Head of Radiation Physics

Due to retirement of the postholder, an exciting opportunity has arisen to lead, manage and develop the services and staff of the Radiation Physics Section of the North Wales Medical Physics Department. This section supports both ionising and non-ionising radiation activities of the health boards of North Wales, primarily Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, BCUHB. The section provides specialist scientific advice and support for overall radiation safety, as well as to staff undertaking clinical services, in diagnostic and interventional radiology and cardiology departments, and to users of non-ionising radiations across the whole of North Wales.

Overview

Main duties of the job

Responsibilities

• Directs and manages the highly specialist scientific, technical and clinical services provided by the Radiation Physics Section across North Wales, including strategic development, operating with a high degree of autonomy;
• Advises on the scientific aspects of radiation equipment, including the design of facilities, procurement, commissioning, quality control of highly complex equipment (critical to patient diagnosis and treatment), including safe and optimised use of radiation and future developments
• Provides specialist scientific knowledge and support to staff undertaking services in radiation safety, diagnostic radiology physics, and non-ionising radiation physics.
• The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Radiation Safety

• As lead radiation safety expert in diagnostic radiology, the postholder will be appointed as Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) to the Health Board in accordance with The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17), Regulation 14, providing expert independent advice on radiation safety to the Chief Executive, senior managers and others as required, in order to ensure compliance with radiation protection regulations and associated guidance.
• Liaise with statutory inspectors (e.g., Health and Safety Executive; Healthcare Inspectorate Wales). To provide advice and guidance to senior managers in response to the recommendations following inspections.
• Responsible for the planning and coordination of radiation safety support (ionising and non-ionising) provided by Medical Physics, including ongoing training of other Medical Physics staff to deliver radiation safety advisory duties to meet Health Board\’s regulatory obligations.
• Take a leading role on Health Board Radiation Protection Committees, submitting agenda items and papers, including annual summaries and reports to the Health Board
• Provide critical scientific judgement on radiation incidents and advise as appropriate.
• Oversee Radiation Risk Assessments (IRR17, Regulation 8) for new and modified radiation activities, including provision of design, shielding and radiation protection advice on new facilities for radiation equipment.
• Provide specialist advice to Project Managers on the radiation protection requirements for the planning of new or modified radiation rooms, carrying out highly complex risk assessments and making use of a detailed knowledge of regulations and guidance

Ionising Radiation Physics

• Be responsible for the support provided to medical and other staff using ionising radiation equipment, including scientific advice on all imaging equipment (e.g., CT, fixed and mobile installations for radiography and fluoroscopy, digital imaging and computed radiography, dental X-ray equipment).
• Provide specialist scientific knowledge input into the business planning for procurement of major capital items (>£1M). Advising selection, purchase and room design. Oversee the installation and commissioning of new imaging equipment and compliance with statutory safety Regulations and approved National guidance.
• Be the lead radiation safety expert in diagnostic radiology. The postholder will be appointed as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) to the Health Board (and other purchasing organisations) in accordance with The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017, as amended 2024 [IR(ME)R], within the field of diagnostic radiology, providing specialist scientific support and advice to clinical staff with respect to the protection of patients.
• Provide legally required expert advice for clinical research applications, using expert knowledge to determine relevant radiation dose and risk levels for participants in clinical trials, in accordance with the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017.
• Ensure expert physics support is provided for the Radiology Image Optimisation Teams, as recommended by national guidance and endorsed by the regulators

Non-ionising Radiation Physics

• Be responsible for the support provided to medical and other staff in departments where sources of non-ionising radiation are used (this includes: Lasers, Ultraviolet radiation, MRI and ultrasound).
• Ensure specialist scientific knowledge is provided for input into the business planning for procurement of capital items. Advising selection, purchase and room design. Oversee the installation and commissioning of non-ionising equipment. This includes assessment of performance, calibration, dosimetry and safety of equipment and its environment and compliance with statutory safety Regulations and approved National guidance.

Policy and service development

• Be responsible for maintaining the section\’s involvement with a relevant quality system, e.g. organising management review team meetings, internal audits, reviews of customer satisfaction etc.
• Be responsible for service development and the development and implementation of operating procedures within the Service.
• Advise senior managers on the content of Health Board policies and procedures regarding the use of ionising and non-ionising radiations
• Advise health board senior managers, departmental managers, Radiation Protection Supervisors and Laser Protection Supervisors on the content of, and changes to, procedures relating to medical exposures (patient safety) and local safety rules (safety of staff and others)

Teaching and training

• Supervise trainee clinical scientists and technologists on national training schemes funded by the Welsh Government. With specific duties to act as the North Wales training supervisor for Clinical Scientists in radiation protection
• Develop and provide postgraduate lectures and participate in the assessment process in areas of Medical Radiation Physics.
• Organise and deliver specialist training to medical, scientific, radiographic and technical staff to include ionising and non-ionising radiation use and other appropriate regulatory areas as required

Research and Development

• Provide a focus and leadership for research and development in radiation protection, ionising and non-ionising physics commensurate with clinical and statutory objectives.
• Lead strategic developments in the Radiation Physics service in response to changing clinical practices, technology and (inter)national guidelines, liaises nationally with senior radiation professionals and participates in national committees, steering groups, working parties
• Initiate and supervise research projects for trainee clinical scientists assigned to the Service.
• Be a member of the Radiation Protection Specialist Standing Advisory Group of the Medical Physics and Bioengineering Sub-Committee, which forms part of the Welsh Scientific Advisory Committee.
• Provide advice on ionising and non-ionising radiation safety issues to committees governing research and development in the Health Board.

Professional

• Maintain professional competence and state registration through continued study and CPD.
• Maintain certification as a Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA), under IRR17, Regulation 14.
• Undertake Continued Professional Development (CPD) and participate in the health board\’s personal development and review system.
• Perform other appropriate duties, which may be required from time to time by the Head of Medical Physics.
• MSc in medical physics or equivalent subject
• PhD or equivalent level of knowledge
• HCPC registration as a clinical scientist in a relevant field.
• Certification as a Medical Physics Expert in diagnostic radiology
• Certification as a Radiation Protection Adviser (or able to gain certification within 12 months)
• Registration as a Consultant Clinical Scientist, i.e. on Higher Specialist Scientist Register, or equivalent level of knowledge and experience

Desirable criteria

• Leadership and management qualification
• Corporate membership of IPEM or other equivalent professional body

Experience

• Essential criteria: Considerable and broad ranging experience acting as a Medical Physics Expert in diagnostic radiology physics.
• Specialist level of knowledge across the full range of working procedures and practices in radiation safety, non-ionising radiation and diagnostic radiology physics.
• Advanced knowledge of clinical procedures and practices in radiology and their implications for radiation physics practice.
• High level of understanding of patient and staff risks arising from equipment failure and procedural errors.
• Experience of leadership and management of teams.

Desirable criteria (Experience)

• Experience with quality management systems (e.g. ISO 9001).
• Knowledge of non-ionising imaging techniques., Strong scientific and compassionate leadership and management skills
• Good team player
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including written and verbal reporting and presentation skills.
• Able to work on and manage a diverse range of highly complex activities at one time, meeting deadlines whenever required, examples would include: introduce a new clinical service, developing policy documents, overseeing a complex procurement project, managing a team.
• Fully competent in standard IT application packages

Desirable criteria

• Welsh Language Skills are desirable, Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner, transporting heavy test equipment
• Ability to work flexibly to support the service

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