Our Regional Radiation Protection Service (RRPS) is seeking a Principal Physicist to lead and innovate in radiation protection and diagnostic radiology. This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of medical physics, shaping services that impact patient safety and clinical excellence across the NHS and beyond.
You’ll lead complex investigations, advise on compliance with IRR17 and IR(ME)R17, and support the design and safety of new facilities. Your expertise will help shape radiation safety standards across hospitals, private healthcare, and industry.
We are currently able to offer a one off recruitment and retention payment to successful applicants who fulfil the job specification
Not quite there yet?
We are keen to hear for anyone close to meeting the job specification and can appoint to a temporary development position whist supporting you in getting over the line. Get in touch if you wanted to know more.
Ready to Make a Difference?
For informal enquiries, contact Matt Pryor, Head of Service
01483 408395 | ✉
[email protected]
The Regional Radiation Protection Service (RRPS) provides comprehensive radiation protection, diagnostic radiology physics and X-ray engineering services out of the Royal Surrey County Hospital area mainly to the south and south west of the country, but also works nationally and internationally. Services include the statutory provision of Radiation Protection Advisers (RPA), Medical Physics Expert (MPE) in Diagnostic Radiology, Laser Protection Advisers (LPA), Radioactive Waste Advisers (RWA) and MR Safety Experts.
We have a team of 11 clinical scientists,11 medical physics technical officers, a computer scientist and 3 admin staff, plus postgraduate trainees and undergraduate students. The RRPS also provides advice and services to users of non-ionising radiations including MRI, lasers, radiofrequency, ultraviolet and microwaves. The Service provides NHSBSP mammography services for the South East (East) region. The RRPS is active in income generation outside the NHS and provides a wide range of radiation protection advice and services to a variety of employers including corporate organisations, companies, private hospitals, dentists, vets and others. The service is active in research, development and training, including organising courses both locally and at a national level.
Driving license and accessibility to a car are required for this role.
Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.
We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have given us an overall rating of Outstanding.
Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.
Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
A video about the Royal Surrey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo
To be a Principal Physicist (clinical scientist) and a senior member of the Regional Radiation Protection (RRPS) team, working with other team members in the provision of a comprehensive radiation protection and radiological physics service to the NHS and outside bodies. To act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 [IR(ME)R2017]. To participate in all areas of work, and to take on responsibility for key aspects of the service. The postholder works at a senior professional level, providing advice and services to employers facilitating compliance with ionising radiation legislation and working towards further certification such as RPA. Issues are very specialist, varied and highly complex. They will operate with a high degree of autonomy, particularly in the areas for which they are responsible.
Act as an MPE (diagnostic radiology) for diagnostic radiology clients across the NHS and private sector. Liaise as necessary with clinicians, radiologists, radiographers and other healthcare professional on the protection of the patient and the necessary optimisation of dose and image quality.
Lead a key area of scientific work within the team.
Investigate, measure, analyse and report on complex radiation safety, dose and image quality performance issues using electronic devices and computers on a wide variety of diagnostic X-ray installations from simple radiographic systems to highly complicated and sophisticated state of the art digital systems.
Act as a trainee RPA under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 [IRR17] to NHS Trusts and independent healthcare providers served by the RRPS, with the aim of securing certification as an RPA. Provide expert advice with others as part of training to include highly complex issues such as: -
(a) The requirements of IRR17 and the Ionising Radiation (medical exposure) Regulations 2017 [IR(ME)R17]and all other legislation, approved codes and good guidance associated with ionising radiation.
(b) The design of new or modified radiation facilities including the undertaking of associated shielding calculations.
(c) Radiation equipment specification.
(d) Setting up a radiation protection system including notification to the HSE and preparation of local rules and systems of work.
(e) Risk assessments relating to the radiation safety of staff, patients & public.
(f) Radiation safety training.
(g) Testing of equipment.
(h) Measurements of patient dose
(i) Incident investigations and advice on notification to appropriate authorities regulators.
To be involved in the provision of non-ionising radiation protection services. To include radiation safety audits and performance measurements where appropriate together with the provision of advice for ultrasound, ultraviolet, MRI and lasers.
Perform audit and inspection procedures for compliance with relevant legislation, standards and agreed good practice in the following areas: -:
(a) For ionising radiations in all types of organisations and departments where radiation is used including hospital departments of radiology, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, cardiology, pathology plus dental practices, veterinary practices and other commercial and industrial radiation facilities.
(b) With others for non-ionising radiations including lasers, ultraviolet and radiofrequency in hospital departments including theatres, physiotherapy and dermatology.
Calculate dose and risk in the event of unnecessary, inadvertent or accidental exposures, including radiation exposures of the unborn child. Advise the hospital consultants involved and General Practitioner where appropriate.
Provide the necessary expertise and back-up as required in the event of a major incident involving radiation, including local incidents and those handled under the National Arrangements for Incidents involving Radiation (NAIR) scheme.
To be involved in the design, development, organisation and maintenance of the many databases critical to the daily work of the RRPS.
To act as a senior member of the RRPS team assisting the Head of the RRPS in managing the provision of comprehensive diagnostic radiology physics and radiation protection services. To help ensure that the obligations and targets of the RRPS are met and that the budget is balanced.
To delegate tasks and responsibilities as appropriate with regard to the areas of responsibility held by the postholder.
To develop, create and maintain written protocols and procedures for the measurement, testing and survey activities which are the responsibility of the postholder.
To promote the Section’s income generating activities in both the NHS and private sectors by provision of services, support, networking and liaison with existing and potential customers in both hospitals and industry.
To prioritise and manage one's own work including in particular with regard to the functions of a Medical Physics Expert and a lead in areas of particular responsibility.
To be involved with the supervision and training of trainees within the RRPS.
Be involved in developing and giving training courses and tutorials in radiation protection and diagnostic radiology physics at local, regional and national level
Present papers at local and national scientific meetings and publish papers in peer-refereed journals.
Keep abreast of the latest technical and scientific developments in order to further the work of the Department.
Supervise MSc and other R&D projects being undertaken by clinical scientist trainees and other trainees/students within the Department.
To be State Registered as a Clinical Scientist and to participate in the IPEM Continuing Professional Development scheme or other appropriate scheme to maintain State Registration.
To maintain Medical Physicist Expert status by an approved awarding body.
To work towards gaining Certification as a Radiation Protection Adviser by the awarding body RPA2000 by means of a constructing a portfolio of evidence covering both competence and knowledge.
Keep abreast of the latest scientific and technical development and their application in the relevant clinical fields. Attend appropriate scientific meetings and seminars as appropriate as part of continuing professional development.
To work effectively and proactively within a multi-disciplinary team, involving close working, team building and scientific supervision of other technical and scientific team members as appropriate.
Carry out all duties in accordance with the requirements of IRR17 and IR(ME)R17 and other relevant Statutory Regulations, Approved Codes of Conduct and Local Rules pertaining to radiation, together with the general provisions of the Health & Safety at Work Act.
Work in other departments, other Trusts, independent hospitals and other institutions and organisations served by the RRPS, in liaison with radiology managers, radiation protection supervisors, heads of departments, medical consultants and managers. Liaise also with commercial organisations and industry. When working outside the Trust the postholder will abide by local policies and practices. They will behave professionally and courteously at all times seeking to uphold the standards and increase the reputation of the RSCH.
On a day to day basis drive many local journeys throughout the South East and regularly be required to drive long distances to clients and premises served by the RRPS over the Country as a whole.
To be on-call for radiation emergencies under the Trusts Emergency Plan, the National Arrangements for Radiation Emergencies (NAIR) and any other major radiation emergency.
To carry out extended periods of VDU work on a regular basis.
Take all precautions when dealing with X-rays and other ionising radiation hazards and when handling radioactive sources or radioactive waste.
Take all precautions when dealing with non-ionising radiation hazards such as magnetic and electric fields, lasers, ultraviolet, infrared and microwaves.
Take all precautions as regards electrical and mechanical hazards when operating and investigating sophisticated radiology and imaging equipment.
