We are looking to recruit a Consultant Clinical Scientist with significant experience in either Diagnostic Radiology, Radiation Safety or Nuclear Medicine Physics. The post holder must be an RPA2000 registered Medical Physics Expert (MPE) in their specialism and be able to advise the employing Trusts and their contracted customers. The ideal candidate must also be an RPA2000 Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA) within their specialty, or be on a short timescale pathway to achieving this status. It is also essential that the applicant has wide experience of and can offer leadership within the areas of Radiation Physics outside their own specialty.
The Clinical and Radiation Physics team is part of the SEND (South, East and North Devon) Medical Physics network. Clinical and Radiation Physics services are based in both the Royal Devon University Hospital NHS FT (RDUH) in Exeter and the Torbay and South Devon NHS FT (TSD) in Torquay. Both departments provide Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology and Radiation Safety Services across the SEND geographic area to both NHS and non-NHS customers. This position is based within the TSD service for a nominal 60% of total time, with the remaining 40% at RDUH, Exeter. There is a requirement for very occasional on site working at the RDUH North Devon (Barnstaple) hospital.
To lead, manage and be responsible for clinical and radiation physics services and so provide a safe, effective and efficient service at acute hospital sites in Torbay, Exeter and Barnstable and to other clients through agreements to ensure that patient needs are at the centre of care.
Services are established with clinical scientists, technologists and administrative staff providing a wide range of highly specialised and complex functions that include: diagnostic radiology physics, nuclear medicine physics, radiation safety and support for non-ionising radiation technologies. This will include the provision of expert advice to medical and clinical staff; compliance with statutory obligations; quality assurance programmes; liaison with maintenance providers; evaluation, selection, procurement, installation, acceptance testing and commissioning of major equipment, and management and development of specialist computer systems, networks and software.
To lead on the development and implementation of a quality improvement (QI) and research programme for clinical and radiation physics.
To actively develop collaborative relationships with other individuals and organisations in pursuit of strategic objectives including active involvement in the development of networked clinical and scientific services.
To deputise for the Director of Medical Physics and take on specific senior departmental co-ordinating roles as required.
Why Work With Us
Torbay is a large bay on Devon's south coast. Overlooking its clear blue waters from their vantage points along the bay are three towns: Paignton, Torquay and Brixham. The bay’s ancient flood plain ends where it meets the steep hills of the South Hams. These hills act as suntrap, allowing the bay to luxuriate in its own warm microclimate. Within easy reaches of picturesque Dartmoor the area provides endless possibilities for outdoor leisure and pursuits, quite literally at your door.
https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/about-us/working-with-us/
The beautiful cathedral city of Exeter is named as one of the best 20 places to live in the UK. Set in the midst of glorious Devon countryside and close to the English Riviera, South West coastline and stunning beaches, the city boasts excellent links by road, rail and air to the rest of the country, Europe and further afield, whilst being within easy reach of picturesque Dartmoor and Exmoor scenery. The area provides endless possibilities for outdoor leisure and pursuits, quite literally at your door.
https://www.rdehospital.nhs.uk/join-our-team
Communication and Working Relationships
- Healthcare scientists and trainees
- Other clinical professions, incl. medical, allied health professionals, nursing, pharmacy
- Specialist, technical and technical support staff, incl. infection control, recruitment, finance, estates, IM&T and procurement
- Clinical and general managers
- Senior managers, associate medical director(s), executive and non-executive directors
- Patients, carers and volunteers
- Peer group and the wider scientific community
- External clients, partners and suppliers
Analytical/Judgemental Skills
- Make judgements in highly complex situations involving the analysis and interpretation of highly complex clinical and scientific data
- Analyse, communicate and manage the performance relating to clinical and radiation physics. Optimisation of radiation services for service providers
- Provide advice on procuring, commissioning, accepting and routine quality assurance of highly complex clinical equipment including the assessment, interpretation and communication highly complex information
Planning/Organisational Skills
- Produce and maintain a long-term strategic plan for clinical and radiation physics for all sites
- Produce and maintain business continuity plans
- Active involvement in the planning and implementation of networked clinical services for clinical and radiation physics across the peninsula and the wider South West region
- Oversee the annual service and business planning process, producing plans as required, e.g., service and workforce plans, equipment procurement and replacement plans and budget setting
- Oversee the day-to-day planning, organisation and allocation of work for clinical and radiation physics at both Trust
- Responsible for prioritisation of own work and that of others
- Adjusts plans and strategies in response to changing circumstances and organisational priorities
- Support the commissioning of highly complex clinical equipment which may involve leading on projects
- Manage and participate in project work, including audit, research and QI.
- Plan, organise and run meetings
Physical Skills
- Highly-developed physical skills are required, to carry out testing procedures and scientific measurements where a high degree of precision and accuracy is essential
- Perform minute adjustments to medical equipment or instrumentation
- Execute and coordinate equipment-based clinical measurements
- Perform analysis of complex pieces of information and take prompt action as required to maintain safe and effective clinical operations
- Advanced keyboard skills
Patient/Client Care
- Accountable for the provision and delivery of safe and effective clinical and radiation physics services, managing Trust resources in an efficient and effective manner
- Provide leadership, management, planning and development of clinical and radiation physics services and staff, including for the latter all human resource activities e.g. recruitment, appraisal, disciplinary matters and career development
- Act as an MPE for own specialist field and support other areas as part of a networked system
- This involves advising medical staff or other healthcare professionals on highly specialised clinical technologies and their application
- Act as an “Operator” as defined under IRMER 17 as required
- Ensure that there is adequate access to and appointment of specialist safety roles including Radiation Protection Advisor(s), Radioactive Waste Advisor(s), Medical Physics Expert(s), Laser Protection Advisor(s) and MRI Safety Officer(s)
- Use and develop the ISO9000 quality management system (QMS), or equivalent governance controls, to ensure that services are provided to the appropriate standards and are subject to external scrutiny
- Work with ionising and non-ionising radiation and other hazardous resources, taking all precautions minimise risk to oneself and others
- Occasionally work and communicate with ill and anxious patients and carers
Policy/Service Development
- Lead on policy and strategy development and implementation for clinical and radiation physics across both Trust, contributing to overall departmental and Trust plans
- Lead on QI and service development for clinical and radiation physics across both sites, contributing to an overall departmental and Trust plans
- Develop capabilities to use benchmarking and QI techniques to seek out and implement best practice
- Embrace ‘continuous improvement’ as described by QMS standards such as ISO9000
- Be aware of and provide advice on relevant legal and statutory issues, international standards, and guidelines for best practice
Financial/Physical Resources
- Budget holder for clinical and radiation physics budgets at both Trust
- Responsible for initiating and managing service level agreements with other Trusts and organisations required for the delivery of clinical and radiation physics services
- Responsible for the safe use of highly complex clinical and test and measurement equipment
- Oversee the specification, commissioning, testing and verification of highly complex clinical and test and measurement equipment and direct involvement where required
- Selection and requisition of specialist equipment and materials
- Oversee and manage physical assets assigned to clinical and radiation physics
Human Resources
- Line manager for staff in all clinical and radiation physics specialties across both Trusts, including recruitment, managing attendance and performance and supporting personal professional development
- Co-ordinate staff cover across both Trust to sustain services and minimise clinical risk
- Work autonomously; planning, prioritising and managing own work
- Supervise staff under the post holder’s direction and sign off work and reports as required
- Use coaching and mentoring techniques to support staff within and out with own specialty
- Teach and train healthcare scientists, including, for example, apprenticeship programmes and programmes accredited through the National School for Healthcare Science (NSHCS)
- Organise and deliver specialist teaching and training for other staff groups and clients
- May need to have difficult conversations with staff and deal with sensitive and challenging behaviours and situations
- Ensure that practices comply with Health and Safety legislation and other relevant regulations, including IRR17 and IRMER 2017
Information Resources
- Specify, procure, commission, use, test and manage computer systems and software including systems which are used to record and process data relating to own specialty
- Configure and/or write software to process, analyse and report highly complex datasets
- Effectively manage data availability, integrity and confidentiality
- Use and develop the ISO9000 QMS, or equivalent governance controls, to effectively manage document control
Research and Development
- Lead on the development and implementation of a QI and research programme for clinical and radiation physics
- Secure funding to enable and progress QI and research activities
- Lead on QI and service development for own specialty including initiating, undertaking and supervising research projects
- Initiate and participate in clinical and service audit
- Participate in, support and supervise clinical trials as required
- Introduce and commission new processes, procedures, protocols and techniques
- Specify, commission, test and verify highly complex clinical and test and measurement equipment
- Present work at professional and scientific meetings and conferences and in peer reviewed literature, collaborating with colleagues within and out with the Trust
- Responsible for own continuous professional development (CPD) and for maintaining professional registration and certification
Freedom to Act
- The post holder is the lead physicist for clinical and radiation physics for both Trusts and therefore works with a high degree of autonomy
- The post holder has freedom to work within a set of parameters to ensure patient, staff and public safety and will manage and develop work practices for clinical and radiation physics
Other Responsibilities
- To take part in regular performance appraisal
- To undertake any training required in order to maintain competency including mandatory training, e.g. Manual Handling
- To contribute to and work within a safe working environment
- The post holder is expected to comply with Trust Infection Control Policies and conduct him/herself at all times in such a manner as to minimise the risk of healthcare associated infection
- As an employee of the Trust, it is a contractual duty that you abide by any relevant code of professional conduct and/or practice applicable to you. A breach of this requirement may result in action being taken against you (in accordance with the Trust’s disciplinary policy) up to and including dismissal
