In this position, the successful candidate will also be responsible for strategic planning, resource management, and developing collaborative relationships with various stakeholders. Key duties include budget management, staff training and development, and rigorous quality assurance. With a nominal time allocation split between the Torbay and Exeter hospitals, the role requires occasional on-site work at the RDUH North Devon hospital. The ideal applicant will demonstrate strong leadership, analytical skills, and a commitment to continuous professional development, all while ensuring patient-centered care in clinical and radiation physics services.
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.
About us
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 holders 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 2
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 Trusts disciplinary policy) up to and including dismissal
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