Healthcare Science Practitioner

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust; Guildford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The Regional Radiation Protection Service (RRPS) within the Department of Medical Physics at the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Guildford, invites applications for a Band 6 Healthcare Science Practitioner. You will perform measurements, calculations and radiation surveys across diagnostic X-ray systems and non-ionising modalities, with opportunities for professional development.

Travel and occasional overnight stays are required, and a driving licence is essential.

Qualifications

• Good honours degree in the physical sciences/engineering or equivalent experience.
• Willing to work towards Healthcare Scientist status via Route 2 or STP equivalence.
• Career development and training opportunities offered.
• Travel is involved; a driving licence and access to a vehicle are required.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive radiation protection and diagnostic radiology physics services.
• Carry out radiation surveys and quality assurance for X-ray equipment.
• Support dosimetry services and Radon monitoring.
• Liaise with clients and regulatory bodies; travel to sites as needed.

Skills

Good communication

Team player

Enthusiastic

Education

HTEC/SCOTVEC/City & Guilds OR degree in engineering/physics

Tools

Professional membership (IPEM/IET)

Job description

Employer Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Surrey Town Guildford Salary £41,957 - £50,387 Per annum pro rata including high cost area supplement Salary period Yearly Closing 16/09/2026 23:59

Applications are invited for a vacant band 6 Healthcare Science Practitioner post in the Regional Radiation Protection Service (RRPS) within the Department of Medical Physics at the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Guildford.

The postholder will support all aspects of the work, including calculations, measurements and radiation surveys on all types of diagnostic X-ray systems, and be involved in other non-ionising areas such as MRI, ultrasound, lasers and UV. Radiation protection support is also given to a number of Nuclear Medicine departments, PET/CT scanners and radiotherapy centres.

You will need to be enthusiastic, a good communicator and a team player. You should have a good honours degree in the physical sciences/engineering or equivalent experience in your field. Applicants with a desire to work towards attaining Healthcare Scientist status via Route 2 or STP equivalence will be supported. Career development is actively encouraged, providing continual learning opportunities and there is the scope and support to progress into alternative training schemes.

Travel is involved and occasional overnight stays may be necessary. A current driving licence and access to a vehicle is required.

Applicants with less experience may be considered at a lower banding.

Main duties of the job

The Regional Radiation Protection Service (RRPS) provides comprehensive radiation protection, diagnostic radiology physics and X-ray engineering services out of the Royal Surrey County Hospital area mainly to the south and south west of the country, but also works nationally and internationally.
We have a team of 11 clinical scientists,11 medical physics technical officers, a computer scientist and 3 admin staff, plus postgraduate trainees and undergraduate students. The RRPS also provides advice and services to users of non-ionising radiations including MRI, lasers, radiofrequency, ultraviolet and microwaves. The Service provides NHSBSP mammography services for the South East (East) region.

To act as a Healthcare Science Practitioner providing wide support across a range of services, in particular to support the annual physics quality assurance programme of medical x-ray equipment and dental scheme to a wide range of clients. The postholder will be working at a professional level closely supported by Healthcare Scientists and Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioners but will also operate with a degree of autonomy for the tasks for which they are responsible for

Working for our organisation

Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.

We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have given us an overall rating of Outstanding.

Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To participate in the provision of annual performance measurements of radiographic X-ray equipment at NHS hospitals, private hospitals, veterinary practices and elsewhere, with the aim of ensuring optimum imaging performance with minimum patient dose.

To assist in radiation protection surveys and other practical work in relation to radiotherapy, radiology and radionuclide installations across NHS hospitals, private hospitals, dentists, veterinary practices, industry and elsewhere.

To support with personal dosimetry services provided by the department.

To aid in the provision of the Radon Service to clients by distributing and collecting of Radon monitors. Assisting with the analysis of the monitors. Providing marketing assistance.

To support with first line responses to clients relating to ethics reviews and radiation incidents or accidents. Working closely with the RPA’s and MPE’s on reporting back on these items.

To assist or be responsible for all other duties relevant to their department of work as required

Manage the storage, maintenance and calibration of performance test equipment and kits used by the RRPS, including supervising where necessary other staff and students for example, undertaking routine maintenance checks.

In conjunction with others to help maintain and develop income-generating work within the RRPS.

To aid in the provision of training in areas of responsibility to other members of the team.

Give presentations at relevant internal or local seminars and meetings.

Design and construct new and novel devices in support of routine work programmes and research and development within the RRPS.

To assist in the technical and engineering aspects of research and development in radiation protection and diagnostic radiology physics.
Keep abreast of the latest technical and engineering developments in X-ray and dental and their application in the relevant clinical fields.

Attend appropriate scientific meetings and seminars as appropriate as part of continuing professional development and continued registration with any relevant professional body.

Attend appropriate courses as part of continuing professional development and to keep abreast of current technical regulations relevant to the role. Propose changes to own work practices and process, as appropriate.

Ensure all activities are carried out to meet professional standards and accepted guidelines.

oo work effectively and proactively within a multi-disciplinary team, involving close working, team building and technical supervision of more junior team members as appropriate.

Carry out all duties in accordance with the requirements of IRR17 and IRMER17 and other relevant Statutory Regulations, Approved Codes of Conduct and Local Rules pertaining to radiation, together with the general provisions of the Health & Safety at Work Act.

Work in other departments, other Trusts, independent hospitals and other institutions and organisations served by the RRPS, in liaison with radiology managers, radiation protection supervisors, heads of departments, medical consultants and managers. Liaise also with commercial organisations, government agencies and regulatory bodies. When working outside the Trust the post holder will abide by local policies and practices. He/she will behave professionally and courteously at all times seeking to uphold the standards and increase the reputation of the RSCH.

Be required to drive/travel to clients and premises served by the RRPS, which will include occasional overnight stays.

To carry out extended periods of VDU work on a regular basis.

Take all precautions when dealing with X-rays and other ionising radiation hazards.

Take all precautions as regards electrical and mechanical hazards when operating and investigating sophisticated radiology and other equipment.

Qualifications

• HTEC, SCOTVEC, City and Guilds, degree or other accredited qualification in relevant engineering/physics subjects or demonstrable equivalent level of knowledge Plus further training/short courses or demonstrable experience in specialist areas.
• Professional membership of IPEM, IET or other relevant professional body.

Knowledge and Experience

• An understanding or awareness of the techniques employed to measure the performance and safety of state of the art digital and analogue dental, radiographic, fluoroscopic, mammographic and CT X-ray equipment.
• A good level of understanding of computers and office software.
• An understanding of X-ray equipment such as X-ray generators, X-ray tubes and associated equipment at component level, particularly in relation to dental X-ray maintenance.
• Understanding or awareness of the nature, use, risks and radiation protection of X-rays and other ionising radiations.
• Understanding or awareness of radiation protection of non-ionising radiations including lasers, ultraviolet, ultrasound, radio frequency and magnetic.
• An awareness of the legislation, approved codes and guidance applicable to the use of X-rays and ionising radiations in medicine.
• An understanding of clinical risks to patients, staff and public arising from ionising radiation, electrical and mechanical hazards.
• Capacity to act and to exercise own initiative when dealing with issues within own specialist areas of competence.
• Able to prioritise and manage own work
• Knowledge and understanding of electrical safety legislation, building standards and good guidance relevant to X-ray and radiation installations.
• An awareness of the techniques used in performance testing of other imaging modalities such as MRI, UV and Ultrasound equipment.
• An understanding of the ISO9001 accreditation system and constituent parts of the quality Manual relating to the dental scheme.
• Experience in the use of specialist testing equipment such as that employed to measure the safety and performance of radiological equipment.
• Awareness of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines in relation to radiation safety:- [e.g IRR17, IR(ME)R2017]