Principal Clinical Scientist (Nuclear Medicine)

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in Nottingham is seeking a Principal Clinical Scientist to support its Nuclear Medicine Service through expertise in diagnosis and treatment. The role requires effective communication, management of clinical investigations, and training of junior staff. Applicants should have completed the NHS Scientist Training Program and possess HCPC registration. The position offers opportunities for research and development within a diverse team.

Benefits

Opportunities for professional development

Supportive work environment

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• Ability to effectively communicate with multidisciplinary team members and patients.
• Experience in providing scientific support to diagnostic nuclear medicine.
• Knowledge of legislation and guidelines for Nuclear Medicine.

Responsibilities

• Act as Medical Physics Expert in Nuclear Medicine, advising healthcare professionals.
• Manage and support the Nuclear Medicine Clinics; ensure compliance and QA.
• Supervise and train junior staff, and participate in research and training.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Leadership

Education

Completion of NHS Scientist Training Program (STP) or equivalent

HCPC registered Clinical Scientist

Certificate of Competence to act as a Medical Physics Expert

Job description

Overview

The Principal Clinical Scientist will support the Nuclear Medicine Service by applying scientific knowledge at an expert level in the Nuclear Medicine Clinics, including diagnostic Nuclear Medicine, Molecular Radionuclide Therapy (MRT) and PET/CT. The post-holder will act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) in Nuclear Medicine as required by the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and will work across the Nuclear Medicine departments at both Nottingham City Hospital (including the Nottingham PET/CT Centre) and Queen's Medical Centre, and external customer King's Mill Hospital.

Main duties of the job

• Equipment management and QA, optimisation and service development, direct delivery of the MRT service, ensuring legislative compliance, maintenance of the Quality Management System (QMS), line management, and teaching, training, and research.

About us

With over 19,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation.

Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career!

We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.

Job responsibilities

Patient care

• Act as Medical Physics Expert in Nuclear Medicine (as required by the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017), providing expert scientific and technical advice to other healthcare professionals on equipment management, quality assurance, analysis and interpretation of clinical investigations, optimisation, dosimetry, compliance with IRMER legislation (including clinical and IRMER audits), service development, and staff training. Communicate information to patients and carers regarding risks from ionising radiation in a way that can be understood, and perform risk assessments to ensure radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably practicable and within statutory limits.
• Provide scientific support to the Nuclear Medicine Clinics according to the duty physicist rota, including: interpret data to write clinical reports on patient investigations; provide scientific support to staff to determine whether sufficient data has been obtained for accurate diagnosis or whether further imaging is required; support QA programmes for equipment and software; support MRT service delivery including administering therapies and communicating with patients regarding radiation protection; support the Radiopharmacy Unit at QMC including batch release and QA of radiopharmaceuticals; support the Nuclear Medicine Department at external customer King’s Mill Hospital.

Policy & Service Development

• Develop, implement and review procedures within the Quality Management System for the section; determine appropriate methods for patient treatments or imaging data analysis, considering best practice, guidance and regulations; contribute to audit and governance information; identify service developments and new areas of work to maximise benefits to patients and customers.

Resource Management

• Act as line manager for junior staff; advise on equipment suitability and replacement needs; specify and select major equipment for use in the clinic and assist with acceptance testing; assist with financial management to stay within budgets.

Teaching, Training and Research

• Supervise trainee clinical scientists; train Medical Physics staff in Nuclear Medicine; provide training to other healthcare professionals (including FRCR and IRMER lectures); initiate and participate in research and innovation; analyse and present research results at meetings and for publication.

Professional

• Maintain continuing professional development and registration as a Clinical Scientist and MPE; ensure activities comply with ISO quality frameworks and regulatory requirements; stay informed of latest developments and manage own workload.

Person Specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential

• Completion of NHS Scientist Training Program (STP) or equivalent
• HCPC registered Clinical Scientist
• Certificate of Competence to act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) (or able to obtain within 1 year)

Experience

Essential

• Knowledge and experience to act as a Medical Physics Expert in Nuclear Medicine
• Experience providing scientific support to diagnostic nuclear medicine services including QA and analysis of clinical investigations
• In-depth understanding of relevant legislation, standards and guidelines

Desirable

• Experience supporting PET/CT and MRT services
• Line management experience; experience supporting STP trainees

Communication and Relationship Skills

Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers, clinical colleagues and other professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team

Desirable

• Ability to present scientific papers at conferences

Analytical and Judgement Skills

Essential

• Able to handle complex situations including equipment faults and patient issues; ability to review and critically appraise literature

Planning and Organisation Skills

Essential

• Able to prioritise and manage own work, including designing and managing research and service development projects

Physical Skills

Essential

• Able to make precise equipment performance measurements and safely handle and manipulate radioactivity

Other

Desirable

• Holds UK Driving Licence

Professional registration and other details

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure to the DBS may be required to check for any prior convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications. Skilled worker applicants may need to provide a criminal record certificate from countries of residence.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details
Employer name: Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts.
Address: Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, NG5 1PB.