Lead NIR Physicist (Optical)

University Hospitals Dorset; Poole; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Active staff networks

Job summary

University Hospitals Dorset seeks an experienced Clinical Scientist to join the Non-ionising Radiation Physics Section. Based at Poole Hospital, you will support NIR quality assurance, act as Laser Protection Advisor, and help optimise safety, dosimetry and protocols across Dorset.

You will train staff and collaborate with colleagues to develop translational techniques, while keeping up to date with evolving NIR standards. The role offers relocation support and potential future site moves.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration as Clinical Scientist is required.
• BSc in Physics or related field.
• MSc in Medical Physics or Medical Imaging (or equivalent).
• PhD in a relevant discipline is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Act as Laser Protection Advisor (LPA) with advanced NIR expertise.
• Provide specialist scientific support on non-ionising radiation and ultrasound.
• Interpret guidance on room design, testing and safety information.
• Help optimise clinical protocols and translational techniques with clinical colleagues.
• Undertake R&D activities to improve service quality and stay updated on developments.
• Provide training in NIR Physics for trainees and students.
• Support MRI Physics Lead in service provision and staff training.

Skills

NIR safety

Laser Protection Advisor

Data analysis

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor of Science in Physics

MSc in Medical Physics or Medical Imaging

HCPC Registration as Clinical Scientist

PhD in relevant discipline

Tools

Python

Job description

As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three site acute trust with ‘university hospital’ status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.

We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £500m transformation programme is well on the way to delivering state-of-the-art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.

In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you’ll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we’re also less than three hours from London by road or train. The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.

We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.

We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce.

At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women's Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.

As a Trust we are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the preparation of their application. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of your own experience and suitability. Personal integrity is an important part of the recruitment process.

Job overview

The Non-ionising Radiation Physics Section is looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Clinical Scientist to join our friendly and expanding team. The Medical Physics Department is based at Poole Hospital, providing services throughout Dorset. The department currently comprises of two sections, ionising & non-ionising.

The successful applicant will support the delivery of our NIR equipment quality assurance and optimisation programme, with their focus on optical radiations with the aim of assisting our supported sites in meeting their statutory and professional best practice obligations.

The role will involve acting as Laser Protection Advisor, NIR equipment procurement, commissioning and provision of QC, dosimetry, optimisation & radiation safety. NIR modalities currently include; ultrasound imaging, lasers, UV & blue light phototherapy and other appropriate EMF areas. The role will involve training / teaching other staff and there will be opportunities to develop services. MRI is covered by another post, but collaboration will be welcomed.

Poole & Bournemouth are situated on the south coast, with the beautiful Dorset coastline and countryside on its doorstep. Relocation expenses may be available. Assistance with relocation costs may be available.

This role requires HCPC Registration.
Base Locations: Poole and planned moving to Royal Bournemouth Hospital in future
Interview date: TBC

Main duties of the job

The post holder will have advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of a wide range of NIR modalities, with sufficient knowledge, skills and experience to act as a laser protection adviser (LPA).

The post holder will provide specialist scientific support and advice to medical, clinical, scientific and technical staff on highly complex issues, primarily in the artificial optical radiation field, but also covering ultrasound.

Interpretation of relevant national and international guidance related to room design, performance testing and safety information.

Engage in optimisation of clinical protocols and in the development of translational techniques and procedures in conjunction with clinical colleagues.

The post holder will be expected to undertake specific research and development activities as required to improve the quality of service to patients, and keep abreast of new developments in their field

To provide training and teaching in NIR Physics for Medical Physics STP trainees, other trainees, other professional groups and students at Bournemouth University.

Support the MRI Physics Lead in the provision of services and training of junior team members.

Working for our organisation

UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.

If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.

UHD has active networks including Women’s, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.

AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To see further details of the responsibilities please see the job description and person specification.

Person specification

Qualifications

• BSc in Physics, Engineering, Computer Sciences or Life Sciences. MSc in Medical Physics or Medical Imaging (or equivalent) and successful completion of the STP training scheme in an appropriate specialism (or equivalent). HCPC Registration as a Clinical Scientist.
• PhD in relevant discipline. Chartered Physicist, Scientist or MIPEM equivalent. RPA 2000 Certified LPA Completion of HSST training. Management qualification

Experience

• At least 4-6 years’ experience post registration or other relevant experience in non-ionising radiation (NIR) safety. Experience of team management Sufficient knowledge and experience to act as a Laser Protection Advisor Used to working in multidisciplinary teams. Experience in NIR (e.g. ultrasound, UV, lasers) safety and quality assurance in a clinical environment. Knowledge of NIR Physics and its application in a clinical setting. Awareness of recent developments in both clinical and/or research NIR applications.
• Post-doctoral experience in research. Experience in research management. Success in obtaining research grants and income generation. Publication of scientific papers or other reports. Presentation of scientific papers at local and national meetings.

Technical Skill & Competencies

• Ability to operate NIR equipment independently Strong mathematical skills, capable of analysing large amounts of data using modern software. Ability to use and program using a range of software packages. Ability to communicate complex data or facts to a variety of audiences.
• Fluent in scientific programming in e.g. Python

Knowledge

• Extensive scientific, clinical and safety knowledge of NIR. High level of understanding of patient and staff risks arising from the use of NIR In-depth understanding of relevant legislation, national / international standards, professional and other guidelines.
• Extensive scientific, clinical and safety knowledge of all non ionising radiations used in medical practice (including MRI). High level of understanding of patient and staff risks arising from a range of non-ionising radiation exposure (including MRI).

Other requirements

• Good interpersonal skills. Ability to be persuasive. Ability to use own initiative when appropriate. Ability to organise and prioritise own work and respond to changing priorities. Good time management skills. Good writing skills to produce highly complex scientific reports/papers. Ability to communicate or present complex facts or data to a variety of audiences. Current valid UK driving licence.
• Ability to interact with patients in an appropriate and responsible manner. Ability to see problems/issues/scientific questions from a range of perspectives to enable the best solution to be found. Ability to be flexible. Ability to multi-task to meet competing deadlines. Good attention to detail.

Please note:

Staff recruited are expected to be available to work flexibly across all our Trust locations to meet service demands.

This advert may be closed early if sufficient applications are received.

COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst this vaccination is not a condition of employment we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated.

Internal Candidates: staff employed prior to merger who voluntarily change jobs will be appointed to UHD terms and conditions.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.