Job Summary

Applications are invited for a Band 7 Radioisotope and Imaging Physicist in the Radioisotope Physics group of the Royal Marsden NHSFT at Sutton in Surrey. The successful candidate will join a team of clinical physicists providing support to the Nuclear Medicine areas of imaging, molecular radiotherapy and radiation safety.

The trust carries out a variety of molecular radiotherapy administrations in the context of both routine clinical service and clinical trials. The current service includes Lu-177 PSMA, Lu-177 dotatate, I-131 mIBG, radioiodine treatments for thyroid cancer as well as Ac-225 radiopharmaceuticals. The post-holder will be involved in all aspects of molecular radiotherapy procedures including patient administrations and measurements, dosimetry calculations and radiation protection procedures.

Applicants should hold a postgraduate degree in a relevant subject and will preferably be registered with the UK Health Professionals Council though less experienced candidates will be considered for appointment.

The Sutton branch of the Trust is situated on the edge of the Surrey countryside within a few miles of the M25 and with fast rail links into London. The Chelsea site has excellent transport links and is within easy walking distance of South Kensington tube station. A shuttle bus runs at regular intervals between the two Trust sites.

Main duties of the job
The post holder contributes to day-to-day physics support services for nuclear medicine and radiotherapy acting as an operator as required under the ionising radiations (medical exposure) regulations 2017 [IR(ME)R 2017]. This includes first line support and quality control for SPECT/CT and PET/CT imaging systems and associated computers and all physics aspects of radionuclide therapy procedures. The post holder also assists in training new staff and physicists enrolled on the STP Clinical Scientist Medical Physics training scheme and is expected to contribute to development and clinical implementation of complex new imaging and therapy procedures.

About us
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential

• Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject or equivalent
• Relevant MSc degree or recognised equivalent knowledge
• Post-graduate qualification in nuclear medicine physics culminating in UK state registration as a clinical scientist; or be on a pathway where registration is expected in less than 6 months

Desirable

• PhD in relevant subject or equivalent scientific knowledge and published material on a topic identified as relevant to the field

Experience
Essential

• Specialist knowledge in all Nuclear Medicine imaging procedures building on theoretical knowledge and practical experience

Desirable

• Specialist training on and practical experience with a wide range of specialist Nuclear Medicine computer applications
• Specialist knowledge in practical radionuclide therapy procedures in Nuclear Medicine, building on theoretical knowledge and practical experience
• Specialist knowledge in radiation dosimetry for various radionuclide therapy procedures in Nuclear Medicine, building on theoretical knowledge and practical experience

Clinical & Managerial
Essential

• Specialised knowledge of clinical issues and their implications for Nuclear Medicine diagnosis and therapy
• High level of understanding of patient and staff risks arising from equipment failure
• Able to prioritise and manage own work and that of others for whom the post-holder is responsible
• Able to exercise initiative when dealing with issues within own specialist area of competence

Desirable

• High level of understanding of patient and staff risks arising from treatment with high levels of unsealed sources of radioactivity

Legislation & Publications
Essential

• Understanding of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines

Desirable

• Publications in peer reviewed journals or presentations at national conferences. Significant contribution to clinically orientated research programmes

Physical, Mental & Emotional Ability
Essential

• Highly developed physical accuracy and dexterity, for making precision measurements and/or interactions with nuclear medicine equipment
• Able to concentrate frequently when subject to unpredictable working patterns (eg when interrupted to provide urgent advice)
• Able to concentrate for prolonged periods (eg carrying out dosimetry calculations)
• Able to deal with occasional distressing circumstances (e.g. working and communicating with terminal adult and paediatric patients undergoing palliative radionuclide therapy)
• Able to deal calmly and rationally with problems involving staff

Desirable

• Able to move heavy weights on occasion

Communication Skills
Essential

• Ability to communicate complex scientific concepts and provide training to other professional groups
• Ability to communicate complex scientific concepts and sensitive information to patients and relatives
• Able to present scientific papers at national and international conferences
• Good negotiation skills
• Able to deal with complex and unpredictable situations
• Able to give advice and training to groups of other professional staff
• Able to deliver teaching and training on highly complex subjects

Analytical, Organisational & IT Skills
Essential

• Able to exercise judgement in the event of unclear evidence or conflicting information
• Able to plan, organise and supervise complex activities concerning nuclear medicine imaging and radionuclide therapy
• Able to use initiative and work with minimal supervision
• Ability to organise and maintain systems of documentation and data storage
• Able to use Excel, Word, Access etc to set up documents and spreadsheets and extract information

Desirable

• Programming and system modification skills in Nuclear Medicine computer systems

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.