Head of Brachytherapy Physics

Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Job Title: Head of Brachytherapy Physics

Contract Type: Permanent

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a small team within the Radiotherapy Physics Group to deliver a cutting-edge Brachytherapy Service.

As part of this role, you will work closely with Clinical Oncologists, Radiographers, Clinical Scientists and Technologists to deliver both HDR and LDR Brachytherapy Services. Reporting to the Head of Radiotherapy Physics, you will be part of a friendly, Senior Team, contributing to strategic and technical developments within Radiotherapy Physics.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We currently treat both gynaecological and prostate patients with Elekta Microselectron HDR afterloader. Image guided Brachytherapy Treatments are planned using Oncentra Brachy treatment planning system and with state of the art CTMR compatible applicators enabling interstitial insertions where clinically required. GEC-ESTRO (GYN) Recommendations are fully implemented for cervix treatments. An ongoing interest in this field would be desirable.

The team also supports delivery of Iodine-125 seed prostate treatments, using Variseed Treatment Planning system.

External Beam Radiotherapy is delivered on a suite of 7 Elekta Linacs, supported by Raystation Treatment Planning System and Mosaiq.

Service development and innovation are at the core of our work and staff are encouraged to attend and present their work at National and International meetings.

While the primary focus of this role is to provide technical and managerial leadership for the brachytherapy service, we will be happy to discuss involvement in other areas of interest with potential applicants.

The successful applicant needs to be a state registered Clinical Scientist with experience to act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) in Brachytherapy Physics.

Registration as a Radiation Protection Advisor (in Radiotherapy) would be an advantage, but we can offer training to develop the successful candidate to support this role.

An informal visit to the department in encouraged.

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and managing the Brachytherapy Physics service, contributing directly to Clinical treatments, training staff and implementing new developments and equipment within Brachytherapy. You will act as an MPE in Brachytherapy and take overall responsibility for delivery of the service. You will work closely with the Head of Radiotherapy Physics and Radiation Protection Advisor to ensure compliance with Regulations related to delivery of a Brachytherapy service.

Extensive experience of brachytherapy is essential for this role, together with proven management and leadership skills. Ability to work flexibly to accommodate clinical treatments is essential.

Excellent communication skills are required to reassure patients, interact with clinicians, radiographers, scientists and technologists and contribute to the strategic direction of the Radiotherapy Physics Senior Team.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.