Overview
Accountable to: Head of Radiotherapy Physics. Reports to: Principal Clinical Scientist. To provide scientific expertise and clinical technical services for patients undergoing cancer treatment. When required by the Radiotherapy Physics rota, to provide scientific expertise and clinical technical services in the provision of treatment planning, dosimetry, mould room and machine quality control in radiotherapy. The post holder must plan their own workload, organise projects and prioritise requests, and adapt schedules in response to unpredictable urgent requests. To discuss complex aspects of patient treatment with medical staff, scientists, technologists, radiographers and nurses; to interpret complex patient treatment information; to initiate and participate in research and development; and to supervise staff and students where applicable. To discuss complex technical and scientific aspects of equipment and software performance with scientists, technologists and representatives of equipment manufacturers. The holder decides how to achieve defined results, within professional guidelines and departmental procedures, with guidance as needed from colleagues or the Head of Radiotherapy Physics.
Responsibilities
* Provide Scientific Expertise in all aspects of Radiotherapy Physics: treatment planning, dose measurement, mould room, machine quality control and commissioning of new equipment and techniques.
* Develop expertise towards achieving State Registration and Medical Physics Expert status.
* Treatment Planning: produce a range of radiotherapy plans as required to support the clinical service; check dose predictions and identify errors and whether the plan achieves clinical objectives; check the calculation of treatment machine settings; ensure adequate records of outlining, treatment planning and calculations are maintained.
* Dosimetry: undertake routine dose measurements (including patient-specific and machine calibration doses); provide scientific advice for machine and patient doses outside tolerances and re-calibrate machines when necessary; participate in calibration of the department\'s dosimeters against the Regional Secondary Standard; carry out QC checks on dosimetry systems.
* Mould Room: advise on the design of non-routine fixation devices, blocking devices and build-up materials for patient treatment, in consultation with the Clinician.
* Treatment machine quality control: carry out QC checks, calibration and equipment tests on highly complex radiotherapy equipment following agreed protocols; ensure calibrations/tests affecting patient dose comply with the quality system; supervise technologists on QC after machine repair; record machine performance data as required.
* Duty Physicist: act as the first response source of specialist scientific advice in all aspects of Radiotherapy Physics when required by the rota.
* Propose and develop procedures to enhance the service and contribute to the Radiotherapy Quality System.
* Computing: develop computing knowledge for radiotherapy (software, networks, image processing) and progress radiotherapy computing by writing software to meet physics and clinical specifications.
* Research and Development: initiate, supervise and carry out R&D in Radiotherapy Physics; obtain external funding where appropriate; report results at meetings and in refereed journals; support setup and delivery of radiotherapy clinical trials as directed.
* Training: regularly deliver training to small groups of staff and students in all aspects of Radiotherapy Physics within a defined programme.
* Minimise financial costs by safe and effective use of high capital value equipment; participate in rotas to support weekend on-call treatments and bank holiday coverage; keep abreast of current scientific and technical developments through CPD to maintain competency.
* Undertake any other duties required by the Head of Radiotherapy Physics in accordance with the grade and nature of the post.
Competence and Conditions
* The post holder is responsible for actions within their competence. If in doubt, they should speak to their line manager or supervisor.
* All employees required to be registered with a professional body must comply with their code of conduct and registration requirements; other staff must comply with the Trust's codes of conduct.
Note: This description may vary over time within the overall role and level of the post. Any changes will be discussed with the post holder in light of service needs.
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