Job overview
We are seeking an experienced and dedicated Principal Clinical Scientist in Nuclear Medicine Physics to join our dynamic team in Radiation Physics. This is an exciting opportunity for a professional with expertise in nuclear medicine imaging and molecular radiotherapy to contribute to our busy molecular radiotherapy service and routine radionuclide imaging.
The successful candidate will be an HCPC registered clinical scientist and a certificated MPE (Medical Physics Expert) with relevant experience. If you have an HCPC registration but are not yet MPE certified, we encourage you to apply for this role at a lower band, with full support to obtain your MPE certification within an agreed timeframe. We also offer the chance to extend your qualifications to include RPA or RWA certification.
What We Offer:
1. A key role within the Diagnostic and Oncology Directorates of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, providing clinical, scientific, and technical services across both Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells sites.
2. Active involvement in our Molecular Radiotherapy Service and support for PET-CT.
3. Comprehensive training and development across all disciplines and career stages, including support for staff undertaking HSST, STP, RCT, and other professional certifications.
4. Opportunity to access personal development time (half a day per week) to help you build your MPE portfolio if not already certified.
5. Relocation package available (please inquire for details).
Previous applicants need not apply.
Main duties of the job
6. Collaborate with the Nuclear Medicine Physics team to ensure radiation practices within the Nuclear Medicine Departments comply with regulatory standards, national guidelines, and best practices.
7. Provide expert advice on patient imaging optimisation, quality assurance, radiation dosimetry, radiation safety, and the interpretation of scientific data.
8. Take a leading role in our Molecular Radiotherapy Programme, overseeing services like Ra-223 Xofigo, In-patient and Out-patient I-131 therapies, with plans to introduce a Lu-177 PSMA service soon.
9. Work closely with the Heads of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Physics to further develop and expand our services, introducing novel therapies where appropriate.
Why Join Us?
This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled scientist to make a real impact in a growing and supportive team, with plenty of opportunities for professional growth and development. Join us in providing high-quality care while advancing nuclear medicine practices.
Apply today to be part of this rewarding and pioneering service!
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
10. At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
11. Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
12. Blue Light card eligibility
13. And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
14. 1st or 2nd class Honours degree in physics or a relevant subject
15. Relevant accredited MSc or higher degree
16. HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist
17. RPA2000 certification as a Medical Physics Expert in nuclear medicine physics or working towards within an agreed timeframe
Desirable criteria
18. Have or be working towards RPA or RWA certification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
19. Post Registration clinical experience in Nuclear Medicine Physics
20. Experience of acting as a Medical Physics Expert in nuclear medicine physics.
21. Expert theoretical and practical knowledge of nuclear medicine equipment
22. Expert theoretical and practical knowledge of molecular radiotherapy in a clinical environment.
23. Expert knowledge of radiation protection, able to act as a Trust expert in area of nuclear medicine and advise on radiation protection.
24. High level of understanding of patient and staff risks arising from ionising radiations
25. In-depth understanding of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines [e.g. IRR, IR(ME)R, ISO 9001, RIDDOR, NAIR, COSHH, EPR, MDA/MHRA guidance, HASS]
Desirable criteria
26. Knowledge and experience of quality systems
Skills
Essential criteria
27. Able to communicate complex information to a variety of audiences (external regulators, managers and multi-disciplinary teams for example) in a variety of situations (conferences, Trust-wide and local meetings for example)