Registered Clinical Scientist – Radiotherapy Physics
Are you ready to take your expertise in radiotherapy physics to the next level? Join our nationally recognised cancer centre and play a pivotal role in shaping advanced radiotherapy services that make a real difference to patient care.
You'll provide senior scientific support across Treatment Planning, Brachytherapy, and Dosimetry--helping deliver safe, cutting-edge treatments. Be at the forefront of clinical development, lead research projects, and publish your findings internationally. Mentor junior colleagues, influence service development, and contribute to national audits and trials. Flexibility: Work across Guildford and Redhill sites with a dynamic schedule that supports clinical need.
HCPC-registered Clinical Scientist
MSc in Medical Physics
Knowledge and experience in radiotherapy physics (planning, dosimetry, brachytherapy).
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Passion for continuous improvement and teaching
Main duties of the job
To provide scientific support for radiotherapy clinical services in the areas of Treatment Planning, Brachytherapy and Dosimetry/QA.
Participating in the provision of routine physics support to brachytherapy treatments
Participating in radiation dosimetry, quality assurance and calibration of radiotherapy equipment.
Participating in the provision of the Radiotherapy Treatment Planning service.
Exercising responsibilities in accordance with the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17) and the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IRMER2017).
Participating in the research and development activities of the department
Participating in teaching, training and staff development
Working hours are 37.5 per week. Based at Guildford, working on two sites (Guildford and Redhill) is required. Secondment to the satellite unit will normally be less than 25% of working time. The postholder will work flexibly to accommodate clinical need within the hours of 08:00 to 20:00. Bank holiday or weekend working may be required on occasion.
About us
Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.
We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have given us an overall rating of Outstanding.
Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.
Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
A video about the Royal Surrey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo
Job responsibilities
To participate in the provision of routine physics support to brachytherapy treatments. In particular:
Prostate Seed Implants
Perform and check routine planning and dose calculations for each patient.Perform and check weekly source calibration measurements.Prepare sterile radioactive sources for implant.Attend theatre sessions for real time planning.Ensure that all radioactive sources are accounted for and secure. Monitor all areas for radiation following a theatre session.Perform and check post treatment planning analysis.Maintain patient brachytherapy records.
High Dose Rate (HDR)
Prepare standard plans and treatment time charts for HDR gynaecological, oesophageal or rectal treatments.Prepare and check non-standard HDR treatment plans.Perform and check source calibration and quality assurance on new HDR sources.
To liaise with clinical oncologists, urologists, theatre staff, physicists, radiographers, engineers and technical staff to ensure efficient running of the service.
To assist in development work within the Prostate Seed and HDR Programmes and help train students and new or visiting staff in procedures.
To participate in External Beam Treatment Planning including:
To produce individualised treatment plans for patients requiring radiotherapy (using protocols), optimising the plans based on machine limitations, tolerance doses to organs and clinical oncologist requirements.
Liaise with planning staff, superintendent radiographers and clinical oncologists as appropriate where deviations from protocols occur.
Checking of treatment plans.
Quality assurance of treatment plans and the manual checking of doses and monitor units.
Assisting in the introduction of new planning techniques, including the training of radiographers.
Preparation of IMRT/VMAT plans and associated verification measurements.
Patient planning for clinical trials.
Project-based work to advance treatment techniques, validate new methods or provide complex IT based solutions to enhance efficiency.
Preparation of non-routine plans and electron beam plans, if required.
To participate in Radiation Dosimetry, Quality Assurance and Calibrations as follows:
Calibration of ionisation chambers
Preparation and checking of data that will be used for routine radiation output measurements
Strontium-90 constancy checks of dosimeter performance
Monitoring of quality assurance checks performed on radiotherapy treatment units, CT scanners and other ancillary equipment to ensure performance is maintained and corrective action is taken when necessary.
Perform quality assurance tests on any of the radiotherapy machines and equipment in the Cancer Centre including linear accelerators, kV unit, contact radiotherapy unit, CT scanner and treatment planning systems.
Calibration of in-vivo dosimetry (IVD) systems and review/analysis of IVD measurements during a patients treatment.
Participate in interdepartmental audits.
Assist in commissioning of new radiotherapy treatment units and ancillary equipment.
To comply with Trust and department policies and procedures, ensuring that all activities are carried out within a quality framework and that they meet regulatory requirements, professional standards and recommended guidelines. To actively participate in the formation and review of protocols and procedures to ensure that there are clear systems of work.
To exercise responsibilities in accordance with ionising radiation legislation.
To multitask, work under pressure to deadlines, manage and prioritise workload and be available immediately for scientific and clinical issues.
To undertake any other duties as requested by your line manager in consultation with the post holder.
3.1.1 To prioritise and manage own work to meet agreed outcomes and deadlines. To multitask, work under pressure to deadlines, prioritise work and be available immediately for clinical issues if required.
3.1.2 To ensure high quality, accuracy and clarity of documentation presented in an unambiguous way to ensure error free interpretation. To keep careful records of all work performed.
To work effectively and proactively with a multidisciplinary team, liaising with physicists, radiographers, technicians, clinical oncologists, clerical and ancillary staff and patients, as required by the post, ensuring good working relationships and a coherent, seamless service, including across two sites.
To contribute to research and development in radiotherapy physics through the ongoing development programme leading to opportunities to publish or present at national and international meetings.
To be involved in clinical trials participating in implementation planning studies and following clinical trial protocols in respect of the patient planning requirements.
To participate in the implementation and development of new software or techniques.
To keep up to date with best practice in radiotherapy planning locally and nationally and contribute to the implementation of evidence-based clinical practice.
To present results of development work and literature.
To report on scientific meetings and seminars.
3.1.1 To participate in the training of STP trainees in radiotherapy physics and radiographers in particular areas of expertise. To plan and organise the work of trainees to meet required competencies.
To participate in the provision of practical demonstrations to other students and visitors having practical training within the Cancer Centre.
Person SpecificationQualifications
- MSc in Medical Physics (or related subject)
- IPEM Part II training, STP training or ACS certificate of attainment, or equivalent.
- HCPC registered Clinical Scientist
- PhD in Radiotherapy Physics, or equivalent scientific experience
Knowledge and Experience
- Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of a wide area of radiotherapy physics (for example that accrued from national 3 year training scheme or equivalent demonstrable experience)
- Specialised theoretical and practical knowledge of the field of ionising radiation
- In depth experience of modern external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy techniques
- Knowledge and experience in the use of specialist testing and measurement equipment to monitor the performance and safety of modern radiotherapy treatment machines.
- Specialist Knowledge of clinical issues and their implications for radiotherapy physics practices.
- Specialist Knowledge of clinical procedures in radiotherapy
- Knowledge of physical and radiological anatomy and disease states relevant to Oncology practice
- Knowledge of patient and staff risks arising from exposure to ionising radiation
- Broad knowledge of other areas of medical physics e.g. Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, MRI and Ultrasound
- Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from equipment failure or operator error
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, regulations, national standards, professional codes of practice and other guidelines.
- Understanding of hazards posed by and precautions needed with ionising and non-ionising radiation and electrical, material, biological and mechanical hazards
- Knowledge of external beam treatment planning systems and algorithms, including necessary quality assurance procedures.
- Registered for Continuing Professional Development
- Experience of various Radiotherapy Clinical Trials
- Experience of managing projects
- Experience of working in or supporting research in the clinical environment
- Experience in teaching and training.
- Corporate Member of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (or equivalent)
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.
£50,008 to £56,908 a yearPer annum pro rata including high cost area supplement
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