Job summary
A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) Medical Physics Department as Principal Nuclear Medicine Physicist, Band 8B.
It is an exciting time to join the team; we have recently installed a 12-headed CZT SPECT/CT System in Sunderland with a second SPECT/CT camera in the Gateshead unit within 12 months. Our long-term goal is to be a nationally leading centre, and we are half way through applying for the RCR Quality Standards in Imaging (QSI) accreditation.
The STSFT Medical Physics Department covers Nuclear Medicine with 5 Gamma Cameras across three sites (Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead), Bone Densitometry, Vascular Ultrasound and Physiological Measurement, seeing around 15000 patients / year. Nuclear Medicine is supported by an on-site Radiopharmacy. This post is to lead and manage Nuclear Medicine Physics activity and team of Clinical Scientists, supported by the Head of Nuclear Medicine, Head of Medical Physics and 8 ARSAC holders.
We are currently expanding our diagnostic imaging service, including cardiac amyloid SPECT-CT. We also operate a therapeutic service in I-131 therapy for benign thyroid conditions and provide MPE and RWA support to the PET-CT service based at South Tyneside (Alliance Medical).
For an informal discussion please contact Nick Vennart (Head of Medical Physics) on Nicholas.vennart@nhs.net or Harry Slinger (Head of Nuclear Medicine) at harry.slinger@nhs.net.
Main duties of the job
You will actively contribute to a range of tasks associated with the STSFT nuclear medicine service. This includes (but is not limited to):
- Responsible for all Scientific/Technical Aspects of the Nuclear Medicine (NM) and Bone Densitometry (BD) Service within the STSFT Medical Physics units across all of the Trusts sites.
- Responsible for the Clinical Scientist provision across the department including Radiation Protection and associated legislation.
- Provides professional leadership in NM
- Ensures service delivery is within the resources available.
- Ensures consistency and uniformity of service provision across the Trusts NM sites.
- Maintains and develops high standards of service provision throughout their area of responsibility.
- Responsible for clinical governance in their areas of expertise within the appropriate structures of STSFT and/or other organisations to which relevant services are provided.
- Actively leads and develops cross site collaboration and service provision within their area of expertise.
- Responsible for Equipment management, QA programs and new Equipment purchases across the 3 Nuclear Medicine sites, consulting with clinical lead as required.
- Initiates, develops and delivers research and development activities for healthcare advancement.
- Support and deputise for the Head of Nuclear Medicine.
About us
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.
One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.
We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.
The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.
Details
- Date posted: 20 July 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 8b
- Salary: £66,582 to £77,368 a year
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: C9155-CSAHP-0726-42
- Job locations: Sunderland Royal Hospital, Kayll Road, Sunderland, SR4 7TP, United Kingdom, South Tyneside District Hospital, Harton Lane, South Shields, Tyne And Wear, NE34 0PL, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
- Responsible for all Scientific/Technical Aspects of the Nuclear Medicine (NM) and Bone Densitometry (BD) Service within the STSFT Medical Physics units across all of the Trusts sites.
- Responsible for the Clinical Scientist provision across the department including Radiation Protection and associated legislation.
- Provides professional leadership in NM
- Ensures service delivery is within the resources available.
- Ensures consistency and uniformity of service provision across the Trusts NM sites.
- Maintains and develops high standards of service provision throughout their area of responsibility.
- Responsible for clinical governance in their areas of expertise within the appropriate structures of STSFT and/or other organisations to which relevant services are provided.
- Develops, implements and monitors clinical and organisational strategies within their areas of expertise.
- Actively leads and develops cross site collaboration and service provision within their area of expertise.
- Responsible for Equipment management, QA programs and new Equipment purchases across the 3 Nuclear Medicine sites, consulting with clinical lead as required.
- Initiates, develops and delivers research and development activities for healthcare advancement.
- Support and deputise for the Head of Nuclear Medicine / Deputy Head of Medical Physics.
- Responsible for individual clinical patient reports based on the post-holders interpretation of complex imaging and non-imaging NM studies.
PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DETAILS OF THE ROLE.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Considerable post-registration experience in the application of physics to clinical nuclear medicine, including quality assurance and calibration procedures relating to a wide range of nuclear medicine equipment; sufficient to fulfil the role of a Medical Physics Expert.
- Experience in training and supervision of trainees.
- Experience in audit, research and development.
- Formal presentations at national and local meetings.
- Experience of investigating incidents involving ionising radiation.
- Experience of helping to develop services.
Desirable
- Experience of leading a team and successfully managing and motivating staff.
- Involvement in the procurement, commissioning and acceptance testing of a wide range of nuclear medicine equipment.
- Contribution to implementation of strategic plans and development of new techniques.
- Responsible role in Radiation Protection.
- Management of Clinical Scientists or Technologists.
- Experience as a Radioactive Waste Adviser.
- Experience as an emergency responder to radiation incidents/exercises.
Qualifications
Essential
- First or second class honours degree in physics or related subject.
- MSC in Medical Physics or equivalent
- HCPC Registered Clinical Scientist (Medical Physicist)
- Qualified Medical Physics Expert with significant experience.
- Specialist in-depth knowledge of a wide range of nuclear medicine procedures, including clinical assessment.
- Knowledge of legislation, standards and protocols relating to clinical nuclear medicine work.
- Understanding of commissioning and acceptance testing, quality assurance and calibration requirements, functioning and safe use of the full range of nuclear medicine equipment.
- In-depth knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.
- Knowledge of Governance issues including ethical and regulatory considerations
- Advanced knowledge of Radiation protection including RPA, RWA and MPE qualification (or equivalent experience)
Desirable
- Corporate membership of IPEM.
- Knowledge of bone densitometry.
- Wider knowledge in radiation protection.
- Knowledge of national clinical standards (e.g. NICE guidance).
- Understanding of clinical audit and governance and its application to the services provided by the Section.
- RPA2000 certificate of competence as a Radioactive Waste Adviser.
- RPA2000 certificate of competence as a Radiation Protection Adviser.
- D Clin Sci Qualification or registration with the HSSR by equivalence.
- Knowledge of bone densitometry
Physical Skills
Essential
- Able to work in a sterile environment.
- Be to meet the travel requirements of the role.
- Ability to manipulate liquid sources of radioactive materials safely, with a high degree of accuracy for patient or quality control tests.
- Perform minute adjustments to medical equipment for the purpose of patient or equipment based measurements.
- Advanced keyboard skills
Desirable
- Able to move heavy objects e.g. lead shielding, patients (within moving and handling guidelines).
- Driving license.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively with other health professionals and patients.
- Good writing skills.
- Excellent time management and organisational skills.
- Ability to successfully manage & motivate staff.
- Ability to interpret data, analyse problems and evaluate solutions.
- Good report writing and presentation skills.
- Training, teaching and mentoring skills.
- IT skills including databases, spreadsheets, nuclear medicine software applications development.
Desirable
- Involvement in the procurement, commissioning and acceptance testing of a wide range of nuclear medicine equipment.
- Contribution to implementation of strategic plans and development of new techniques.
- Responsible role in Radiation Protection.
- Manufacture of radiopharmaceuticals.
- Lecturing/teaching experience at postgraduate level.
- Able to move heavy objects e.g. lead shielding, patients (within moving and handling guidelines).
- Driving license.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Principal Nuclear Medicine Physicist with South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS FT in Sunderland, North East and Yorkshire, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Health science services role. The advertised salary is £66,582 to £77,368 a year. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 03 Aug 2026.
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