Wehave an exciting opportunity to recruit an experienced and forward-thinkingHCPC registered Consultant Clinical Scientist to provide leadership,strategic direction and Consultant- level scientific support to theRadiological Physics and Radiation Protection Section of one of the largestMedical Physics Departments in the country.The role would be ideal for an individual with prior leadershipexperience at a senior scientific level in this field and who is looking toprogress their career by taking on new challenges.
Expected ShortlistingDate
02/12/2025
Planned InterviewDate
12/12/2025
Main duties of the job
Thepost is responsible for the operational and strategic management of anexpanding section currently comprising approximately 23 Clinical Scientistsand Clinical technologists working in the areas of Radiology Physics,Radiation Protection, Ultrasound Physics, Image Engineering and Non-IonisingRadiation Physics and Laser Protection.The post-holder is also responsible for provision and development ofscientific services in the areas of radiological physics and radiationprotection to the Trust and other organisations, through service levelagreements. The role involves workingwith senior clinical and non-clinical staff in different areas of the Leedstrust and other trusts and the provision of scientific advice as a certifiedMedical Physics Expert. Certificationas a Radiation Protection Advisor is desirable but not essential for therole. There will be a requirement fortravel across the region as part of this role, so the post holder needs tohave access to their own means of transport.
About us
TheRadiological Physics and Radiation Protection section is one of six sectionswithin the Medical Physics Department at Leeds and is largely based at theLeeds General Infirmary Site. Theservice is partway through a funded two-year staff expansion programme, whichhas seen the provision of a significant number of new posts.
TheRadiological Physics section falls under the departmental ISO9001:2015quality certification.
Enquiriesare encouraged to the Head of Department, Dr Robert Farley on 07917 344846 oremail robert.farley1@nhs.net
LeedsTeaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job advertsare subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or removeadverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in theshortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while thisprocess is completed, and contact the named contact if you have anyquestions.
Job responsibilities
Thepost holder has overall responsibility for:
The provision of an effectiveRadiological Physics service to the Trust and to external organizations whopurchase services from the Trust including responsibility for the trustionising radiation and laser safety policies.
Provision of radiation protection advice and radiation protection services, and to act as a Medical PhysicsExpert (a statutory role) providing specialist scientific advice, to theTrust and external customers
Development of appropriate researchand teaching programmes
Thekey areas of work include:
Scientific management of theservice provided by Diagnostic X-ray Physicists, Technologists and Engineersinvolved in safety, installation, acceptance testing, commissioning,optimisation, radiation protection and maintenance of diagnostic x-ray and associated equipment
Scientific management and advicefor projects involving the production and transfer of radological images
Responsibility for scientific inputfor design and development of capital projects that require radiationprotection
Scientific management ofdevelopments in testing equipment and methods
Development, in collaboration withthe departmental business manager, of commercial services to non-LTHorganisations, including private sector bodies
Provision of a comprehensivequality assurance service for x-ray imaging equipment
Management of the quality assurancegroup of physicists who ensure that all equipment conforms with acceptedstandards in respect of safety and performance.
Fulfilling the role of MedicalPhysics Expert as required by the Ionising Radiations (Medical Exposure)Regulations 2017
Initiating, planning andsupervising appropriate research and development projects in the above areaswith the objective of continuous improvement of the clinical service
The Department of Medical Physicsand Clinical Engineering in the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust comprisesapproximately 230 staff with an annual turnover of £10m. The RadiologicalPhysics Section comprises approximately 22 substantive clinical scientists,clinical science trainees and clinical technologists, and has an annualrevenue budget of approximately ££1.5 million, of which approximately£500,000 is income generated from external customers.
Services are provided to the Trust(2 major teaching hospitals, a regional radiotherapy centre and 5 otherhospitals), 2 acute trusts (7 hospitals), 2 primary care trusts, and theYorkshire and Humberside Breast Screening Programme. Consultancy services areprovided to PFI contractors for major projects, and to researchestablishments requiring expertise in imaging.
The RadiologicalPhysics and Radiation Protection Section:
Provides scientific and technical services to users of complex andadvanced diagnostic x-ray equipment, and associated computer systems
Provides a comprehensive radiation protection service to radiology andin radiotherapy, department, other users of radiation and non-Trustcustomers.
A non-ionising optical and ultrasound physics service includingnon-ionising safety advice; the laser protection adviser sits within thesection
Scientific and technical services to clinical and scientific research& development across the field of diagnostic radiology.
Whenimaging with radiation, there is a continual need to balance the benefits ofimaging against the risks associated with radiation exposure of the patient.The scientific service ensures that the performance of complex and advancedclinical radiology equipment complies at all times with exacting nationalstandards and that patient dose and image quality are optimised.
PRINCIPALDUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Totake responsibility and be accountable for the provision of scientific andtechnical support to diagnostic X-ray imaging, including imaging qualityassurance programmes, advice on equipment specification, commissioning newequipment, advice on and measurement of patient doses across LTHT and toother trusts and organisations.
Toprovide strategic leadership to the section in collaboration with the Head ofMedical Physics & Clinical Engineering, this includes the development oflong-term strategic plans for the section and the provision of radiationprotection and radiology physics services across the trust and to otherorganisations.
Toact in the role of Medical Physics expert in the field of diagnosticradiology. This involves ensuring that patient doses are optimised andmonitored, and diagnostic reference levels are set at appropriate levels.
Liaisewith the trusts governance team and with statutory bodies such as HSE, andthe Care Quality Commission, particularly in the investigation and reportingof incidents, and during inspections of Trust premises.
Toensure that incidents involving the exposure of staff, patients or public areappropriately investigated, and to advise the Trust regarding the reportingof such matters to outside authorities.
Toadvise senior medical staff and Trust Managers in the event of incidents suchas:
Overexposure of patients toradiation during medical procedures
Exposure of female patients toradiation during pregnancy
Toensure that new developments (new buildings or major changes in use)involving the use of radiation are designed and constructed with appropriatelevels of protection. This will involve liaison with building users,Radiation Protection Advisers and PFI partners.
Toensure that research programmes within the Trust, involving the exposure ofvolunteers to radiation, are conducted ethically and in compliance with theregulations. This work is performed in cooperation with the Local ResearchEthics Committees and the Trusts Director of Research.
Tocoordinate, in cooperation with the clinical science service manager, theprovision of scientific and technical support to newer imaging techniques,including digital X-ray systems and dual energy computed tomography, andrelated information technology and AI, as appropriate.
Totake responsibility for the development and delivery of a robust qualitysystem for the services provided by the Radiological Physics and RadiationProtection section and ensure compliance with the departmental ISO9001:2015certification.
Toliaise with appropriate organisations, such as WYATT, ICBs and CDCs withrespect to workforce provision and future developments in radiographicimaging.
Toensure that appropriate equipment is available and calibrated, for themonitoring of radiation levels, x-ray parameters and image quality.
Toensure that radiation doses to staff are appropriately monitored. Thisincludes specifying the type and frequency of monitoring, and examiningresults from the approved dosimetry service,
Toparticipate in the Trusts arrangements for responding to major incidentsinvolving radiation. This includes being included on the list of experts whomay be called out.
Todevelop, manage and maintain appropriate services to external organisationswithin the remit of Radiological Physics and Radiation Protection.
Takeresponsibility for ensuring the operation of the Qaelum dose, radiation dosemanagement database system across the trust.
In collaboration with thedepartmental Business Manager, ensure that appropriate service levelagreements are in place
Ensure that services are providedat an appropriate level
To determine the appropriate levelof training for professional groups within the Trust and elsewhere, and tomanage and participate in such training by the Radiological Physics andRadiation Protection section and staff of other groups.
Toparticipate in teaching and training programmes, including:
TheHigher Specialist Scientist Training Programme
Organisingand teaching on the FRCR (Diagnostic radiology) course
To participate fully in thetraining scheme for Trainee Clinical Scientists, including line management ofthe departmental training coordinator
To participate fully in the IPEMnational CPD scheme
To initiate, coordinate, developand facilitate appropriate research and development activity within theRadiological Physics and Radiation Protection section and to collaborate withrelated university departments.
To manage the deployment of staffwithin the section to ensure an effective service, in close collaborationwith other Heads of Service within the Department.
To manage the scientific andtechnical staff within the section, developing appropriate individualperformance review and professional development programmes
To deputise for the Head ofDepartment as directed by the Head of Department.
To develop effective workingrelationships with Trust staff and relevant professional groups.
Thejob description indicates the duties and responsibilities of the incumbentthat are appropriate to meet the present needs of the service. Since these needs may change as may theresources of staff and material available, it is necessary to recognise thatthe incumbent must be willing to undertake other and/or different duties thatmay, after discussion, be assigned by the Head of Department or nominateddeputy.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* 1st or 2nd class honours degree in a relevant subject
* MSc in Medical Physics, or substantial relevant experience
* HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist
* RPA2000 Certification to act as a Medical Physics Expert.
* Corporate Member of the IPEM
* PhD in a Medical Physics related area
* Certificate of competence to practise as a Radiation Protection Adviser
* Fellow of the IPEM
* Entry on the AHCS Higher Specialist Scientist Register
Experience
* Highest level of specialist knowledge and practical experience in fields of radiology equipment, technology and dosimetry, with national reputation desirable
* Detailed understanding of radiation monitoring for protection purposes
* Detailed understanding of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines
* Knowledge of patient dose management systems
Skills & behaviours
* Demonstrates the ability to exercise initiative and judgement when analysing and interpreting highly complex issues relevant to the Department.
* Makes decisions concerning radiation incidents adversely affecting patient treatment
* Decision making on fitness or otherwise of equipment, data and systems concerning patient, staff or public safety
* Provides leadership and is a team player
* Able to communicate highly complex information, able to present scientific papers at national and international conferences
* Able to deal with complex and unpredictable situations
* Able to carry out and manage research and development activities
* Ability to manage change in a complex environment
* Ability to develop and implement policies for the Department and outside customers
* Ability to work flexibly
* 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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