Job overview
We are seeking to appoint a Radiotherapy Physicist to cover a wide range of tasks and responsibilities, both routine and developmental, in support of the radiotherapy service at the Sussex Cancer Centre. The post holder must have a broad knowledge of all aspects of radiotherapy physics and its associated technology, and hold HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist. You should be able to demonstrate an aptitude for successfully organising and allocating work, managing projects and implementing changes to working practices within a multi-disciplinary environment.
Main duties of the job
1. The post holder provides scientific and technical expertise to the Radiotherapy Physics group, and as part of the wider Sussex Cancer Centre (SCC) multi-disciplinary team, in order to provide a patient-focussed, safe, timely and effective clinical service.
2. The post holder conducts a range of routine operational activities in accordance with local protocols and entitlements, ensuring at all times that standards of quality, safety and timeliness are adhered to.
3. The post holder is expected to take individual responsibility for the accurate configuration, correct application and ongoing quality control of highly complex and safety critical radiation equipment, dose modelling software, and other specialist systems.
4. The post holder works to ensure that treatment plans, calculations, image verification procedures, immobilisation devices and treatment accessories are specified and produced in a timely fashion and validated to the highest standards, following protocols as defined in the department’s Quality System.
5. The post holder participates in technical development and service improvement projects and helps to ensure that these are implemented with appropriate training and documentation.
6. The post holder contributes as required to training a range of staff involved in direct service delivery, as well as those working towards qualification as a Clinical Scientist under the Scientist Training Programme (STP) scheme.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria.
The Radiotherapy Physics section has around 30 staff providing scientific, technical and engineering support to the Sussex Cancer Centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital and its satellite units in Preston Park (Brighton) and at Eastbourne District General Hospital. Plans for a new integrated Cancer Centre building at the RSCH site are at an advanced stage of development towards a projected completion date in 2028.
Treatment delivery equipment currently comprises four Elekta VersaHD linacs (one of which is enhanced with the ExacTrac and Hexapod patient positioning systems), two Accuray Tomotherapy HD machines (at Preston Park), and an Elekta Flexitron HDR afterloader, There are two dedicated Philips Brilliance Wide Bore CT scanners (at RSCH and EDGH) with 4D capability. Clinical processes are managed within a predominantly paper-free environment using the Elekta Mosaiq Oncology Information Management System. Treatment planning is conducted on RayStation, Accuray Precision, Oncentra Brachy and Medcom Prosoma
Communication
7. Create and maintain effective communication systems and working relationships with the scientific, technical and administrative staff in the Radiotherapy Physics department, and with medical, radiographic, nursing and administrative staff in the Sussex Cancer Centre.
8. Keep careful records of all work performed and complete other appropriate records. Produce reports on work as required and participate in relevant multidisciplinary meetings.
9. Communicate clearly, effectively and in a professional manner with patients, clinical and non-clinical Trust staff, staff from other Trusts and commercial organisations. Interact on complex scientific matters with both specialists and non-specialists.
10. Behave courteously and professionally at all times, and seek to ensure that the highest level of service is provided. End users should receive a high quality, prompt and efficient service, and be kept up to date as to the progress of their requirements.
Service Delivery and Improvement
11. Work to extremely high standards of safety and accountability, prioritising tasks appropriately to meet agreed outcomes.
12. Act independently and in accordance with entitlements and professional guidelines in providing highly specialist, complex scientific and technical advice in support of a broad range of routine and non-routine clinical treatments.
13. Participate in the Radiotherapy Physics rota for all aspects of the routine work of the department, including ‘early’ and ‘late’ shift sessions covering the typical clinical hours of 0700 to 2000 hrs.
14. Perform certain duties outside the normal working hours of the department, and participate in some weekend and bank holiday work as necessary. Provide off-site rotational cover for linked radiotherapy units.
15. Use specialist computer software to produce routine and complex treatment plans, requiring prolonged concentration, and working to strict deadlines in order to avoid breeches of national patient waiting times. Analyse requirements and make highly complex judgements regarding treatment parameters and patient dose effects to produce the required dose distribution over the treatment volume.
16. Advise clinical staff (including Consultant Clinical Oncologists) on the effects of various complex treatment plan options on patient dose distributions. Discuss and agree approaches to create optimal treatment plans and advise on the technical aspects of the treatment and patient set-up as required.
17. Provide advice to treatment staff and clinicians on managing patient treatments when changes to (or errors in) treatment delivery have occurred. Re-plan patient treatments if required, using judgement to analyse what may be highly complex facts, and devise the most appropriate compensation method.
18. Perform standard and non-standard physics calculations as required, including assessments of radiobiological equivalence, dose delivery uncertainties and treatment errors.
19. Check routine and complex external beam treatment plans, dose calculations and planning templates produced by other members of staff, working to strict deadlines and taking responsibility for the technical exactitude and clinical appropriateness of the prepared treatment plans.
20. Provide complex advice and direction for electron treatments. Obtain the clinical requirements from medical staff, assess patient specifics and use experience and judgement to decide on most appropriate treatment technique. Liaise with clinical staff and provide advice on set up.
21. Provide complex physics advice in relation to brachytherapy treatments, liaising with other clinical staff as necessary. Carry out and/or check implant reconstructions, dose calculations and distributions.
22. Perform high precision routine calibrations and quality assurance on radiotherapy treatment equipment following written procedures and/or guidelines as appropriate. Use judgement as to any additional measurements or checks that may be needed, and perform or oversee subsequent adjustments. Take responsibility for handing back machines into clinical use if test results are satisfactory, or withdrawing functionality if found to be unsatisfactory. This work is frequently required to be done within tight timescales to minimise patient waiting times for treatment.
23. For breakdowns and other machine problems, investigate and resolve complex problems, giving advice and direction to physics, engineering and clinical staff as required. Advise on the withdrawal of machines from clinical use, and be responsible for returning the equipment to clinical use after major repair. Liaise with senior physicists, equipment engineers and radiographer staff to ensure safe operation and to provide guidance on the appropriate rescheduling of patient appointments.
24. Perform checks on dosimetry and QA equipment to ensure the accuracy of their use.
25. Perform clinical, IR(ME)R and other internal audits as requested by the Physics Lead for Quality and Training. Actively identify ways in which improvements can be made to the service.
26. Implement new patient safety critical procedures. Review and update existing procedures to provide improvements in the accuracy and effectiveness of patient treatments.
27. Regularly participate in development projects and provide scientific input in support of patient clinical trials.
28. Write, implement, and update technical work instructions for the Radiotherapy Physics group based on one’s own interpretation of professional guidelines, some of which will impact on other service areas.
29. Develop and maintain these systems in line with the department’s accreditation to the ISO 9001:2015 quality system.
30. Assess errors and non-conformities, making decisions on corrective actions.
31. Raise and manage concessions, non-conformance and incident reports as required. Participate in After Action Reviews and follow-up investigations.
32. When working with potentially dangerous or safety critical installations, ensure that all necessary safety precautions have been taken and that work is carried out in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations and standards.
33. Follow correct procedures for ensuring the radiation protection of patients, staff, external contractors and members of the public.
34. Perform other appropriate duties as may be required to support the work of the Radiotherapy Physics section.
People Management and Development
35. Participate in the formal and informal specialist teaching and training of scientific, technical, radiographic and clinical staff.
36. Supervise trainee clinical scientists and postgraduate students on placements within Radiotherapy Physics.
37. Take responsibility for initiating and/or managing procedural and policy changes within the Radiotherapy Physics and Radiotherapy departments as required and agreed.
38. Manage and lead projects across multi-disciplinary teams as required.
Learning and Development
39. Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
40. Maintain a thorough knowledge of relevant current legislation and ensure all activities are carried out within the quality framework and conform to Statutory Regulations, approved Codes of Practice and Local Safety Rules
41. Participate in appropriate Continuing Professional Development programmes, maintain training records, and take positive steps to advance personal competence in Radiotherapy Physics.
42. Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post. Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager.
43. Maintain up to date knowledge of the latest scientific and technical developments through a variety of channels including scientific papers, forums, meetings, conferences and training courses. Share this learning by appropriate means.
44. Actively seek opportunities to present suitable original work at appropriate regional, national and international meetings and conferences, and submit scientific papers for publication.
45. Participate in the development of training courses within the department.
46. Attend mandatory training updates as required.
47. Participate in the Trust’s appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
48. Maintain State Registration with the HCPC.
Person specification
Professional Registration
Essential criteria
49. HCPC
Qualifications
Essential criteria
50. 1st or 2nd class honours degree in relevant scientific subject
51. MSc in Medical or Radiation Physics or equivalent
Experience
Essential criteria
52. Relevant post-graduate experience in radiotherapy physics
53. Direct experience with a range of radiotherapy equipment and techniques in a clinical environment
Skills
Essential criteria
54. Able to work autonomously and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, prioritising tasks against agreed timelines
55. Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written
56. Well-developed scientific, problem-solving and analytical skills
57. Proficient with Excel and specialist clinical radiotherapy software
58. Able to use professional judgement to make appropriate decisions regarding clinical suitability and safety, consulting where necessary
59. Able to initiate, plan and manage scientific projects
60. Able to convey complex technical information and working practices through clear documentation and effective training
Knowledge
Essential criteria
61. High level of understanding of patient and staff risks arising from the use of ionising radiation
62. Good knowledge of the legal requirements governing the safe medical use of ionising radiation
63. Good knowledge of professional guidelines relating to dose calibration and quality control in radiotherapy
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential criteria
64. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
65. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications