Trainee Scientist

Here at East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust,
Providing high-quality, compassionate care for our communities
To be trusted to provide consistently outstanding care and exemplary service
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 continued expansion 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 strive to improve patient treatments through the application of cutting-edge techniques and the latest radiotherapy technology.
This is an exciting time for the department as we await the installation of two Varian Halycon and one Varian Ethos linacs, to enhance our existing treatment machine portfolio. 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.
Modern trend analysis through QATrack has recently been implemented and Per Fraction secondary MU check is being rolled out.
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 over a range of areas in Radiotherapy Physics - treatment planning, u ndertake routine and complex treatment planning for external beam radiotherapy.
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.
At East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, we are proud of the range of general and specialist services we provide and our 6,000 or so dedicated staff ensure our patients get the best care. Our ability to be flexible and innovative in the way in which we work and deliver our services to our catchment has never been more important than it is now.
The Lister Hospital, Stevenage
New Queen Elizabeth II (New QEII), Welwyn Garden City
We have ambitious plans to become an outstanding, patient-led Trust where dedicated staff provide high-quality, compassionate care to our patients. We continue to undergo significant transformation and our staff and patients are at the heart of delivering this ambitious agenda.
We are committed to a positive work life balance for our employees. This means that any employee is entitled to seek to work flexible working patterns and we are committed to listen and consider all requests. Such requests, of course, have to be made and considered formally, and will need to be balanced against service needs, but our starting point will always be to find ways to support making them happen.
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 (eg Scientist Training Program or Route 2)
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
Able to communicate complex information to individuals e.g. postgraduate level physics to other professional groups.
Ability to use own judgement involving complex facts that require analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options as, for example, in analysing the results of scientific measurements or processes, which may conflict, and deciding upon an appropriate course of action.
Ablity to create spreadsheets, electronic documents and individual 3D computerised patient treatment plans for radiotherapy
The post holder is also required to use 3D visualisation skills in treatment planning.
Use of Macros in Excel
Relevant use of computer programing skills (eg MATLAB, ESAPI, Python)
Specialist theoretical knowledge of the range of work procedures of radiotherapy physics 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 Understanding of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines (eg IRR, IRMER, ISO 9001, BSI and ISO standards, professional and regulatory body reports and guidelines.)
Knowledge of imaging and therapy techniques and procedures used in nuclear medicine
Knowledge and understanding of patient and staff risks arising from use of ionising radiation with unsealed radionuclides, including equipment failure, procedural defects and human error.
We value the diversity and experience of our community colleagues and partners, creating relationships and climates that provide an opportunity to share, collaborate and grow together.
We are committed to consistently delivering excellent services and continuously looking to improve through a creative workforce that feels empowered to act in service of our shared purpose.
Committed to our Community
East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion for all job applicants, staff, patients and the wider community. We want to create a workforce which represents the communities we serve. In particular we encourage applications from candidates with disabilities, and candidates from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds who are currently under-represented in various parts of our workforce .
We understand the importance of balancing work and home life. We are committed to support flexible working for our staff wherever possible and all our employees are given the opportunity to discuss potential for flexible working.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and achieved our status in 2019.
If you have a disability and would like the advert in an alternative format, or would like to talk about how we can adjust the interview process to best support you, please contact us by emailing resourcing.enh-tr@nhs.net
We are also proud to support our UK armed forces by supporting Reservists, Cadet Instructors, Veterans and military spouses/partners into employment and offering supportive policies that value their contribution to the community and to our Trust.
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The Prince’s Trust will help build your CV and cover letter, offer advice and top tips for future interviews and support you with research about working in the NHS. Secondments/Fixed term
Where a vacancy is advertised as a temporary position, the duration will be specified in the advert. If the vacancy becomes permanent towards the end of the specified duration, the successful applicant may not be required to re-apply and can be slotted into the role on a permanent basis if appropriate.
If you are an internal applicant applying for a temporary working arrangement, please see the attached notes on secondments