Job summary
An opportunity has arisen at University Hospitals of Leicester for two highly motivated Band 6 Dosimetrists to join our Radiotherapy Physics team.
The post holders will require experience and registration as a clinical technologist or therapeutic radiographer. However, candidates with less experience and/or who expect to become registered within 12 months are invited to apply but may be appointed at a lower grade (B5). Experience with the Eclipse planning system would be an advantage.
The radiotherapy department is based at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and provides state of the art treatment including SABR treatments for lung cancer and oligomets, respiratory gating, and deep inspiration breath hold for breast radiotherapy. Over 40% of all radical treatments are IMRT, of which 95% are VMAT. All IMRT patients routinely receive IGRT and we have an ongoing program to further increase utilisation.
We provide Oncology services to a catchment population of approximately 1 million within Leicestershire and Rutland and are ISO 9001 certified. We fully support staff development; the department has an impressive clinical trials portfolio and established links with Leicester University.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be primarily based in the treatment planning area of Radiotherapy Physics. Duties will include external beam treatment planning using VMAT and SABR techniques, mould room work (producing thermoplastic patient masks, wax and lead blocks), brachytherapy (attending theatre and planning), and quality control of treatment equipment. This is a permanent, full time post. Flexible working and some evening work may be required to meet the needs of the service.
Equipment includes 4 Varian linear accelerators with OBI, respiratory gating and RapidArc, ARIA Oncology management system, Prosoma Virtual Simulation, Varian Eclipse treatment planning system, 2 wide bore CT scanners with 4DCT, XStrahl superficial unit and Varian GammaMed brachytherapy unit.
About us
Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).
We have four primary goals:
1. high-quality care for all,
2. being a great place to work,
3. partnerships for impact, and
4. research and education excellence
And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.
Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:
5. we are compassionate,
6. we are proud,
7. we are inclusive, and
8. we are one team
This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.
About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:
Job description
Job responsibilities
Treatment Planning
9. Production of appropriate radiotherapy plans for the safe and accurate treatment of patients within protocol
10. Evaluation of plan prior to clinician approval
11. Scheduling of verification appointments
12. Liaising with patient as required
13. Scheduling treatment appointments for complex planning
14. Ensuring all appropriate documentation required for planning is available
Manufacture of patient specific devices
15. Manufacture patient specific immobilisation devices and bolus.
16. Construct custom alloy and lead shielding devices for megavoltage, superficial and electron treatments.
17. Advise on the fit of moulds to ensure patients are receiving the accurate delivery of treatment.
18. Mark up immobilisation devices to a very high degree of accuracy.
Brachytherapy
19. Perform treatment planning of patients undergoing Brachytherapy.
20. Ensure applicators are ready for use and attend theatres as required.
21. Handle all aspects of work for the use of Radioactive Sealed Sources in accordance with departmental local rules, policies and National radiation guidelines.
22. Participate in the delivery of brachytherapy
General
23. To assist in the daily organisation and running of the computer planning area
24. To maintain professional attitudes at all times
25. To maintain patient confidentiality at all times and to be aware that certain information is classified under the Data Protection Act
26. To liaise with other staff members and departments
27. To participate in the accurate collection of departmental statistics
28. To work in close liaison with Clinicians, Specialist Registrars, Junior Doctors, Physicists, Dosimetrists and Radiographers as appropriate
29. To carry out such duties as are required for the accurate and timely treatment and planning of patients
30. Supervision of staff and students
31. To participate in the training of other staff.
32. To ensure that the appropriate training has been undertaken and personal training records have been completed.
33. To be aware of the requirements of ISO 9001
34. To assist in writing and updating of QMS documents
35. To assist with visits from Nursing Staff, Medical Students and other disciplines
36. To perform other reasonable duties as delegated by the Head of Radiotherapy Physics
37. Undertake further specialist training
38. The post-holder must either be a registered Therapy Radiographer or Clinical Technologist and will maintain registration as appropriate
please see job description/person specification for further details on the role
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential
39. Appropriate qualification
40. Registration
Experience
Essential
41. Current / recent experience (18months min)
42. Evidence of CPD / additional experience
Desirable
43. Mould room
44. Complex experience
Knowledge
Essential
45. Knowledge of relevent legislation
46. Complex radiotherapy planning techniqes
Desirable
47. Advanced cumputer skills / training
Skills
Essential
48. Attitude and motivation, appropriate skills