Principal Clinical Scientist – Lead for Dosimetry and Quality Control 8b

NHS; Preston; On-site; GBP 62,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is looking for a Principal Clinical Scientist to manage dosimetry and quality control for radiotherapy equipment at the Rosemere Cancer Centre. This role requires scientific leadership and operational management within a multidisciplinary team, ensuring the highest standards of care and compliance with national guidelines.

Qualifications

• State Registered Clinical Scientist required.
• Must have HCPC registration and Medical Physics Expert certification.
• Experience in radiotherapy physics necessary.

Responsibilities

• Lead on dosimetry and quality control for radiotherapy equipment.
• Develop and maintain quality management systems.
• Oversee calibration and performance assurance.

Skills

Expert knowledge in radiotherapy physics

Knowledge of quality management systems

Leadership skills

Analytical skills

Education

Honours degree in an appropriate physical science

Postgraduate Degree (e.g. Masters level and above)

PhD or equivalent evidence of research training

State Registered Clinical Scientist

Registered as a Medical Physics Expert with RPA 2000

Job description

Go back Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Principal Clinical Scientist - Lead for Dosimetry and Quality Control

The closing date is 30 June 2025

Are you looking for a role with increased responsibility? We are seeking an experienced, highly skilled and motivated Medical Physics Expert to join our multidisciplinary team at the Rosemere Cancer Centre radiotherapy department. The successful applicant will provide scientific leadership and day-to-day operational management of Dosimetry and Quality Control of Radiotherapy Equipment.

You will join an enthusiastic and friendly team of 18 clinical scientists, 12 dosimetrists, 8 engineers and a quality manager. In addition to this we also currently have 3 STP trainees and looking to actively recruit apprentice engineers in to our team.

You will already be a HCPC registered as a clinical scientist and have Medical Physics Expert certification from RPA2000.

Main duties of the job

To be responsible on a day-to-day basis and act as primary point of scientific and technical contact for operational aspects and issues relating to dosimetry and quality control procedures for radiotherapy equipment.

To develop and maintain dosimetry and quality control procedures for radiotherapy equipment within the department's quality management system using a risk-based approach based on manufacturer, national and international recommendations.

To organise and schedule, with support from the Head of Radiotherapy Engineering and Principal Radiographers, the dosimetry and quality control program for radiotherapy equipment.

To oversee and monitor the calibration, performance and quality assurance of radiotherapy equipment and appropriately feedback any issues to all Radiotherapy Physics and clinical staff.

To lead on and organise acceptance testing and commissioning of radiotherapy equipment and software as agreed with the Head/Deputy Head of Radiotherapy Physics.

To be department lead for dosimetry audits.

To undertake the role of lead Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) within Radiotherapy Physics.

Understand and undertake role as Medical Physics Expert and Operator under IR(ME)R 2017.

To escalate serious/strategic issues in relation to radiotherapy equipment to the Head/Deputy Head of Radiotherapy Physics and other senior colleagues within the wider department.

About us

Rosemere Cancer Centre is on the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Royal Preston Hospital site and provides an external beam radiotherapy service for the adult population of Lancashire and South Cumbria (1.6 Million population). The centre has:

• Eight clinical Elekta linacs (including two Harmony Pro linacs), all with Vision RT surface guided technology, CBCT, flattening filter free treatment capability and equipped with Response ABC system.
• Two dedicated Philips Big Bore CT scanners with Vision RT surface guided technology.
• MOSAIQ and SYNERGISTIQ(TM).
• Treatment planning is conducted on Pinnacle throughout the department. Some treatment planning is also being carried out on Raystation.
• Independent VMAT plan verification is carried out using Sun Nuclear DoseCHECK.
• Rosemere is commissioned to provide SABR for primary lung tumours and oligometasteses (non-spine and spine, lung, liver and adrenal) in addition to intracranial SRS.
• Commissioning and implementation of our first Elekta EVO linac.
• Commissioning and implementation of Monaco treatment planning system to replace Pinnacle.
• Evaluation of Sun Nuclear PerFRACTION for pre-treatment and in vivo QA.
• Roll out use of Vision RT surface guided technology for all sites. System already in use for all palliative, breast, lung and prostate patients as a result we are offering tattoo-less radiotherapy for some of these sites.
• Implementation of Elekta ONE Smart View

Job responsibilities

See attached Job Description for details of main responsibilities.

Being Caring and Compassionate

Job description

Job responsibilities

See attached Job Description for details of main responsibilities.

Being Caring and Compassionate

Being caring and compassionate is at the heart of everything we do, it is about understanding what each person needs and striving to make a positive difference in whatever way we can.

Recognising Individuality

Appreciating differences, making staff and patients feel respected and valued.

Seeking to Involve

Actively gets involved and encourages others to contribute and share their ideas, information, knowledge and skills in order to provide a joined up service.

Building Team Spirit

Working together as one team with shared goals doing what it takes to provide the best possible service.

Taking Personal Responsibility

Individuals are accountable for achieving improvements to obtain the highest standards of care in the most professional way, resulting in a service we can all be proud of.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Education

• State Registered Clinical Scientist
• Honours degree in an appropriate physical science
• Postgraduate Degree (e.g. Masters level and above)
• Registered as a MPE with RPA 2000
• Full membership of IPEM or other equivalent professional body
• PhD or equivalent evidence of research training
• Recognised leadership / management qualification
• Registered as a Higher Specialist Scientist with AHCS
• RPA Certificate

Knowledge & Experience

• Sufficient experience to act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) in the required areas of radiotherapy
• Expert knowledge in one or more aspects of radiotherapy physics
• Experience of planning/implementation of new facilities/techniques/equipment within a team
• Knowledge of computer software packages used for analysing and presenting data
• Working knowledge of quality management systems
• Extensive knowledge of relevant legislation, national standards, professional guidelines
• Basic understanding of HR policies and procedures
• Line management experience for staff including staff appraisals
• Involved with the operation of Quality management systems
• Extensive planning / implementation experience of new facilities / equipment
• Understanding of research and clinical governance

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.

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£62,215 to £72,293 a yearPer annum/Pro rata