust in the UK is seeking a Medical Physicist to support its Nuclear Medicine section. The role involves leading teams, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and communicating effectively with senior hospital management. The ideal candidate should have a strong physics background, good communication skills, and a passion for patient care. This position offers opportunities for career growth and a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Benefits

Wellbeing programme

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Continuous professional development

Qualifications

• Current HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist in nuclear medicine.
• Accredited nuclear medicine MPE or evidence of ability to submit a portfolio.
• Evidence of organising and carrying out training of NHS STP trainee Clinical Scientists.

Responsibilities

• Lead Nuclear Medicine section of Medical Physics.
• Communicate with management and regulators.
• Calculate doses to patients following incidents.
• Participate in the duty rotas for nuclear medicine.

Skills

Expert knowledge of diagnostic imaging safety

Proficient use of specialist equipment software

Excellent oral & written communication

Full UK driving licence

Knowledge of radiation protection law

Education

Good degree in physics or closely related subject

MSc in Medical/Health or Radiation Physics

Tools

SPECT

SPECT-CT

PET-CT

Hermes

GE Xeleris

Siemens Symbia

Job description

About our Trust

At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, ambition and values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance – because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

Job overview

To support the Nuclear Medicine section of Medical Physics in providing and developing a wide and comprehensive range of Nuclear Medicine and PET-CT Physics services to UHSussex NHS Foundation Trust and its customers (remotely and in-person). This includes Conquest (near Hastings) and Eastbourne District General Hospital.

This MPE-level position involves acting as the duty- and therapy-duty physicist on a rotating basis. Applicants working towards MPE status may also be considered and supported in completing a portfolio.

This role also involves leading/co-ordinating the team's Molecular Radio-Therapy (MRT) work.

Main duties of the job

• Effective communication with senior hospital management to chief executive level & regulators.
• Line-management responsibility for band 6 pre-registration Clinical Scientists.
• Lead projects as agreed with your seniors, for research and development within the service.
• Assist in the provision of Medical Physics services in the field of Nuclear Medicine including SPECT-CT and PET-CT to the Trust and its customers.
• Nuclear medicine study optimisation (including SPECT-CT and PET-CT).
• Calculate doses to patients and/or staff following clinical or H&S incidents.
• Participate in the specification, evaluation, selection, acceptance testing and commissioning of new Nuclear Medicine and PET equipment.
• Perform dosimetric calculations, target doses or dose constraints, risk estimates and patient advice for research applications.
• Perform audits of compliance with relevant radiation legislation.
• Participate in the duty and therapy duty rotas for nuclear medicine within the Trust.
• Act as MPE for molecular therapy treatments, including development of new services.
• Provide image analysis support and audit.
• Develop clinical & scientific protocols under the NM Quality System.
• Assist in investigations for radiation incidents involving staff and/or public.
• Analyse test results and produce written reports with appropriate conclusions and recommendations.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance – because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.

Candidate Information Pack

Link: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Person specification

Qualifications

• Good (1st or upper 2nd class) degree in physics or closely related subject with high physics content.
• MSc in Medical/Health or Radiation Physics.

Professional Registration

• Current HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist in nuclear medicine.
• Accredited nuclear medicine MPE (on the RPA2000 list), or able to present credible evidence of ability to submit a portfolio within 18 months of employment.

Training

• Evidence of organising and carrying out training of NHS STP trainee Clinical Scientists.

Skills

• Expert knowledge of the performance and safety aspects of diagnostic imaging equipment using unsealed sources.
• Proficient use of specialist equipment related software.
• Evidence of participation in UK clinical trials and up to date GCP training.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Expert knowledge of UK radiation protection law.
• Excellent oral & written communication (in English) with patients & all grades of staff.
• Ability to perform acceptance, commissioning and routine testing of a range of nuclear medicine equipment, including SPECT, SPECT-CT and PET-CT.

Desirable skills and experience

• Evidence of participation in academic research and/or service development projects.
• Experience of using Hermes, GE Xeleris and Siemens Symbia platforms.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.