Specialist Clinical Scientist In Radiotherapy Physics

Velindre University Nhs Trust; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Velindre University NHS Trust in Wales seeks a Specialist Clinical Scientist (Medical Physics Expert) to lead radiotherapy physics work, including treatment planning, dosimetry and imaging. The post collaborates with senior staff and MPEs to deliver complex patient care under IR(ME)R 2017.

The role may consider Annex 21 at 75% for applicants not yet MPE certified. Start date is aligned with organisational needs and project timelines.

Qualifications

• Degree in physics or related field with postgraduate medical physics
• A postgraduate MSc/further qualification in medical physics or equivalent
• Registered Clinical Scientist with HCPC and CCT/CPD suitable for MPE role

Responsibilities

• Provide highly complex scientific and technical advice on imaging, planning and dosimetry
• Liaise with manufacturers and colleagues across centres on radiotherapy issues
• Discuss radiotherapy-related patient concerns with clinical staff and patients
• Present clinical results at meetings and contribute to journals
• Teach Radiotherapy Physics principles to staff and students
• Ensure operators have necessary training and competency as per IR(ME)R 2017
• Discuss quality system status with internal/external auditors and report incidents

Skills

MPE leadership

Clinical communication

Radiotherapy knowledge

Teaching staff

Education

First degree in physics or related discipline

MSc or equivalent in medical physics

HCPC Registration as Clinical Scientist

RPA2000 MPE Competence

Job description

Job overview

We are offering an exciting opportunity for Specialist Clinical Scientist (Medical Physics Expert, MPE) to join our team in a forward thinking radiotherapy physics department at the Velindre Cancer Service based in Velindre Hospital, Whitchurch, Cardiff.

The post holder, in conjunction with other Medical Physics Experts (MPEs) and senior staff within the Radiotherapy Department, is responsible for ensuring the safe delivery of radiotherapy. They will act as Medical Physics Expert under the IR(ME)R 2017 legislation across all areas of radiotherapy, taking the lead in areas in which they have specific expertise e.g. treatment planning, dosimetry, imaging physics, RTTQA or computing. They will lead the implementation and commissioning of new technologies and techniques, provide specialist advice at MPE level to multidisciplinary teams and provide advice on the most complex patient treatment plans, radiobiology and dosimetric issues and provide expert support for clinical trials and research.

Applicants who have not yet achieved MPE certification may be considered for appointment at Annex 21 @ 75% of the top of the fully qualified Band. See the Annexe 21 document for more details.

Main duties of the job

Provide highly complex scientific and technical advice on imaging, treatment planning and dosimetric issues to radiotherapy consultants and other clinical staff regarding patient external beam radiotherapy treatments.

1. Liaise with manufacturers and colleagues at other centres as necessary on issues related to radiotherapy treatments, imaging and image optimisation.
2. Discuss with clinical staff and patients issues associated with Radiotherapy

Treatment set up, radiobiological, dosimetric and other issues describing complex scientific information and its implications on the patient’s treatment.

1. Present and disseminate clinical results through oral or poster presentations at local, national and international meetings and conferences and where appropriate prepare papers for publication in scientific journals.
2. Teach the principles of Radiotherapy Physics to all disciplines in classroom and workplace settings.
3. In accordance with IR(ME)R(2017), ensure all operators of relevant radiotherapy equipment have received sufficient training and achieved the required level of competency.
4. Discuss the status of the quality system with internal and external auditors including justification of process changes, resolution of non-conformances and the reporting of reportable incidents according to IR(ME)R 2017

Working for our organisation

At Velindre University NHS Trust, we are proud to deliver specialist services across Wales through the Velindre Cancer Centre and Welsh Blood Service, supported by our corporate teams and partnerships with NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership and Health Technology Wales.

As we look to the future, we are preparing for the opening of the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC) in Spring 2027—an exciting milestone that will transform cancer care for our population. Located within easy reach of the vibrant city of Cardiff and the stunning Brecon Beacons, we offer a unique working environment that combines innovation, collaboration and an excellent quality of life.

Since our formation in 1994, our dedicated workforce has remained committed to delivering the principles of prudent healthcare across a wide range of roles. We continue to play a vital role in our communities and have ambitious plans to further improve the services we provide.

Everything we do is underpinned by our Trust values. We are caring, respectful, and accountable in how we work with patients, donors, partners and each other—ensuring we deliver the highest standards of care while continuously striving to improve.

If you want to work for an organisation that makes a real difference, embraces innovation, and offers rewarding career opportunities in an inspiring setting, Velindre University NHS Trust is the place for you.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• First degree in physics or related discipline
• MSc or equivalent in medical physics
• Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the HCPC
• RPA2000 Certificate of Competence to act as an MPE demonstrating knowledge significantly beyond Clinical Registration and MPE, or close to achieving it
• Knowledge and understanding of the principles of Radiation Physics significantly beyond the level
• Knowledge and understanding of the principles of radiotherapy treatment devices.
• Knowledge and understanding of the principles of all imaging modalities used in Radiotherapy of an MSc in the field.
• Thorough understanding of the legislation as applied to the use of radiation in hospitals
• An understanding of the limitations & pitfalls of radiation dosimetry, calculation and computation, including electrons.
• An understanding of Quality Assurance schemes and principles in RT
• Knowledge of Data Protection; Health & Safety principles and practice.
• A good overview of the place of physics and RT in cancer therapy.

Desirable criteria

• PhD in Medical Physics or similar.
• Publication record in radiotherapy physics or related subject.
• Advanced Mathematics skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of data analysis, aggregation of uncertainties, and statistics
• Knowledge and understanding of the principles of physics research methods.
• Knowledge and understanding of the radiobiological basis of RT and its use for
• Knowledge and understanding of cancer induction by radiation- principles and facts
• A good knowledge of anatomy

Experience

Essential criteria

• Extensive experience in Radiotherapy to MPE level
• Specialist experience in the operation of radiotherapy equipment and treatment planning systems and associated QA.
• Experience of taking a supervisory role

Desirable criteria

• Specialist experience to MPE level across all of treatment planning, dosimetry and brachytherapy
• Involvement with radiation legislation

Skills and Attributes

Essential criteria

• Able to communicate difficult scientific issues to scientists and non-scientists with good verbal, written and audio-visual production & presentation skills.
• Advanced computer analysis, data manipulation and its display
• Able to demonstrate effective implementation of positive change in service development
• Able to demonstrate the successful clinical implementation of new treatment techniques and / or equipment
• Good negotiator in advising of practice changes
• Teaching skills

Desirable criteria

• Ability to speak Welsh to level 1

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR APPLICANTS:

Applications for our roles are carefully reviewed and shortlisted based on specific criteria, which varies from job to job. Using a generic application to apply for multiple roles or relying on automated AI application services, such as Lazy Apply or AI Apply, may not provide the necessary information, leading to your application not demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria. To ensure your application meets the criteria, we recommend submitting a tailored application that directly addresses the criteria listed in the Person Specification section of the advert