Job summary
The post-holder will participate in a three-year, structured apprenticeship program that meets the criteria for registration as a Healthcare Science Practitioner on the Academy of Healthcare Science (AHCS) register. The post will focus on a wide range of aspects of the work in Radiotherapy Physics. The trainee will be expected to attend the accredited, part-time degree course in Healthcare Science at the University of the West of England
Successful completion of the Apprenticeship allows voluntary registration with the Academy of Healthcare Science (AHCS) and the Register of Clinical Technologists (RCT).
Main duties of the job
The candidate will gain experience and competence in:-
Planning of individualised radiotherapy treatment for patients with cancer.
Quality assurance (QA) checks of radiation treatment and equipment within a hospital environment.
About us
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone’s full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Producing routine and complex treatment plans, in accordance with relevant clinical protocols.
Checking that all patient images required to produce treatment plans are available. Co-register images from different sources; evaluating the validity of the co-registration.
Accurately outline anatomical volumes from CT scans for Gross Tumour Volumes and Organs at Risk, where trained.
Advise clinical staff on the effects of various treatment plan options on patient dose distributions.
Participate in the acceptance testing, commissioning and routine quality assurance programs for radiotherapy planning software.
Assist in producing written protocols for treatment planning as part of the departments Quality System. Participate fully in implementing and maintaining this system.
Keep careful records of all work performed. Assist in the maintenance of the Treatment Planning Database and production of management statistics. Able to report on the data.
Assist with the development of new techniques in conjunction with other staff groups.
Take part in quality assurance, following specified procedures, for CT scanners, treatment-planning systems, radiotherapy treatment units, and dosimetry equipment.
Check equipment is operating within agreed tolerances.
To assist with on-going calibration and quality control of clinical dosemeters, remaining familiar with current UK dosimetry protocols, in order to maintain the accuracy and traceability of the dosimetry chain.
Take part in the commissioning of new Radiotherapy equipment.
Manage own work and prioritise it on a day to day basis working flexibly where necessary.
To remain up to date regarding the latest scientific and technical developments and their applications within radiotherapy physics. This to be achieved by journal reading, internet research, and attending suitable seminars and training courses.
Ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and conform to Statutory Regulations, approved Codes of Practice and Local Rules.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Producing routine and complex treatment plans, in accordance with relevant clinical protocols.
Checking that all patient images required to produce treatment plans are available. Co-register images from different sources; evaluating the validity of the co-registration.
Accurately outline anatomical volumes from CT scans for Gross Tumour Volumes and Organs at Risk, where trained.
Advise clinical staff on the effects of various treatment plan options on patient dose distributions.
Participate in the acceptance testing, commissioning and routine quality assurance programs for radiotherapy planning software.
Assist in producing written protocols for treatment planning as part of the departments Quality System. Participate fully in implementing and maintaining this system.
Keep careful records of all work performed. Assist in the maintenance of the Treatment Planning Database and production of management statistics. Able to report on the data.
Assist with the development of new techniques in conjunction with other staff groups.
Take part in quality assurance, following specified procedures, for CT scanners, treatment-planning systems, radiotherapy treatment units, and dosimetry equipment.
Check equipment is operating within agreed tolerances.
To assist with on-going calibration and quality control of clinical dosemeters, remaining familiar with current UK dosimetry protocols, in order to maintain the accuracy and traceability of the dosimetry chain.
Take part in the commissioning of new Radiotherapy equipment.
Manage own work and prioritise it on a day to day basis working flexibly where necessary.
To remain up to date regarding the latest scientific and technical developments and their applications within radiotherapy physics. This to be achieved by journal reading, internet research, and attending suitable seminars and training courses.
Ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and conform to Statutory Regulations, approved Codes of Practice and Local Rules.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Mini9mum of five GCSEs at grade 4/C and above, including English Language, Maths and Science
- 110-120 UCAS tariff points from maximum of 3 A-levels, to include an A-level in Physics with a minimum of 40 points.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience of applying scientific method to problems
- Basic Radiation Physics theoretical knowledge
- Evidence of a clinical visit/experience to a medical physics department.
Desirable
- Some knowledge of treatment planning and radiation dosimetry as applied to radiotherapy treatment
- Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from radiotherapy treatment
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Clear and accurate written and verbal communication.
- Able to work on own initiative as well as part of a team
- Ability to liaise with others at all levels
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail and the ability to work to deadlines under pressure of time.
- Be expected to complete self-study sessions outside of working hours in order to complete academic components of the programme.
- Able to deal with occasional distressing circumstances
- Ability to undertake occasional lifting of heavy equipment using appropriate health and safety control measures, to assist engineering and physics team members in machine QA and maintenance
Desirable
- Understanding of hazards posed by, and precautions needed with: oIonising radiation oRegular operation of VDUs
Personal Qualities & Attributes
Essential
- Willingness to undertake and satisfactorily complete the Apprenticeship within 3 years which may include the need to work outside of contracted hours in order to gain appropriate work exposure.
- Willingness to develop new skills and undertake apprenticeship training programme – including block training placements
- Punctuality and reliability in attending workplace and University.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Mini9mum of five GCSEs at grade 4/C and above, including English Language, Maths and Science
- 110-120 UCAS tariff points from maximum of 3 A-levels, to include an A-level in Physics with a minimum of 40 points.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience of applying scientific method to problems
- Basic Radiation Physics theoretical knowledge
- Evidence of a clinical visit/experience to a medical physics department.
Desirable
- Some knowledge of treatment planning and radiation dosimetry as applied to radiotherapy treatment
- Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from radiotherapy treatment
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Clear and accurate written and verbal communication.
- Able to work on own initiative as well as part of a team
- Ability to liaise with others at all levels
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail and the ability to work to deadlines under pressure of time.
- Be expected to complete self-study sessions outside of working hours in order to complete academic components of the programme.
- Able to deal with occasional distressing circumstances
- Ability to undertake occasional lifting of heavy equipment using appropriate health and safety control measures, to assist engineering and physics team members in machine QA and maintenance
Desirable
- Understanding of hazards posed by, and precautions needed with: oIonising radiation oRegular operation of VDUs
Personal Qualities & Attributes
Essential
- Willingness to undertake and satisfactorily complete the Apprenticeship within 3 years which may include the need to work outside of contracted hours in order to gain appropriate work exposure.
- Willingness to develop new skills and undertake apprenticeship training programme – including block training placements
- Punctuality and reliability in attending workplace and University.
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.
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) .
Additional information
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) .
