Clinical Scientist - Radiotherapy Physics
NHS AFC: Band 7
Main area Radiotherapy Physics Grade NHS AFC: Band 7 Contract Fixed term: 7 months (Maternity cover) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (shifts 7am to 9pm occasional weekend working) Job ref 361-7990636
Site Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Town Northwood Salary £49,387 - £56,515 Per annum plus 15% High Cost Area Supplement Salary period Yearly Closing 04/06/2026 23:59
Job overview
We are recruiting for a Clinical Scientist - Radiotherapy Physics who shares our vision to be trusted to provide consistently outstanding care and exemplary service to our patients.
Due to promotion, we have a vacancy in our Radiotherapy Physics team at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre. You will be joining an enthusiastic, dedicated and friendly team from both radiographic and physics backgrounds who create a dynamic, vibrant working environment that focuses on patient‑centred care. The multi‑professional team constantly strives to improve patient treatments through the application of cutting‑edge techniques and the latest radiotherapy technology.
The department has recently started treating adaptive patients on Ethos and is a Varian reference site for brachytherapy.
The treatment planning team utilise AI and script automation technology to ensure radiotherapy patients receive optimal, high quality treatment plans with minimal delays to their cancer treatment pathways.
In addition, you will receive a High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £4,314 and a maximum payment of £5,436.
Main duties of the job
Our internationally recognised Brachytherapy department undertakes a range of treatments using both LDR and HDR techniques.
In Dosimetry and QA, you will work with an extensive library of modern dosimetry equipment and detector technology. Modern trend analysis through QATrack has recently been implemented and per‑fraction secondary MU check is being rolled out.
This post is suitable for candidates who are due to complete STP/Route 2 within 6 months. Applicants who have not yet completed their training may be considered for appointment via annex 21.
You will provide support to all aspects of the work of Radiotherapy Physics (acting as duty Physicist), and in areas of research and development, which may be designated from time to time by the Head of Radiotherapy Physics.
You will work across a range of areas in Radiotherapy Physics – treatment planning, undertake routine and complex treatment planning for external beam radiotherapy.
Check routine treatment plans produced by other staff, analysing options and appraising whether plans are clinically acceptable.
Assist with the provision of routine physics support to brachytherapy treatments.
Assist with the provision of routine physics support to stereotactic physics service, including treatment planning and machine QA.
Assist with providing routine support for physics dosimetry and quality control in radiotherapy, according to established protocols.
Person specification
Qualifications / Training
* good (1st or 2:1) Honours degree in a relevant subject (physics or engineering). Completion of a formal period of training within radiotherapy physics (e.g. Scientist Training Program or Route 2).
* Registration as a Clinical Scientist or equivalent international qualification.
Previous Experience
* Experience working within a radiotherapy physics environment.
* Specialist training and practical experience on linear accelerators, treatment planning systems and dosimetry.
* Training in either stereotactic physics or brachytherapy.
Skills
* Ability to communicate complex information to individuals (e.g. postgraduate level physics to other professional groups).
* Ability to use own judgement involving complex facts requiring analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options.
* Ability to create spreadsheets, electronic documents and individual 3D computerised patient treatment plans for radiotherapy.
* Highly developed physical accuracy and dexterity to manipulate equipment for precise measurements relative to radiation dose.
* Ability to act independently without supervision within professional guidelines, but can refer to manager where necessary.
* Ability to concentrate where the work pattern is unpredictable.
* Teamwork.
* Presentation of material to groups of staff.
* Use of macros in Excel.
* Relevant use of computer programming skills (e.g. MATLAB, ESAPI, Python).
Knowledge
* Specialist theoretical knowledge of radiotherapy physics procedures at least to Masters level with associated practical experience.
* Knowledge of patient and machine dosimetry in radiotherapy (external beam and brachytherapy).
* Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from treatment planning computer system errors, equipment failure, treatment errors and incorrect dosimetry.
* Broad knowledge of radiotherapy techniques and clinical applications and relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines (e.g. IRR, IRMER, ISO 9001, BSI and ISO standards, professional and regulatory body reports and guidelines).
* Knowledge and understanding of imaging and therapy techniques and procedures used in nuclear medicine.
* Knowledge and understanding of patient and staff risks arising from ionising radiation with unsealed radionuclides, including equipment failure, procedural defects and human error.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion for all job applicants, staff, patients and the wider community. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities and from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic backgrounds who are under‑represented in our workforce.
Professional registration
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
Legal disclosure
Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be requested pursuant to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 for the purposes of this role.
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