Lead Radiotherapy Engineering Technician

NHS; Derby; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust is seeking a motivated Lead Radiotherapy Engineering Technician to join its Radiotherapy Physics team in Derby. This role will focus on ensuring the safe operation of Linear Accelerators, diagnosing issues, and maintaining critical equipment for patient care. The position offers a unique opportunity to shape the service as the Trust establishes its first dedicated Radiotherapy Engineering Technician role, with significant responsibilities in technical service management.

Benefits

Development opportunities

Employee assistance programme

Discounted gym membership

Onsite fitness classes

Car schemes

Qualifications

• Experience in RT Physics required.
• Completion of Varian training courses preferred.
• Significant experience including Halcyon is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Ensure Linear Accelerators operate safely and effectively.
• Maintain clinical technology expertise through trainings and self-study.
• Perform QA checks and fault-finding on Radiotherapy equipment.

Skills

IT and networking skills

Problem Solving

Compassionate

Ability to work under pressure

Ability to operate complex equipment

Education

First Degree in Physical Science or Equivalent

Clinical Technologist Register

Experience in RT Physics

Job description

Go back University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Lead Radiotherapy Engineering Technician

The closing date is 10 July 2025

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.

Main duties of the job

• 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: 24 July 2025

About us

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.

Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorshipImpacts of the changes to the UK immigration policy | NHS Employers

Person Specification

Education, Training & Qualification

• First Degree in a Physical Science or Equivalent
• Experience in RT Physics
• Clinical Technologist Register
• Varian training courses completed
• Significant experience in the field, to include Halcyon

Knowledge and Experience

• Significant experience in post
• IT and networking skills
• Attendance at Varian courses
• Experience in training staff
• Vision RT experience

Skills & Ability

• Organisation of staffing and prioritisation of work
• Solving technical problems
• Ability to operate highly complex equipment with a high degree of accuracy
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise
• Compassionate and can motivate staff

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.

Employer name

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust