Deputy Head of Radiotherapy Physics (Treatment Planning Development)

Velindre University NHS Trust; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in Wales is seeking an experienced Clinical Scientist (MPE) to become the Deputy Head of Radiotherapy Physics in Cardiff. This role involves operational management of the Radiotherapy Physics team and collaboration with various departmental heads to ensure optimal delivery of services. The successful candidate will lead changes in treatment planning and provide oversight amidst significant investments in new technologies and facilities. Strong leadership and a background in medical physics are essential.

Qualifications

• First or second degrees in physics or related subject is essential.
• Must have registration as a Clinical Scientist with HPC.
• RPA2000 Certificate of Competence to act as an MPE required.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior operational management and leadership to the Radiotherapy Physics team.
• Act as a Medical Physics Expert for Radiotherapy Physics.
• Direct and manage resources of the Radiotherapy Physics Department.

Skills

Working as a Medical Physics Expert

Section Management

Leadership

Collaboration

Education

First or second degrees in physics or related subject

Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council

RPA2000 Certificate of Competence to act as an MPE

Registration as a Consultant Clinical Scientist or nearly achieved

Job description

Job overview

We are looking for an experienced Clinical Scientist (MPE) to take up a significant leadership role as Deputy Head of Radiotherapy Physics (Treatment Planning).

This new post will provide a strategic vision for advances within the Treatment Planning team who work across Cardiff and Abergavenny. The role will need close collaboration with the existing Deputy Head (Machines and Dosimetry) and the Head of Radiotherapy Physics to provide oversight of our future radiotherapy service.

Velindre Cancer Service is currently undergoing a period of major investment with the satellite centre recently opened in Abergavenny, and the transition to a new building in Cardiff (Summer 2027) including a complete refresh of linacs, software and imaging equipment. This post will play a pivotal role in guiding these changes, and in ensuring training and development for the wider team.

Main duties of the job

• Provide senior operational management and leadership to the Radiotherapy Physics team in collaboration with the Deputy Head of RT Physics – Machines and Dosimetry
• Act as a Medical Physics Expert (under IRMER 2017) for Radiotherapy Physics.
• Deputise for the Head of Radiotherapy Physics, in collaboration with the Deputy Head of RT Physics – Machines and Dosimetry
• Directing and manage the resources of the Radiotherapy Physics Department to deliver clinical, scientific, advisory, educational and research & development capacity and services to Velindre Cancer Centre in both Cardiff and Abergavenny

Working for our organisation

Here at Velindre University NHS Trust we are extremely proud of the specialist services we provide across the whole of Wales in ourcutting-edge Velindre Cancer Centre and our award-winning Welsh Blood Service, as well as the expertise of our corporate functions that bring the two divisions together. We are also fortunate to host the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership and Health Technology Wales and have developed strong partnership working with these expert services.

Formed in 1994, the Trust has a dedicated workforce that continuously strives to apply the key principles of value based healthcare through a wide array of roles. We play a vital role in the communities we support and have ambitious plans for the future to continue to improve the services we deliver. We strive to maintain our core values in everything we do by being; accountable, bold, caring and dynamic, and ensuring the best possible care for our patients and donors.

At Velindre University NHS Trust we aim to foster a culture of discovery, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We will achieve this by embedding research and innovation into everything we do, to deliver meaningful, measurable impact for our patients and communities.

If you want to work for an organisation that prides itself on making a real difference and offers exciting career opportunities then Velindre University NHS Trust is the place for you.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click "Apply now" to view in Trac

The main duties of the job:

• Provide day to day operational management to the Radiotherapy Physics Service for both the Cardiff and Abergavenny units, in collaboration with the Deputy Head of RT Physics – Machines and Dosimetry
• Manage the human resources of the department ensuring that each section is sufficiently resourced to perform their routine clinical duties and staff are allocated to projects according to the annual plan of work agreed at the Annual Management Review Meeting or similar.
• Line manages and lead some of the Section Managers within RT Physics as agreed with the Head of RT Physics, in collaboration with the Deputy Head of RT Physics – Machines and Dosimetry
• Act as the training coordinator (in collaboration with the Deputy Head of RT Physics – Machines and Dosimetry) for students undergoing the STP training scheme acting as the liaison between the Trust, the students, University and other departments offering training.
• Proactively determine the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the department and sections, ensuring they are reported on regularly (usually monthly) to the Head of RT Physics, Section Managers Meeting and other committees within Radiation Services.

The role of the post holder is to manage the service comprising of a team of Clinical Scientists and Technologists in

• Radiotherapy Physics Treatment Planning

Medical Physics Expert:

The post holder will participate in rotas throughout the department, contributing to the work of the department where appropriate as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) as defined by IRMER (2017). This will include:

• Acting as the project director for significant implementation projects such as new treatment devices, imaging equipment or treatment techniques providing the lead MPE role ensuring all parts of the system are safe, efficient and in compliance with the relevant legislation.
• Scrutinising the methods used, the methods of data analysis and conclusions of work undertaken for projects as allocated by and in lieu of the Head of Radiotherapy Physics to provide the overall clinical sign off for equipment and / or techniques in fulfilment of the requirements of IRMER
• Checking of external beam radiotherapy plans as the final sign off before treatment commences. This will include ensuring that all physical aspects of the treatment have been considered and that the most optimal treatment possible is proposed for the patient.
• Providing advice on clinical matters such as patient set up, dose calculation or imaging issues. This is likely to involve a bespoke approach to the solution and requires an in depth understanding of the physics of radiotherapy and a pragmatic approach to what can be achieved safely in practice whilst maintaining patient safety and maintaining the desired clinical outcome.
• Leading projects as the lead scientist involving the implementation of new techniques or equipment or acting as the MPE providing scientific supervision of more junior staff implementing the project.
• Perform the fundamental calibration of treatment machines prior to them being used clinically.
• Provide MPE advice on treatment errors and other incidents particularly those of a more complex or are significant in nature.
• Leading IR(ME)R training within the Radiotherapy Physics, Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology Departments ensuring all staff are conversant with the regulations and fully aware of their roles and responsibilities'
• Participate in the assessment of competence of scientist being appointed as a Medical Physics Expert

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• First or second degrees in physics or related subject
• Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and care Professions Council
• RPA2000 Certificate of Competence to act as an MPE
• Registration as a Consultant Clinical Scientist or close to achieving it,

Desirable criteria

• PhD in Medical Physics or related subject
• Published papers in the field.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Working as a Medical Physics Expert in at least one of the following areas External Beam or Brachytherapy
• Section Management and/or Service Leadership experience

Desirable criteria

• Familiarity with a range of radiotherapy treatment machines and techniques, treatment planning systems and other associated Radiotherapy Physics equipment and systems

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