Principal Clinical Scientist and Radiation Protection Adviser

Principal Clinical Scientist and Radiation Protection Adviser

Acting as Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) for the service covering work with x-rays and radioactive materials.

Supporting the work of the accredited Medical Physics Experts in delivering scientific services within radiology.

Providing specialist technical scientific advice to Velindre University NHS Trust and client organisations on compliance with relevant radiation protection legislation.

Main duties of the job

Supporting RPSC in providing radiation protection advisory services to client organisations via service level agreements.

Acting as a Radiation Protection Adviser for the service and to be appointed in this role by Velindre University NHS Trust and its client organisations

Supporting the work of the Medical Physics Experts within the team in delivering scientific services to diagnostic radiology.

Managing projects undertaken in support of developments in radiation protection both within Velindre NHS Trust and its client organisations

Supporting teaching and training activities including for clients of RPSC and internal trainees.

The scope of this work will extend beyond the statutory requirements detailed in the regulations and associated guidance documents to include the implementation of advances in philosophy, good practice and technological innovations as recommended by national and international organizations concerned with radiation protection, diagnostic radiology physics and metrology.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply..

About us

Here at Velindre University NHS Trust we are extremely proud of the specialist services we provide across the whole of Wales in ourcutting-edge Velindre Cancer Centre and ouraward-winning Welsh Blood Service , as well as the expertise of our corporate functions that bring the two divisions together. We are also fortunate to host the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership and Health Technology Wales and have developed strong partnership working with these expert services.

Formed in 1999, the Trust has a dedicated workforce that continuously strives to apply the key principles of value based healthcare through a wide array of roles. We play a vital role in the communities we support and have ambitious plans for the future to continue to improve the services we deliver. We strive to maintain our core values in everything we do by being; accountable, bold, caring and dynamic, and ensuring the best possible care for our patients and donors.

If you want to work for an organisation that prides itself on making a real difference and offers exciting career opportunities then Velindre University NHS Trust is the place for you.

Visit our website to find out more

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac

Interpersonal Skills

Provide specialist advice to Radiology Managers, Project Managers and all other staff seeking advice on matters relating to radiation protection and radiological physics throughout all RPS Cardiff clients in a manner that is both appropriate and accessible. To provide specialist advice on methods of radiation protection in a wide range of highly complex radiological applications of x-ray equipment, and uses of sealed and unsealed radioactive sources, to ensure staff and patient safety.

Undertake audits of customers compliance with prevailing ionising radiations regulations in a manner that is appropriate, reassuring and designed to elicit the necessary information.

To work closely with Medical Physics Experts and Radioactive Waste Advisors, as well as other Radiation Protection Advisers, balancing the requirements of different regulations, and any potential differences of opinions.

Provide specialist advice to Radiology Managers in all Trusts in investigating those occasions when personal radiation dose limits have been breached or local reference levels have been exceeded, and in identifying appropriate remedial action. Tact and diplomacy are required as there may be differences of opinion to overcome, and the advice given may be difficult to receive.

Participate in the training of junior clinical scientists and technical officers with respect to the delivery of radiation protection advisory services.

Participate in the delivery of training courses on radiation protection or diagnostic radiology physics to staff and student groups in various departments throughout the RPS Cardiff customer base.

Liaise with manufacturers and/or colleagues at other centres as necessary on issues related to radiation protection.

Participate in delivering in-house seminars on radiation protection and radiological physics issues of topical interest.

Present and disseminate results of research and development through oral or poster presentations at local, national and international meetings and conferences and where appropriate prepare papers for publication in scientific journals.

2. Education, training and expertise

Required to demonstrate extensive specialist knowledge and expertise across a number of subject areas, including:

Principles of radiological protection across the healthcare environment.

Principles and operation of all types of X-ray imaging systems radiological test equipment, dosimetry equipment and associated Quality Assurance schemes and principles.

Principles and operation of thermoluminescent dosimetry systems and other systems used for measurement of personal radiation dose.

To have sufficient experience to be competent to act as a Radiation Protection Adviser as defined in the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 for all RPS Cardiff clients in terms of protection staff, and members of the public. To have suitable experience to provide advice on radiation protection in relation to the use of x-rays for imaging and therapy, and the use of sealed and unsealed sources for the purposes of imaging, therapy, quality control, and industrial irradiation.

To maintain professional competence and state registration through continued study and CPD.

To have a good working knowledge of the implementation of legislation governing the use of ionising radiations in the medical environment.

3. Interpretive and analytical

The post holder will be required to exercise judgement on complex facts or situations, requiring analysis, interpretation, comparison of options. For example:

To provide critical analysis of the results of routine services and to formulate appropriate advice in written reports.

To provide specialist advice to Project Managers on the radiation protection requirements for the planning of new or modified radiation rooms, carrying out highly complex risk assessments and making use of a detailed knowledge of regulations and guidance.

To carry out highly specialised dose and risk assessments and provide advice on statutory requirements following radiation incidents throughout all clients organisations involving staff, patients or others and communicate the findings to senior clinical and managerial staff.

To provide specialist advice to staff on radiation risks associated with diagnostic X-ray and nuclear medicine procedures as required.

To undertake regular audits of radiation safety in various Trusts using diagnostic x-rays, radiotherapy beams, and closed or open sources of radioactive materials To prepare recommendations for presentation to radiology managers.

4. Team working and planning

As part of the RPS Cardiff team, plan a number of complex activities, requiring formulation, adjustment of plans, e.g. as follows.

To be responsible for providing radiation protection advice in respect of all medical applications of ionising radiations, as assigned by the Lead Radiation Protection Adviser taking advantage of the RPS Cardiff staffing resource.

To be responsible for organising the departments program of audit of customers compliance with prevailing radiation protection legislation taking advantage of the RPS Cardiff staffing resource.

Participation in the organisation and planning of commissioning of new x-ray equipment throughout all Trusts and for the undertaking of critical examinations where these have been formally requested by equipment installers. To carry out these tests in cases where demanded by the complexity of the installation (e.g. CT equipment installations). To liaise with the Chief Technologist (Radiation Protection Service) in terms of planning commissioning and acceptance testing work and with installation engineers, project managers and departmental staff in resolving problems to ensure compliance with legislation.

To assist the Head of Radiation Protection Service in the planning for the equipment needs and development of the Service.

Required to provide highly specialist advice in the application of systems of radiation protection to ensure that radiation doses to staff and members of the public is kept as low as reasonably practicable.

To carry out non-routine environmental surveys and shielding assessments for new or modified radiation areas and for existing areas as judged necessary for all Customers in order to ensure the safety of patients, staff and members of the public.

6. Development of service and documentation

To be responsible for the development, review and implementation of all protocols relating to radiation protection.

To propose and implement changes to standard operating procedures and their use in the Service.

To develop and implement the use of spreadsheets, databases, patient dosimetry software and other software.

To provide constructive feedback on customers policies and documentation relating to radiation safety and technical quality assurance of radiological equipment.

7. Responsibility for Financial and Physical Resources

At all times to be responsible for the safe use of highly complex, expensive and potentially hazardous radiological equipment and dose meters. Radiological equipment (unit cost up to £600k) and Dosimetry equipment (£30k)

8. Managerial Responsibility

To provide day-to-day professional advice and direction to the technical staff and junior clinical scientists.

To supervise the work of trainee clinical scientists as may from time to time be assigned to the Service. To assist in the preparation of training plans.

To supervise the work of BSc and MSc students in radiation protection and diagnostic radiology.

To supervise other RPS Cardiff staff in the use of highly complex, expensive and potentially hazardous radiological equipment and dose meters.

9. Management and use of Information Resources

Responsible for identifying sources of information and their validity in supporting recommendations made to radiology managers and other staff of RPS Cardiff clients.

Selection of appropriate data held by RPS Cardiff and its utilisation in support of preparing radiation risk assessments.

Critical analysis and validation of data presented in scientific publications in order to determine its suitability to support recommendations made to RPS Cardiff clients and in the development of RPS Cardiff protocols and procedures.

Ensure that all data gathered are entered onto spreadsheets and databases or otherwise stored according to Radiation Protection Service and Velindre University NHS Trust policies and procedures.

10. Research and Development

Carries out research or development work as part of routine post including the following examples:

Development of the service and benchmarking with colleagues in other centres.

Development of the system of radiation protection delivered in support of the clinical radiology service and presentation of results at national meetings or in peer reviewed journals.

11. Autonomy

Is guided by statutory requirements, professional codes of practice. The post holder will be responsible for developing methods of working, particularly in respect of systems of radiation protection within these guidelines. Procedures developed will be used by other RPS Cardiff staff.

Person Specification Qualifications and Knowledge

• MSc Medical Physics or equivalent
• UK HPC Clinical Scientist Registration to practise Medical Physics, but for non-UK candidates the certainty of being able to submit an acceptable portfolio within 6 months.
• Accreditation as a Radiation Protection Adviser under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 or the certainty of being able to submit an acceptable portfolio for accreditation within 12 months
• Principles of Radiation Physics beyond the MSc level in the field
• Thorough understanding of principles of radiation protection in diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy
• Appreciation of the methods involved in radiation dosimetry and radiation dose modelling.
• Data Protection; Health & Safety principles and practice
• A good overview of the place of radiation protection in the delivery of high quality radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy services
• PhD in Medical Physics
• Publication record in radiation protection
• MIPEM
• CRadP
• Advanced Radiation Physics
• Advanced Mathematics
• Principles and practice of data analysis, aggregation of uncertainties, and statistics
• Principles of physics research methods
• Principles of systems of radiological protection in the medical field

Experience

• Appropriate experience compatible with acknowledgement of Radiation Protection Adviser status in diagnostic radiology
• Experience in the application of radiation protection practice in the field of diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy
• Experience of the practice of radiation metrology
• Involvement with delivering scientific support to diagnostic radiology

Skills and Attributes

• Able to communicate difficult scientific issues to scientists and non-scientists with good verbal, written and audio-visual production & presentation skills
• Advanced computer analysis, data manipulation and its display
• Teaching skills
• Motivated, enthusiastic team worker but with independent flair
• Willing to work flexible hours to allow the service to be covered
• Able to solve complex scientific problems independently
• Familiarity with a range of medical radiation protection software packages
• Familiarity with designing customised database applications
• Good negotiator in advising on the implementation of statutory requirements and practice changes
• Advanced computer analysis, data manipulation and its display

Other

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1) or willingness to work towards
• Possession of a driving licence or the preparedness to obtain one
• Flexible working when required, which may be outside core hours.
• The ability to travel all over South East Wales with heavy and/or bulky equipment

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

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