Job summary We are recruiting for a Radiotherapy Physics Lead Scientist (Project Implementation) who shares our vision to be trusted to provide consistently outstanding care and exemplary service to our patients. The Radiotherapy Physics department provides a specialist technical radiotherapy physics service to the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, contributing to safe treatment of patients for radiotherapy. It is responsible for ensuring the accurate calibration, according to national recommendations, of all radiotherapy treatment machines and providing a routine quality control service for all equipment used inplanning, verifying and treating radiotherapy patients. The aim of this post is to act as a lead physicist within the radiotherapy physics team. You will be responsible for ensuring that projects are delivered in a timely manner and will be involved with the prioritisation of these projects. This post is split with approximately 50% of time in development work and 50% performing routine work within the department. At the heart of everything we do are our core values: Include, Respect, and Improve. We encourage you to embrace these values throughout the recruitment process and in your role with us. Main duties of the job To perform treatment planning and checking within two sections of the department (external beam, brachytherapy, stereotactic). To manage and coordinate allocated projects in collaboration with the project lead. To provide appropriate training for physics and radiography staff with respect to treatment planning, machine QA and either brachytherapy or stereotactic and to assist in the assessment of staff competency for physics staff. To undertake a role as a medical physics expert within the radiotherapy department To commission equipment To line manage and supervise staff. This may include those on training programmes in radiotherapy physics. About us At East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, we are proud of the range of general and specialist services we provide and our 6,000 or so dedicated staff ensure our patients get the best care. Our ability to be flexible and innovative in the way in which we work and deliver our services to our catchment has never been more important than it is now. We run the following hospitals: The Lister Hospital, Stevenage New Queen Elizabeth II (New QEII), Welwyn Garden City Hertford County, Hertford Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC), Northwood We have ambitious plans to become an outstanding, patient-led Trust where dedicated staff provide high-quality, compassionate care to our patients. We continue to undergo significant transformation and our staff and patients are at the heart of delivering this ambitious agenda. We are committed to a positive work life balance for our employees. This means that any employee is entitled to seek to work flexible working patterns and we are committed to listen and consider all requests. Such requests, of course, have to be made and considered formally, and will need to be balanced against service needs, but our starting point will always be to find ways to support making them happen. Date posted 06 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £53,755 to £60,504 a year Per annum 15% high cost area supplement Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 361-6979043 Job locations Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Rickmansworth Road Northwood HA6 2RN Job description Job responsibilities Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification information pack for further detailed information regarding this role. Job description Job responsibilities Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification information pack for further detailed information regarding this role. Person Specification Education and Qualifications Essential Good (1st or 2nd class) honours degree in a relevant subject Relevant MSc or higher degree Completion of scientist training program or equivalent experience HCPC registered Good written and spoken English Experience Essential Significant experience in Radiotherapy Physics including: analysing and judging treatment options, identifying problems with patient-related equipment, exercising judgement to solve problems and making decisions on how equipment is to be used safely and correctly, all usually under time-pressure Specialist training and practical experience in the use and calibration of radiotherapy equipment (including linear accelerators and treatment planning computers), specialist test and measurement equipment and dosimetry equipment calibration. Significant experience in planning and checking complex patients treatment plans in one of brachytherapy, external beam or stereotactic radiotherapy (as appropriate to the post) Desirable Experience in planning and checking patients treatment plans in an additional area from brachytherapy, external beam or stereotactic radiotherapy Experience of imaging modalities other than CT Knowledge Essential Broad knowledge of radiation and associated areas within Medical Physics. Highly developed, specialist level of theoretical and practical knowledge across the full range of working procedures and practices within Radiotherapy Physics. Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of Radiotherapy equipment, dosimetry and treatment planning, including sufficient knowledge and experience to act as a Medical Physics Expert in Radiotherapy Physics. Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines, including IRR, IR(ME)R ISO9001-200, other relevant BSI and ISO standards, professional and regulatory body reports and guidelines. Knowledge and ability to understand and use to their full extent a range of computerised treatment planning systems, including knowledge of treatment planning system algorithms and areas where their limitations may affect clinical decisions Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from treatment planning computer system errors, equipment failure, treatment errors and incorrect dosimetry Skills and Abilities Essential Able to use judgement involving facts that require analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options as, for example, in analysing the results of scientific measurements or treatment plans, which may conflict, and deciding upon an appropriate course of action. Able to supervise projects and small groups of staff. Able to prioritise and manage own work Highly developed physical accuracy and dexterity, for making precision measurements and adjustments on equipment, often under time pressure to ensure radiotherapy equipment is returned to clinical use as soon as possible. Use of fine tools for equipment adjustment Able to lift large, cumbersome medium/heavy weights on occasion (e.g. test instruments, measuring equipment and calibration jigs onto radiotherapy equipment) Able to concentrate when subject to constantly unpredictable working patterns (e.g. when interrupted to provide urgent advice affecting patients' treatments). Able to concentrate for prolonged periods in safetycritical areas (e.g. carrying out or analysing radiation measurements or checking patients treatment plans) Able to use Excel, Word, Access etc. to set up documents and spreadsheets and extract information. Able to design, develop and adapt software solutions to meet the needs of radiotherapy physics and radiotherapy Able to exercise own initiative when dealing with issues within own specialist area of competence. Able to communicate highly complex information e.g. advice to consultant oncologists on patient treatment options, equipment status or operation to other professional groups. Able to present scientific papers at national and international conferences. Able to train groups of other professional staff. Able to deliver teaching and training on complex Radiotherapy Physics-related subjects. Expected to act independently, without supervision, within professional guidelines, but can refer to his manager where necessary. The individual's manager assesses work at intervals Evidence of team leadership and an ability to motivate staff Desirable Evidence of publications in areas relevant to radiotherapy physics Personal Qualities Essential Able to deal with occasional distressing circumstances when working with terminally ill patients in Radiotherapy. Good negotiation skills with staff and suppliers to optimise Radiotherapy Physics services Able to deal with complex and unpredictable situations affecting patient treatments. Other Requirements Essential Evidence of continuing professional development. Understanding of hazards posed by, and precautions needed with: Ionising radiation, Non-ionising radiation, Electricity (medium and high voltages), Cross-infection, Bio-hazards, Fumes, Solvents, Tools at elevated temperatures, Compressed medical gases, Cleaning agents and other hazardous materials Occasional exposure to uncontrolled radiation hazards, e.g. spillages, monitoring of radiation activated targets, leak testing of sources, radiation emergencies Person Specification Education and Qualifications Essential Good (1st or 2nd class) honours degree in a relevant subject Relevant MSc or higher degree Completion of scientist training program or equivalent experience HCPC registered Good written and spoken English Experience Essential Significant experience in Radiotherapy Physics including: analysing and judging treatment options, identifying problems with patient-related equipment, exercising judgement to solve problems and making decisions on how equipment is to be used safely and correctly, all usually under time-pressure Specialist training and practical experience in the use and calibration of radiotherapy equipment (including linear accelerators and treatment planning computers), specialist test and measurement equipment and dosimetry equipment calibration. Significant experience in planning and checking complex patients treatment plans in one of brachytherapy, external beam or stereotactic radiotherapy (as appropriate to the post) Desirable Experience in planning and checking patients treatment plans in an additional area from brachytherapy, external beam or stereotactic radiotherapy Experience of imaging modalities other than CT Knowledge Essential Broad knowledge of radiation and associated areas within Medical Physics. Highly developed, specialist level of theoretical and practical knowledge across the full range of working procedures and practices within Radiotherapy Physics. Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of Radiotherapy equipment, dosimetry and treatment planning, including sufficient knowledge and experience to act as a Medical Physics Expert in Radiotherapy Physics. Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines, including IRR, IR(ME)R ISO9001-200, other relevant BSI and ISO standards, professional and regulatory body reports and guidelines. Knowledge and ability to understand and use to their full extent a range of computerised treatment planning systems, including knowledge of treatment planning system algorithms and areas where their limitations may affect clinical decisions Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from treatment planning computer system errors, equipment failure, treatment errors and incorrect dosimetry Skills and Abilities Essential Able to use judgement involving facts that require analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options as, for example, in analysing the results of scientific measurements or treatment plans, which may conflict, and deciding upon an appropriate course of action. Able to supervise projects and small groups of staff. Able to prioritise and manage own work Highly developed physical accuracy and dexterity, for making precision measurements and adjustments on equipment, often under time pressure to ensure radiotherapy equipment is returned to clinical use as soon as possible. Use of fine tools for equipment adjustment Able to lift large, cumbersome medium/heavy weights on occasion (e.g. test instruments, measuring equipment and calibration jigs onto radiotherapy equipment) Able to concentrate when subject to constantly unpredictable working patterns (e.g. when interrupted to provide urgent advice affecting patients' treatments). Able to concentrate for prolonged periods in safetycritical areas (e.g. carrying out or analysing radiation measurements or checking patients treatment plans) Able to use Excel, Word, Access etc. to set up documents and spreadsheets and extract information. Able to design, develop and adapt software solutions to meet the needs of radiotherapy physics and radiotherapy Able to exercise own initiative when dealing with issues within own specialist area of competence. Able to communicate highly complex information e.g. advice to consultant oncologists on patient treatment options, equipment status or operation to other professional groups. Able to present scientific papers at national and international conferences. Able to train groups of other professional staff. Able to deliver teaching and training on complex Radiotherapy Physics-related subjects. Expected to act independently, without supervision, within professional guidelines, but can refer to his manager where necessary. The individual's manager assesses work at intervals Evidence of team leadership and an ability to motivate staff Desirable Evidence of publications in areas relevant to radiotherapy physics Personal Qualities Essential Able to deal with occasional distressing circumstances when working with terminally ill patients in Radiotherapy. Good negotiation skills with staff and suppliers to optimise Radiotherapy Physics services Able to deal with complex and unpredictable situations affecting patient treatments. Other Requirements Essential Evidence of continuing professional development. Understanding of hazards posed by, and precautions needed with: Ionising radiation, Non-ionising radiation, Electricity (medium and high voltages), Cross-infection, Bio-hazards, Fumes, Solvents, Tools at elevated temperatures, Compressed medical gases, Cleaning agents and other hazardous materials Occasional exposure to uncontrolled radiation hazards, e.g. spillages, monitoring of radiation activated targets, leak testing of sources, radiation emergencies 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name East and North Herts NHS Trust Address Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Rickmansworth Road Northwood HA6 2RN Employer's website https://www.enherts-tr.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)