Clinical Scientist Nuclear Medicine

at  Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

This post provides a wide range of Medical Physics support to the Nuclear Medicine department at King’s College Hospital, other NHS Trusts and private diagnostic centres.
The post holder works as part of a team providing physics support services to the Nuclear Medicine.
The post holder will apply a broad range of skills and experience in Nuclear Medicine Physics to ensure the efficient operation of physics services to Nuclear Medicine, and will liaise closely with medical and technical staff to deliver an effective service.
To carry out quality assurance measurements on hybrid imaging (SPECT-CT and PETCT) and other radiation detecting equipment,
To assist in the delivering of the radionuclide therapies,
To assist in the development and update of clinical software and camera protocols and provide support to other members of staff involved in all aspects of software and network development.
To assist in the radioactive waste management and act as deputy departmental Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS), with a view to becoming the RPS in time.
To contribute to the provision of Service Level Agreements with other Trusts and external organisations in line with the policies of the Medical Engineering and Physics Department.
To carry out teaching and training activities The post holder will report to a Principle Clinical Scientist in the Nuclear Medicine department. The nature of the work will require them to work with senior members of staff such as the Radiation Protection Adviser, Radiation Waste Adviser and Medical Physics Experts.
The service operates as a team and the post holder will be expected to support, train, supervise, liaise and work with other members of that team as the need arises.
The post holder liaises with a wide range of staff in Nuclear Medicine and on some wards, and works with patients.
The post holder will need to create and maintain good working
relationships and channels of communication with the relevant departments of our clients.
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and around 14,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King’s College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in Bromley.
King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
The trust-wide strategy Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we can take Team King’s to another level
Clinical Scientific Responsibilities
Assist with the maintenance and development of Nuclear Medicine instrumentation, procedures and computing facilities. Help to introduce new techniques and procedures, in collaboration with other staff.
Advise and assist clinicians in setting up diagnostic tests and new protocols, which requires the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options.
Comment on the development of protocols in Nuclear Medicine
Physics.
Provide physics input to support the day to day work of the Nuclear Medicine Department.
Advise Nuclear Medicine staff on a range of scientific, technical and clinical issues relevant to patient care. Responsible for the checking and processing of data for clinical reporting sessions.
Dispense and administer radionuclide therapy to patients. Receive a prescription from the relevant clinician, prepare and assay the dose (which may require calculating and drawing up precise volumes of radioactive liquid).
Check the dose and necessary paperwork, identify the patient according to applicable procedures.
Provide verbal and written advice to the patient and recommend actions to take under different circumstances.
Dispose of radioactive waste and carry out monitoring of inpatients.
Liaise with nursing staff, ward pharmacist and clinicians during in-patient treatment and in preparation for discharge.
Undertake regular instrument quality assurance and quality control on allocated items of equipment, that include SPECT-CT, PET-CT, CT scanners, DEXA, radionuclide calibrators and gamma counters.
Interpret and apply general QA protocols to specific devices.
Organise access to equipment on a flexible basis to meet service requirements. Keep comprehensive records.
Investigate and resolve complex equipment problems. Carry out fault-finding on imaging and other complex equipment. Liaise with suppliers regarding equipment breakdown, and arrange for the maintenance and servicing of identified items of equipment.
Participate in capital equipment evaluation and undertake commissioning.
Modify image processing software to meet specific clinical needs.
Support computer networking across the Department.
Assist in the implementation and maintenance of a comprehensive QC programme for clinical software. Manage archiving of imaging data.
Identify the need for new instrumentation or equipment for use in Nuclear Medicine.
Produce specifications for small items of equipment, for purchase or construction inhouse.
Write local rules for radiation safety and share responsibility for ensuring that safe working practices are followed by all staff in Nuclear Medicine.
Take appropriate actions to ensure that the work of all staff in Nuclear Medicine meets the requirements of the Ionising Radiation Regulations and other relevant legislation concerning Health and Safety and radiation protection.
Propose changes to working practices and policies that may affect the work of other professional groups in Nuclear Medicine. Write procedures for changed working practices, as required.
Manage the accumulation and disposal of radioactive waste and the safe storage of all radioactive sources, ensuring compliance with site certification limits.
Produce monthly statistics and keep comprehensive records.
Leadership / Management
Prioritise own work in accordance with departmental and Trust priorities and external demands. Meet expected results by using own initiative and following general principles and applicable regulations, standards and guidelines.
Manage complex projects involving changes to equipment and practices.
Take responsibility for the work of other more junior Medical Physicists and Medical Technical staff when they are performing work under the post holder’s direction.
Keep careful records of all work performed and complete other appropriate records.
Research and Service Development
Undertake research and development in collaboration with clinical staff and other researchers, in accordance with the priorities of the Directorate.
Work on clinical trials in Nuclear Medicine.
Develop and modify computer applications packages for clinical image acquisition, analysis and data storage as required for clinical support and research and development, working with other members of Nuclear Medicine Physics
Education and Training
Supervise trainee clinical scientists and postgraduate students on placement.
Teach and train staff, students and others as required on aspects of radiation protection and complex equipment use, including instrumentation and nuclear medicine physics.
Present papers at national and international scientific meetings. Summarise and present complex scientific ideas to patients and to a range of other staff
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.
Keep abreast of developments in the post holder’s areas of responsibility.
Ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and conform to Statutory Regulations, Approved Codes of Practice and local safety 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

Please refer the Job description for details