Clinical Scientist, Radiotherapy Physics/Trials in Leicester

We are looking for a motivated registered clinical scientist to join our friendly team in Radiotherapy Physics, Leicester, and support radiotherapy clinical trials to meet the Trust target of 150 days for clinical trial set up to first patient recruited. The aim is to expedite cancer patient access to trials. The post holder will follow the Band 7 job description but specialise in clinical trials that involve radiotherapy. They will work under a Lead Clinical Scientist and be expected to work with study initiation, trials preparation work and liaison with national trials organisations such as RTTQA and NPL.

You will join the department, based at Leicester Royal Infirmary, at an exciting time. We are a Varian Halcyon/TrueBeam 5-linac centre working to improve patient treatments using modern equipment and techniques. Existing equipment includes the ARIA 18 Oncology management system and Eclipse, Prosoma Virtual Simulation software, 2 wide bore CT scanners with 4DCT (Canon and GE), an XStrahl superficial unit and a recently commissioned Varian Bravos brachytherapy unit housed in a purpose-built Brachytherapy facility.

As a registered clinical scientist, the post holder will be required to cover all aspects of Radiotherapy Physics and work closely with dosimetrists, clinical oncologists and radiographers on trials work.

• Perform routine and complex treatment planning and checking for external beam radiotherapy.
• Take part in the planning aspects of radiotherapy trials, such as plan QA and governance.
• Take part in routine work related to the dosimetry, brachytherapy and other elements of the service.
• Work with other radiotherapy physics staff to develop techniques and new ways of working to improve safety, quality and consistency of radiotherapy plan creation and delivery.

About Us: Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030). We have four primary goals: high-quality care for all, being a great place to work, partnerships for impact, research and education excellence. We will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities. Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all: we are compassionate, we are proud, we are inclusive, we are one team.

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

• Undertake routine and complex treatment planning for external beam radiotherapy.
• Carry out associated dosimetry calculations, in accordance with clinical prescription and agreed procedures.
• Analyse requirements and make complex judgements regarding treatment parameters and patient dose effects to produce the required dose distribution over the treatment volume, using computerised planning systems as appropriate.
• Advise clinical staff on the effects of various treatment plan options on patient dose distributions.
• Discuss and agree approaches with clinical staff to create optimum treatment plans and advise on aspects of the treatment and patient set-up, as required.
• Assist with the provision of routine physics support to brachytherapy treatments.
• Carry out dose calculations and prepare patient dose distributions.
• Assist with providing routine support for physics dosimetry and quality control in radiotherapy, according to established protocols.
• Undertake dosimetry measurements to a high degree of accuracy with suitable equipment.
• Perform quality control and other measurements and procedures on highly complex, expensive (>£1 million) patient-critical equipment.
• Perform and advise on dosimetry measurements on patients.
• Provide complex advice to clinical staff and support developments in in-vivo dosimetry and mega voltage imaging.
• Assist in the maintenance, application and development of treatment planning computer systems.
• Provide scientific and technical advice to radiotherapy consultants and other staff regarding the treatment of patients.
• Maintain HCPC registration.
• Participate in the on-call/bleep Duty Physicist rota.

Essential Training & Qualifications:

• A first or second class honours degree in Physics or relevant subject.
• A postgraduate degree (MSc or PhD) or equivalent.
• State Registration as a Clinical Scientist or expecting to achieve State Registration within the next 12 months.

Desirable:

• Evidence of attendance at conferences or training courses intended to extend the breadth and depth of knowledge.

Experience

Essential:

• Experience in all areas of Radiotherapy Physics.
• Participated in service development.

Desirable:

• Treatment Planning experience and personal interest.
• Involvement with quality system Clinical / quality audit.
• Completed research / development projects.

Skills

Essential:

• Understanding of specific areas of current radiotherapy research.
• Knowledge of clinical oncology.

Communication and Relationship Skills:

Essential:

• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Professional integrity.
• Reliable and trustworthy.
• Sensitive and considerate to other members of the team.
• Positive attitude to multidisciplinary working.

Desirable:

• Quality system methodology.
• Teaching and training skills.

Analytical and Judgement Skills:

Essential:

• Understanding of all relevant areas of radiotherapy physics.
• Understanding of current radiation legislation, codes of practice and external recommendations in radiotherapy.
• Knowledge of current scientific and technological developments in radiotherapy.

Planning and Organisation Skills:

Essential:

• Positive attitude to safety and quality culture.
• Self-motivated.
• Efficient time management.

Additional Information:

• 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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.
• Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
• UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.