Imaging Lead Clinical Scientist and MPE in Radiotherapy

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

We are looking to appoint an Imaging Lead Clinical Scientist in Radiotherapy. In this role you will provide scientific leadership for radiotherapy imaging services, supporting the safe and effective use of imaging technologies across the patient pathway.

You will also be responsible for the development, implementation, optimisation, and quality assurance of imaging systems used for treatment planning, image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), adaptive radiotherapy, and treatment verification.

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust delivers a modern radiotherapy service equipped with advanced Varian technologies, including Halcyon and Ethos treatment platforms, Varian Eclipse Treatment Planning System, Cone Beam CT (CBCT) imaging, Surface Guided Radiotherapy (SGRT), Mobius3D independent dose verification software, and the ProKnow cloud-based quality and data analytics platform. The department is actively developing adaptive radiotherapy pathways and imaging-led treatment techniques to improve patient outcomes and service efficiency.

Working closely with Clinical Oncologists, Therapeutic Radiographers, Dosimetrists, Engineers, Applications Specialists, and IT professionals, the Imaging Lead will act as the departmental expert for radiotherapy imaging, supporting clinical implementation, commissioning, optimisation, quality assurance, troubleshooting, and service development activities.

Main duties of the job

• Provide specialist scientific, technical and professional leadership in radiotherapy physics with a particular focus on advanced imaging technologies - supporting online adaptive radiotherapy, image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) and treatment verification.
• Act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) under IR(ME)R, and RPS under IRR- providing expert advice on radiation protection, optimisation and patient dosimetry associated with radiotherapy imaging and treatment.
• Close collaboration with clinical oncologists, therapeutic radiographers, dosimetrists, IT specialists and equipment vendors to ensure imaging systems are fully integrated into clinical workflows.
• To be aware of new techniques in image guidance; and recommend developments to the Head of RT Physics to help inform the departmental strategy.
• To oversee and take a lead in the commissioning of new or upgraded IGRT equipment, leading to the safe and effective implementation into clinical use.

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

Are you looking for an exciting role using your unique qualities, then we want to hear from you.

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.

We look forward to your application.

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a suitable number of applications.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• BSc, MSc in relevant field
• HCPC registration
• MPE (working towards = 1)

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Extensive experience in radiotherapy physics with particular reference to Medical imaging applied to radiotherapy
• Knowledge of advanced radiotherapy techniques such as SABR, oART, SGRT, 4D-CT.

Desirable criteria

• Experience with advanced radiotherapy techniques such as SABR, oART, SGRT, 4D-CT

Communication skills

Essential criteria

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience presenting at internal/regional or national meetings

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of contributing to professional guidance, publications, training materials, or policy documents

Personal and People Development

Essential criteria

• Experience of training staff from a range of backgrounds

Desirable criteria

• Experience of line management

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.

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