Job summary
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (SFT) are delighted to announce our new partnership with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) to deliver Diagnostic Medical Physics services across the county of Somerset. As a key part of this, we're excited to be recruiting for a Lead Clinical Scientist for Ionising Radiation to join our Trust and help us to deliver this innovative collaboration.
This post is based in Somerset and will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the local service alongside the Lead Clinical Scientist for Non-Ionising Radiation and leading our team of Clinical Scientists and Technologists. In this role, you'll be supported by the Head of Medical Physics, employed by OUH and specifically dedicated to Somerset, and a wider team of partnership colleagues providing comprehensive leadership and guidance.
This role would suit an accredited RPA and MPE with experience working within the NHS environment. If you are looking for your first leadership position, this could be the opportunity for you as we are pleased to offer comprehensive leadership development support to help you in your new role.
If you are currently an MPE working towards becoming an RPA, we are able to offer an 8a development role into 8b, with supervision from within the partnership, please do contact us to discuss opportunities.
Main duties of the job
As MPE and RPA you'll lead on day to day radiological safety, audit, and compliance, including QA and QC working wit our local team and partnership colleagues.
Part of our transformation includes building a network approach with Regional NHS Trusts to deliver our Medical Physics services. This means there will be opportunities for colleagues to be supported to reach their career goals by, for example, undertake teaching, professional development, research, and work in Tertiary centres on complex equipment.
If you'd like to be a part of this innovative way of working, and you're looking to be part of a friendly, inclusive team please do get in touch. We'd be delighted to hear from you to discuss opportunities and informal phone calls and visits are more than welcome!
Somerset is a wonderful county and if you are looking to relocate we have a competitive financial package available for this role and we can offer advice and support in your moving journey.
This role will require you to travel across the county of Somerset to deliver the Medical Physics Service therefore a UK driving license and access to your own vehicle is essential. We are supportive of flexible working arrangements including a hybrid model of working.
About us
As an organisation, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust offers employees a wide range of benefits including flexible working, NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance and a commitment to career development.You will be eligible for our Blue Light Card and a wide range of NHS exclusive shopping & leisure discounts.We are proud of our skilled, diverse workforce and as an inclusive employer we welcome applications from all backgrounds.Working in Somerset enables you to enjoy the idyllic countryside, areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable.Somerset offers the countryside and the cosmopolitan -- there is truly something for everyone!
Job description
Job responsibilities
An experienced, driven and independently minded, compassionate leader who can act on their own initiative, and promotes a culture of learning where colleague satisfaction is high, and the very best care can thrive.
The post holder will work collaboratively with colleagues across the Organisation, and Partnership Trusts, to deliver high standards across the multiple, highly specialist clinical scientific and technical services provided by Medical Physics to Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (SFT).
This role is responsible for the Trust-wide compliance with legislation, codes of practice and other relevant guidance in relation to ionising radiations including acting as:
- Accredited Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) under the Ionising Radiations Regulations (IRR17), providing highly specialised scientific support and expert advice to all areas delivering ionising radiations
- Lead Medical Physics Expert (MPE) under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposures) Regulations 2017 (IR(ME)R2017), providing highly specialised scientific support and expert advice in all areas delivering ionising radiations, working collaboratively with the MPEs in radiotherapy, the Lead Clinical Scientist for Non-Ionising Radiation, and colleagues across Partnership organisations
- Provides professional expertise in Medical Physics and Radiation Protection with focus on:
- All aspects of day-to-day radiological safety services including audit and safety advice
- Implementation of QA programme on all modalities of ionising diagnostic radiological equipment
- Establishment of an ongoing QC programme, providing training where necessary
- Management of calibration procedures and radiation dosimetry equipment quality assurance
- Assisting with equipment specification and selection, acceptance testing and leading the commissioning of diagnostic radiology equipment
- Leading research and development projects as assigned by the Head of Medical Physics
- Leading training of clinical scientists and clinical technologists ensuring competency to act as defined by national regulations and guidance
- Conducting formal teaching to postgraduate students (MSc level, FRCR) and internal courses
- Providing expert scientific support to the personal dosimetry service and occupational staff doses
Please see attached Job description for full details
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Honours (first or second class) degree in Physics, or equivalentRelevant Higher Degree (e.g. MSc)Member of IPEM or other relevant professional bodies.HCPC registration as a Healthcare ScientistAccreditation as a Radiation Protection Adviser under RPA2000 (or working towards)Has a record of CPD and continued learning, in order to maintain Registration and RPA 2000 Accreditation.Registered with RPA 2000 as a Medical Physics Expert
- Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in Radiation Physics, Diagnostic Radiology and Radiation Protection (especially relating to Diagnostic Radiology, Radiotherapy, academic and industrial applications) including:
- Relevant legislation, especially IRR17 and IR(ME)R2017 and extensive specialist experience in interpreting different situations and judging measures required to ensure compliance extensive experience. (Accreditation as a Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) under IRR17 requires advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of work procedures and practices, and the ability to communicate advice (verbally and in writing).Dosimetry and Quality Assurance in Diagnostic Radiology, including sufficient knowledge and experience to act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) under IR(ME)R2017.Detailed knowledge of highly specialised techniques employed to set up and assess performance and radiation safety of diagnostic X-ray equipment.Able to perform radiation shielding calculations and radiation protection surveys.Detailed knowledge of management issues (responsibilities etc) required by a Radiation Employer to comply with Legislative requirements.Expert knowledge of relevant legislation, national and international standards, professional and other guidelines, e.g. IRR17, IR(ME)R2017, Medical and Dental Guidance Notes, PM 77, IPEM 77, RADS (Part1 and Part3), NHS Emergency planning guidance and policy etc, ICRP Publications, CEC Directives etc.
Desirable
- PhD by research or equivalentAccreditation as a Radioactive Waste Adviser under RPA2000 (or working towards)
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience working as a state registered clinical scientist specialising in diagnostic radiology physics and radiation protection, to include:
- Management of a wide range of routine QC checks of diagnostic imaging equipmentCompletion of machine specific QC checksDeveloping new procedures/processes and producing appropriate associated documentationProblem solving in the context of a multi-disciplinary radiology teamLine management and training of staff
Desirable
- Track record (e.g. published papers) demonstrating ability to initiate and progress new areas of research and development in areas relevant to x-ray quality assurance and radiation protection.Commissioning ionising diagnostic imaging equipment
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Interpersonal skills -- ability to make rapid assessments under pressure in a clinical environment, informing other team members/disciplines of appropriate courses of action.
- Analytical skills -- judgement, objective setting.
- Listening, influencing and persuading skills.
- Prioritise and manage own work and that of the Diagnostic and Ionisation Radiation Protection section in Medical Physics.
- Dynamism -- self-confidence and decisiveness.
- Motivational skills
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website .
Employer details
Employer name
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Musgrove Park Hospital
Musgrove Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 4DA