Principal Clinical Scientist and Medical Physics Expert
A new opportunity has arisen within the Radiation Protection Service Cardiff (RPSC) to support the establishment of Lung Screening Wales run by Public Health Wales (PHW). We are looking for an experienced Medical Physics Expert (MPE) who will lead physics support for the roll‑out of the low dose CT lung screening programme across the whole of Wales. The post holder will also act as modality lead MPE for CT within the RPSC team and may also be involved in the delivery of MPE diagnostic radiology and RPA services across the RPSC customer base.
RPSC provides radiation protection services to NHS Health Boards in South East Wales as well as the screening programmes in Wales, and clients in academia, private healthcare, and industry. We are a growing team of Clinical Scientists, Clinical Technologists, trainees, and administrative staff. This post presents a unique opportunity to develop your skills as a Clinical Scientist and MPE across a range of modalities and clients.
Main duties of the job
See the attached Job Descriptions and Person Specifications for key duties and responsibilities. Applicants not meeting the full criteria for band 8B will be considered for appointment at band 8A. Interviews will be held and banding will depend on the candidate’s skills and experience.
The post holder will be an HCPC registered Clinical Scientist with sufficient experience to be appointed as MPE to PHW and other RPSC clients. A detailed understanding of the underlying physics principles of CT imaging and direct experience of the quality assurance of low dose CT for lung screening applications is essential.
The post is based at Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff. As the screening programme covers the whole of Wales, the post requires travelling relatively long distances on a regular basis and may include overnight stays.
Welsh language skills are desirable but not mandatory.
Job responsibilities
Please find a full Job Description and Person Specification attached.
8B Principal Clinical Scientist, Lung screening and diagnostic radiology MPE
The post holder will be responsible for:
* Acting as lead MPE for low dose CT lung screening to PHW as required by the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and as the lead technical QA adviser for low dose CT lung screening to PHW.
* Acting as an MPE for diagnostic radiology in health care, medical research and development and teaching with a focus upon low dose CT lung screening and to be appointed in this role by Velindre NHS Trust and its client organisations.
* Leading the provision of quality assurance and scientific support for the physics aspects of low dose CT lung screening to PHW and for general radiography to the RPSC Cardiff portfolio of clients.
* Leading and managing projects undertaken in support of developments in radiation protection and diagnostic radiology within Velindre University NHS Trust and its client organisations (e.g. procurement of new equipment, research and development).
Interpersonal Skills
* Provide specialist advice on specification and selection of a wide range of highly complex X‑ray equipment, including low dose CT lung screening equipment, to ensure patient and staff safety.
* Lead the training of junior clinical scientists and technical officers with respect to the physics of low dose CT lung screening and general radiography, presenting and explaining complex information in an accessible manner.
* Lead the delivery of training courses on low dose CT lung screening physics, with particular emphasis on PHW and general use of CT.
* Undertake audits of compliance with radiation protection legislation with customers, using appropriate communication styles.
* Contribute to the management of PHW in an advisory capacity through membership of working groups.
Team working and planning
* Act as a project manager within the Radiation Protection Service, delivering objectives set by the Head of Radiation Protection Service in a timely and efficient manner.
* Act as a Medical Physics Expert for research ethics applications in diagnostic radiology, ensuring reviews are completed against agreed performance criteria.
Act as the lead specialist resource in the field of CT physics for RPSC Cardiff and its customer base, and as a member of the multidisciplinary Image Optimisation Groups run by Velindre University NHS Trust and its client organisations.
Development of service and documentation
* Develop policies and procedures on behalf of Velindre NHS Trust and its client organisations, particularly for PHW, reflecting current legislative and professional guidance.
* Provide feedback on customer policies and documentation relating to radiation safety and technical quality assurance of radiological equipment, focusing on CT equipment.
Managerial Responsibility
Take on line management responsibilities for junior staff as the team expands.
Digital and Information
Arrange for the taking and transcription of formal minutes of meetings held within the Radiation Protection Service, Velindre University NHS Trust and PHW, and prepare final drafts of these minutes for approval.
Improvement and Monitoring
* Prepare and authorise radiation reviews of ethics applications in support of clinical research.
* Develop the clinical radiology service as part of membership of image optimisation groups and present results at national meetings or in peer‑reviewed journals.
8A Principal Clinical Scientist, Lung screening and diagnostic radiology MPE
The post holder will be responsible for:
* Acting as an MPE for low dose CT lung screening to PHW as required by the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and as the technical QA adviser to PHW.
* Co‑ordinating the provision of quality assurance and scientific support for the physics aspects of low dose CT lung screening to PHW and for general radiography to the RPSC Cardiff portfolio of clients.
Interpersonal Skills
* Provide specialist advice on specification and selection of a wide range of highly complex X‑ray equipment, including low dose CT lung screening equipment.
* Participate in training junior clinical scientists and technical officers with respect to the physics of low dose CT lung screening and general radiography, presenting complex information in an accessible manner.
* Participate in the delivery of training courses on low dose CT lung screening physics, with particular emphasis on PHW.
* Act as the Employer’s appointed Medical Physics Expert for low dose CT lung screening as defined in the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2018 for all RPSC Cardiff clients.
* Act as a specialist resource in the field of CT physics for RPSC Cardiff and its customer base.
Development of service and documentation
Assist in the development of policies and procedures on behalf of Velindre NHS Trust and its client organisations, particularly for PHW, reflecting current legislative and professional guidance.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* MSc Medical Physics or equivalent.
* UK HPC Clinical Scientist Registration to practise Medical Physics; for non‑UK candidates, certainty of obtaining registration.
* PhD in Medical Physics.
* Publication record in diagnostic radiology physics.
* Eligibility to hold MIPEM, FIPEM, or equivalent status.
* Accreditation as a Medical Physics Expert for diagnostic radiology including CT.
Knowledge
* Principles of Radiation Physics beyond the MSc level.
* Principles of radiation protection with a view to minimising exposure of patients, staff and public.
* Principles and operation of all types of X‑ray imaging systems and associated QA schemes.
* Methods of subjective and objective assessment of radiological image quality, including low dose CT lung screening.
* Understanding of principles of X‑ray imaging in general radiography and CT.
* Knowledge of lung screening processes and key issues for involved professions.
* Appreciation of patient dosimetry and dose modelling.
* Health & Safety and data protection principles.
* A good overview of the place of diagnostic radiology and CT physics in delivering high‑quality radiology services.
* Advanced Radiation Physics and Advanced Mathematics.
* Principles of data analysis, aggregation of uncertainties, and statistics.
* Research methods and QA schemes in diagnostic radiology.
* Understanding of relevant legislation.
Experience
* Relevant experience as a Medical Physics Expert in CT.
* Experience applying radiation protection practice in diagnostic radiology.
* Experience working in a multidisciplinary environment and leading change.
* Experience in radiation metrology and advising on legislation.
Skills and Attributes
* Ability to communicate complex scientific issues to scientists and non‑scientists with good verbal, written, and visual skills.
* Teaching skills.
* Conscientious, reliable, tidy, and careful use of sensitive equipment.
* Motivated, enthusiastic team worker with independent flair.
* Ability to give quick, reasoned, accurate guidance in stressful situations.
* Independence in decision making and responsibility for own work.
* Willingness to work flexible hours to cover service needs.
* Strong problem‑solving skills.
* Familiarity with medical image processing software packages.
* Experience designing customised database applications.
* Negotiation skills in implementing statutory requirements amid varied local contexts.
* Advanced computer analysis and data display skills.
Other
* Values consistent with Velindre NHS Trust organisational values.
* Full, clean UK driving licence, or ability to obtain one within six months.
* Ability to travel between sites promptly.
* Flexible working where required, including outside core hours.
* Experience working in a radiation environment.
* Welsh speaker (Level 1) or willingness to work towards it.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check for previous criminal convictions.
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