Lead Clinical Scientist

Job summary

This is an opportunity to work in Medical Physics at The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, part of the United Hospitals Tees Group. The radiotherapy physics team provide high quality services to support the clinical activity of the Radiotherapy department which serves the population of over 1 million people living in and around the Tees Valley region.

The post-holder will take a lead role in some aspects of external beam radiotherapy, planning, imaging, computer science and QA and dosimetry.

The radiotherapy physics team consists of physicists, mould room technologists, engineers, IT specialists and others. We construct a supportive and engaging atmosphere for qualified and competent individuals to thrive in.

Main duties of the job

Applicants for this grade must be Clinical Scientists with significant experience in the field of radiotherapy physics, able to work as a Medical Physics Expert (RPA2000 certificate holder), or with the ability to do so within 12 months of appointment.

The radiotherapy department is equipped with six Elekta linear accelerators (Versa HD and Evo linacs), two Siemens CT scanners with associated ProSoma virtual simulation software, a soon-to-be-installed superficial/deep X-ray set, two treatment planning systems (Raystation and Monaco), an integrated patient management and verification system (Elekta Mosaiq) and a Flexitron after-loading brachytherapy unit.

This is an exciting time for the department with the introduction of a new treatment planning system and new linacs soon to be installed.

Due to the nature of the role there is a requirement that the candidate can work flexibly on occasion as service needs require, i.e. outside routine clinical hours (8 am to 6 pm) and at weekends or bank holidays .

About us

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust have come together to form University Hospitals Tees. As a result, post holders may be required to work across sites within both organisations.Across University Hospitals Tees, our ambition is to be the best place to work, ensuring we have the right staff in the right roles at the right time to deliver outstanding patient care and experience.We are committed to supporting our staff through an inclusive and supportive working environment, offering health and wellbeing initiatives, staff benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional development.We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Job responsibilities

Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.

Person specification

Knowledge & skills

Essential

• Significant and up to date knowledge of relevant areas of medical physics applied to radiotherapy physics, imaging, treatment planning and treatment delivery and verification.
• Knowledge and understanding of current radiation legislation, knowledge of codes of practice and recommendations in quality assurance and radiation dosimetry
• Knowledge of current scientific and technological developments in radiotherapy
• Knowledge of Quality Systems
• Knowledge of clinical oncology
• Able to achieve certification as a MPE on the RPA2000 list within 12 months of appointment

Desirable

• Certified as eligible to act as an MPE on the RPA2000 list
• Evidence of national / international presentation, posters and journal articles

Experience

Essential

• Experience with linear accelerator operation, function
• Experience with treatment planning software, optimisation, checking
• Experience with computer systems, database, calculation

Desirable

• Extensive experience with Elekta linear accelerator operation, function
• Experience with Monaco TPS
• Experience with scripting / coding
• Track record of completed development projects

Qualifications & Training

Essential

• A first or second-class honours degree in physics.
• Corporate membership of a professional body
• Registered with the HCPC as a clinical scientist

Desirable

• A postgraduate degree (PhD / DClinSci)
• Attendance at conferences or training courses intended to extend the breadth and depth of knowledge