Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General

Ensure all work complies with current UK legislation for work with ionizing radiation (IRR 2017, IR(ME)R 2017) and the radiotherapy quality system (9001-2015).

The post holder must be registered as a therapy radiographer with the Health and care professions council (HCPC) or be on the voluntary register of clinical technologists and undertake regular continuing professional development.

Expected to prioritise and manage their own work on a day-to-day basis; a rota is in place for core tasks.

The place of work is normally The Christie in Withington, but the post holder may be required to carry out work at other local hospitals.

Hours are worked flexibly, in agreement with the line manager, to provide round the clock services where necessary to cover the normal range of clinical duties.  Brachytherapy staff usually work within the core hours of 7:30am - 6pm Monday-Friday. 

Be able to connect patient applicators for treatment, including moving and handling patients.

Brachytherapy

Provide information and support to patients undergoing complex brachytherapy procedures, often in the peri-operative setting who may be distressed, anxious or in pain.

Attend multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings to discuss and review cases, offering suggestions to optimize treatment plans.

Handle internal and external enquiries from other professional groups and patients.

Assist with the insertion of brachytherapy applicators and associated record keeping.

Liaise with other departments to facilitate the patient pathway to include supporting patient transfers.

Programme and operate brachytherapy afterloaders delivering high doses of radiation to patients.

Carryout scheduled Quality Assurance (QA) checks on radiotherapy equipment, reporting errors or faults to the MPE/engineers as appropriate.  Ensure correct process are followed to return equipment to clinical use.

Demonstrate the safe use of medical devices, contributing to                        commissioning of new equipment, routine QA and reporting of problems.

Produce highly complex brachytherapy plans for a range of treatment sites using brachytherapy planning systems and a variety of imaging modalities (CT/MR/US).

Evaluate and check complex brachytherapy plans prior to treatment.

Undertake post implant dosimetry for prostate seed implants, providing reports and analysis.

Demonstrate knowledge of the physics of brachytherapy including independent checking of calculations, modern techniques, and equipment.

Identify and where appropriate escalate brachytherapy problems/errors/near misses in collaboration with Medical Physics Experts, leadership team and Consultant Oncologists.

Participate in the implementation of new processes and techniques including the generation of work instructions for inclusion in the quality system.

Participate in departmental clinical audit, governance, and research programme.

Training and Education  

Provide specialist training in radiation protection, brachytherapy equipment, and techniques to trainees and students of all disciplines.

Disseminate knowledge via lectures, tutorials, and other appropriate methods.

Research and Development

Participate in projects for the review and development of clinical techniques and clinical trials.