We are seeking a Clinical Scientist with expert level 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.
The post holder will:
- take a lead in the Practice Education of Clinical Scientists, ideally to RPA/MPE/LPA level.
- contribute to developing scientific support / radiation protection services to diagnostic radiology
- provide advice as a Radiation Protection Adviser (potentially also as a Laser Protection Adviser) and act as Medical Physics Expert, to ensure that NHS Trusts and other organisations can meet their statutory obligations.
- provide support for the optimisation and development of radiological techniques with the aim of improving patient management and patient and staff safety.
- take a major role in the management of DRRPS.
Candidates with experience delivering MPE (imaging) and RPA support to radiotherapy would be welcomed as the group grows support to The Christie radiotherapy centres.
We would also welcome those with significant mammography, CT or fluoroscopy experience.
You will play a major role in the CMPE RPA Body, providing radiation protection advice to diagnostic & interventional radiology/cardiology departments. You will be the primary radiation protection contact for specified organisations.
As a Medical Physics Expert you will provide support for the optimisation of radiology exposures, 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.
You will be expected to provide in-depth expertise and develop and implement improved ways of working. You will initiate and undertake projects in line with the group priorities. Applicants should be patient focused and flexible to change where quality can be improved.
Line management and contributing to group management is a key part of the role.
Teaching and managing the Clinical Scientist training programmes is a key element on this post. Where appropriate, training students within the NW region/nationally will be encouraged to deliver efficiencies to UK workforce development.
A current Full UK driving licence is essential as frequent travel is necessary in this role.
We welcome external applicants. Those who do not meet the full person spec may be appointed at a lower band with a development plan. Those with neither RPA nor MPE, will not be invited to interview. Please get in touch if you have any questions.
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 and Continued Professional Development 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.
1. Management
1.1. Work closely with the group leader in managing the activities of the group and in planning services. Planning and organisation of a number of complex activities or programmes, which require the formulation and adjustment of plans.
1.2. Work in collaboration with the group leader in the setting and fulfilment of group objectives in line with Trust objectives and those of the Imaging Networks as appropriate.
1.3. Proactively participate in workforce development including appraisals, grievances, selection, recruitment and retention of staff.
1.4. Participate in and comply with the Quality Management System for the Group, providing leadership for a major component of the system and be an active member of the Management Review Committee. Undertake quality improvement.
1.5. Responsible for the quality of the service relevant to leadership role(s) including data entry, analysis tools, records maintained (scientific, quality, management, advice etc), production of management reports e.g. KPIs from data available. Ensure appropriate use of IT packages used within service.
1.6. Act as day-to-day manager for Healthcare Scientists, Practitioners and administrators as allocated by the group leader.
1.7. Be responsible for decisions on the purchase of equipment used in the provision of the radiation protection service.
1.8. Identify and maintain risks on the register as appropriate to leadership role and senior management position. Promote risk management within the team. Undertake incident investigation as required and promote learning.
1.9. Take part in ‘duty manager’ rota in line with group needs.
1.10. Be familiar with contingency plans and proactively prepare to put in action.
1.11. Proactively provide supervision and support to the team, encouraging their progression as appropriate.
1.12. Ensure work is carried out with regard for Health & Safety training and policy.
1.13. Manage the delivery of effective, efficient and high-quality Clinical Scientist training programmes to ‘expert’ level, working closely with the HCS Practitioner training lead(s) and the Consultant HCS lead/group leader.
1.14. Work closely with and provide support to/develop training officers, assessors, day to day managers and service managers in relation to training delivery.
1.15. Support students and be concerned for their health and wellbeing.
1.16. Act as the CMPE STP Training Coordinator and collaborate with other specialism training officers in relation to training delivery.
1.17. Contribute to maintaining the Department’s accreditations as a training centre.
1.18. 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
1.19. 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.
1.20. Support the DRRPS Training Lead in working with the North West Imaging Academy to design and deliver multi-professional training.
1.21. Support the DRRPS Training Lead in preparing funding bid submissions and progress reports for NHSE, as required.
2. Scientific support to diagnostic radiology
2.1. Provide leadership in specific areas of the group’s work, in providing in-depth expertise in these areas, planning group strategy and in developing new ways of working, and implementing these into the routine procedures of the Group. Work closely with the group leader and other leads within the team to ensure continuity of quality and service provision at role boundaries.
2.2. Provide Medical Physics Expert advice to specified Trusts and other customers, in line with the requirements of the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017, as amended. Contribute to development of group policy.
2.3. Provide a wide range of scientific advice to departments of radiology and other users of X-ray equipment, including matters such as equipment specification, optimisation of radiation dose and image quality, and resolution of problems in these areas. Use expertise to support customers who wish to gain accreditation of their services.
2.4. Undertake, as necessary, critical examinations and commissioning quality control measurements on x-ray equipment, to ensure that it is safe to use on patients and is capable of providing the required clinical information. Provide written reports and advice to radiology managers, radiographers, radiologists and others. Liaise with manufacturers’ representatives where necessary.
2.5. Provide specialist technical advice to radiology managers and others for the procurement of high capital value complex clinical equipment.
2.6. Manipulation of test objects and use of expensive, highly complex equipment.
2.7. Communicate appropriately with regulatory inspectors and participate actively at inspections of our customer facilities.
3. Radiation protection
3.1. Provide leadership in specific areas of the group’s work, in providing in-depth expertise in these areas, planning group strategy and in developing new ways of working, and implementing these into the routine procedures of the Group. Work closely with the group leader and other leads within the team to ensure continuity of quality and service provision at role boundaries.
3.2. Provide, on own authority, Radiation Protection Advice (and potentially optical/Laser Protection Advice) to specified Trusts, private hospitals and other organisations, to ensure that they meet their statutory obligations. This involves developing relationships with a wide range of staff including senior Trust managers, radiology managers, consultant radiologists, and radiographers. The advice provided will cover such aspects as the design of x-ray facilities including the calculation of shielding requirements, personal dosimetry and measures for staff protection.
3.3. Review and provide written reports to Radiation Protection Committees and Employers on compliance with the Regulations.
3.4. Communicate appropriately with regulatory inspectors and participate actively at inspections of our customer facilities.
4. Research, Development & Innovation
4.1. Undertake research, development and innovation, in line with group objectives (secondary aspect of role).
4.2. Identify appropriate areas for project development and provide support and supervision to BSc and MSc projects.
4.3. Oversee team members supporting research, project work and development, recognising the expertise and autonomy of other professionals in the group.
4.4. Draw research opportunities to the attention of the group leader and when appropriate, generate applications for grants and research contracts. Collaborate with other leads in the team as required.
4.5. To publish research in internationally recognised peer reviewed research journals and present at national /international meetings.
4.6. Possible supervision of HSST projects as appropriate and in line with group need.
5. Teaching and training
5.1. Provide ‘highly specialist’ to ‘advanced’ scientific training and assessment pertinent to diagnostic radiology and radiation protection, optical and ultraviolet radiation, to Healthcare Scientist and Practitioner trainees and other scientific and clinical staff, if relevant. This should be in line with the department’s Quality Management System.
5.2. Act as STP/Route 2 supervisor as required.
5.3. Involvement in the department’s teaching commitments, including FRCR, University courses and regional radiation protection courses. Presenting complex information to large groups.
5.4. Work closely with, support and monitor progress of trainees.
5.5. Provide clear, concise and constructive feedback to trainees and other relevant staff.
5.6. Mentor and encourage professionals within the team to advance their independent working.
5.7. Collect and act upon feedback from trainees, training officers and other scientific and clinical staff who are involved in the delivery of the Group’s training programmes.
5.8. Open up workshops on professional practice to other groups as appropriate e.g. other physics departments or HCS disciplines.
6. Professional
6.1.Work at a high standard, on multiple concurrent tasks/projects with scientific and managerial skill.
6.2.Exercise judgment and make sound decisions.
6.3.Deliver highly complex information in a clear and consistent way to a varied audience.
6.4.Keep up to date with developments in the field of diagnostic radiology physics and radiation protection.
6.5.Maintain state registration as a Clinical Scientist, recognition as Medical Physics Expert and an up-to-date certificate of competence as Radiation Protection Adviser (and LPA as necessary).
6.6.Network and collaborate effectively with key stakeholders e.g. HCS leads, Imaging Networks/ICB leads, NHSE, other educators and professional leads within and outside DRRPS.
6.7.Liaise with Universities and other training providers in relation to academic programme matters.
6.8.Liaise with clinical services and other relevant services in relation to clinical training matters.
6.9.Collaborate with Practice Educators at a national level.
7. General
7.1. Daily, long period use of screens.
7.2. Concentrate for long periods with frequent interruptions.
7.3. Occasional distressing circumstances as a result of managing the performance of others.
This advert closes on Thursday 10 Apr 2025
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