Job summary
Please note this role is currently only being advertised to staff members who are currently working within the Kent and Medway ICS

Radiation Physics are looking for a Principal Clinical Scientist with experience in diagnostic radiology and non-ionising radiation to join our large team. If you are a HCPC registered Clinical Scientist who is working towards your MPE, LPA or RPA and expect to achieve this within the next 12-months then we would love to hear from you. We can support you to achieve your full potential (and offer personal study time too!). Please note: Appointment would be at Band 7 until you achieve this.

The Diagnostic Radiology and Radiation Safety Sections ensure the safety of all patients, visitors and staff who come into contact with sealed or unsealed sources of ionising radiation (e.g. x-rays, beta rays etc) and non-ionising radiation (e.g. ultrasound, lasers etc.)

Informal visits are welcomed and encouraged.

Main duties of the job
In this varied and rewarding position, you will:

• Provide high-quality scientific support to the Trust and external partners.
• Provide specialist MPE and LPA advice to the Trust and external partners.
• Act as a site lead for one or more of our hospital sites.
• Contribute to the quality assurance programme for a wide range of diagnostic radiology equipment, including CT, mammography (including two NHSBSP services) general X-ray, angiography and fluoroscopy.
• Development and maintenance of local rules, risk assessments and radiation safety documentation for X-rays and Lasers.
• Provide high quality teaching and training to staff from across the UK, including STP trainees and those aspiring Healthcare Scientists undertaking alternative training pathways.
• You'll also provide specialist guidance on legislation, national standards and compliance, helping departments maintain safe and effective practice.

About us
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working? We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Click here to hear what our staff say.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below

Job responsibilities
Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Standard Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.

Qualifications

• 1st or 2nd class Honours degree in physics or a related subject
• Relevant accredited MSc and/or higher degree
• HCPC Registered Clinical Scientist
• Certification as an MPE, LPA or RPA (at least one of)

Desirable

• Working towards certification as an LPA
• Working towards certification as an MPE
• Working towards certification as an RPA
• Corporate Membership of IPEM or SRP (MSRP or MIPEM)

Experience/Knowledge

• Expert knowledge of ultrasound and laser radiation.
• Expert knowledge of diagnostic radiology physics.
• High level of understanding of patient and staff risks arising from ionising and nonionising radiation.
• Specialist knowledge of radiation protection and the risks arising from exposure of patients and staff to radiation.
• High level of understanding of patient and staff risks arising from equipment failure.
• Experience of supervision and training of staff e.g. those undertaking recognised training programmes.

Desirable

• Specialist knowledge of MR.
• Experience of teaching, training and supervising others.
• Understanding of HR policies and procedures.

Skills

• Able to communicate highly complex information to non-specialists at all levels including senior management, consultant medical staff, radiographers, nurses, medical physicists and technicians.
• Able to independently undertake audits of legislative compliance e.g. for Lasers, X-ray facilities or under IR(ME)R.
• Able to self-manage and to manage others.
• Able to exercise own initiative when dealing with issues within own specialist area of competence.
• Working knowledge of diagnostic image networks
• NB The postholder will carry responsibilities of an Operator under the requirements of IR(ME)R legislation.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).