Main duties of the job
The Regional Radiation Protection Service (RRPS) provides comprehensive radiation protection, diagnostic radiology physics and X-ray engineering services out of the Royal Surrey County Hospital area mainly to the south and south west of the country, but also works nationally and internationally. Services include the statutory provision of Radiation Protection Advisers (RPA), Medical Physics Expert (MPE) in Diagnostic Radiology, Laser Protection Advisers (LPA), Radioactive Waste Advisers (RWA) and MR Safety Experts. We have a team of 11 clinical scientists, 11 medical physics technical officers, a computer scientist and 3 admin staff, plus postgraduate trainees and undergraduate students. The RRPS also provides advice and services to users of non-ionising radiations including MRI, lasers, radiofrequency, ultraviolet and microwaves. The Service provides NHSBSP mammography services for the South East (East) region. The RRPS is active in income generation outside the NHS and provides a wide range of radiation protection advice and services to a variety of employers including corporate organisations, companies, private hospitals, dentists, vets and others. The service is active in research, development and training, including organising courses both locally and at a national level.
Driving licence and accessibility to a car are required for this role.
About us
Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.
We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have given us an overall rating of Outstanding.
Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.
Although it isn’t the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
A video about the Royal Surrey – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo
Job responsibilities
To be a Principal Physicist (clinical scientist) and a senior member of the Regional Radiation Protection (RRPS) team, working with other team members in the provision of a comprehensive radiation protection and radiological physics service to the NHS and outside bodies. To act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IR(ME)R2017). To participate in all areas of work, and to take on responsibility for key aspects of the service. The postholder works at a senior professional level, providing advice and services to employers facilitating compliance with ionising radiation legislation and working towards further certification such as RPA. Issues are very specialist, varied and highly complex. They will operate with a high degree of autonomy, particularly in the areas for which they are responsible.
Act as an MPE (diagnostic radiology) for diagnostic radiology clients across the NHS and private sector. Liaise as necessary with clinicians, radiologists, radiographers and other healthcare professional on the protection of the patient and the necessary optimisation of dose and image quality.
Lead a key area of scientific work within the team. Investigate, measure, analyse and report on complex radiation safety, dose and image quality performance issues using electronic devices and computers on a wide variety of diagnostic X-ray installations from simple radiographic systems to highly complicated and sophisticated state of the art digital systems.
Act as a trainee RPA under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) to NHS Trusts and independent healthcare providers served by the RRPS, with the aim of securing certification as an RPA. Provide expert advice with others as part of training to include highly complex issues such as:
- (a) The requirements of IRR17 and the Ionising Radiation (medical exposure) Regulations 2017 (IR(ME)R17) and all other legislation, approved codes and good guidance associated with ionising radiation.
- (b) The design of new or modified radiation facilities including the undertaking of associated shielding calculations.
- (c) Radiation equipment specification.
- (d) Setting up a radiation protection system including notification to the HSE and preparation of local rules and systems of work.
- (e) Risk assessments relating to the radiation safety of staff, patients & public.
- (f) Radiation safety training.
- (g) Testing of equipment.
- (h) Measurements of patient dose.
- (i) Incident investigations and advice on notification to appropriate authorities regulators.
To be involved in the provision of non‑ionising radiation protection services. To include radiation safety audits and performance measurements where appropriate together with the provision of advice for ultrasound, ultraviolet, MRI and lasers.
Perform audit and inspection procedures for compliance with relevant legislation, standards and agreed good practice in the following areas:
- (a) For ionising radiations in all types of organisations and departments where radiation is used including hospital departments of radiology, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, cardiology, pathology plus dental practices, veterinary practices and other commercial and industrial radiation facilities.
- (b) With others for non‑ionising radiations including lasers, ultraviolet and radiofrequency in hospital departments including theatres, physiotherapy and dermatology.
Calculate dose and risk in the event of unnecessary, inadvertent or accidental exposures, including radiation exposures of the unborn child. Advise the hospital consultants involved and the general practitioner where appropriate. Provide the necessary expertise and back‑up as required in the event of a major incident involving radiation, including local incidents and those handled under the National Arrangements for Incidents involving Radiation (NAIR) scheme.
To be involved in the design, development, organisation and maintenance of the many databases critical to the daily work of the RRPS. To act as a senior member of the RRPS team assisting the Head of the RRPS in managing the provision of comprehensive diagnostic radiology physics and radiation protection services. To help ensure that the obligations and targets of the RRPS are met and that the budget is balanced.
To delegate tasks and responsibilities as appropriate with regard to the areas of responsibility held by the postholder. To develop, create and maintain written protocols and procedures for the measurement, testing and survey activities which are the responsibility of the postholder.
To promote the Section’s income‑generating activities in both the NHS and private sectors by provision of services, support, networking and liaison with existing and potential customers in both hospitals and industry.
To prioritise and manage one’s own work including in particular with regard to the functions of a Medical Physics Expert and a lead in areas of particular responsibility. To be involved with the supervision and training of trainees within the RRPS.
Be involved in developing and giving training courses and tutorials in radiation protection and diagnostic radiology physics at local, regional and national level. Present papers at local and national scientific meetings and publish papers in peer‑refereed journals.
Keep abreast of the latest technical and scientific developments in order to further the work of the Department. Supervise MSc and other R&D projects being undertaken by clinical scientist trainees and other trainees/students within the Department.
To be State Registered as a Clinical Scientist and to participate in the IPEM Continuing Professional Development scheme or other appropriate scheme to maintain State Registration. To maintain Medical Physicist Expert status by an approved awarding body.
To work towards gaining Certification as a Radiation Protection Adviser by the awarding body RPA2000 by means of constructing a portfolio of evidence covering both competence and knowledge. Keep abreast of the latest scientific and technical development and their application in the relevant clinical fields. Attend appropriate scientific meetings and seminars as appropriate as part of continuing professional development.
To work effectively and proactively within a multi‑disciplinary team, involving close working, team building and scientific supervision of other technical and scientific team members as appropriate. Carry out all duties in accordance with the requirements of IRR17 and IR(ME)R17 and other relevant Statutory Regulations, Approved Codes of Conduct and Local Rules pertaining to radiation, together with the general provisions of the Health & Safety at Work Act.
Work in other departments, other Trusts, independent hospitals and other institutions and organisations served by the RRPS, in liaison with radiology managers, radiation protection supervisors, heads of departments, medical consultants and managers. Liaise also with commercial organisations and industry. When working outside the Trust the postholder will abide by local policies and practices. They will behave professionally and courteously at all times seeking to uphold the standards and increase the reputation of the RSCH.
On a day to day basis drive many local journeys throughout the South East and regularly be required to drive long distances to clients and premises served by the RRPS over the Country as a whole. To be on‑call for radiation emergencies under the Trusts Emergency Plan, the National Arrangements for Radiation Emergencies (NAIR) and any other major radiation emergency. To carry out extended periods of VDU work on a regular basis.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- MSc or PhD in radiation protection, medical physics (or equivalent)
- Corporate Membership of IPEM (or equivalent)
- Medical Physics Expert in the field of Diagnostic Radiology (certified by RPA2000)
- State Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the HCPC
Knowledge and Experience
- Knowledge and understanding of the nature, use, risks and radiation protection of ionising radiations such as X-rays, gamma rays and electrons.
- Knowledge and understanding of all the areas of legislation, approved codes and good guidance, applicable to the use of ionising radiations in the field of medical, dental, veterinary and industry where appropriate. Knowledge to act as a Medical Physics Expert regarding the safety of the patient under IRMER within the field of radiology.
- Specialist knowledge of the techniques employed to measure the performance and radiological safety of digital and analogue state of the art X-ray imaging equipment.
- Experience in medical physics and radiation protection. Analysing and interpreting highly complex and varied situations and judging measures required to assess performance, risk and benefit in comparison with relevant legislation, codes, guidance and standards.
- Specialist experience or awareness in the use of physics testing equipment and complex procedures employed to measure the application, performance and safety of a wide variety of X‑ray and other ionising and non‑ionising radiation equipment.
- A level of understanding of clinical risks to patients, staff and public arising from ionising radiation exposure.
- Awareness of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines.
- Knowledge and understanding of ultrasound and non‑ionising radiations including magnetic, electric fields, ultraviolet, infrared, microwaves and particularly lasers.
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.
£59,798 to £67,020 a year Per annum pro rata including high cost area supplement
#J-18808-Ljbffr…