The post holder works as member of the Radiotherapy Physics Section of Medical Physics, a team of Dosimetrists (Clinical Technologists) and Clinical Scientists responsible for providing a clinical scientific and technical service to the Sunrise Oncology Centre.

The post holder will work within all areas in Radiotherapy Physics, including:

• Radiotherapy Treatment Planning
• Radiation Dosimetry
• Quality assurance

Main duties of the job

The post holder will report professionally and managerially to the Head of Radiotherapy Treatment Planning (Radiotherapy Physics Unit).

The post holder will undertake specialist scientific and technical duties in each clinical work area within agreed criteria

A record of achieved local competencies in each area of Radiotherapy Physics will be maintained.

The post holder requires the ability to prioritise demands, accommodate unplanned events and work without supervision.

The post holder will liaise on a daily basis with patients, clients, customers and staff including Healthcare scientists, Consultant Clinical Oncologists, medical and nursing staff, scientific staff, technologists and radiographers.

About us

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is the biggest provider of healthcare services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Our three main sites are Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro, St Michael's Hospital Hayle and West Cornwall Hospital Penzance, our staff and services are available across the region.

The Trust employs 5,000+ staff, has a budget of �380 million and 750 beds. We work with health and social care organisations -including NHS Kernow and NHS England- to ensure local healthcare needs are met. We provide acute medical, surgical and specialist services to around 500,000- which can increase significantly during busy holiday periods.

The Trust has teaching hospitals status as part of the University of Exeter Medical School. Keeping at the forefront of medical advances, we continually develop clinical services and are committed to maximising the range of specialist care offered locally.

We can offer you a rewarding career in a supportive working environment. We have extensive educational links to help you realise your full potential and develop skills to provide outstanding healthcare to the local community.

Enjoy an outstanding quality of life in a place that offers surfing beaches and fishing harbours to beautiful countryside and historic towns. With clean air, plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and excellent schools, colleges and universities (including adult education) it is the ideal place for families and for you to develop your own career.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Treatment planning

Responsible for the electronic import of radiological images (CT scans) to afford accurate interpretation for radiotherapy treatment planning purposes.

Independently identifies and delineates critical patient organs and avoidance structures at risk from acute or late radiation damage/ necrosis within patient image data sets.

Work in collaboration with the Consultant Clinical Oncologist to define the extents of the tumour volume and intended irradiation area. Provide guidance to junior clinical staff (Specialist Registrars) on the tumour definition process.

Responsible for independent validation and confirmation of critical data relating to tumour position/site against patient data sources.

Produce routine and complex radiation dose plans and carry out associated complex calculations to quantify the radiation dose received by the patient, in accordance with clinical prescription and agreed procedures, using computerised planning systems as appropriate.

Analyse proposed treatments and make highly analytical judgements regarding treatment parameters and patient radiation dose effects. Using visual objectivity and computerised dose volume histograms, to ensure adherence of dose uniformity and dose critical constraints.

Advise and discuss with clinical staff the various radiation plan approaches, resulting in an optimum patient specific treatment plan.

Calculate, and prepare templates for critical irradiation beam shielding blocks as specified by the referring clinician.

Evaluate requirements for and calculate complex beam modelling parameters affording field alignment for patient treatment plan application.

Transfer patient critical information to the department treatment management system, presenting the information in a clear accurate format for treatment application.

Create digital anatomical images to be used for the validation and verification checks required to ensure correlation of the plan parameters with the patient treatment set up.

Responsible for performing the final independent check on treatment technique, treatment plan data, dose calculations and templates. Prior to issuing for the commencement of the patients radiation treatment

Provide Therapy Radiographers with immediate unscheduled advice, relating to patient plan parameters. Confirming set-up or radiation dose tolerances and advising on appropriateness to continue or cease current treatment delivery session.

Re-plan patient treatments where required, following changes to the treatment regime or patient shape. Use judgment to subjectively analyse and determine the most appropriate actions required. Carry out manual dose calculations for review.

Research Trial Administration

The post holder will be assisting with the administration of trials within the RPU. This is a significant source of income for the Trust and RPU

Assisting the development of new trials scoping for NCRI and International trials reviewing trial requirements, and advising clinical staff of feasibility of proceeding

Maintaining detailed records of research work undertaken ensuring that trial preparation is correctly undertaken that patient CRFs are complete and processing and uploading data to trial centre.

Working with clinical and RPU staff to develop suitable local trial protocols and competencies

Maintaining adequate data to ensuring that income for trials work is properly accounted for

Quality Assurance

Undertake independent routine Quality Assurance tasks affording confirmation of the safe and accurate function of the highly complex radiotherapy treatment units and the continuing integrity of radiation beam data relating to radiation doses

Undertake individual patient-specific QA measurements in preparation for highly complex treatment delivery responsible for approving patients for treatment

Assist in more complex testing under the supervision of a Radiotherapy Clinical Scientist.

Responsible for the personal safe use of highly complex radiotherapy treatment units.

Managerial

Prioritise and manage own work. Provide support and advice within the RT Physics team on Radiotherapy applications.

Keep careful records of all work performed and other appropriate records as required for statistical purposes, in all work areas with in radiotherapy physics section.

Monitor stocks and order supplies as required enabling duties to be performed.

Assist in producing revised or new protocols for the departments quality system, when required

Teaching, training and research

Provide theoretical and practical work based instruction to trainee Clinical Technologist, Therapy Radiographers and Trainee Clinical Scientists on all aspects of Radiotherapy Physics.

Demonstrate techniques to all students/trainees including pre-registration Clinical Scientists, student therapy radiographers.

Responsible for the development of training packages that can be used to train all students/trainees within Radiotherapy planning.

Train other qualified staff in the technical aspects of radiotherapy physics duties, as required.

Assist in producing and developing career literature, present at public career events to improve professional awareness.

Assist with the development of new clinical techniques in conjunction with other staff groups.

Participate in departmental and national research trials and audits.

Professional

The post-holder is professionally responsible to the Head of Radiotherapy Treatment Planning

Participate in Continuing Professional Development. To maintain skills and afford development of practical and theoretical skills and knowledge.

Present at department, local and regional meetings/ conferences on technical topics, as required.

Attend suitable seminars and courses as part of training and personal development and to further the work of the Department.

Ensure all activities are carried out and comply with the quality framework (BS EN ISO 9001-2000) and conform to Statutory Regulations, approved Codes of Practice and Local Safety Rules

Miscellaneous/Other

• The Department provides a treatment planning service between 8am and 6pm.
• Discharge such other duties as may be required by the Head of Radiotherapy Planning, and/ or the Head of Radiotherapy Physics.
• The post holder will behave courteously and professionally at all times and seek to ensure that the highest level of service is provided by Radiotherapy Physics.

The working environment requires:

• Occasional exposure to controlled ionizing and non-ionizing radiations, with occasional exposure to uncontrolled radiations.
• Occasional exposure to conditions involving body odours/fluids, necrotic tissue and open wounds when attending to terminally ill patients.

Additional Information

• Any other duties commensurate with the post holders band as agreed with their line manager.
• All employees should understand that it is their personal responsibility to comply with all organisational and statutory requirements e.g. Health and Safety Equal Treatment and Diversity Confidentiality.

COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Excellent communication & interpersonal skills are required for the post
• Maintains effective communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Reports and records without delay any malfunction or fault with the equipment to the head of radiotherapy planning/head of radiotherapy physics.
• Participates in the training of all students/trainees who spend time in treatment planning.
• Demonstrates the work of the department to other professionals or interested parties.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Essential qualifications

Experience

Essential

• Radiotherapy planning experience

Desirable

• Leadership experience

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Address

Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust

Truro

TR1 3LJ

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

156-5711552