Clinical Technologist/Treatment Planner (XR06)
Applicationsare invited for a permanent Band 6 Clinical Technologist/Treatment Planner inthe Leeds Cancer Centre, St Jamess University Hospital.
Weare looking for a radiographer/clinical technologist with experience inradiotherapy to join a team of 20 technologists/dosimetrists working in thetreatment planning section. We have a strong multi-disciplinary approach toworking and the successful candidate will participate in a rotation oftechnologists/ dosimetrists through site specialist teams. The successfulcandidate will also have the opportunity to contribute to routine dosimetry,linac and simulator quality control as well as teaching to radiotherapy staffundergoing training.
Researchand innovation are at the heart of the service, with opportunities to be partof development work as well as support a large portfolio of local andnational clinical trials. We have anadvanced extra-cranial SABR service and treat sites including the spine,liver and pelvis. Within the Leeds Cancer Centre all VMAT is planned anddelivered using flattening filter free beams.
Expected ShortlistingDate
10/09/2025
Planned InterviewDate
24/09/2025
Main duties of the job
Thispost is based in treatment planning. The main responsibilities are:
To contribute to the day-to-daywork of the treatment planning section, principally the computer planning ofpatients undergoing radiotherapy including both routine and complextreatments.
To participate in the routinedosimetry and quality control programme on treatment machines and treatmentsimulators in the department.
To assist with the work of theMould Room Department when required.
Tofulfil the role of Operator as required by the Ionising Radiations (MedicalExposures) Regulations 2017.
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 andsafest treatment and care to every patient, every time. Our staff helped todefine the values and behaviours that we should work to so that we canachieve this vision. This has become known as The Leeds Way, and forms thefoundation of our culture, 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 prostatebrachytherapy service and Gamma Knife ICON. The managed equipment service wasrenewed, ensuring equipment replacement and comprehensive support for thenext 15 years.
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
PRINCIPALDUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Managerial
Prioritiseand manage own work and that of the Treatment Planning section whilst in thefacilitator role.
Keepcareful records of all work performed on the patient database and otherappropriate records as required for statistical purposes on the computerisedinformation systems.
Representthe treatment planning department in site specific MDT meetings.
Clinicaland Scientific
Actas an Operator, under IRMER, for specified areas of work.
Responsibilityfor the operation of linear accelerators, virtual simulators, treatmentplanning systems and other high capital investment items of equipment.
TreatmentPlanning
Asthe department plans over 4000 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. Plans are in several categories:routine and according to standard clinical protocols; non-routine where thetreatment site or tumour position and extent are atypical; for patients whoare entered into a specific clinical trial where the trial has its ownprotocol. Each plan is unique, andspecific to a particular patient
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 multidisciplinary team, supplying specialist planning inputincluding anatomical scanning limits, patient positioning, treatmenttechniques, reference tattooing and appropriate fitting of patientimmobilisation devices to millimetric tolerances.
Replanpatient 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.
Participatein the development of new treatment techniques under the direction of theChief Dosimetrist.
Co-ordinatepatient visits to clinics and virtualsimulators, and start dates for radiotherapy such that they meet the requiredtimescales of the Cancer Standards whilst allowing adequate time to do thework 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.
Keepcareful records of all work performed.
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.
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.
Participatein the facilitation of all information entering the department, processingand prioritising this information to ensure a smooth flow of work through thedepartment.
Participatein site-specific MDT sessions, offering advice on technique development toclinicians and radiographers.
AssistMould Room staff as required.
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 on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, making analytical judgementson tolerances where required.
Takepart in the routine weekly calibration of linear accelerators and superficialand orthovoltage treatment units, ensuring that the doses delivered arewithin agreed 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.
Tobe involved in the planning of patients who are entered into specificclinical trials.
Involvement,with site specialist clinical colleagues, in the process of attainingaccreditation for the Trust to participate in clinical trials.
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
Qualifications
* Degree in Clinical Technology or related discipline (or equivalent level of knowledge and experience) backed up by specific training in radiotherapy treatment planning (equivalent to a post-graduate d
* BSc Therapy Radiography and specific training in radiotherapy treatment planning post qualification to the same level as above.
* Registered Clinical Technologist or Registered Therapy Radiographer or a clearly defined path to Clinical Technologist registration
* Incorporated level membership of the Institute of Medical Physics & Engineering (IPEM).
Experience
* Knowledge in the operation of 3D treatment planning systems.
* Knowledge of virtual simulator output and patient set up.
* Understanding of current Mould Room working practices.
* Training and practical experience in quality systems such as ISO/9001:2008.
* The use of computers and standard office applications.
* The operation of complex radiotherapy technology including linear accelerators.
* Experience of working in a virtual simulator
* Experience of Mould Room output.
* Auditor training.
Skills & behaviours
* To act at all times in a professional manner, showing courtesy and respect for other staff and patients.
* Maintain patient dignity and confidentiality.
* Proven ability to work flexibly.
* Proven ability to cope with large and variable workload.
* Positive attitude to change.
* Organised, neat, articulate and numerate.
* Highly developed physical accuracy and hand eye co-ordination to millimetric levels for mark-up and adjustment of Beam immobilisation Devices and patient tattooing as well as Quality Assurance of Radi
* Creative lateral thinker.
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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