Lead Radiotherapy Engineering Technician

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust; Derby; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK hospital is seeking a Band 7 Radiotherapy Engineering Technician to enhance their Radiotherapy Physics team at Derby. This unique opportunity involves maintaining critical cancer treatment equipment and shaping the service offering, with responsibilities including technical management and collaboration with multidisciplinary staff to ensure best practices in patient care.

Benefits

Development opportunities

Employee assistance programme

Discounted gym membership

Onsite fitness classes

Qualifications

• Experience with Linear Accelerators (preferably Varian).
• Knowledge of QA procedures and safety protocols.
• Must be a team player with strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe and effective operation of Linear Accelerators.
• Perform routine QA checks and machine maintenance.
• Lead a team while managing the maintenance programme for Linacs.

Skills

Technical expertise

Fault-finding

Calibration

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Relevant engineering or technical qualification

Job description

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and experienced Band 7 Radiotherapy Engineering Technician to join our team in Radiotherapy Physics at Derby where we are about to enter a phase of equipment replacement.

This is an exciting opportunity for somebody with experience to shape the service at Derby, given that Derby has never had dedicated Radiotherapy Engineering Technicians before.

The primary objective is to ensure that Linear Accelerators (Linacs) operate safely and effectively with a minimum of downtime for the benefit of patients, clinical staff and the Trust, achieved by maintaining and repairing the equipment, which currently includes 4 Varian TrueBeams. Linacs are highly complex and require many safety critical maintenance procedures to ensure dose accuracy and safety. Machine breakdowns can have immediate impact on patient treatments and compliance with cancer waiting time targets.

The post holder is the section head for a specialised clinical technical service and is the technical lead in respect of the management of the linear accelerator maintenance programme. The post holder will be responsible for another Radiotherapy Engineering Technician of lower band, yet to be appointed.

The post holder will be required to perform QA and other duties such as patient organ at risk contouring and audit as required.

Whilst Varian experience is preferred, applications are also welcome from candidates who have experience with other linac vendors.

• Maintain clinical technology expertise by undertaking funded Radiotherapy equipment manufacturers certified courses, self-study and liaison with manufacturers
• Participate in Radiotherapy machine “Run up” services to ensure equipment is ready for clinical use at the commencement of the working day
• Undertake, as part of a team, fault-finding on Radiotherapy Equipment to component level
• To perform, as part of a team, QA checks prior to designating radiotherapy equipment as fit for clinical use
• Maintain up to date records of all maintenance and repair work carried out
• Exchange technical and planning information during negotiations with multi-disciplinary staff involved in cancer patient care.
• Attend all fire/safety lectures and mandatory training in accordance with trust policy
• The post holder will be required to work in hazardous areas such as extremely high voltage and areas of Ionising and Non Ionising Radiation.
• Frequent requirement for physical effort is required in difficult situations so a full understanding of the working environment is required.
• Calibrate Radiotherapy equipment and assure that performance is within manufacturers limits.
• Undertake routine contouring of organs at risk when appropriate.
  
  

Closing date: 10 July 2025

Interview date: 25 July 2025

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

In Return We Will Offer

• Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
• On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
• Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes
  
  

Key Facts

• We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
• We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England – an average of 2077 per week.
• An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day – 3rd largest in the country.
• Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
• Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
• We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
• We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
• UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.
  
  

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Michelle Eyre Job title: Head of Radiotherapy Physics Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 01332 788189

Please get in touch to arrange an informal chat and/or tour of the department.