Nuclear Medicine Principal Physicist, Band 8a

Job overview

Join Gloucestershire Hospitals as a Nuclear Medicine Principal Physicist!

We’re looking for a passionate professional to advise on the safe and optimised use of ionising radiation and act as a Medical Physics Expert within our Nuclear Medicine departments. You’ll provide scientific support across imaging, therapy, radiation protection, quality assurance, and more, while also training the next generation of clinical scientists.

Gloucestershire Hospitals is a fantastic place to work because of our people. Our Nuclear Medicine team, Medical Physics group, and Practitioners collaborate closely, creating a supportive and welcoming environment where everyone works toward the same goal: excellent patient care.

Our role offers hands-on experience with day-to-day operations, routine QC, and optimisation projects across a wide range of gamma camera studies. You’ll also have the chance to shape the future of the service, with future planned developments including a new department in Cheltenham with new gamma cameras.

We’re committed to your growth, offering strong leadership support, a highly regarded Quality Improvement Programme, and connections across the Southwest for a wide professional network. Join us and make a real impact while expanding your expertise and portfolios.

Main duties of the job

Participate in the organisation and provision of commissioning and routine performance testing of Nuclear Medicine diagnostic imaging and non-imaging equipment in the Nuclear Medicine departments.

Lead the programme of routine quality control (QC) of imaging and non-imaging equipment including isotope calibrators, gamma counter, radiation and contamination monitors and gamma cameras.

Be the Medical Physics Expert in the field of Nuclear Medicine as defined in the IR(ME)R 2017. Have an in-depth knowledge of the legislation associated with ionising radiation, including the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017, the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017, Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 and the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009.

Lead scientific training for trainee clinical scientists, clinical technologists and radiographers.

Analyse nuclear medicine procedures to optimise patient dose and image quality and advise on safe working practices.

Assist in the development and maintenance of scientific aspects of diagnostic and therapeutic services and radiation protection in the Nuclear Medicine department.

Lead and develop new techniques and processes. To disseminate the work locally, regionally and nationally, making presentations at national meetings.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Carry out audit of staff and patient doses in Nuclear Medicine and to provide dose data for national databases. To investigate and analyse, using complex calculations, irregular staff and patient doses and to make appropriate recommendations.

Assist in the preparation and maintenance of comprehensive operating manuals for all procedures carried out within the areas of radiation safety audit, patient dosimetry and quality control. To ensure that all activities are carried out within a quality framework and meet regulatory requirements.

Teach and train Trainee Clinical Scientists and Technologists. Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is accredited by the National School of Healthcare Science for STP training and by IPEM for Clinical Technologists training. To provide radiation protection training to other professional groups and GLOSRAD customers.

To carry out where appropriate the calibration of specialist instruments used in commissioning and performance testing of Nuclear Medicine equipment.

(Please see the job description for full details)