Medical Physics - Trainee Clinical Scientist - Band 6

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job description

Company Description

Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.

Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

Portsmouth is a developing and historical seaside city with mild sunny climate, beaches, many cultural, sporting and leisure amenities. The New Forest, Isle of Wight and South Downs are within easy reach. The city has excellent road and rail links to London, as well as wider connections via the cross-channel ferry port and nearby international airport.

Job Description

This post is only open for applications for individuals employed within the Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Care System

Organisations within scope are as follows:

1. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board
2. Southern Health Foundation Trust
3. Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
4. University Hospital Southampton
5. Solent NHS Trust
6. South Central Ambulance Service
7. Isle of Wight NHS Trust
8. Hampshire Hospitals

Salary: Band 6 £37,338 - £44,962 per annum

Full time: 37.5 hours per week

Permanent Position

Do you have an MSc in Medical Physics? Would you like a scientific career working in healthcare?

The Radiological Sciences Group in the Portsmouth Medical Physics department is seeking to appoint a trainee clinical scientist to join a friendly team who provide comprehensive physics support to other healthcare professionals within and outside of Portsmouth. The post is based at Queen Alexandra hospital but there will be some travel to other hospitals/centres.

The role will involve undertaking safety and performance testing across a wide range of X-ray imaging modalities, provision of radiation safety advice and support to users of non-ionising modalities such as MRI. There will be the opportunity to work with clinical staff to optimise imaging and treatment techniques in these areas to ensure high quality and safe imaging. The job is very varied, working with many different teams and clinical services.

You will have or be close to completing an MSc in Medical Physics related subject. Full training will be given to support a route to HCPC registration via the Association of Clinical Scientists Route 2 training scheme or STP equivalence.

Please attach a personal statement to your application, explaining why you are a suitable candidate for this post.

The Medical Physics department in Portsmouth is an accredited training centre. There are strong links with Portsmouth, UCL and Surrey universities. The group in which you will work provides opportunities for staff to be involved in national professional groups / working parties and encourages staff to present and publish scientific work in support of their professional development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Gain in-depth knowledge and experience in Radiation Protection and Diagnostic Radiology Physics. Within these specialties be able to:

• understand the clinical application of the main items of equipment.
• demonstrate an understanding of the equipment used, the procedures carried out and quality assurance methods.
• demonstrate familiarity with relevant departmental and national protocols, guidance and legislation.
• operate the main items of equipment required to fulfil the role.
• select and use highly specialised radiation and measurement equipment.
• recognise fault situations and take appropriate action.
• assess and quantify errors in measurements and procedures.
• attain the knowledge and skill to be able to respond at a basic level in a safe and competent manner to challenges posed to trainee clinical scientists.

• Liaise with senior clinical staff, radiographic and other staff concerning scientific and technical matters appropriate to training as a clinical scientist in the fields of:

• Diagnostic Radiology Physics
• Radiation Protection (ionising and non-ionising, sealed and unsealed radioactive sources, MRI, UV & lasers)

• Work under the supervision of a senior clinical scientist, to high standards of accuracy and to defined protocols. Analyse results accurately and with care. Prepare reports and propose options for remedial action to assist with ensuring patient safety.
• Work under the supervision and in accordance with defined protocols and procedures on highly complex equipment, with advice and assistance from senior staff when required. Assist with the evaluation and acceptance testing of new equipment.
• Assist with the development of new procedures and policies for areas of complex scientific and technical work. Propose changes to improve the quality, safety and effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment.
• Use and assist with the development of computer-based systems for data analysis and information storage as required.
• Work in a manner that minimises radiation exposure to those present and in accordance with local rules for radiation protection. Abnormal conditions are not intentionally created unless covered by procedure and directly supervised by a registered clinical scientist. Report incidents and suspected incidents to the senior clinical scientist.
• Assist with the maintenance of statutory records required by relevant radiation legislation.
• Develop an understanding of the implication and requirements of: the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts; medical ethics as appropriate to Medical Physics. Practice the principals of confidentiality. Understand and apply the principals of clinical governance and research governance.
• Assist as directed with research and development activities within the Radiological Sciences Section.
• Contribute to the training and supervision of trainee clinical scientists and medical technical officers in defined procedures within the Radiological Sciences Group. Assist with the documentation of training as required.
• Work towards and achieve HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist.
• Under supervision or when authorised, act as an 'Operator' as defined by the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations in the area of:

• Performance and safety testing of diagnostic X-ray equipment
• Calibration of radiation dosimetry equipment and X-ray test equipment
• Determination and calculation of patient dose

• Quality assurance measurements, calculations and documentation.
• Attend internal and external courses/seminars/lectures to update knowledge in the field of Diagnostic Radiology, Radiation Protection, Non-ionising Radiation and other topics appropriate to the role.
• Present results of work within section and departmental seminars, to client departments and at national and international educational and research conferences and forums as appropriate.
• Contribute to the teaching and lecturing commitments of the section and wider department within Portsmouth Hospitals and at academic institutions and NHS Trusts where arrangements are in place with the Portsmouth Medical Physics Service.
• Keep own detailed records of training and develop portfolio of evidence of competence in line with national guidance for submission and assessment by HCPC.

Qualifications

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• BSc in Physics or Physical Science
• MSc (or equivalent e.g. MPhil) in relevant Medical Physics-related subject

Desirable

• Professionally recognised training courses relevant to training as a Medical Physics Clinical Scientist.
• PhD in related subject area
• Previous relevant equivalent qualifying experience in relevant area

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Effective communication skills, both written and spoken.
• Able to communicate complex facts and details to a wide range of professional groups.
• Able to organize own work, data, documentation.
• Analytical approach to problem solving.
• Able to analyse facts and data methodically and accurately and extract significance.
• Able to perform complex scientific measurements and tests with high precision, speed and accuracy.
• Able to work carefully, safely and competently with highly complex & costly equipment.
• Able to enlist the support and co-operation of others.
• Able to recognise own limitations and need to report to supervisors.
• Responsive and flexible attitude and approach.
• Willingness to work at other sites within Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust and at the premises of other client / collaborating organizations according to prevailing service requirements.
• Sensitive to the needs of patients and diligent on matters where care and support is provided.

Desirable

• Experience using advanced data handling packages (e.g. Matlab) and computer programming languages.
• Experience using computers and standard Microsoft Office applications (Excel and Word) to a high level.
• Experience of research and development.
• Good leadership skills.
• Able to work independently and within different teams.
• Able to prioritise work according to service demands.
• Understanding and ability in working safely with radiation sources, machines and of ionizing radiation legislation.
• Understanding of the professional requirements for becoming HCPC registered clinical scientist.
• Basic management and project management skills.
• Willingness to work extended and flexible hours when required.
• Highly self-motivated.

Additional Information

The health and wellbeing of our staff is at the forefront of everything we do. We are proud to be able to offer our staff some fantastic benefits including our on-site Nursery, access to our free Beach Hut for those long summer days, our on-site Wellness Centre including a gym and a swimming pool, access to our fantastic staff networks including LGBTQ, Race Equality and DisAbility, and awards ceremonies to recognise your achievements. We believe we can offer support to all of our staff when they need it the most.

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran's status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.