Treatment Superintendent Radiographer – Proton Beam Therapy

Job summary

UCLH is designated as one of only two NHS PBT centres for the UK. The Proton Beam Therapy department predominantly treats CNS tumours, head and neck cancers and spinal/pelvic sarcomas. Paediatric and teenage and young adult patients make up a high proportion the cohort. The department has four ProBeam treatment gantries, a pre-treatment suite with a dedicated CT and MRI scanner I equipped with a surface guided radiotherapy system.

This post offers a unique opportunity to play an instrumental role in the proton beam therapy service at UCLH. The post holder will be an integral part of the oncology team providing professional clinical leadership and ensuring the safe and accurate delivery of highly complex proton beam therapy (PBT). They will effectively manage the proton service staff and their educational and professional development, play a key role in technical advancements and ensure that patients with cancer receive optimum care.

Comprehensive proton beam therapy training will be provided alongside the existing departmental training and education framework.

Main duties of the job

This is an autonomous role where the post holder is expected to manage their own case-load and is accountable for their own professional actions and the actions of more junior staff members. This post covers the proton service but close liaison with the photon service is expected.

The post holder will be responsible for the operational management of the proton beam therapy (PBT) treatment floor and will have a high level of clinical expertise, ensuring the safe and accurate delivery of proton beam therapy. They will be required to liaise with other professional groups and clinical staff to ensure that care is delivered in a seamless and multi-disciplinary environment in a timely and patient-focused manner.

The post holder will be responsible for identifying and setting standards and will ensure that all staff are kept up to date with current treatment techniques, providing robust training in order that they have the necessary skills for the safe and accurate delivery of PBT. They will support staff to achieve their goals through regular meetings, both with the individual, and the Technical and Operational Leads for PBT.

The post holder will develop policies and protocols and will play an active role in research and in exploring and developing new ways of working to achieve the tri-fold goal of the service: improving quality of radiotherapy treatment, improving patient care and improving staff satisfaction.

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:o University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)o National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgeryo Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitalso University College Hospital Grafton Way Buildingo Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicineo University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centreo The Hospital for Tropical Diseaseso University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the third year in a row.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff To find out more, visit: Flexible working.

To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?

Person specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

• BSc in therapeutic radiography or equivalent formal qualification
• Health Profession Council (HPC) registration as a therapy radiographer.
• Masters level experience (or equivalent) in relevant clinical subject / management studies
• Participation in audit/clinical governance.
• Management / leadership course

Desirable

• Clinical experience in pre-treatment and dosimetry.
• Knowledge of statistics.
• Evidence of previous research undertaken.
• Understanding of research governance.

Experience

Essential

• Significant postgraduate experience with specialist training and knowledge with further significant experience at Band 7 Level.
• Practical experience in planning and delivering a wide range of radiotherapy techniques.
• Leadership experience.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Provide specialist clinical training and undertake presentations, both within the department and nationally in conferences and workshops.
• Plan, carry out and analyse clinical and departmental audits.
• Be confident to work autonomously within scope of knowledge and experience.
• Problem - solve and make decisions using mathematical and evaluative skills.
• Plan, prioritise and organise departmental workload.
• Be committed to self development and continued professional development.
• Demonstrate knowledge of radiotherapy equipment QA to ensure its safe use.
• Knowledge of radiation protection.
• Demonstrate ability to work under pressure in an unpredictable working environment, maintaining a calm and professional attitude.
• Work flexibly in a variety of situations and participate in shift working as required
• Demonstrate knowledge and ability to ensure compliance with quality system
• Work confidently within the multidisciplinary team, leading on areas of expertise.
• Interpret a wide range of imaging modalities for planning and treatment optimisation.
• Manage, upgrade and report from the radiotherapy computerised record and verify system.
• Liaise with internal and external sources to ensure effective use of R and V system

Communication

Essential

• Provide information and support about cancer, and communicate highly distressing, sensitive information to patients and relatives/carers
• Be enthusiastic and motivated, with the ability to lead a team through times of change.
• Use excellent communication skills to relate confidently across all professional boundaries to Trust staff and external contacts.

Personal and People Development

Essential

• Enthusiastic, professional, reliable, versatile, committed, caring and analytical

Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

• Understand equality and diversity issues as they relate to staff and patients

Specific Requirements

Essential

• Adhere to current legal and professional guidelines and regulations.
• Highly skilled co-ordination for image matching