Deputy Head of Brachytherapy Physics

Job description

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population.

Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative.

We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.

Job overview

Are you looking for a fresh challenge or a chance to broaden your clinical experience in a high-volume, fast-paced department?

We are offering an exciting opportunity for a skilled and motivated Brachytherapy Physicist to join our busy and dynamic Radiotherapy Physics team as Deputy Head of Brachytherapy Physics. This is a fantastic chance to deepen your expertise, work with a diverse case mix, and contribute meaningfully to patient care.

You will act as a 'Medical Physics Expert' as defined by legislation (IR(ME)R17) providing expert advice and to supervise and manage scientific support in imaging as related to radiotherapy. Approximately 50% of your time will be providing support to the Brachytherapy service, and 50% of time supporting other areas of the department, including:

• Pre-treatment imaging & Patient immobilisation
• External beam treatment planning
• Image guidance for radiotherapy & Respiratory gating
• Adaptive radiotherapy
• External beam linac QA

Main duties of the job

To provide support to the clinical running of the brachytherapy service, including planning and checking treatments for HDR Prostate, Cervix, Vagina and Skin treatments.

Act as MPE to the brachytherapy services.

To support and where appropriate, take a lead in the development and implementation of new treatment / planning techniques for HDR brachytherapy.

Work closely with the wider brachytherapy MDT to ensure smooth running of the service.

Provide support during upgrades and commissioning and routine QA on the HDR.

Act as RPS and provide radiation protection support and training to the Brachytherapy team and wider radiotherapy team were required.

Ensure all documentation relating to Brachytherapy is kept up-to-date with current guidance and legislation.

Other areas of focus depend on the staff members areas of experience and expertise as well as the needs of the department at the time, but could include pre-treatment and on-treatment imaging, EBRT treatment planning, adaptive radiotherapy and machine QA.

Working for our organisation

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details about this role please refer to the attached job description.

We look forward for your application

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• A first or second class honours degree in a physical science
• A relevant higher degree (Masters or PhD)
• Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council
• Registered MPE

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Extensive experience in radiotherapy physics
• Advanced experience in Brachytherapy
• Current legislations and national and international standards

Communication

Essential criteria

• Good oral and written communication skills

Desirable criteria

• Recent publications or presentations at external meetings

Please be aware as per the new Immigration guidelines we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro Rata) under the current minimum threshold.

Please note, the selection processes at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values, please be advised that the use of AI in applications are monitored. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn't accurately reflect their skills, and you will be required to declare on your application if AI has been used before submitting your application.

Employer certification / accreditation badges