Senior Physicist - Radiotherapy

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

When we formed our integrated care organisation in October 2015 we became the first Trust in England to join-up hospital and community care with social care. As one organisation, we are working with our partners to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is an integrated organisation providing acute health care services from Torbay Hospital, community health services and adult social care. The Trust runs Torbay Hospital as well as five community hospitals, stretching from Dawlish to Brixham. We also provide health and social care to the local population. We have around 500,000 face‑to‑face contacts with patients in their homes and communities each year and see over 78,000 people in our A&E department annually. We serve a resident population of approximately 286,000 people, plus about 100,000 visitors at any one time during the summer holiday season.

We employ approximately 6,500 staff including frontline health and social care staff, such as nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, consultants and physiotherapists who work in your home and from a range of different premises across Torbay and south Devon such as community hospitals and clinics. We also have over 800 volunteers who make a difference each and every day to the people we care for.

Our Purpose Is To Provide Safe, High‑quality Care And Social Care At The Right Time And In The Right Place To Support The People Of Torbay And South Devon To Live Their Lives To The Full. This Means That As An Organisation We Want People To

• 
  
• Be empowered to manage their own health and care needs
  
• Work in partnership with professionals
  
• Only tell us their story once
  
• Access seamless care easily
  
• Have care in or close to home, whenever appropriate
  
• Work together as a community to look after health and care needs.
  

We receive the majority of income from our commissioners, South Devon and Torbay NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, who receive an allocation of NHS money from the government each year and decide on the healthcare priorities for the local population. The responsibility for the adult social care budget is delegated to us via Torbay Council, and we have an understanding with Devon County Council to run social care services in a joined up way.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust has a budget of £420m for 2017/18.

The Trust is well supported by the League of Friends in Torbay Hospital and those of our community hospitals. They work tirelessly to raise vital funds to support the work we do and help improve our services. We have been an authorised NHS Foundation Trust since 2007 and have over 12,000 public members, including 6,000 staff members. To become a member please visit our membership pages.

Key details

• 
  
• Location – Site: Torbay Hospital, Address: Lowes Bridge, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 7AA, Town: Torquay, Postcode: TQ2 7AA, Major / Minor Region: Devon
  
• Contract type & working pattern – Permanent, Full time – 37.5 hours per week
  
• Salary – £53,755 – £60,504 per annum (Yearly), Grade: NHS AfC Band 8a
  
• Specialty – Radiotherapy, Main area: Radiotherapy
  

Job Overview

An opportunity has arisen for a Band 8A vacancy for a Clinical Scientist to join the evolving Radiotherapy Physics Team at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Medical Physics Department. You will be joining an enthusiastic, dedicated and friendly team focused on improving patient‑centred care and would be expected to work in all aspects of Radiotherapy Physics.

We are looking for someone who has or is close to gaining Medical Physics Expert certification. Candidates should be HCPC registered and have several years of experience working at Band 7 level or equivalent.

Advert

• 
  
• You will provide specialist advice as Medical Physics Expert for the purposes of the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000 (IRMER) to the multidisciplinary team.
  
• Maintain knowledge of new developments in the field of radiotherapy.
  
• You will participate in audit, research and development.
  

Working for our organisation

Torbay Hospital supports flexible working and we would be happy to discuss options around this at interview.

This is an exciting time for the department as although we are a small team of Physicists and Engineers currently utilising 2 matched VERSA Elekta Linacs, with Mosaiq TMS & Pinnacle TPS our near future plans involve the commissioning of a new Planning system along with an SGRT system. Long term future plans will involve preparing for a back to back Linac commissioning programme in 2027.

The department actively participates in clinical trials. Lung SABR Treatment commenced in 2021 and is expanding such that we are in the process of commissioning Bone & Nodal Treatments which are expected to start in early 2024.

In Dosimetry and QA, modern trend analysis through QATrack is under commission along with upgrading to the latest version of Radcalc software for secondary MU check and for Transit EPID analysis.

The Medical Physics department in Torbay is a newly accredited training centre, and there are strong links with the neighbouring department at the Royal Devon University Trust Hospital. The group in which you will work actively supports the need for continuing professional development.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Torbay Hospital has 2 Radiotherapy Treatment units (Linacs), 2 Treatment planning systems, a CT scanner for treatment planning and 1 Treatment Management System. These specialised pieces of equipment are of extremely high value.

Act as Medical Physics Expert (MPE) as defined in the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposures) Regulations 2000 for the Radiotherapy service, in the specific areas defined by local competencies.

Act as an Operator under the definitions of the Ionising Radiations (Medical Exposures) Regulations 2000, in accordance with Trust Policies and Procedures.

Radiotherapy Treatment Planning

• 
  
• Undertake treatment planning (appropriate to personal competencies) for external beam radiotherapy, including complex plans and plans for clinical trials ensuring quality of dose distribution. Analyse requirements and make complex judgements regarding treatment parameters and patient dose effects to produce the required dose distribution over the treatment volume, using computerised planning systems as appropriate.
  
• Advise medical consultants, planning radiographers and dosimetrists on the effects of various treatment plan options on patient dose distributions. Discuss and agree approaches with clinical staff to create optimum treatment plans and advise on aspects of the treatment and patient setup.
  
• Carry out dosimetry calculations for treatment plans, in accordance with clinical prescription and agreed procedures and perform measurements relating to complex plans to confirm computed dose calculations including analysis of results.
  
• Calculate dose for unplanned treatments using a range of independent dose calculations.
  
• Review treatment imaging and advise on the effects of patient set‑up or anatomical changes in relation to plan dosimetry.
  
• Assist in the commissioning of treatment planning systems and software, including the establishment of accuracy, and overall limitations of the system.
  
• Assist with developments relating to new complex planning and treatment techniques, collaborating with others as required.
  
• Assist in the acquisition of treatment beam data and checking the accuracy of data collected, in preparation for transfer to treatment planning computers.
  
• Participate with the implementation of scientific and technical aspects related to radiotherapy treatments, forming part of national trials.
  
• Support and participate in audit, research and development that will improve equipment and techniques used in radiotherapy treatment.
  
• Provide support for ensuring all patient QA for inverse planned patients is performed in accordance with local timelines.
  

Quality Assurance of Equipment

• 
  
• Ensure that accurate documentation of machine quality assurance is maintained. Recognise out of tolerance results and act on these findings as appropriate.
  
• Provide MPE support for dosimetric systems in clinical use (appropriate to personal competencies).
  
• Assist in the maintenance and development of relevant documentation the ISO9001:2015 system within Radiotherapy Physics.
  
• Assist with acceptance testing and commissioning of radiotherapy equipment prior to clinical use.
  
• Assist with dosimetric calibration of radiotherapy treatment equipment to ensure calibrations are carried out in accordance with national protocols and Codes of Practice.
  
• Participate in the National Dosimetry Audit scheme and undertake any duties that may be required.
  
• Assist in the development and implementation of the analysis of dosimetric results and QA performance of the in‑vivo dosimetry and portal imaging systems as used in the Radiotherapy Department.
  
• Maintain an awareness of new dosimetry equipment available and attend demonstrations or webinars as required.
  
• Perform other duties, which may be required from time to time as determined by service demand.
  

Managerial

• 
  
• Keep accurate records of all work performed and complete other appropriate records.
  
• Review, revise and prepare documentation for the ISO9001:2015 system using the Q‑Pulse system.
  

Teaching, Training and Research

• 
  
• Assist with training other staff, as required.
  
• Supervise trainee clinical scientists on placement, as appropriate.
  
• Present original scientific work at meetings and conferences, and in publications.
  
• Present seminars and feedback on meetings.
  
• Participate in research and development projects and clinical audit.
  

Professional

• 
  
• Maintain a record of competence to practice as required by the Health Care Professions Council e.g. IPEM or other approved Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme.
  
• Maintain an up‑to‑date personal knowledge of national and international radiotherapy physics practice in order to identify improvements to the service.
  
• Attend suitable seminars, meetings and courses as part of personal development and to further the work of the service line.
  
• Carry out all duties in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act, relevant Statutory Regulations, Approved Codes of Conduct and Local Rules.
  
• Be prepared to vary working hours as may be necessary to meet the demands of the service. This may require the performance of duties outside of the normal working hours of the department.
  
• Undertakes any additional duties which may become necessary to maintain or improve the effectiveness/efficiency of the service.
  
• When working in other departments, the post holder will liaise with local heads of department, medical consultants, superintendents or their representatives as appropriate, adhering to local policies and procedures. The post holder will behave courteously and professionally at all times and seek to ensure that the highest level of service is provided by Medical Physics.
  
• Maintain registration as a Clinical Scientist with the HCPC and Corporate Membership of the appropriate professional bodies (IPEM).
  

Key Result Areas

• 
  
• Communication and Working Relationships – Communicate effectively in verbal, written and graphical formats, complex scientific, technical and specialist information to a wide variety of individuals and groups: Radiotherapy Consultants & Radiology Consultants, Radiographers in Radiotherapy & Radiology, Radiation Protection Supervisors, Medical Physicists (internal and external), Engineers & Dosimetrists, Health and Safety Advisor, Manufacturers and service engineers, Research Team (internal and external).
  
• Most Challenging Part Of Job – Concurrent involvement in multiple tasks and projects that require analytical input for decisions, some with short deadlines. The analysis and judgements may be scientific, mathematical, practical and multifaceted.
  

You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high‑quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.

If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer‑friendly employer. We have a Staff Carers policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carers Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• 
  
• We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we encourage you to apply promptly.
  
• Please read the job description carefully and tailor your application to reflect the requirements of the role.
  
• Applicants who identify in their application form they are a part of the Armed Forces community will be guaranteed an interview, provided they meet the minimum essential criteria outlined in the job description and person specification for the role. Step into Health guidance can be found on our NHS Employers website.
  
• Correspondence will be sent via Trac, text, and email. Please ensure you check your email and Trac account regularly.
  
• Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band.
  
• If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
  
• It is your responsibility to ensure the timely receipt of appropriate references.
  

The Trust is committed to preventing discrimination, valuing diversity and achieving equality of opportunity. No person (staff, patient or public) will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of the nine protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.

Applicant requirements – warning: You must have appropriate UK professional registration. The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Person specification
Qualifications – Essential criteria

• 
  
• BSc(Hons) Physics or physical sciences
  
• MSc in Medical Physics or equivalent
  
• Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics from Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine
  
• State Registered under the HCPC as a Clinical Scientist
  
• Has satisfied the Professional Body for competency, through Corporate Membership of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine to MIPEM level or above
  

Desirable criteria

• 
  
• RPA2000 listed MPE (IR(ME)R 2017)
  

Knowledge – Essential criteria

• 
  
• In‑depth knowledge and understanding of all aspects of radiotherapy physics, including the implications of the various radiation interaction processes and their biological consequences in human tissues.
  
• In‑depth knowledge and understanding of the functioning and use of the full range of radiotherapy equipment.
  
• Knowledge and understanding of radiation protection principles and radiation safety issues as they apply to staff, patients and members of the public.
  
• Good knowledge and understanding of standards, protocols and recommendations in quality assurance, dosimetry and commissioning procedures in radiotherapy.
  
• Good IT skills and the ability to write and/or apply computer software.
  
• Able to exercise own initiative when dealing with issues within own specialist area of competence and within broader areas of radiotherapy physics.
  

Specific Skills – Essential criteria

• 
  
• At least 4 years post diploma experience in the application of Physics to Radiotherapy.
  
• Experience in the manipulation, interrogation and quantification of data, utilising scientific and mathematical methodology.
  

Desirable criteria – Specific Skills

• 
  
• Development and implementation of new techniques in Radiotherapy treatment especially experience of VMAT.
  
• Experience of working with Elekta Radiotherapy Treatment Equipment.
  
• Experience of Pinnacle Radiotherapy Treatment system.
  
• Record of peer reviewed publications and presentations.
  

Environment/Conditions – Essential criteria

• 
  
• In‑depth understanding of the hazards posed by and precautions needed for working with ionising radiation.
  
• Electrical hazards from portable radiation sensing or measuring instrumentation.
  

Physical Skills/Effort – Essential criteria

• 
  
• Having the manual dexterity to manipulate high activities of radioactive materials in the process of equipment testing or calibration, ensuring doses to the hands and body are low as reasonable achievable.
  
• Having the ability to make accurate measurements using sophisticated testing equipment on high precision radiotherapy treatment units.
  
• Able to lift equipment, Perspex test tools or patient equivalent phantoms and monitoring devices up to 8kg, on a regular basis.
  

Documents

• 
  
• Senior Physicist JD (, 432.6)PDFKB
  

Further details / informal visits contact

Name: Eduardo Villarreal Barajas – Job title: Head of Radiotherapy Physics – Email: [email protected] – Telephone:

Additional information: Claire Butterworth – Team Administrator – Email: [email protected]