Job Description

48-month Apprenticeship agreement developing into a permanent role on successful completion.

Permanent appointment to Band 4 on completion.



An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dedicated, enthusiastic and self-motivated individual to embark on a 36 month Apprenticeship within the Christie Medical Physics and Engineering team here at The Christie. The successful candidate will receive first class training and work towards a HNC in General Engineering whilst developing professional skills to work towards registration as a Mechanical Engineer. After the completion of the Apprenticeship there may also be the possibility of the successful candidate completing a BEng (Hons) degree fully funded by the Christie.



We are looking for a self-motivated and enthusiastic apprentice who is keen to learn and develop their knowledge and skills. The individual should be flexible and adaptable.

Primary duties will consist of corrective and planned maintenance of our radiotherapy medical devices such as medical linear accelerators.



The position attracts the usual NHS benefits including, pension scheme, 27 days holiday (up to 33 days dependent on service) plus bank holidays. All applicants should currently be allowed to work in the UK.

Candidates should possess:

Practical abilities and the desire to work with your hands High motivation and enthusiasm to work in the engineering maintenance environment The ability to follow instructions and diagrams The ability to work accurately and a good eye for detail Good communication and problem-solving skills Good numeracy and literacy abilities to work with data The ability to work on your own initiative, but also be a good team worker

As an apprentice, you will be trained in the maintenance and repair of highly complex medical devices, including linear accelerators and CT scanners. As a member of the radiotherapy engineering team, you will participate in all aspects of maintenance, repair and quality control checks, providing a vital service which directly impacts upon patient treatment. As a valued team member, you will develop a wide range of engineering skills working with electronic, mechanical, and computer based systems.



The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.



We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.



We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

We invite applications from candidates with:

5 GCSEs at grade 9 to 4 (Maths, English and Science mandatory)

Plus either

2 A Levels at grade C or above

or

Engineering BTEC at Level 3 with Merit grade profile

A Longlist of candidates will be determined based upon application. Candidates are advised to use the Supporting Information section of the application like a Personal Statement in order to set you apart from the competition. For example, explain why you are drawn to the role, describe your hobbies and interests and outline why you would be a good candidate for the position. Longlisted candidates will be asked to attend an Assessment Day at the Christie whereby their theoretical, practical and teamwork skills will be evaluated. Following the outcome of the Assessment Day a Shortlist of candidates will be determined and invited to interview which will be the final phase of the selection process.



The Assessment Day will also provide candidates with an opportunity to meet our current and past apprentices, see the medical equipment we maintain and also ask any questions about the Apprenticeship.



The Christie Medical Physics and Engineering team have extensive experience in running apprenticeship schemes. Our current apprentice Radiotherapy Engineers, Logan and Adam, carry out daily quality control checks as well as corrective and planned maintenance on our fleet of medical linear accelerators and CT scanners. They also gain experience in our Mechanical Workshop and carry out research and development projects. Furthermore, our apprentices spend time supporting a wide range of ward based medical devices such as infusion pumps and defibrillators.



Apprenticeship Development



Entry level Final Year / Band 4

Duties and Responsibilities



1. General

1.1 Work as part of multidisciplinary teams to assist in supporting the clinical radiotherapy service.

1.2 Will assist with ongoing service work. This will form the main role of an apprentice engineer.

1.3 The Apprentice Engineer will be required to work within the framework of the ISO 9001(2015) Quality System.

1.4 Requirement for flexibility in your working hours to minimize interruption to clinical service, including bank holidays and weekends. This will include outside of normal 'agenda for change' working hours. Clinical coverage is 7am to 8pm.

1.5 Participate in the extended shift system.

1.6 Assist in the repair of safety critical complex medical equipment.

1.7 Assist with physics quality control of the radiotherapy / diagnostic equipment.

1.8 Involved in commenting on interdepartmental procedures and work instructions for the physics group and may also propose changes to current procedures.

1.9 Will be expected to work at any of the Christie sites at short notice.

1.10 Will be based at any of the Christie sites and will be part of a rota on all Christie sites.



2. Technical Support for Clinical Radiotherapy Treatment equipment

2.1 Assist in the repair, calibration and safety testing of highly complex Radiotherapy equipment. All work will be completed on a competency basis.

2.2 Assist in the running up and preparation of radiotherapy equipment for clinical use and the closing down of equipment on completion of use.

2.3 To assist in the approved modifications to radiotherapy equipment.

2.4 To maintain proper records of all work carried out on the radiotherapy equipment

2.5 Under supervision perform regular high precision machine quality control checks, measurements and associated adjustments to fractional mm accuracy.

2.6 Will have to work on radiotherapy equipment whilst patient is in the treatment room, or on the treatment couch.

2.7 To assist in ensuring that all radiotherapy equipment works to manufacturer's specification.



3. Technical support for radiotherapy peripherals

3.1 To assist in provision of specialist technical support to X-ray imaging systems, axis lasers and all peripherals used on radiotherapy/diagnostic equipment. This includes Brachytherapy systems.

3.2 To assist with technical support to radiotherapy simulators / CTsim as required.

3.3 To assist in the maintenance of all test, measurement and service instruments and equipment including dose measurement instruments.

3.4 To assist and participate in the development and construction of instrumentation and equipment to support the service.

3.5 Will assist with work on R&V solutions.

3.6 Will assist in work on any equipment that supports treatment of patients within radiotherapy and diagnostic departments.

3.7 Will apply high level engineering knowledge to solve technical problems associated with radiotherapy equipment and medical devices.



4. Health and Safety

4.1 Under supervision will work daily in potentially hazardous situations with ionizing radiation, including high voltage electricity, unguarded moving machinery, heavy equipment and industrial gases in confined spaces with responsibility for safety of self and others.



5. Organizational

5.1 Work will be supervised at all times.

5.2 To assist with service visits by outside engineers and contractors.

5.3 Increased responsibility to communicate information accurately to other staff groups and contractors.



6. Teaching, training and research

7.1 Attend college on day release.

7.2 May be involved in training less experienced engineers within multidisciplinary team.

7.3 Attend inter-departmental placements as part of ongoing training: electronics workshop, medical engineering, and physics department

7.4 Participate in continuous professional development (CPD).

7.5 Participate in the research and development work carried out by the radiation physics group.

7.6 Will be expected to follow proper project management arrangements to report on status of projects e.g. gannt charts etc.

7.7 The Engineer will be required to attend training courses which will occasionally involve periods away from home or overseas.

7.8 Will be expected to keep abreast of technical developments. Enroll in Continuing Professional Development Programs. Attend suitable seminars and courses as part of personal development and to further the work of the department.

7.9 Participate in the IPEM training scheme attending placements and lectures as necessary to meet the training competencies and learning objectives.