Radiotherapy Physics Practitioner

Job summary

Full or part time

The post holder will work at The Christie main site in Withington, Manchester, working a proportion of their hours from home. The postholder will be a qualified practitioner registered with either HCPC or the Register of Clinical Technologists. The individual will divide their time between clinical treatment planning and checking, technical/service development, offering support and training to the wider radiotherapy network and beyond.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an experienced Radiographer / Dosimetrist to work within radiotherapy physics here at The Christie. The post holder will play an active role in the planning, checking and development of IMRT, VMAT, and SABR techniques, as well as supporting the provision of training to a multi-disciplinary team. Successful candidates will work together with the wider team to ensure that our patients receive a high standard of care through the development of staff within the service, education, audit and service improvement. Patient specific and machine QA, experience in treatment planning, or working knowledge of the Philips Pinnacle3 or RayStation planning systems would be advantageous.

Working in a dynamic, fast paced environment, the post holder will be required to work both autonomously and as part of a team to ensure the provision of high-quality radiotherapy, taking an active involvement in service development. Successful candidates will be highly motivated, flexible, hold developed reflective and analytical skills as well as the ability to work under pressure.

About us

he Christie NHS Foundation Trust, situated in south Manchester, is the largest cancer treatment centre of its kind in Europe, and an international leader in cancer research and development. The Christie provides a radiotherapy service to a population in excess of 3 million in the Greater Manchester and Cheshire area. The radiotherapy physics group provides a comprehensive support service to clinical oncology including advanced radiotherapy and brachytherapy techniques such as IMRT, IGRT, VMAT, intra-cranial SRS, extra-cranial SABR, PDR and HDR brachytherapy treatments. In addition to the Withington site there are three operational radiotherapy satellite centres located in Oldham, Macclesfield and Salford. These facilities provide local access to IMRT, IGRT and VMAT treatments for cancer patients. The centre at Salford also provides a stereotactic radiosurgery service. Completion of the Christie satellite centres has equipped The Christie radiotherapy network with a total of 14 linear accelerators across the three sites. The Christie team is delivering a National Proton Beam Therapy programme in conjunction with UCLH. Other exciting developments include participating in the international MR linac consortium with The Christie being one of the first hospitals in the UK to offer MRI-guided radiotherapy

Job description

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General

The place of work is normally The Christie, Withington, but the post holder may be required to carry out work at other local hospitals with a radiotherapy service.

The post holder will have the opportunity to work remotely from home (subject to approval by their line manager), following their initial training period. A minimum of 50% of their contracted hours will be completed on site.

Hours are worked flexibly between 7:00 and 21:00, Monday to Saturday, to cover the normal range of clinical duties.

Ensure all work complies with current UK legislation for work with ionizing radiation (IRR 1999, IRMER 2017) and the Trusts ISO 9001:2008-compliant Quality Management System for the provision of radiotherapy.

The post holder will be expected to prioritise and manage their own work on a day-to-day basis. Promote best practice and raise standards within a multi-disciplinary group and participate in continuing professional development.

The post holder must be and must remain registered as a Therapy Radiographer with the health professions council or be on the register of clinical technologists and undertake regular continuing professional development.

Participate in clinical audit.

Clinical Treatment Planning

Assess the suitability of patient imaging, immobilization and localisation information in preparation for treatment planning.

Produce highly complex radiotherapy treatment plans, based on the evaluation of anatomical and clinical information using a highly complex three-dimensional treatment planning system.

Critically analyse and independently check routine and highly complex treatment plans for transfer to linear accelerators.

Provide and independently check monitor unit calculations for external beam radiotherapy.

Evaluate and approve pre-treatment verification details of final plans.

Transfer patient data to simulators and treatment machines.

Identify and report problems with clinical treatment planning systems

Use professional judgement to refer appropriate treatment planning problems to others.

Provide advise to radiotherapy staff on issues relating to the implementation of treatment plans.

Handle internal and external enquiries from other professional groups and patients.

Communicate with patients and relatives during verification and simulation processes

Participate in the implementation of new processes and techniques including the generation of work instructions for inclusion in the quality system.

Participate in clinical audit

Dosimetry and Quality Control

Perform routine radiotherapy plan verification (including measurement and analysis) on linear accelerators and provide specialist training and advice in this discipline to Physicists and Dosimetrists.

The post holder will participate in the clinical quality control programme for highly complex radiotherapy equipment, including linear accelerators, CT scanners and superficial therapy devices to ensure all such equipment is fit for clinical use.

Perform routine morning run-up and output measurements on linear accelerators.

Provide specialist training and advice in this discipline to Physicists, Dosimetrists and therapy Radiographers.

Participate in the departments system for performing in-vivo dosimetry measurements. This will include calibration of dosimeters, analysing in-vivo dosimetry results, investigating measurements that are out of tolerance and maintaining a database of results.

Training and Education

Provide specialist training to radiotherapy and dosimetry students in treatment planning.

Assist with the specialist training of clinical scientists and clinical oncologists in the use of the treatment planning system and treatment planning techniques.

Disseminate knowledge via lectures, tutorials and other appropriate methods.

Research and Development

Participate in projects for the review and development of clinical techniques, and for the support of clinical trials within rotational site specialty.

To interpret national and international guidelines concerning the planning of the treatment sites allocated and to implement protocols to keep practice in line with recommended practice.

To work with other professionals to provide a co-ordinated service improvements through the development of new techniques.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Degree or equivalent in Therapy Radiography or physical sciences State registration with HCPC or on voluntary register of Clinical Technologists

Desirable

Treatment planning course

Experience

Essential

Previous experience as a treatment Radiographer or Dosimetrist Ability to work independently

Desirable

Experience in treatment planning and/or dosimetry

Skills

Essential

Computer literate Ability to communicate complex information across professional boundaries. Analytical and reflective skills Ability to prioritise work and function under pressure Sound decision making skills. Highly developed physical accuracy and hand-eye co-ordination

Knowledge

Essential

A sound, practical knowledge of radiotherapy. Proof of adequate CPD.

Values

Essential

A willingness to undertake research and development Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Other

Essential

Professional Ability to work independently Self-motivated Neat and tidy appearance Flexible attitude to work Punctual Good team worker Conscientious

Desirable

Outside interests Able to attend training courses involving periods away from home

---