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Job summary

Main area
Medical Physics
Grade
Band 8c
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
344-7308DCB-E
Employer
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Kent and Canterbury Hospital
Town
Canterbury
Salary
£79,504 - £91,609 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
15/04/2026 23:59

Employer heading

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Head of Radiology Physics

Band 8c

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic Clinical Scientist with MPE and RPA accreditations and a background in providing scientific leadership and support in Radiology Physics.

 

Please Note: MPE accreditation is essential for this role. We may be able to consider candidates who are close to submitting a portfolio for RPA accreditation within an agreed time frame.

 

Radiology Physics is part of the Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering Department, which has a high profile within the Trust and is building networks with other Trusts and Universities. We support a wide range of Diagnostic Radiology facilities, including CT, Mammography, Cardiac and the Kent Interventional Radiology Centre. Committed to providing a high quality, safe and effective service, we are able to offer opportunities for career development and progression within a vibrant, progressive and supportive team.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of job

Helping to ensure that a safe and effective Radiology  

 

     Physics service is provided to the East Kent Hospitals University      NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT)

 

     The delegated day-to-day scientific, technical, clinical and regulatory aspects of the Radiology Physics service

 

         The delegated day-to-day managerial aspects of the Radiology Physics service, in conjunction with the operational lead

 

Being the lead Medical Physics Expert under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IR(ME)R 2017) for Diagnostic Radiology, leading the equipment assessment program, including specification, acceptance testing, commissioning, quality assurance and optimisation of complex imaging equipment, acting with a high degree of autonomy when dealing with varied and specialist issues.

 

Leading on the investigation of complex radiation dosimetry issues and advising on the associated risks.

 

Calculating dose and risk in the event of planned, unintended or accidental exposures including to the unborn child, and advising clinicians.

 

Providing / overseeing specialist radiation protection teaching and training to a range of staff groups and being the training lead for STP and Route 2 within the section.

 

 Being an appointed Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) under the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR 2017) to EKHUFT.

 

 Improving the delivery of the Radiology Physics services and conducting research and development.

Working for our organisation

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference’. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates for a Skilled Worker Visa for roles that are eligible at the time of application.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the Job Description & Person Specification located under 'supporting documents' for further details. 

Person specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential criteria
  • 1st or 2nd class honours degree in Physics or closely related subject.
  • IPEM-accredited MSc in Medical Physics, MSc in Medical Imaging or relevant higher degree.
  • HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist.
  • Corporate Membership of IPEM or equivalent relevant professional body
  • Inclusion on RPA2000 list of Core Competence to act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) under IR(ME)R17
  • Certificate of Competence to act as a Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) under IRR17
Desirable criteria
  • PhD in relevant field
  • Chartered Physicist (CPhys) or Chartered Scientist (CSci)
  • HSS registration or the necessary experience to obtain this
  • Chartered Radiation Protection Professional (CRadP)
  • Radioactive Waste Adviser (RWA)

Skills and Experience

Essential criteria
  • Highly specialised practical experience in Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Protection
  • Knowledge of budget holding and financial resource management
  • Specialist knowledge and practical experience of the techniques employed to measure the performance and radiological safety of a wide variety of digital and analogue state of the art X-ray imaging equipment.
  • Specialist knowledge and practical experience of the dose measurement techniques of ionising radiations including the various techniques for measurement of patient dose in radiography, fluoroscopy, cardiology, CT, mammography and dental
  • Specialist understanding of risks to patients and staff arising from ionising radiation, and the precautions required.
  • Able to supervise individual staff in their clinical and scientific practice
  • Experience in the application of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines and ability to communicate their application to other health professionals including senior management.
  • Experience working in teams
  • Experience of auditing others
  • Experience of service provision
  • Ability to communicate highly complex, sometimes sensitive information effectively in oral and written forms to multi-disciplinary groups at all levels and to patients and their carers.
  • Ability to analyse and interpret complex data, compare ranges of options, make judgements from the results and determine the cause of erroneous results.
  • Ability to interpret technical and scientific situations, in which facts may conflict, and judging measures required to deal with them.
  • Ability to produce detailed and accurate written reports and present scientific papers at national and international conferences.
  • Highly developed manual dexterity skills to achieve precision and speed in the use of sophisticated scientific and technical equipment
  • Ability to develop electronic documents, spreadsheets and Clinical Applications software.
  • Ability to teach, train and supervise
  • Experience of supervising STP and/or Route 2 trainees
  • Good negotiating and influencing skills; able to gain acceptance and agreement in situations where change is needed.
Desirable criteria
  • Use of Quality Systems
  • Knowledge of risk management systems

Governance

Essential criteria
  • Understanding of incident reporting pathways (internal and external) in the context of diagnostic imaging
  • Participating in and contributing to Radiation Protection Committees, the Trust Radiation Modalities Group and the Trust Radiation Advisory Committee.

Personal/Professional Attributes

Essential criteria
  • An understanding of the risks associated with the incorrect calibration, misuse or failure of equipment
  • Highly developed scientific, analytical, interpretation and reasoning skills
  • Able to concentrate for long periods and when the work pattern is unpredictable
  • Flexibility in approach to coordinating workload
  • Able to work independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

Other Requirements

Essential criteria
  • Awareness of and adherence to the Trust’s Vision, Mission and Values
  • Full UK driving license and access to vehicle.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardThe Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion is the leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion in the workplace.Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerAge positiveInvestors in People: GoldDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - BronzeImproving working livesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerThe Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (enei) is the UK's leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion issues in the workplace.Prince's Trust - Proud to support the Prince's trust - Youth can do itStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Julie Childs
Job title
Head of Clinical Physics
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01227864148
Additional information

If you are unable to get a hold of Julie Childs, please contact her PA, Patsy Archer:

01227783086 / [email protected]

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