Clinical Scientist

Job summary

Enthusiastic State Registered Clinical Scientists are invited to apply for our Nuclear Medicine Physics post.

The Nuclear Medicine department is part of the Imaging Directorate at Northampton General Hospital. Our Nuclear Medicine service is located in a purpose built state-of-the-art department. This department is equipped with 3 gamma cameras: 2 general-purpose cameras including one with SPECT/CT and a dedicated cardiac camera. We operate an onsite Radiopharmacyand supply isotope to other Nuclear Medicine departments

Additionally, the department houses a PET/CT scanner operated by a third party.

The post holder willbe involved in all areas of Nuclear Medicine Physics and support will be given to research activities.Applicants should be registered with the HCPC as Clinical Scientists, applicants that can demonstrate they are close to completion of training and registration may be considered for initial appointment at a lower band until they have qualified and registered.

Applicants graduating this September are encouraged to apply.

Applicants are encouraged to come and visit the department.

We are a friendly team of scientists, Technologists, Radiographers and support staff, based in a comfortable, modern building.

Applicants who do not meet Band 7 criteria will be considered at a lower Band.

Main duties of the job

Clinical and Scientific

Maintain and develop Nuclear Medicine instrumentation, procedures and computing facilities. Introduce new techniques in collaboration with other staff. Advise clinicians in setting up new diagnostic tests, which requires the analysis and interpretation of a wide range of complex options.

Provision of physics input in the day-to-day work of the Nuclear Medicine Department. Advise Nuclear Medicine staff on a wide range of complex scientific, technical and clinical issues relevant to patient care.

Ensure that quality control programmes for gamma cameras and related equipment is correctly carried out to required guidelines and standards. Ensure that all imaging and related equipment is functioning correctly.

Liaise with suppliers regarding equipment breakdown and arrange for the maintenance and servicing of identified items of equipment.

Identify the need for new instrumentation or equipment for use in Nuclear Medicine. Produce specifications for small items of equipment, for purchase or construction in-house.

About us

Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

Compassion

Accountability

Respect

Integrity

Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.

We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.

We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical and Scientific

Liaise with the other Physicists in the Trust (including those in Radiotherapy physics and Imaging Physics) and the Head of Nuclear Medicine to develop and maintain common procedures to ensure that the work in Nuclear Medicine meets the requirements of the Ionising Radiations Regulations (IRR17), Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IRMER17) and other relevant legislation concerning Health & Safety and radiation protection. Develop policies and write procedures for changed working practices, as required.

Ensure effective systems are in place for keeping an inventory of all radioactive material under the control of the Department.

Participate in the commissioning, calibration, radiation safety, accuracy and quality control of nuclear medicine equipment used in the imaging or treatment of patients, in accordance with quality assurance procedures and protocols.

Assist with diagnostic imaging investigations and checks, radioisotope measurement and other measurements carried out on behalf of nuclear medicine.

Be responsible for the safe use and correct functioning of expensive and highly complex test and imaging equipment during measurements and clinical use by self and others.

Assist with therapeutic procedures involving radioactive materials

Assist with in-vivo and in-vitro radioisotope investigations in Nuclear Medicine.

Help resolve problems with Nuclear Medicine Imaging and Quality Assurance equipment, investigate causes and suggest remedial action.

Assist with risk assessments as directed.

Assist in responding to radioisotope problems in imaging and non-imaging, and in unsealed source therapy.

Conduct measurements and checks on equipment used for radioisotope measurement techniques in the treatment of patients or in the monitoring thereof.

Assist with Radiation Protection Services as required by the Head of Nuclear medicine, RWA or RPA.

Assist with the ordering, record keeping and disposal of radioisotopes used in the Trust and elsewhere, ensuring that limits within licences are not breached.

Managerial

Prioritise own work in accordance with Departmental and Trust priorities and external demands. Achieve expected results by using own initiative and following general principles, standards and guidelines. Manage complex projects involving changes to equipment and practices.

To keep careful records of all work performed and complete other appropriate records.

Teaching and Training

Teach and train staff, students and others as required on all aspects of complex equipment use, including instrumentation and nuclear medicine physics.

Participate in the training and supervision of healthcare scientists working in nuclear medicine physics.

Participate in training for medical, paramedical and other NHS staff on a range of subjects relevant to the work of the Department.

Provide scientific training (talks, written material etc.) in Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Protection to technical staff within Nuclear Medicine and other Trust staff.

Research & Development

To keep abreast of current developments in the relevant areas of nuclear medicine.

Undertake research and development in collaboration with clinical staff and other researchers, in accordance with the agreed priorities of the department.

To identify appropriate new techniques in optimisation of diagnostic procedures and to ensure that these are carried through to a successful conclusion.

Present papers at national and international scientific meetings.

Identify appropriate areas for development projects and to propose these to senior staff.

Assist with the assessment and evaluation of new equipment before purchase and subsequent clinical use.

Write research based reports, create spreadsheets and databases to assist in the analysis of measured data.

Participate in audit and research and development work and present results at meetings and/or publish work in appropriate journals/publications.

Professional

Must have experience in nuclear medicine and have achieved registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council, or be close to doing so.

Keep abreast of the latest technical and scientific developments and their applications in medical and associated fields. Attend suitable seminars and courses as part of personal development and to further the work of the department.

Attend and deliver suitable seminars and courses as part of training and personal development and to further the work of the department. To contribute presentations to the Departments CPD seminar programme.

Maintain state registration and an agreed programme of CPD.

Work towards completion of a portfolio for registration as a Medical Physics Expert.

To ensure that all aspects of the work are provided in accordance with a quality framework, and conform to relevant legislation, national protocols and Trust policies.

Miscellaneous

Implement and ensure compliance with an accredited Quality System in the areas of work for which he/she carries responsibility. Participate in the development and routine operation of quality systems.

Work hours necessary for the proper and efficient performance of the work. In practice it will occasionally be required to perform duties outside the normal working hours of the Department.

When working in other departments, liaise with local heads of department, medical consultants, superintendents, nursing sisters or their representatives as appropriate, adhering to local policies and practices. Must behave courteously and professionally at all times and seek to ensure that the highest level of service is provided by Medical Physics.

Assist at NAIR (National Arrangements for Incidents involving Radiation) incidents and other emergencies.

When working in other departments, the postholder will liaise with local heads of department, medical consultants, superintendents and nursing staff, adhering to local policies and practices. The postholder will behave courteously and professionally at all times and seek to ensure that the highest level of service is provided.

Perform other appropriate duties which may be requested from time to time by the Head of NM Physics, commensurate with the grade.

Person Specification

Educations, Training and Qualifications

Essential

Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject or equivalent. Relevant MSc or higher degree. State registration with the Health & Care Professions Council, as a Clinical Scientist

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Completion of Scientist Training Programme (STP) or equivalent. Advanced level of knowledge of uses and safety of radiation and associated areas within Medical Physics. Knowledge and practical experience in nuclear medicine physics. Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from use of ionising radiation with unsealed radionuclides, including equipment failure, procedural defects and human error. Understanding of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines, including: IRR 2017, IR(ME)R 2017, EPR 2016, other relevant BSI and ISO standards, professional and regulatory body reports and guidelines

Desirable

Knowledge and practical experience in PET-CT

Skills

Essential

Able to use Excel, Word etc to set up documents and spreadsheets and extract information. Be fully conversant with IT security and record-keeping issues, and multi-disciplinary networking issues.

Desirable

Familiarity and experience with Aladdin programming language

Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes

Essential

Able to prioritise and manage own work. Able to train groups of other professional staff. Able to deliver teaching and training on complex subjects. Able to lead response when dealing with complex and unpredictable situations. Able to exercise own initiative when dealing with issues within wide area of competence. Able to prepare scientific papers, and to present them at national and international conferences

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