Radiological Physics Advanced Clinical Technologist

Job summary Expected Shortlisting Date: 15/01/2025 Planned Interview Date: 30/01/2025 The Radiological Physics group is part of the Radiological Physics section of Medical Physics & Engineering.
It provides scientific and radiation protection advice and measurement services in all fields where ionising radiation is used, including radiotherapy, use of unsealed radioactive substances and diagnostic x-rays.
This support includes an extensive quality assurance programme and the monitoring of personal, patient and environmental radiation doses.
These duties and responsibilities are undertaken by the section to ensure regulatory compliance of the Trust and external customers.
This additional post is part of the Radiological Physics group, which comprises a team of clinical technologists and clinical scientists.
The postholder will be expected to work closely with the existing advanced clinical technologist to line manage the staff in this area, and to work effectively with other technical, scientific and clinical staff to ensure delivery of a high quality service in ionising radiation physics.
The post will be based at the LGI although frequent travel and work at other hospital sites will be required.
Main duties of the job The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the technical team which provides specialised radiation safety quality assurance measurements on a broad range of complex diagnostic x-ray equipment, ensuring that these measurements are undertaken in a safe & timely fashion and for prioritising the work of the technical team using knowledge of clinical need/priority and availability of technical staff and test equipment to minimise clinical disruption.
The post holder will be responsible for ensuring the training of staff in quality assurance measurements of diagnostic x-ray equipment and delivery of the training and for oversight of the processes for the administration of patient dose monitoring system.
They will also take the lead in the x-ray and radiation protection work in the quality management system and represent the section at the quality leads meeting.
The post holder will be expected to work closely and effectively alongside the existing post holder and with the Head of Section and Clinical Scientist Service Manager to ensure delivery of a high quality service.
The post holder will be based at the Leeds General Infirmary although frequent travel and work at other hospital sites will be required.
Candidates who do not meet the essential training requirements of registration on the RCT may still be appointed on Annex 21 until the minimum requirements can be met which must be achievable within four years.
About us This role is based in the Radiological Physics and Radiation Protection team within Medical Physics and Engineering which is a part of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
We are a small team but we are expanding to reflect the increased workload which has come in part because of the governments programme to build Clinical Diagnostic Centres across the country.
The work done by the team is varied, covering all types of x-ray equipment and with staff of all grades working independently within their own areas of specialism.
Career progression is encouraged and we work with all our staff to find the best route for them to thrive.
Technologists are actively supported to join the Register of Clinical Technologists through the Equivalency route.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles.
As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed.
If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.
Job description Job responsibilities Manage the delivery of all aspects of technical support to the Radiological Physics Section including the provision of specialised quality assurance measurements on complex, high value diagnostic x-ray equipment (with an equipment base of approximately 500 items) both within the Trust, external trusts and private customers.
Ensure the training of staff in quality assurance measurements of diagnostic x-ray equipment and deliver the training where appropriate.
Oversee the administration processes for the patient dose monitoring system.
Take the lead for the radiological physics and radiation protection section for the x-ray and radiation protection work in the quality management system and represent the section at the quality leads meeting.
Provide direct line management to the specialist clinical technologists and trainee clinical technologists within the Radiological Physics section and manage their time, workloads and responsibilities to maximise their effectiveness in meeting the performance targets of the technical team.
This responsibility includes performance management, recruitment, appraisal, training and development.
Responsible for prioritising the work of the technical team using knowledge of clinical need/priority and availability of technical staff and test equipment to minimise clinical disruption whilst ensuring that the team deliver the service in a safe and effective manner.
Working with the Clinical Scientist Service Manager to organise the provision of technical support for the Sections research and development activities.
Perform the duties as a designated operator under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations and comply with the Trusts IR(ME)R policy.
Ensure that the work of the technical team fully complies with the Sections ISO9001:2000 quality system with responsibility for developing new procedures & work instructions for all areas of technical support.
Write quality assurance documentation (protocols, work instructions and technical instructions) for the technical section.
Responsible for maintaining the equipment inventory database by ensuring that the technical team record their own work and own measurements on the database.
Responsible for developing and maintaining detailed maintenance schedules for a wide range of complex / specialist medical equipment and monitoring the technical teams performance against specified performances objectives and implementing any necessary remedial action to ensure service objectives are met.
Responsible for the safe storage, handling and calibration of expensive specialist test equipment (individual values range from £1000 to £25000) including administering the calibration budget for the section.
Assist with the evaluation of new equipment as part of the Trusts equipment purchasing strategy.
Perform routine quality assurance and radiation safety testing on diagnostic x-ray including the associated report writing.
Proven ability to operate complex, expensive test equipment and tools.
Computer skills including database administration, spread sheet design and office applications.
Logical approach to problem solving.
Ability to analyse complex data and fault find on complex technical imaging systems.
Carry out commissioning and acceptance testing on new x-ray equipment such as general radiographic units and assists with the commissioning and acceptance testing of more complex equipment.
Responsible for managing the sections routine environmental dose monitoring program.
Assists in the investigation of equipment involved in clinical incidents.
Proposes changes to operational policies that may impact on own area and other professions.
Person Specification Experience Essential In what modalities of x-ray equipment have you obtained specialist knowledge of QA techniques and associated standards?
What experience have you had in problem solving and fault finding on highly complex x-ray imaging equipment?
What experience have you got in analysing complex data and making recommendations based on this analysis?
Desirable What experience have you got in managing staff/workloads?
Is this underpinned by formal training?
What experience have you got in patient dose management systems?
What programming experience do you have?
Do you have any formal/informal training in carrying out audits?
Other Criteria Essential Have you got the ability to have access to your own means of transport?
Qualifications Essential Graduate level or equivalent qualification in physics/physical science.
MSc qualification, or Masters equivalent level, of highly specialised Radiation Physics knowledge and experience gained through formal or informal training, or relevant short courses Significant post graduate experience in quality assurance testing of complex diagnostic x-ray equipment.
Eligibility for registration on Register of Clinical Technologists or Academy of Healthcare Scientists in Radiation Physics scope.
Desirable Formal management training (including appraisal, attendance management, health and safety, etc.)
Skills & Behaviours Essential What experience have you had in negotiating with multiple staff groups using persuasive language?
How would you show that you had excellent organisational and planning skills, with appropriate adjustments as priorities changed?
What experience have you had in managing staff and/or leadership including objective setting?
What experience have you had in leading, motivating and developing a team?
Desirable What experience have you got in computer databases/IT skills?
What experience have you got in training others in complex tasks?