Non-Ionising Physicist (UV/US)

Job summary

A unique and exciting opportunity in Medical Physics at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust for a registered or perspective registrant clinical scientist specialised in non-Ionising radiation techniques, and in particular ultrasound and/or optical equipment (laser and/or non-laser).

The Non-Ionising Radiation Physics team (NIR) is very active in clinical service support, training and research and innovation, and has a close collaboration with clinical teams, as well as other Medical Physics teams.

We particularly invite applications from one of the categories below:

STP trainees that have just completed or are within 1 year of completing an Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation or Radiation protection training route.

PhD students or post-doc in ultrasound imaging or therapy with interest in a clinical scientist career, and register via al alternative route (ACS or HCS Equivalence)

Applicants will be expected to have understanding and appreciation of the organisation's values.

Applicants with less expertise or STPs just completing their second year might be considered at Band6 level, with the view to upgrade at Band7 once training is complete.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be based primarily at St Thomas and will join a team of seven in between permanent and temporary staff, and will be given the opportunity to be involved in all the section core activities, and in particular support services to Clinical Ultrasound Teams and Ultraviolet Phototherapy.

There is also the possibility of being involved with 3D printing and in research areas such as Ultrasound Elastography, Therapeutic Ultrasound, Artificial Intelligence and developing new research streams in NIR.

The team also runs a UKAS accredited laboratory and is planning in future on expanding its work on optical equipment to cover both laser and non-laser system

About us

Guy's and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts in the country, with a staff of over 23,000 a turnover of over £ billion a year and million patient contacts a year. The Trust includes St Thomas' Hospital, Royal Brompton Hospital, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's Hospital, Harefield Hospital and community services in Lambeth and Southwark.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Non-Ionising Radiation Section of Medical Physics is responsible for providing a clinical scientific service to a wide range of clinical Departments at Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, including the Dermatology Department, and to a number of other Trusts around London and the South East. The NIR Section covers incoherent light sources and is developing a role in ultrasound quality assurance and laser safety. Functions include: carrying out equipment calibration; undertaking patient dosimetry; managing the safety of patients and staff in an hazardous environment; ensuring compliance with regulatory demands including in particular theControl of Artificial Optical Radiation (AOR) at Work Regulations 2010and the evaluation, selection, procurement, installation and acceptance testing and quality assurance of non-ionising radiation equipment. The Sections UV Laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025 by UKAS.

The main role of this post is to provide scientific support for clinical services in phototherapy, ultrasound diagnostics and therapy and medical lasers, through ensuring the correct operation of equipment and through regular quality checks. This will include carrying out complex procedures, introducing new techniques and carrying out applied research.

The postholder will be responsible for a specialist area within the activity of the Section. This will depend on experience but is likely to be in lasers or ultrasound. The postholder will undertake complex scientific measurements including audit and development procedures and will ensure that measurement equipment is calibrated and clients equipment is accurate, safe and effective. The postholder will provide complex advice and will seek to develop scientific services and new opportunities in this area.

The postholder will also engage in and support research and development, both within the Section and for other clinical departments in the Trust and KHP; with opportunities in ultrasound, optical radiation and device development.

There is also the opportunity to be involved with 3D Printing for assisting clinical services and clinical research

The post-holder liaises with a wide range of staff in Medical Physics and in Dermatology and other departments, and with external hospital trusts and with equipment manufacturers and service suppliers.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Relevant MSc or higher degree Good (1st or 2nd class degree

Desirable

PhD in a relevant subject ( Ultrasound Physics or Optical Radiation)

Previous Experience

Essential

Broad knowledge of non-ionising radiation and associated areas of medical physics In depth experience in the use of specialist testing equipment for measurement of the safety and performance of non-ionising radiation therapy and diagnostic systems

Desirable

Highly specialised knowledge in either medical ultrasound physics or Optical Radiation

Skills

Essential

Broad knowledge of non-ionising radiation and associated areas of medical physics Advanced level of knowledge across at least one major area of medical non-ionising radiation physics (to include ultrasound, phototherapy and/or optical imaging) Understanding of patient and staff risks arising from incoherent and coherent optical sources. Able to exercise own initiative when dealing with issues within own area of competence

Desirable

Highly developed specialist knowledge across the range of working procedures and practices in the field of non-ionising radiation, building on theoretical knowledge