Treatment Planning Clinical Technologist/Dosimetrist
Applicationsare invited for a Band 7 - Treatment PlanningClinical Technologist in St Jamess University Hospital, Leeds. We are looking for an enthusiasticRadiographer/Clinical Technologist with experience in Radiotherapy toparticipate in all aspects of providing a specialist service individual toall patients.
Thispost is based in Treatment Planning and Mould Room. The main responsibilities are to contributeto the day to day work of the treatment planning section, principally thecomputer planning of patients undergoing radiotherapy including both routineand highly complex treatments; to participate in the routine dosimetry andquality control programme on treatment machines and treatment simulators inthe department; to assist with the work of the Mould Room and Brachytherapysections of the Department when required.
InLeeds we produce over 5000 radiotherapy plans per year the majority of whichuse VMAT and FFF technologies.
Researchand innovation are at the heart of the service, with opportunities to be partof projects as well as a large portfolio of local and national clinicaltrials. We are a national leader inextra-cranial SABR.
LeedsCancer Centre, situated in the Bexley Wing of St Jamess is a major centretreating over 7500 new radiotherapy patients per annum. The centre isequipped with the latest technology, including 12 Versa HDs, a Flexitronremote afterloading platform. MRSIM and Gamma Knife ICON.
Main duties of the job
Thispost is based in treatment planning. The main responsibilities are:
Tocontribute to the day to day work of the treatment planning section,principally the computer planning of patients undergoing radiotherapyincluding both routine and highly complex treatments.
Toparticipate in the routine dosimetry and quality control programme ontreatment machines and treatment simulators in the department.
About us
LeedsTeaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the largest and busiest acute hospitaltrusts in the UK. We are committed to delivering the highest quality and safesttreatment and care to every patient, every time. Our staff helped to define thevalues and behaviours that we should work to so that we can achieve thisvision. This has become known as The Leeds Way, and forms the foundation of ourculture, our ethos and how we work every day.
Theradiotherapy service in St Jamess treats over 7500 new radiotherapy patientsper annum. The centre is equipped with the latest technology, including 12Versa HDs, RayStation treatment planning, a Flexitron HDR remote afterloadingplatform for advanced image guided brachytherapy, I-125 prostate brachytherapyservice, MRSim and Gamma Knife ICON. The managed equipment service was renewed,ensuring equipment replacement and comprehensive support for the next 15 years.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our processof redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. Assuch, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the rightto close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you doexperience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, pleasebear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact ifyou have any questions.
Job responsibilities
Managerial
Prioritiseand manage own work.
Keepcareful records of all work performed on the patient database and otherappropriate records as required for statistical purposes on the computerisedinformation systems.
Monitorstocks and order supplies as required to enable duties to be performed.
Representthe treatment planning department in site specific MDT meetings.
Representthe treatment planning department at radiotherapy policy meetings in theabsence of the Chief Dosimetrist.
Clinicaland Scientific
Actas a Practitioner, Referrer and Operator, under IRMER, for specified areas ofwork.
Responsibilityfor the operation of linear accelerators, virtual simulators, simulators,treatment planning systems and other high capital investment items ofequipment.
TreatmentPlanning
Asthe department plans over 5000 patients per year, a significant proportion oftime will be spent interpreting complex patient treatment planning requestsfrom clinicians and giving advice to medical staff on appropriate planningtechniques. Often the originalexpectation for doses to either tumour volumes or organs at risk are notreasonably achievable and the post holder will be expected to generate achoice of clinically acceptable 3D computer treatment planning options. These alternatives are then reviewed withthe clinician, discussing the effects of various treatment plan options onpatient dose distributions and possible compromises to tumour volumes ororgans at risk, ensuring that the dose to the tumour is maximised whilstminimising the dose to surrounding tissues.
Planningof patients undergoing radiotherapy with external beam photons or electronsusing both manual and computer methods.
Ensuringthat all patient images required to produce treatment plans are available.
CTplanning (using 3-D computerised techniques) for patients undergoingradiotherapy, analysing requirements and making complex judgements regardingtreatment parameters and patient dose effects to produce the required dosedistribution over the treatment volume ensuring where possible theconformance to international standards e.g. ICRU50, 62 and 83.
Identifyand contour all critical organs at risk on CT scans whether explicitlymentioned by the clinical staff or not.
Workas part of the virtual simulator multidisciplinary team on a weekly basis,supplying specialist planning input including anatomical scanning limits,patient positioning, treatment techniques, reference tattooing andappropriate fitting of patient immobilisation devices to millimetrictolerances.
Re-planpatient treatments where required, following changes to the treatment regimeor patient shape. Use judgement toanalyse and determine the most appropriate compensation method. Calculate the compensation required andsubsequent patient dose. Carry outmanual dose calculations.
Takeresponsibility for the development of new treatment techniques under thedirection of the Chief Dosimetrist.
Co-ordinatepatient visits to clinics and simulators, and start dates for radiotherapysuch that they meet the required timescales of the Cancer Standards whilstallowing adequate time to do the work in a safe and considered manner.
Befully conversant with the clinical operation of the treatment machines andappreciate their potential and limitations with regard to patient treatmenttechniques. Provide treatmentradiographers with advice on planning aspects of the treatment and attend theset-up of patients on machines, as required.
Participatein the evaluation process for new items of high capital radiotherapy planningequipment and the subsequent implementation and training.
Assistin producing written protocols for localisation, simulation, treatmentplanning and radiotherapy treatments as part of the Departments QualitySystem. Participate fully inimplementing and maintaining this system.Participate in staff meetings to agree changes to protocols affectingRadiotherapy Physics and Radiotherapy.
Organiseand adapt staff rota to cover departmental workload due to sickness/studyleave/annual leave.
Accuratelyrecord all relevant information and ensure these records are maintained inaccordance with the requirements of the department procedures. Often these records will be maintained inelectronic format.
Communicatecomplex technical information to other disciplines across the field ofradiotherapy.
Developand maintain effective working relationships with Trust staff including thoseinvolved with radiotherapy treatment and other relevant professional groups.
Participateon a fortnightly rotational basis in the facilitation of all informationentering the department, processing and prioritising this information toensure a smooth flow of work through the department.
Participatein site-specific MDT sessions, offering specialised treatment planning adviceon technique development to clinicians and radiographers.
AssistMould Room and Brachytherapy staff as required. Prepare immobilisation devices for patienttreatment and electron applicator cut-outs using low-melting point alloy.
DosimetryServices
Takepart in the Quality Assurance programme of the planning section ensuring thatthe calculated doses are within tolerance.
Takepart in the Quality Assurance programme of the linear accelerators, virtualsimulators and simulators on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, makinganalytical judgements on tolerances where required.
Takepart in the routine weekly calibration of linear accelerators and superficialand orthovoltage treatment units, ensuring that the dose delivered is withinagreed limits.
Teachingand Training
Participationwith other medical physics staff in continual evaluation and development oftechniques used.
Takepart in the ongoing supervision and training of new members of staff, traineephysicists, clinicians and radiographers as well as student radiographerswhilst in the treatment planning department.
Researchand Development
NHSservice research and development is necessary for continuous improvement ofradiotherapy and for the implementation and development of the potential ofnew equipment and facilities.
Tobe involved and contribute to any development work as required by the Head ofExternal Beam Radiotherapy Physics.
Professional
Keepabreast of the latest technical and scientific developments and theirapplications in medical and radiotherapy fields. To attend suitable seminars,courses and meetings either national or international as part of personaldevelopment and to further the work of the department.
Ensureall activities are carried out within a quality framework and meet regulatoryrequirements.
Contributeto service development and the investigation of new radiotherapy treatmenttechniques. This includes involvement in radiotherapy treatment planning forclinical trials and supplying information such as computerised patient dosevolume histograms for such.
Person Specification
Additional Requirements
* Proven ability to concentrate frequently when subject to unpredictable working patterns.
* Proven ability to maintain high levels of concentration despite frequent interruption.
* Proven ability to concentrate for periods in excess of one session.
* Proven ability to communicate complex information (e.g. justifying planning methods to clinicians).
* Proven ability to train groups of other professional staff in planning issues (e.g. train Physicists, Doctors and radiographers in the production of treatment plans).
Experience
* Extended knowledge of the principles of external beam radiotherapy.
* Advanced understanding of physiology and anatomy as applied to treatment planning.
* Specialist knowledge of CT and MRI anatomy as applied to treatment planning.
* Basic understanding of pathology and mechanisms of disease.
* Quality assurance and quality management principles during weekly/monthly machine calibrations.
* Familiarity with Monaco and RayStation treatment planning systems.
* Familiarity with radiotherapy technology including linear accelerators, orthovoltage and superficial therapy units, radiotherapy simulators and CT scanners.
Qualifications
* Degree in Clinical Technology or related discipline/equivalent level of knowledge & experience with formal training with significant experience post qualification in radiotherapy treatrment planning
* Or: BSc Therapy Radiography with significant experience post qualification in radiotherapy treatment planning.
* Either: Registered Clinical Technologist
* Or: Registered Therapy Radiographer
* Or: A clearly defined path to Clinical Technologist registration
* Additional clinical experience in Virtual simulator. Incorporated level membership of the Institute of Medical Physics & Engineering.
Skills & behaviours
* Team working skills, flexibility, initiative, honesty, integrity, influencing and persuading skills and ability to learn.
* Works within timeframes and works well under pressure.
* Patient, diplomatic and able to develop good working relationships with different groups of colleagues.
* Problem solving and initiative when dealing with issues within own specialist area of competence.
* Proven ability to prioritise the work of the treatment planning section and own work
* To act at all times in a professional manner, showing courtesy and respect for other staff and patients.
* Maintain patient dignity and confidentiality.
* Creative lateral thinker.
* Proven ability to work flexibly.
* Proven ability to cope with large and variable workload.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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