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Job summary

Main area
Radiotherapy Physics
Grade
Band 8a
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
359-7520605-T3
Employer
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Maidstone Hospital, Kent Oncology Centre
Town
Maidstone
Salary
£55,690 - £62,682 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
20/10/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust logo

Principal Clinical Scientist - Radiotherapy Physics - Internal Only

Band 8a

Job overview

Are you an experienced, enthusiastic, and motivated Clinical Scientist looking for a new challenge? If so, we want to hear from you!

The Kent Oncology Centre is a leading radiotherapy service equipped with nine Varian linear accelerators across our Canterbury and Maidstone sites, each featuring dedicated CT-Simulators. We utilise Eclipse for treatment planning, employing RapidArc VMAT, IGRT, DIBH, and SABR Lung techniques in routine practice.

We deliver HDR gynaecological, prostate seed implant and HDR prostate brachytherapy at our Maidstone site.

This is an exciting time to join our team as we embark on a program of SABR expansion; equipment replacement, such as the installation and commissioning of a Philips BigBore RT CT at our Canterbury site; plans for equipment expansion; introduction of SGRT; further technique development and implementation.

What We Offer:

  • Flexible Working: We are open to flexible working arrangements to support the service's operational hours.
  • Leadership Development: We encourage and support your professional growth through postgraduate training and role extension opportunities, including access to Trust-established leadership development programs.
  • Innovative Environment: Be part of exciting changes within Radiotherapy at the Kent Oncology Centre, including the procurement of AI technologies for organ contouring and the implementation of motion management techniques for expanding our well-established SABR service.

Main duties of the job

As a Principal Clinical Scientist and Medical Physics Expert, you will be involved in all aspects of the radiotherapy physics service. You will take responsibility for specific projects associated with our equipment replacement and expansion programs and the implementation of service development and introduce of new techniques.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Participating in all aspects of the radiotherapy physics service
  • Participating or leading in projects associated with equipment replacement and service development 
  • Contributing to the continuous improvement of our services

Qualifications:

  • Proven experience as a Clinical Scientist in Radiotherapy Physics
  • Ability to be appointed as a Medical Physics Expert
  • Strong technical expertise in radiotherapy physics and service development
  • A commitment to personal and professional development.

Join us in shaping the future of radiotherapy at one of the largest centres in the region. If you are ready to take on a new challenge and grow with us, we would love to hear from you!

Working for our organisation

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?

We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Click here  to hear what our staff say.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

•    At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
•    Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
•    Blue Light card eligibility
•    And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission. 

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed. 

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in physics or relevant subject
  • Accredited MSc or relevant higher degree
  • IPEM Certificate of completion of post qualification Higher Training or Certificate of completion of NSHCS Scientist Training Program or equivalent
  • HCPC Registration as a Clinical Scientist

Experience / Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Able to act as a Medical Physics Expert with recognition from RPA2000
  • Advanced knowledge of radiotherapy physics
  • A high level of understanding of radiation dosimetry of photon and electron beams and/or brachytherapy sources as appropriate
  • A high level of understanding of radiation measurements
  • A high level of understanding of patient immobilisation and imaging
  • A high level of understanding of treatment planning for external beam and/or brachytherapy as appropriate
  • A high level of understanding of the risks to patients and staff arising from equipment failure, treatment planning errors and radioactive sources
  • In depth knowledge of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines [e.g. IRR, IR(ME)R, ISO 9001, NAIR, EPR, MDA/MHRA guidance.]
Desirable criteria
  • Able to advise on radiobiological compensation for treatment interruptions

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Able to write scientific reports
  • Able to use Excel, Word etc. to set up documents and spreadsheets and extract information
  • Able to train groups of other professional staff
  • Working knowledge of clinical networks
  • Able to apply correct statistical techniques to scientific data.
Desirable criteria
  • Able to travel between sites as required

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Kent and Medway Work Place Wellbeing AwardNHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardTrust IDVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveStep into healthDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldArmed Forces CovenantRoyal College of Anaesthetists AccreditedNHS England Bronze Award

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Mark Fleckney
Job title
Head of Radiotherapy Physics
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01622227023
Additional information

Roxanne Potts

Deputy Head of Radiotherapy Physics

[email protected]

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