Head of Radiotherapy Physics

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a new Head of Radiotherapy Physics to join us and lead a talented and diverse team of around 50 to deliver clinical, scientific, advisory, educational and research & development capacity and services to support over 4000 patients a year.

The successful candidate will be an experienced scientist having worked extensively as a senior Medical Physics Expert (MPE) in radiotherapy physics. You will be responsible for leading and managing the comprehensive scientific and technical services provided by our radiotherapy physics service, including working with complex imaging devices, linear accelerators and computerised planning systems.

You will empower the team and, in line with the Trust’s Values, deliver high quality and innovative patient care through your strategic leadership and by promoting a culture of inclusivity and continuous improvement. You will also bring your innovative, collaborative and collegiate leadership style and be able to demonstrate your strong communications skills working across a large and varied stakeholder landscape.

We are a dynamic and fast paced environment, balancing challenging operational demands whilst ensuring we are evolving and always improving and encouraging innovation. We are committed to your career development and offer a supportive, flexible and collaborative working environment.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to.

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Specific to this role is the suitability for agile working which is a mixture of on-site and remote working. In addition, we are open to discussing flexibility in the hours that you work. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need, and we will explore what’s possible for the role and service.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

What you’ll do

You will lead and manage the resources of the Radiotherapy Physics Group to deliver clinical, scientific, advisory, educational and research & development capacity and services across our Trust and other health care organisations in our local economy.

You will manage a talented and diverse team of around 50 including Clinical Scientists, Dosimetrists (Therapy Radiographers and Clinical Technologists) Software engineers, the Radiotherapy Electronic Engineering Team and Medical Engineers, working across two sites in Southampton and Hampshire Hospitals.

You will be our MPE in radiotherapy physics, ensuring our radiotherapy service adopts practices and procedures consistent with national and regional standards.

You will work collaboratively with members of the Network Radiotherapy Group and other key partners to shape and define our strategy for treating cancer for Wessex and Thames Valley ODN – putting the patient at the heart of all we do.

What we’re looking for

Formal academic training in Physics and Medical Physics, with State Registration as a Clinical Scientist in Radiotherapy Physics.

Extensive knowledge and experience of clinical procedures, practices, and developments in Radiotherapy and Imaging.

Strong communication skills, with a proven ability to present at national/international meetings and business cases, engaging diverse audiences.

The ability to build highly effective relationships with staff, Trust management, including Board members, and peers at local, regional, and national levels.

A supportive leadership style that fosters team engagement, empowerment, and career growth.

A commitment to our core values: Patients First, Working Together, Always Improving.

Additional information

Closing date is 16th October 2024.

Shortlisting will take place 22nd October 2024.

A Stakeholder Session will be held via Teams 5th November 2024.

Final Panel Interviews will be held at our Trust 12th November 2024.

Should you wish to have an informal conversation please do contact us. In the first instance please contact Jane McCartney on [email protected] in the Senior Appointments Team.

Person specification

Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience

Essential criteria

• BSc in Physics
• MSc Medical Physics
• Formal training to attain State Registration as Clinical Scientist (Radiotherapy Physics)
• Registered as a Medical Physics Expert
• Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of radiation physics, radiotherapy physics, radiation dosimetry, clinical radiobiology and radiation protection
• Strong mathematical skills, capable of analysing large amounts of data using modern software.
• Ability to communicate or present complex facts or data to a variety of audiences
• Writing skills for producing scientific reports/papers and business cases
• Experience of project management
• Presentation of scientific papers at national/international meetings
• Work within a Quality Management system. Ability to prioritise workload and respond to changing priorities
• Wide and developed knowledge and experience of clinical procedures, practices and developments in Radiotherapy and Imaging, so as to be accountable for the provision of the highly specialist clinical technical services required from the Medical Physics disciplines
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Accreditation as a Radiation Protection Advisor with specialist knowledge related to therapeutic application of ionising radiation
• Ph.D. by research in medical physics or closely related discipline
• Fellowship in at least one professional body (e.g. IPEM, IoP)
• Author of reports and/or publications
• Working knowledge of NHS financial systems and HR policies and procedures, with appropriate local involvement
• Working knowledge of international guidelines in radiation protection and radiation physics eg ICRP, ICRU, IAEA reports
• Knowledge and understanding of national initiatives within radiotherapy and medical physics, and how they affect the work of the RTPS
• Several years of management experience at a senior level
• Computer software development skills
  
  

Skills and competencies

Essential criteria

• Advanced analytical thinking
• Strategic planning
• Collaborative approach
• Data analysis
• Leadership
• People management
• Collaborative approach
• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Data analysis
• Budget management
• Research skills
• Influencing
  
  

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patient First
• Always Improving
• working together