Head of Radiology Physics

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

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in the UK is seeking an enthusiastic Clinical Scientist with essential MPE and RPA accreditations to lead scientific support in Radiology Physics. The role includes managing radiation protection services, conducting audits, and providing training. Candidates must hold an appropriate degree and HCPC registration. We offer opportunities for career development within a supportive team committed to high quality healthcare.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Essential MPE and RPA accreditations.
• HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist.
• Corporate Membership of IPEM or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on Radiation Protection under relevant regulations.
• Lead investigations of complex radiation dosimetry issues.
• Oversee radiation protection teaching and training.

Skills

Highly specialised practical experience in Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Protection

Ability to communicate complex information

Ability to analyze and interpret complex data

Experience working in teams

Education

1st or 2nd class honours degree in Physics or closely related subject

IPEM-accredited MSc in Medical Physics or related degree

Job description

Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic Clinical Scientist with MPE and RPA accreditations and a background in providing scientific leadership and support in Radiology Physics.

Please Note: MPE accreditation is essential for this role. We may be able to consider candidates who are close to submitting a portfolio for RPA accreditation within an agreed time frame.

Radiology Physics is part of the Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering Department, which has a high profile within the Trust and is building networks with other Trusts and Universities. We support a wide range of Diagnostic Radiology facilities, including CT, Mammography, Cardiac and the Kent Interventional Radiology Centre. Committed to providing a high quality, safe and effective service, we are able to offer opportunities for career development and progression within a vibrant, progressive and supportive team.

Main duties of the job

Helping to ensure that a safe and effective Radiology Physics service is provided to the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT).

The delegated day‑to‑day scientific, technical, clinical and regulatory aspects of the Radiology Physics service.

The delegated day‑to‑day managerial aspects of the Radiology Physics service, in conjunction with the operational lead.

Being the lead Medical Physics Expert under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IR(ME)R 2017) for Diagnostic Radiology, leading the equipment assessment program, including specification, acceptance testing, commissioning, quality assurance and optimisation of complex imaging equipment, acting with a high degree of autonomy when dealing with varied and specialist issues.

Leading on the investigation of complex radiation dosimetry issues and advising on the associated risks.

Calculating dose and risk in the event of planned, unintended or accidental exposures including to the unborn child, and advising clinicians.

Providing / overseeing specialist radiation protection teaching and training to a range of staff groups and being the training lead for STP and Route 2 within the section.

Being an appointed Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) under the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR 2017) to EKHUFT.

Improving the delivery of the Radiology Physics services and conducting research and development.

About us

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day‑to‑day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates on a Skilled Worker Visa applying for roles Band 5 and above.

Details

Date posted: 08 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£76,965 to £88,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full‑time, Flexible working

Reference number

344-7308DCB-A

Job location

Kent and Canterbury Hospital

Ethelbert Road

Canterbury

CT1 3NG

Job description Responsibilities

Acting as a Radiation Protection Adviser, (RPA), Medical Physics Expert (MPE) and Operator for Radiology within the Trust and other healthcare organisations, fulfilling the legal requirements of IRR, IR(ME)R and associated guidelines / approved codes of practice. Providing expert advice at all levels on highly complex issues, including:

• Specification, selection, commissioning and routine assessment of highly complex and patient‑critical equipment for X‑ray imaging, in an efficient and timely manner.
• The design of new or modified radiation facilities including sophisticated shielding calculations and surveys to ensure staff and the public are protected in accordance with the limits and recommendations set in national legislation.
• Regular IRR and IR(ME)R compliance audits of radiation facilities
• Managing programs for the examination, testing and calibration of radiation protection and quality assurance equipment in accordance with national guidance and best practice.
• Clinical incident investigation, including notification of clinically significant incidents to the Care Quality Commission; advising when the patient and IR(ME)R duty holders need to be notified.
• Incident investigation and reporting, including notification of serious incidents to the Health and Safety Executive.
• Specific risk assessments for patients, staff and members of public relating to radiation exposure.
• Leading on Trust input and response to external reviews and audits from the Care Quality Commission and Health and Safety Executive regarding the use of ionising radiation in imaging.
• Optimisation programmes, dose audits and local diagnostic reference level setting for radiographic equipment
• Assisting clinical teams in the implementation of new techniques and diagnostic procedures using X‑ray‑imaging equipment.
• Devising assessment methodologies for a wide‑range of imaging equipment to establish and maintain diagnostic suitability and radiological safety.
• Creation and review of (XX‑ ) Ahmed? No full text above.
• Oversight of the development, testing, validation and full documentation of software tools required for the Radiology Physics service.
• Provision of MPE advice to clinical trials involving X‑ray imaging.
• Keeping scientific and clinical developments in Diagnostic Radiology under review. Working with Radiographers, Radiologists and other medical staff to re‑introduce new techniques for patient‑to‑day, so as well as your well‑to‑day[?]
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Person Specification

Qualifications and Training (Essential)

• 1st or 2nd class honours degree in Physics or closely related subject.
• IPEM‑accredited MSc in Medical Physics, MSc in Medical Imaging or relevant higher degree.
• HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist.
• Corporate Membership of IPEM or equivalent relevant professional body.
• Inclusion on RPA2000 list of Core Competence to act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) under IR(ME)R17.
• Certificate of Competence to act as a Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) under IRR17.

Desirable Qualifications

• PhD in relevant field
• Chartered Physicist (CPhys) or Chartered Scientist (CSci)
• HSS registration or the necessary experience to obtain this
• Chartered Radiation Protection Professional (CRadP)
• Radioactive Waste Adviser (RWA)

Skills and Experience (Essential)

• Highly specialised practical experience in Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Protection
• Knowledge of budget holding and financial resource management
• Specialist knowledge and practical experience of the techniques employed to measure the performance and radiological safety of a wide variety of digital and analogue state‑of‑the‑art X‑ray imaging equipment.
• Specialist knowledge and practical experience of the dose measurement techniques of ionising radiations including the various techniques for measurement of patient dose in radiography, fluoroscopy, cardiology, CT, mammography and dental
• Specialist understanding of risks to patients and staff arising from ionising radiation, and the precautions required.
• Able to supervise individual staff in their clinical and scientific practice
• Experience in the application of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines and ability to communicate their application to other health professionals including senior management.
• Experience working in teams
• Experience of auditing others
• Experience of service provision
• Ability to communicate highly complex, sometimes sensitive information effectively in oral and written forms to multi‑disciplinary groups at all levels and to patients and their carers.
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex data, compare ranges of options, make judgements from the results and determine the cause of erroneous results.
• Ability to interpret technical and scientific situations, in which facts may conflict, and judging measures required to deal with them.
• Ability to produce detailed and accurate written reports and present scientific papers at national and international conferences.
• Highly developed manual dexterity skills to achieve precision and speed in the use of sophisticated scientific and technical equipment
• Ability to develop electronic documents, spreadsheets and Clinical Applications software.
• Ability to teach, train and supervise
• Experience supervising STP and/or Route 2 trainees
• Good negotiating and influencing skills; able to gain acceptance and agreement in situations where change is needed.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Use of Quality Systems
• Knowledge of risk management systems

Governance (Essential)

• Understanding of incident reporting pathways (internal and external) in the context of diagnostic imaging
• Participating in and contributing to Radiation Protection Committees, the Trust Radiation Modalities Group and the Trust Radiology Advisory Committee.

Personal/Professional Attributes (Essential)

• An understanding of the risks associated with the incorrect calibration, misuse or failure of equipment.
• Highly developed scientific, analytical, interpretation and reasoning skills.
• Able to concentrate for long periods and when the work pattern is unpredictable.
• Flexibility in approach to coordinating workload.
• Able to work independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

Other Requirements (Essential)

• Awareness of and adherence to the Trust's Vision, Mission and Values.
• Full UK driving licence and access to vehicle.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in an new tab).

Employer details

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Kent and Canterbury Hospital

Ethelbert Road

Canterbury

CT1 3NG

Employer's website

https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (opens in a new tab)