Head of Radiation Protection and Consultant Clinical Scientist

NHS; Northwood; On-site; GBP 76,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Northwood is seeking a Head of Radiation Protection and Consultant Clinical Scientist to deliver expert advice and manage a team in radiation protection. The ideal candidate will have a HCPC registration and relevant qualifications in clinical science, with strong leadership and communication skills. The role offers a salary of £76,965 to £88,682 per year, plus benefits in a supportive environment for professional growth.

Qualifications

• HCPC registered Clinical Scientist with experience at consultant level.
• Minimum 5 years experience as a clinical scientist.
• You have commenced work towards MPE and RPA certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead on radiation protection and scientific support to several NHS Trusts.
• Line manage senior clinical scientists and technologists.
• Deliver training across STP programmes and RPA training.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical ability

Technical interpretation

Manual dexterity

Teaching ability

Adaptability

Education

Good Honours degree in physics or engineering

Postgraduate qualification in medical physics

State registration as a Clinical Scientist

Corporate Membership of IPEM

Certificate of competence as Radiation Protection Adviser

MPE certificate of competence

Job description

Overview

Job summary

We are recruiting for a Head of Radiation Protection and Consultant Clinical Scientist who shares our vision to be trusted to provide consistently outstanding care and exemplary service to our patients. The post holder will also support a number of external Trusts under service level agreements. The radiation protection department is part of the wider radiation services team at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre and provides specialist scientific advice and technical support to radiology, and other users of imaging including radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, breast screening, u/s and MRI. The Radiation Protection Department includes scientific and technical support services, radiation protection advice, quality assurance for imaging equipment, a personal dosimetry service for the assessment of dose to staff, radiation safety surveys. The Trust is part of the ImageEast network, and the post holder will lead on medical physics contribution to several workstreams. The post holder will act as the lead Radiation Protection Adviser and Medical Physics Expert for the Trust and other staff groups and patients in the Trust and other specified organisations.

At the heart of everything we do are our core values: Include, Respect, and Improve. We encourage you to embrace these values throughout the recruitment process and in your role with us.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be a HCPC registered Clinical Scientist, qualified to act as an RPA and MPE in diagnostic radiology with sufficient experience to work at consultant scientist level. You will have excellent communication skills as you will lead on the provision of radiation protection and scientific support to several Employers including a number of NHS Trusts. You will be required to work alongside local clinical and managerial service leads to ensure organisations deliver statutory obligations with respect to the safe use of ionising radiation. The post holder will line manage senior clinical scientists and technologists and lead on staff development and training, including the provision of trainees undertaking the STP programme or equivalent, MPE and RPA training and HSST. Ideally, we are looking for someone who already has MPE and RPA certification, but if you have begun to work towards this and expect to be able to submit a portfolio within twelve months of appointment, we would still like to hear from you.

About us

East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust provides general and specialist services with around 6,000 staff. We operate the following hospitals: The Lister Hospital (Stevenage), New Queen Elizabeth II (New QEII, Welwyn Garden City), Hertford County (Hertford), Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC, Northwood). We are transforming to deliver high-quality, compassionate care and support flexible working patterns where possible.

Details of the post:

Date posted: 22 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 8c

Salary: £76,965 to £88,682 per year, plus 15% High Cost Area Supplement

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 361-7427490-B

Job locations: Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Rickmansworth Road, Northwood, HA6 2RN

Responsibilities

• Lead on medical physics contribution to several workstreams within the ImageEast network.
• Act as the lead Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) and Medical Physics Expert (MPE) for the Trust and other staff groups and patients in the Trust and other specified organisations.
• Line manage senior clinical scientists and technologists; lead on staff development and training, including trainees on the STP programme or equivalent, MPE and RPA training and HSST.

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• Good (1st or 2nd Class) Honours degree in physics or engineering.
• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant branch of physics or medical physics to MSc level.
• State registration with the Health & Care Professions Council, as a Clinical Scientist.
• Corporate Membership of the IPEM or equivalent.
• At least 5 years relevant experience as a clinical scientist.
• Certificate of competence to practise as a Radiation Protection Adviser.
• MPE certificate of competence or active RPA 2000 MPE list.

Desirable

• Completion of HSST scheme or equivalent.

Experience

Essential

• Highly specialised training and practical experience in Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Protection.
• Experience in the use and QA testing of a range of technical imaging equipment.
• Experience applying relevant legislation, national standards, and guidelines; able to communicate applications to health professionals and senior management.
• Experience of working in teams, auditing others, and clinical service provision.

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills; able to convey highly complex information to patients, public, and multi-disciplinary staff.
• Analytical ability to interpret complex data and make informed judgements.
• Ability to interpret technical and scientific situations and determine appropriate measures.
• High level of accuracy, manual dexterity, and precision with equipment; experience with electronic documents, spreadsheets, and clinical software.
• Ability to teach, train and supervise students and staff across Radiation Protection.
• Ability to implement new procedures and equipment for radiation protection and waste management; manage priorities and adapt to changing requirements.
• Capability to work independently and in small teams; adaptable to workload fluctuations.

Knowledge

Essential

• Advanced knowledge in Medical Physics and Radiation Protection (clinical, technical, scientific).
• Strong understanding of IRR 2017 and IR(ME)R 2017; relevant legislation and guidelines.
• Budget handling and financial resource management knowledge.
• Extensive knowledge across clinical, research and development, and personnel domains; specialist knowledge of X-ray imaging equipment and dose measurement techniques.

Other Requirements

• Experience and evidence of engagement with equality, diversity and inclusion in policy, service development and service delivery.
• Role model for Trust values; able to concentrate in unpredictable work patterns; flexible in workload coordination.
• Willing to work in an environment with radiation hazards; able to work independently and within a small team.

Disclosures

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service may be required.