Radiological Physics Specialist Clinical Technologist (XR06)
Job summary
The Radiological Physics group is part of the Radiological Physics section of Medical Physics & Engineering. It provides scientific and radiation protection advice and measurement services in all fields where ionising radiation is used, including radiotherapy, use of unsealed radioactive substances and diagnostic x-rays. This support includes an extensive quality assurance programme and the monitoring of personal, patient and environmental radiation doses. These duties and responsibilities are undertaken by the section to ensure regulatory compliance of the Trust and external customers.
This post is part of the Radiological Physics group, which comprises a team of clinical technologists and clinical scientists. The technologist will be expected to work closely and effectively with other technical, scientific and clinical staff to ensure delivery of a high quality service. The post will be based at the LGI although frequent travel and work at other hospital sites will be required.
While we are looking for a registered technologist, we would also welcome applications from candidates who have the required qualifications but lack experience. In this case appointment would be at a lower grade until registration is achieved.
Expected Shortlisting Date : 22 July 2024
Planned Interview Date : 12 August 2024
Main duties of the job
The main duties of this role are performing routine and unplanned quality assurance checks on x-ray equipment across our own Trust and for our external customers. This includes travel to sites across the North and West Yorkshire region. Once enough experience has been gained the post holder is expected to assist with training new staff and other trainees.
The post holder will also assist with technical support for the patient dose management software, and will be involved with the process of decommissioning and disposing of medical equipment
Other regular duties include investigations relating to staff radiation doses, logging and triaging incoming work, function testing of test equipment and support for the radiographer QA programme.
We operate under a Quality Management System and all staff contribute towards the creation and maintenance of QMS documents such as work instructions and templates for recording data.
About us
This role is based in the Diagnostic Radiology and Radiation Protection team within Medical Physics and Engineering which is a part of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. We are a small team but we are expanding to reflect the increased workload which has come in part because of the governments programme to build Clinical Diagnostic Centres across the country.
The work done by the team is varied, covering all types of x-ray equipment and with staff of all grades working independently within their own areas of specialism. Career progression is encouraged and we work with all our staff to find the best route for them to thrive. Technologists are actively supported to join the Register of Clinical Technologists through the Equivalency route.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Organising and performing routine quality assurance measurements on a wide range of expensive specialist diagnostic x-ray equipment (individual equipment values range between £2000 to £500,000) and producing reports detailing appropriate corrective actions
Responsible for the safe storage and handling of specialist testing equipment (individual test equipment values range between £1000 to £20,000)
Responsible for maintaining and updating the survey database.
Responsible for organising and performing routine contamination surveys in departments using unsealed radioactive sources and notifying staff of any contamination hazards and the appropriate course of action
Organising and performing routine patient dose and environmental dose assessments and producing summary reports for scientific staff and clinical staff
Responsible for the management of a particular area of work.
Prioritising calls and routine survey tasks using knowledge of patient / staff safety, legal implications, clinical need, accessibility, test equipment availability etc.
Supervising trainee staff and providing technical support to non-specialists
Assisting in the evaluation of new equipment as part of equipment purchasing strategies
Performing commissioning and acceptance testing on diagnostic x-ray equipment under appropriate guidance from the Radiation Protection Adviser
Assisting in the investigation of equipment involved in suspected patient overexposures
Providing technical support to the sections activities in the National Breast Screening program as required
Proposing changes to operational policies that may impact on own area and others professions
Writing technical procedures for their own area of speciality
Identifying and specifying spare parts and accessories to be ordered for their own work.
Performance of routine quality assurance measurements on specialist diagnostic x-ray equipment.
Taking lead responsibility for the planning and performance of routine quality assurance measurements on diagnostic x-ray equipment (e.g dental x-ray sets, analogue and digital radiographic units, fluoroscopy units) and producing reports detailing the systems compliance using the sections quality management system
Responding to requests for quality assurance measurements on diagnostic x-ray equipment where faults are suspected and producing reports detailing the systems compliance using the sections quality management system
Performance of quality assurance and patient dosimetry measurements in UV therapy.
Undertaking patient and environmental dose surveys
Using own judgement to determine suitability of equipment (in terms of patient safety)
Deputising for the Technical Team Manager when required
Writing work instructions and technical procedures for their own area of work
Assisting the sections Quality Manager in the administration of the section quality management system
Working to standards set by legislation, departmental procedures, quality manual documents and national standards and recommendations
Travelling to other hospitals, health centres and private health care providers as necessary for the execution of work
Prioritising calls and routine survey tasks using knowledge of patient / staff safety, legal implications, clinical need, accessibility, test equipment availability etc.
The safe storage and handling of specialist testing equipment (individual test equipment values range between £1000 to £20,000).
Assisting in the safe disposal of medical equipment, including associated legislative requirements according to Trust processes and procedures
System administration, maintenance and specialist use of patient dose management and local image archival systems
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Degree in physics or similar physical science, or equivalent academic training
- Registration with Register of Clinical Technologists under Radiation Physics scope (or eligibility to register)
Experience
- Experience of routine performance testing and quality assurance of x-ray equipment
- Experience working within a Quality Management System (e.g. following and/or creating work instructions and standard operating procedures)
- Familiarity operating different types and models of x-ray equipment
- Experience using/managing specialist IT systems such as patient dose management and image analysis packages
Skills & behaviours
- Good IT skills, particularly Microsoft Excel
- Competent at handling and manipulating specialist testing equipment and interpreting results
Other Criteria
- Ability to travel across the region (with equipment) using own means of transport
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Address
Leeds General Infirmary
Great George Street
Leeds
LS1 3EX
https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/
- Company
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals
- Location
- Leeds, United Kingdom LS1 3EX
- Employment Type
- Permanent
- Salary
- £35392.00 - £42618.00 a year
- Posted
- Company
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals
- Location
- Leeds, United Kingdom LS1 3EX
- Employment Type
- Permanent
- Salary
- £35392.00 - £42618.00 a year
- Posted