Radiotherapy Physicist

• Provide extensive and highly complex scientific expertise to the Trust radiotherapy department at the Charing Cross and Hammersmith Hospital sites.
• Provide scientific support to all aspects of the work of the Radiotherapy Physics Group.
• Perform measurement of radiation output from treatment machines such as high-energy linear accelerators and high-activity radioactive sources used to produce therapeutic radiation beams.
• Perform quality assurance of treatment machines.
• Perform computerised treatment planning, and perform second checks on treatment plans, for patients undergoing radiation therapy for cancer.
• Perform radiation dose measurements on patients, ensuring safety of patients and staff in a hazardous radiation environment, ensuring equipment is operating safely.
• Investigate complex problems and provide advice on the physics aspects of radiotherapy treatments to other clinical staff.
• Undertake the evaluation, selection, procurement and acceptance testing of expensive and sophisticated equipment.

Essential

• 1st or 2nd class honours degree in physics or related subject.
• Relevant M.Sc. and/or Ph.D. in Medical Physics or related subject.
• Certificate of Attainment /Registration as a clinical scientist with the Health Professions Council (HCPC).

Essential

• Basic familiarity with relevant radiation protection legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines [e.g. Ionising Radiations Regulations (IRR), Ionising Radiations (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IRMER), ISO9000, BSI, professional and regulatory body reports, etc.].
• At least two years post-graduate experience of working/training in a clinical environment.
• Good understanding of the complex physics underpinning the treatment of cancer by radiation and appreciation of the risks to patients arising from treatment planning errors, treatment errors, equipment failure and errors in radiation dose.
• Advanced knowledge of WORD, EXCEL and POWERPOINT, etc. for scientific report writing, preparation of presentations and program/spreadsheet development.

Essential

• Ability to assess complex scientific issues (e.g. in relation to radiation dose measurement, equipment performance, treatment planning, etc.) and to exercise judgement over best course of action, referring to others for advice as necessary.
• Ability to plan ongoing routine activities, organising the work of trainees as may occasionally be required.
• Able to concentrate on complex issues when acting as Duty Physicist and when subjected to hectic and unpredictable working patterns
• Ability to maintain clarity of purpose in a clinical environment within which there is constant emotional pressure.