Principal Clinical Scientist

at  The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

A position exists for a Principal Clinical Scientist to work in the Nuclear Medicine group at The Christie.
The successful candidate will become a member of a team of clinical scientists who provide the medical physics and radiation protection support to work with unsealed radioactive substances, primarily at The Christie.
Candidates must have a good first degree in physics or a physical science, MSc. or equivalent in physics applied to medicine or related subject and be a registered Clinical Scientist. They should have significant training and experience in both diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures.
While MPE certification is not essential for appointment to this post, significant progress towards working as an MPE is expected.
While the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to all aspects of the service, this role has a particular focus on molecular radiotherapy and PET-CT and significant experience in these areas would be an advantage.
Involvement with local research and service development projects will be encouraged.
The working pattern will include some extended working days and weekends, and also occasional off-site working at other Nuclear Medicine departments in the North West for whom physics support is provided.
In Nuclear Medicine at The Christie we offer a specialist range of tests which are focussed on diagnosing and assessing cancer, including gamma camera imaging, PET-CT scanning and non-imaging tests. We also provide a wide range of radionuclide therapy, including procedures requiring personalised doses and/or hospital stays in dedicated facilities. Our department houses a radiopharmacy, two SPECT-CT capable gamma cameras, a PET-CT suite, and facilities for radionuclide therapies. The Nuclear Medicine service is supported by the complimentary skills and expertise of; radiopharmacists, radiopharmacy technicians, clinical technologists, clinical scientists, physics technicians, nurses, healthcare assistants, and a dedicated administration team.
Clinical scientists within the group sit on a number of different national bodies and contribute to guidance in several different areas of nuclear medicine, including diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, regulatory compliance, teaching and training.
Nuclear Medicine at The Christie also supports a number of Nuclear Medicine departments throughout the north-west of England and beyond, by supplying radioactive tracers and providing scientific advice on radiation safety and best practice.
The Nuclear Medicine team at The Christie pride ourselves on a friendly, inclusive and collaborative approach to delivering the very best service to our patients, and driving forward improvements that will lead to better diagnosis and treatment.

NOTE:

This job description indicates the duties and responsibilities that are appropriate to meet the present needs of the service. Since from time to time these needs may change it is necessary to recognise that the post holder must be willing to undertake other and/or different duties that may, after discussion, be assigned by the Director

1. Physics for Nuclear Medicine
   Provides day-to-day scientific support to the diagnostic, therapeutic and PET-CT work of the Nuclear Medicine Department at The Christie and at other sites as agreed. This includes: -
   1.1. Advising consultant radiologists, clinical technologists and radiographers on diagnostic image processing techniques and interpretation of results and images, including practical assistance where required in difficult or unusual cases. Processing data using nuclear medicine computer systems, and verifying previously-processed studies.
   1.2. Proposing, developing and implementing new Nuclear Medicine diagnostic techniques, and training clinical scientists, radiographers and technologists in those techniques.
   1.3. Carrying out advanced and complex mathematical calculations for both Nuclear Medicine imaging analysis techniques and clinical radiation dosimetry.
   1.4. Participating in setting up and monitoring of the programme of QA on critical nuclear medicine diagnostic equipment: gamma cameras, PET-CT scanners, radionuclide calibrators, etc.
   1.5. Advising Consultant Radiologists on the certification requirements for the administration of radioactive substances to patients.
   1.6. Evaluating equipment specification and performance prior to purchase, in order to advise on equipment selection. Participating in organisation and installation of equipment.
   1.7. Advising technologists and radiographers on, and assisting with, quality assurance and calibration of high capital value Nuclear Medicine diagnostic equipment.
   1.8. Working in cooperation with technology and radiographic staff, to ensure the maintenance of up-to-date working practices, and to keep protocols under review.
2. Software Development
   2.1. Develops, tests and implements scientific computer programs for the management and analysis of nuclear medicine data both at The Christie and at other sites for which CMPE provides a service.
3. Radiation Protection
   Provides day-to-day support to radiation protection requirements for patients, staff and members of the public within the policies and procedures existing within CMPE , in order for the Christie Trust to comply with legislation on the use of radioactive materials in medicine. The work is generally undertaken in the Nuclear Medicine Department or within the in-patient radionuclide radiotherapy facilities. The support includes :
   3.1. Liaising with ward and other staff regarding the discharge of patients treated with large quantities of radioactive materials and with monitoring for radioactive contamination. Supervising the use of patient-radioactivity monitoring equipment, to determine when patients may be discharged.
   3.2. Writing procedures for domestic, nursing and departmental staff to ensure safety when dealing with radioactive waste and contaminated laundry.
   3.3. Carrying out risk assessments for those patients whose clinical condition or other circumstances may require additional radiation protection measures. Advising patients on restrictions required within the hospital site, and subsequently at home.
   3.4. Preparing of risk assessments, local rules for radiation protection and permits to work for Estates and other staff.
   3.5. Preparing of patient information leaflets.
   3.6. Preparing documentation to ensure compliance with all legislation concerning the use of radioactive materials, including IRR, IRMER and EPR.
   3.7 Actively participates in the radiation protection policy-making meeting of the Nuclear Medicine Group.
   3.8 Actively participates in practical aspects of radiation protection as set-out in local procedures.
4. Teaching and Training
   4.1. Lecturing, course planning, and setting exam questions for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
   4.2. Lecturing on any aspect of nuclear medicine to other staff groups, such as nurses and technologists
   4.3. Supervises staff in training, including pre-registration clinical scientists and clinical technologists.
5. Research
   5.1. Participates in research. This includes the initiation and planning of research projects, participating in carrying out the research work and data analysis.
   5.2. Liaises and collaborates with colleagues, including clinical and research staff in order to maintain conformance with all aspects of research governance relating to the projects.
   5.3. Communicates the results of research by publication in journals and/or presentation at scientific meetings.
6. Professional
   6.1. Maintains registration as a Clinical Scientist for which successful participation in a CPD scheme is required, according to the rules laid down by the Health and Care Professions Council.
   6.2. Keeps abreast of new techniques, technological developments and legislative changes.
   6.3. Demonstrates the agreed set of values and accountable for own attitude and behaviour