We are seeking a Clinical Scientist with expert level knowledge & experience to join our growing team of ~33 scientists, technologists and administrators in Diagnostic Physics & Radiation Protection.
The post holder will:
- Have leadership commitments allocated against skills and group need. We have opportunities including: IRR lead, Practice Education, lead expert for a super-Trust, lead MPE in a modality, digital/data/A.I. lead etc. This may require the post holder to develop new knowledge/skills/experience.
- Manage and take the lead in developing scientific support / radiation protection services to diagnostic radiology in the region.
- Provide advice as a Radiation Protection Adviser and act as Medical Physics Expert, to ensure that NHS Trusts and other organisations can meet their statutory obligations.
- Provide support for the optimisation and development of radiological techniques with the aim of improving patient management and patient and staff safety.
- Take a major role in the management of DRRPS including the quality management system operation.
Candidates with experience delivering MPE (imaging) and RPA support to radiotherapy would be welcomed as the group grows support to The Christie radiotherapy centres.
As a subject expert in your own right, you will play a major role in the CMPE RPA Body (recognised by the Health and Safety Executive under the requirements of IRR17), providing radiation protection advice to diagnostic and interventional radiology/cardiology departments and dental practitioners. You will be the primary radiation protection contact for specified organisations.
In addition, as Medical Physics Expert you will provide support for the optimisation of diagnostic and interventional radiology, developing and maintaining a close working relationship with the radiographic and clinical teams in these organisations.
A detailed knowledge of the regulations and practical experience of radiation is essential. You will be expected to provide in-depth expertise and develop and implement improved ways of working. You will initiate and undertake projects in line with the group priorities.
Line management and contributing to group management is also a key part of the role. Teaching is a regular part of the role.
A current Full UK driving licence is essential as frequent travel is necessary.
We welcome external applicants. Those who do not meet the full person spec may be appointed at a lower band with a development plan. Those with neither RPA nor MPE, will not be invited to interview. Please get in touch if you have any questions.
We are the Diagnostic Radiology and Radiation Protection Section of the Imaging Physics and Radiation Protection Group within CMPE, based at The Christie in Manchester. We deliver scientific support to clinical radiology departments in the North West of England.
Professional activities are supported and encouraged.
Manchester is a hub for sport, music and culture as well as a friendly, vibrant city. The Christie is located 4 miles to the south of the City, in close proximity to Didsbury and Chorlton where there are many independent shops, restaurants and bars. There are a number of National Parks nearby and, for travelling further afield, Manchester International Airport (with flights to over 200 destinations) is minutes away while London is only 2 hours by train.
Due to the large regional service in the North West and formation of Imaging Networks, although the post is based at The Christie in Manchester, there may be scope to be based at another NHS Trust within the Greater Manchester or Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Systems. This might appeal to those who prefer living in the open countryside over city/suburb living.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Management
1.1. Work closely with the group leader in managing the activities of the group and in planning services.
1.2. Work in collaboration with the group leader in the setting and fulfilment of group objectives in line with Trust objectives and those of the Imaging Networks as appropriate.
1.3. Proactively participate in workforce development including appraisals, grievances, selection, recruitment and retention of staff.
1.4. Participate in and comply with the Quality Management System for the Group, likely providing leadership for a major component of the system and be an active member of the Management Review Committee. Undertake quality improvement.
1.5. Responsible for the quality of the service relevant to leadership role including data entry, analysis tools, records maintained (scientific, quality, management, advice etc) including the minutes of meetings, production of management reports e.g. KPIs from data available. Ensure appropriate use of IT packages used within service.
1.6. Act as line manager for Healthcare Scientists, Practitioners and administrators as allocated by the group leader, conducting staff appraisals and handling day-to-day matters such a leave requests or sickness absence reviews.
1.7. Be responsible for decisions on the purchase of equipment used in the provision of the radiation protection service.
1.8. Identify and maintain risks on the register as appropriate to leadership role and senior management position. Promote risk management within the team. Undertake incident investigation as required and promote learning.
1.9. Take part in ‘duty manager’ rota in line with group needs.
1.10. Be familiar with contingency plans and proactively prepare to put in action.
1.11. Proactively provide supervision and support to the team, encouraging their progression as appropriate.
2. Scientific support to diagnostic radiology
2.1. Provide leadership in specific areas of the group’s work, in providing in-depth expertise in these areas, planning group strategy and in developing new ways of working, and implementing these into the routine procedures of the Group. Work closely with the group leader and other leads within the team to ensure continuity of quality and service provision at role boundaries.
2.2. Provide Medical Physics Expert advice to specified Trusts and other customers, in line with the requirements of the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017, as amended. Contribute to development of group policy.
2.3. Provide a wide range of scientific advice to departments of radiology and other users of X-ray equipment, including matters such as equipment specification, optimisation of radiation dose and image quality, and resolution of problems in these areas. Use expertise to support customers who wish to gain accreditation of their services.
2.4. Undertake, as necessary, critical examinations and commissioning quality control measurements on x-ray equipment, to ensure that it is safe to use on patients and is capable of providing the required clinical information. Provide written reports and advice to radiology managers, radiographers, radiologists and others. Liaise with manufacturers’ representatives where necessary.
2.5. Provide specialist technical advice to radiology managers and others for the procurement of high capital value complex clinical equipment.
2.6. Manipulation of test objects for precise measurement and use of expensive, highly complex equipment.
2.7. Communicate appropriately with regulatory inspectors and participate actively at inspections of our customer facilities.
3. Radiation protection
3.1. Provide leadership in specific areas of the group’s work, in providing in-depth expertise in these areas, planning group strategy and in developing new ways of working, and implementing these into the routine procedures of the Group. Work closely with the group leader and other leads within the team to ensure continuity of quality and service provision at role boundaries.
3.2. Provide, on own authority, Radiation Protection Advice (and potentially optical/Laser Protection Advice) to specified Trusts, private hospitals and other organisations, to ensure that they meet their statutory obligations. This involves developing relationships with a wide range of staff including senior Trust managers, radiology managers, consultant radiologists, and radiographers. The advice provided will cover such aspects as the design of x-ray facilities including the calculation of shielding requirements, personal dosimetry and measures for staff protection.
3.3. Review and provide written reports to Radiation Protection Committees and Employers on compliance with the Regulations.
3.4. Communicate appropriately with regulatory inspectors and participate actively at inspections of our customer facilities.
4. Research, Development & Innovation
4.1. Undertake research, development and innovation, in line with group objectives.
4.2. Oversee team members supporting research, project work and development, recognising the expertise and autonomy of other professionals in the group.
4.3. Draw research opportunities to the attention of the group leader and when appropriate, generate applications for grants and research contracts. Collaborate with other leads in the team as required.
4.4. To publish research in internationally recognised peer reviewed research journals and present at national /international meetings.
4.5. Possible supervision of HSST projects as appropriate and in line with group need.
5. Teaching and training
5.1 Provide leadership and manage a major area of the department’s teaching commitment e.g. radiation protection courses, STP, FRCR physics modules.
5.2 Involvement in the department’s teaching commitments, including FRCR, University courses and regional radiation protection courses.
5.3 Assist in the training and supervision of trainee Healthcare Scientists and Practitioners including acting as STP/Route 2 supervisor as required.
5.4 Mentor and encourage professionals within the team to advance their independent working. Give guidance and steer where this will benefit the individual and the group rather than undertaking work directly.
6. Professional
6.1. Work at a high standard with long periods of concentration, on multiple concurrent tasks/projects with scientific and managerial skill.
6.2. Exercise judgment and make sound decisions.
6.3. Deliver complex information in a clear and consistent way to a varied audience.
6.4. Keep up to date with developments in the field of diagnostic radiology physics and radiation protection.
6.5. Be involved in relevant national activities and initiatives, including the development of national guidance and playing an active role in national professional organisations.
6.6. Maintain state registration as a Clinical Scientist, recognition as Medical Physics Expert and an up-to-date certificate of competence as Radiation Protection Adviser (and LPA as necessary).
NOTE
This job description indicates the duties and responsibilities that are appropriate to meet the present needs of the service. Since from time to time these needs may change it is necessary to recognise that the post-holder must be willing to undertake other and/or different duties that may, after discussion, be assigned by the Director.
