Non-Ionising Radiation Physicist (UV)

Job overview

The Non-Ionising Radiation Section of Medical Physics is responsible for providing a clinical scientific service to a wide range of clinical Departments at Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, including the Dermatology Department, and to a number of other Trusts around London and the South East.  Functions include: carrying out equipment calibration; undertaking patient dosimetry; managing the safety of patients and staff in an hazardous environment; ensuring compliance with regulatory demands including in particular the Control of Artificial Optical Radiation (AOR) at Work Regulations 2010 and the evaluation, selection, procurement, installation and acceptance testing and quality assurance of non-ionising radiation equipment. The Section’s UV Laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025 by UKAS.

Main duties of the job

The main role of this post is to provide scientific support for clinical services in phototherapy through ensuring the correct operation of equipment and through regular quality checks.  This will include carrying out complex procedures, introducing new techniques and carrying out applied research. The postholder will undertake complex scientific measurements including audit and development procedures and will ensure that measurement equipment is calibrated and clients’ equipment is accurate, safe and effective. The postholder will provide complex advice and will seek to develop scientific services and new opportunities in this area. The postholder will also engage in and support research and development, both within the Section and for other clinical departments in the Trust and KHP; with opportunities in optical radiation, photodermatolgy, ultrasound and device development.

The post-holder liaises with a wide range of staff in Medical Physics and in Dermatology and other departments, and with external hospital trusts and with equipment manufacturers and service suppliers.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Key Relationships

The postholder will liaise closely with the Deputy Head and Head of the Non-Ionising Radiation and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) , other Healthcare Scientists, Consultants and Junior Medical Staff, Nursing Staff, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Allied Health Professionals, Administrative and Clerical Support Staff.

• Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Scientific – Phototherapy

• Assist in providing and developing non-ionising radiation protection and dosimetry services to a wide range of users both within the Trust and at external sites in the area of non-ionising radiation dosimetry for clinical photo-dermatology, including phototherapy.
• Assess patient phototherapy doses, monitor results and investigate reasons for deviations from required delivered dose with reference to and interpretation of the application of appropriate guidelines and standards.
• Evaluate the performance of phototherapy equipment including internal dosimetry devices on phototherapy equipment (e.g. in-built meters) to ensure the accuracy of treatment delivery.  Carry out complex and detailed measurements and exercise judgement in diagnosing and solving complex faults on equipment and in its clinical application.
• Manage physical assets used for phototherapy and photodermatology, including: dosimeters, radiation standards, dose measurement systems, associated equipment. Consider patient and staff safety issues and undertake risk assessments.
• Undertake, as part of a team, external hospital visits to check phototherapy equipment and advise local staff on related safety issues. Provide support in planning, organising and coordinating calibration and dosimetry services.
• Support the activities of the quality manager and operational manager of the UKAS calibration facilities. Assist in maintaining the traceability of all dosimetry equipment (dosimeters, dose checking devices and ancillary equipment) to national standards.  Carry out complex and detailed measurements according to detailed protocols.
• Clinical Scientific – Optical radiation
• Assist in the implementation of the Control of Artificial Optical Radiation (AOR) at Work Regulations 2010 and related guidelines, in accordance with Trust Policies and Practices.  Carry out complex technical measurements and interpret guidelines to make recommendations on system use.
• Assist in assessing the safety of coherent and incoherent and laser light sources for AOR compliance. Assess risks and give advice and direction as required.
• Assist in providing and developing services for laser, photodynamic therapy and intense pulsed light source users under the guidance of the Laser Protection Advisor.
• Clinical Scientific – Ultrasound
• Assist in providing and developing ultrasound quality assurance services to users both within the Trust and at external sites. Undertake complex measurements and maintain appropriate records and advise local staff on related safety issues.
• Assist in developing a standard set of ultrasound quality assurance checks appropriate for the ultrasound systems being inspected. Carry out measurements and develop suitable test protocols as required. Assist in developing an effective role for Medical Physics in the procurement and management of ultrasound equipment within the Trust and take part in the evaluation, installation, validation and commissioning of new hardware and software as necessary.
• Clinical Scientific – General
• Develop procedures and work instructions to implement changes in legislation, professional guidelines, clinical practice and technology.  Liaise with Dermatology, Radiology and other departments regarding the impact of changes and develop joint protocols where required.  Contribute to the development of trust wide policies.
• Provide complex and wide-ranging scientific and technical advice to clinical staff, radiographers, nurses and other staff groups as appropriate to own area of expertise. Investigate and resolve complex problems on highly-complex, patient-critical areas related to equipment use.
• Develop involvement in external groups, including external audit groups with an interest in the NIR section’s existing services and keep up to date with relevant new and emerging areas.
• Undertake highly complex negotiations involving other staff groups, Trust Departments and manufacturers.  Organise project meetings and keep records.
• Provide support and cover for other activities in the Section as required, such as equipment quality control and safety.  Give advice on non-ionising radiation dosimetry to other staff working in Medical Physics.
• Managerial
• Assist in managing contracts for services and site visits.
• Prioritise and manage own work to meet agreed outcomes. Manage the day to day work of staff attached to the postholder’s area of work.
• Coordinate the work of and supervise the professional work of other medical physics staff working on projects managed by the postholder.
• Keep careful records of all work performed and complete other appropriate records.
• Set up electronic and manual systems for recording and permanently archiving information, including computerised data.
• Teaching, training and research
• Deliver general and specialist training on a range of subjects to a wide range of staff, including medical staff.
• Deliver training on highly complex features of new equipment and facilities to radiographers, technical and scientific staff.
• Supervise trainee clinical scientists on placement.
• Instigate and participate in Research and Development projects and clinical audit. Develop and improve equipment and techniques.
• Professional
• Keep abreast of the latest technical and scientific developments and their applications in medical and associated fields. Enrol in appropriate Continuing Professional Development programmes. Attend suitable seminars and courses as part of personal development and to further the work of the department.
• Ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and meet regulatory requirements.
• Engage in regional and national groups to develop relevant standards and guidelines, including discussions with regulatory and professional bodies. Undertake and analyse benchmarking comparisons of Trust performance and advise and act on as appropriate.
• Miscellaneous
• Ensure compliance with accredited Quality Systems in the areas of work for which the postholder carries responsibility.  Participate in the development and routine operation of quality systems.
• Carry out all duties in accordance with the requirements of the Health & Safety at Work Act, relevant Statutory Regulations, Approved Codes of Conduct and Local Rules.
• Work hours necessary for the proper and efficient performance of the work.  In practice, the appointee will occasionally be required to perform duties outside the normal working hours of the Department.
• When working in other departments, the appointee will liaise with local heads of department, medical consultants, superintendents, nursing sisters or their representatives as appropriate, adhering to local policies and practices.  The postholder will behave courteously and professionally at all times and seek to ensure that the highest level of service is provided by Medical Physics.
• Perform other appropriate duties which may be required from time to time by the Head of Non-Ionising Radiation and Magnetic Resonance Imaging  or Heads of Medical Physics.