The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Head of Service - Clinical Scientist
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Band: 8b
Salary: £66,582 to £77,368 a year
Reference number: 317-2026-19-019
Job Summary
This is an exciting opportunity to lead in the development of the clinical MR physics service within Newcastle and the North‑East and North Cumbria region. You will work alongside the section lead for MR and Ultrasound Physics and other members of the MR physics team in shaping the MR physics service provided to a diverse range of NHS and non‑NHS MR services, including specialist neurosciences, cardiothoracic, radiotherapy and children’s MR departments. We currently provide support for 33 MR systems, including 1.5 T and 3 T systems, in both acute and community diagnostic centre settings.
Key Responsibilities
* Provision of expert clinical and safety support to a diverse range of MR departments.
* Managerial responsibility for the MR physics service.
* Appointment as MRSE and lead in the provision of clinical MR physics support to one or more NHS trusts in the North‑East and North Cumbria region.
* Holding the IPEM MRSE Certificate of Competence or demonstrating the knowledge and experience to apply for it before appointment.
* Providing support for advanced imaging services such as fMRI, DTI, cardiac, MR‑RT and complex implant scanning (e.g. CIEDs, neurostimulators, off‑label scanning).
* Contributing to teaching on the Newcastle University Medical Physics MSc programme and other formal and informal teaching delivered by the MR physics service.
The MR physics service is part of the Imaging Physics and Radiation Safety Unit, which provides services to ionising and non‑ionising imaging providers across the North‑East and North Cumbria region. We also deliver teaching in conjunction with Newcastle University on one of three academic Medical Physics STP programmes in England and clinical scientist training as part of the Northern Training Consortium. The role will involve visits to other NHS trusts around the region, requiring a willingness to travel on a regular basis. Opportunities exist to live anywhere in the wider North‑East and North Cumbria region.
Key responsibilities include:
* Responsible for the provision of one or more IPRS services to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and other customer trusts in Northern England.
* Providing professional leadership in area of expertise.
* Maintaining and developing high standards of service provision.
* Developing, implementing and monitoring clinical and organisational strategies.
* Initiating, developing and delivering research and development activities for healthcare advancement.
* Managing a team of clinical scientists and technologists delivering the service.
* Contributing to service and staff development throughout the Trust.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications & Education
* Honours degree (1st or 2nd class) in Physics or equivalent
* MSc in Medical Physics or equivalent
* HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist (Medical Physicist)
* Certificate of competence in an appropriate area or application in progress
* Full UK driving licence
Desirable Qualifications & Education
* Ph.D. in Physics or related topic
* Membership of an appropriate professional body
Knowledge & Experience – Essential
* Specialised in‑depth knowledge of the work area including relevant legislation
* Expert knowledge of quality assurance requirements, functioning and safe use of all clinical equipment relating to the service
* Wide knowledge of ionising/non‑ionising radiation protection
* Understanding of dosimetry, calibration and radiation monitoring equipment
* Sufficient experience to act as a certificated expert in relevant area
* Experience of investigating incidents involving ionising or non‑ionising radiations
* Experience of developing services
* Experience of teaching and training at postgraduate level
Knowledge & Experience – Desirable
* Understanding of clinical audit and governance and its application to the services provided by the Section
* Experience of leading a team and successfully managing and motivating staff
* Experience of evaluating and procuring clinical equipment
* Experience of performing research
* Experience of publishing research and presenting at scientific and clinical meetings
Skills & Abilities – Essential
* Ability to manage and motivate staff
* Ability to interpret data, analyse problems and evaluate solutions
* Good report writing and presentation skills
* Training, teaching and mentoring skills
* IT skills including databases and spreadsheets
* Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills
* Good leadership skills
* Ability to liaise effectively with staff at all levels
* Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
Skills & Abilities – Desirable
* Experience of leading a team and successfully managing and motivating staff
* Experience of evaluating and procuring clinical equipment
* Experience of performing research and publishing findings
* Experience of presenting at scientific and clinical meetings
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 any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
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