Practice Educator

Job summary

Practice Educator - Principal Clinical Scientist (Diagnostic & Protection)

We are seeking a clinical scientist with significant knowledge & experience to join our growing team of ~30 scientists, technologists and administrators. We deliver scientific support to clinical radiology departments in the North West of England and train a number of healthcare science practitioners and clinical scientists annually plus support those developing Radiation Protection Adviser, Laser Protection Adviser, Medical Physics Expert and Consultant qualifications.

This is a rare opportunity for practice education and leadership development within radiation protection & radiology physics. The post is 50% practice educator and 50% clinical scientist. This mix will allow you to maintain CPD through service delivery while educating the future workforce. We will accept part time applications.

We have funding for 3 years to support the Practice Educator component. If funding dries up, we hope to be able to support this work continuing based on the training quality and capacity effectiveness demonstrated, or the post may become 100% standard 8A Principal Clinical Scientist after 3 years.

We are ideally looking for someone with recognition as MPE and/or a certificate of competence as RPA (or expected to gain one within 12 months). We need you to have significant experience in this field, therefore at least 3 years post registration will be expected (or equivalent breadth and depth).

Main duties of the job

Manage delivery of the Group's training programmes and to provide support to trainees. This includes planning, delivery of training, exploring innovative techniques to deliver experiences and assessing students simulation. This is to improve the quality and capacity of the training offered.

Training students within the NW region / nationally will be encouraged to deliver efficiencies to UK workforce development. This may include collaboration with the imaging academy.

The post holder can train up to their level of competence. Building on your already significant experience, it is expected that areas of weakness will be studied independently / with colleagues to bring you to a sufficient competence across the discipline, to be able to teach to at least clinical scientist level.

You will work within the RPA Body, providing radiation protection advice to diagnostic and interventional radiology/cardiology departments and dental practitioners. You will be the primary radiation protection contact for specified organisations.

In addition, as Medical Physics Expert you will provide support for the optimisation of diagnostic and interventional radiology, developing and maintaining a close working relationship with the radiographic and clinical teams in these organisations.

A detailed knowledge of the regulations and imaging equipment is essential to support these activities. Line management and contributing to group management is also a key part of the role.

About us

We are the Diagnostic Radiology and Radiation Protection Section of the Imaging Physics and Radiation Protection Group within CMPE, based at The Christie in Manchester.

The group is active in research and development, currently working on projects including fluoroscopy skin dose and QA of cone beam CT. Professional activities are supported with recent involvement in the IPEM

Medical and Dental Guidance Notes, FGDP Guidance Notes for Dental Practitioners and EFOMP/EURADOS working parties on patient dosimetry.

Manchester is a hub for sport, music and culture as well as a friendly, vibrant city. The Christie is located 4 miles to the south of the City, in close proximity to Didsbury and Chorlton where there are many independent shops, restaurants and bars. There are a number of National Parks nearby and, for travelling further afield, Manchester International Airport (with flights to over 200 destinations) is minutes away while London is only 2 hours by train.

Due to the large regional service in the North West and formation of Imaging Networks, although the post is based at The Christie in Manchester, there may be scope to be based at another NHS Trust within the Greater Manchester or Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Systems. This might appeal to those who prefer living in the open countryside over city/suburb living.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical and Scientific:

Provide highly specialist scientific training pertinent to diagnostic radiology and radiation protection, optical and ultraviolet radiation, to trainees and other scientific and clinical staff, if relevant. This should be in line with the departments Quality Management System. In relation to the Groups training programmes, undertake assessment of the performance and safety of a wide range of x-ray modalities (including critical examinations, commissioning and routine tests) in line with national guidelines and in line with the Groups work instructions. Be responsible for the safe use, correct functioning and methodical use of complex test equipment, anthropomorphic and other test phantoms during use by yourself or others. This will involve accurate positioning and methodical use of test objects. Be responsible for the safe use and correct functioning of expensive and highly complex medical equipment.

Management:

Manage the delivery of effective, efficient and high-quality training programmes listed in the Job Overview section above. Lead optimisation of the Groups training framework to accelerate training delivery and improve quality and effectiveness of all of the Groups training programmes. Lead the review, standardisation and optimisation of the assessment methods on all training schemes. Work closely with and provide support to/develop training officers, assessors, day to day managers and service managers in relation to training delivery. Collaborate with the CMPE STP Training Coordinator and other specialism training officers in relation to training delivery. Provide support in maintaining the Departments accreditations as a training centre. Alert the senior managers to funding opportunities for training posts and courses, as appropriate. Collaborate with the Departments outreach team to promote and manage outreach activities in relation to diagnostic radiology and radiation protection, with a view to ensuring future recruitment pools. Support students and be concerned for their health and wellbeing. Participate in workforce development including selection, recruitment and retention of staff. Act as day to day manager and training supervisor for clinical technologist and clinical scientist trainees, undertake inductions, regular 1:1 meetings and conduct annual appraisals. Support the DRRPS Training Lead in engaging with stakeholders to develop a strategy on increasing and optimising training capacity and training delivery in the North West Support the DRRPS Training Lead in liaising with other training centres in the North West, with the Northern Training Consortium (and potentially nationally) to explore opportunities of collaboration and sharing delivery Support the DRRPS Training Lead and Group Leader in workforce planning and managing the Groups activities. Support the DRRPS Training Lead in working with the North West Imaging Academy to design and deliver multi-professional training. Support the DRRPS Training Lead in preparing funding bid submissions and progress reports for NHSE, as required. Participate in the ISO9001 Quality System for the Group. Ensure work is carried out with regard for H&S training and policy.

Teaching and training

Manage the development, review and delivery of training activities, training plans and assessments for the training programmes listed in the Job Overview section. Participate in the delivery of training activities and assessments. Work closely with, support and monitor progress of trainees. Provide clear, concise and constructive feedback to trainees and other relevant staff. Promote a culture of learning, development and reflective practice. Develop a trainer/supervisor training and mentoring programme. Improve the existing communication channels between trainees and supervisors Collect and act upon feedback from trainees, training offices and other scientific and clinical staff who are involved in the delivery of the Groups training programmes. If required, undertake IPEM training moderator training to fulfil this role to support the clinical technologist training scheme(s) Expand our apprenticeship pathway utilisation level 4 medical physics Explore advanced practice pathways for clinical technologists involvement in clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research leading to a recognised award (and subsequent opportunity for promotion). Open up workshops on professional practice to other groups as appropriate other physics departments or HCS disciplines.

Communication

Communicate effectively highly complex scientific/regulatory knowledge and advice to scientific/clinical staff, using effective and appropriate skills and digital technologies. Liaise with Universities and other training providers in relation to academic programme matters. Liaise with clinical services and other relevant services in relation to clinical training matters. Modify your own means of communication to address individuals communication needs and preferences. Share appropriate information with our customer base, potentially as a training course.

Research and Development

Identify appropriate areas for project development and provide support and supervision to BSc and MSc projects. Keep up to date with developments in the field of diagnostic radiology physics and radiation protection (and optical). Undertake research and service development work aimed at both improving the CMPE service and the optimisation of radiological techniques in the health service. To publish research in internationally recognised peer reviewed research and/or educational journals and present at national /international meeting (secondary aspect though promotion of work is encouraged/expected)

Professional

Be aware of national strategies and bring these into the teaching/development of trainees and the department approaches to operating digital, workforce, networks etc Be involved in relevant national activities and initiatives, including the development of national guidance and playing an active role in national professional organisations. Network and collaborate effectively with key stakeholders HCS leads, Imaging Networks/ICB leads, NHSE, other educators and professional leads within and outside DRRPS. Collaborate with Practice Educators at a national level. Share learning as appropriate. Maintain state registration as a Clinical Scientist As appropriate, maintain recognition as a Medical Physics Expert, an up-to-date certificate of competence as a Radiation Protection Adviser and Laser Protection Adviser. Ensure that all aspects of work comply with current regulations, standards, policies, the Groups Quality Management System and the Trusts policies, values and behaviours. Attendance at a suitable course maybe be appropriate to fulfil this post effectively and can be identified with your manager education, leadership and management etc Behave professionally at all times

General

Daily, long period use of screens. Concentrate for long periods with frequent interruptions. Occasional distressing circumstances as a result of managing the performance of others. Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Good honours degree in appropriate physical science Higher degree (MSc or equivalent) State registered Clinical Scientist Recognition as MPE and/or certificate of competence as RPA (or expected to gain one within 12 months)

Desirable

Postgraduate diploma in learning and teaching in higher education Corporate membership of IPEM or other equivalent professional body PhD or equivalent research experience LPA certification

Experience

Essential

Previous experience in our field post Clinical Scientist registration, or equivalent (minimum agreed time to gain entry level expert competence). In depth experience in testing x-ray equipment Provision of highly specialist scientific support in diagnostic radiology and radiation protection (to RPA and/or MPE level) Experience in delivering Clinical Scientist training programmes

Desirable

Experience in delivering Clinical Technologists training programmes Identifying, planning and undertaking research or service development work Supervision and management experience

Skills

Essential

Good computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access) Ability to position intricate tests tools with precision and within a tight timescale Analysis & interpretation of investigations/results, drawing conclusions Problem solving Scientific report writing Ability to apply health & safety and risk management principles to practical scenarios Teaching skills Clear and articulate communicator Good organisational skills Good interpersonal skills Ability to work independently and as part of a team Ability to prioritise and manage own work Ability to critically self-reflect and improve own practice Ability to handle challenging/distressing situations with professionalism Ability of self-motivated working Resilience

Desirable

Advanced computer applications such as image analysis and processing Ability to produce good publications in scientific journals and conferences.

Knowledge

Essential

Expert knowledge of radiological physics and radiation protection and regulatory framework In depth knowledge of X-ray equipment

Desirable

Knowledge of teaching methods and assessment Basic understanding of HR policies and procedures Working knowledge of quality management systems Related professional standards

Values

Essential

Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

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