Job Description

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated clinical scientist to join the Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation Physics section at The Christie. This role is suitable for an experienced MR/US clinical scientist or INIR STP trainee who is looking to develop within the field of clinical MR and ultrasound physics. We encourage applications from candidates with more limited experience or from an academic background who would be considered for appointment at a lower band initially.



The Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation section is part of the Imaging Physics and Radiation Protection Group and comprises a team of eleven MR clinical scientists and physicists, two ultrasound clinical scientists and four ultrasound engineers who support over 50 MR systems and 900 ultrasound systems across North West England. This role is split 60% Magnetic Resonance to 40% Ultrasound.



The MR physics group provide an integrated support role across the departments we work with, working closely with clinical colleagues to optimise imaging and to improve and develop services. Other core elements of the role include acting as MRSE, equipment testing and teaching. The ultrasound section provide equipment testing and maintenance support for a wide range of ultrasound equipment

The main duties of the job are to:

Provide MRSE support to The Christie and other NHS trusts in the North West of England



Provide MR and ultrasound clinical and scientific support to The Christie and other NHS trusts in the North West of England



Contribute to the teaching and education role of the Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation



You should have proven experience in MR and ultrasound physics and hold a post-graduate qualification in medical physics. We work closely with other health professionals and clinicians to improve the safety and quality of clinical services, so excellent communication skills are a must. Travel to NHS trusts within the North West Imaging Networks on a regular basis is a requirement of the role (most Trusts we work with are under an hour away from The Christie Hospital). This will include the need to transport valuable and heavy test equipment to the sites we support.



The ability to deliver service improvements and innovative solutions as part of a multi-disciplinary team is essential. We strongly encourage career development and support to undertake the HSST scheme is possible for the right candidate.



The Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation section, within Christie Medical Physics and Engineering, provides a large and varied MR physics and ultrasound physics and engineering service across the North West of England.



The range of clinical MR specialisms that the MR physics group work across includes MR for radiotherapy treatment planning, oncology, cardiac and functional neuro. This makes the work extremely varied and interesting. The MR physics group often work independently, but are fortunate to have a large, experienced group with strong links to academia. The group communicate regularly to share knowledge and good practice. There are regular opportunities to undertake research and service development.



The ultrasound group is comprised of experienced physicists and engineers. They work independently on a large range of ultrasound systems across the region, from complex maternity scanners to systems used in critical care, theatre environments and wireless devices. They meet regularly to share knowledge and best practice.



Manchester is a hub for sport, music and culture as well as a friendly, vibrant city. The Christie is located in Withington, 4 miles to the south of the city centre. Due to the regional nature of the service, and excellent local transport links, a choice of living location is possible - the current team are spread across the region, from the Peak District up to South Cumbria.



Management



Assist the INIR Section Lead in the planning, provision and development of MR and ultrasound services in the region, and elsewhere if appropriate.



Participate in the Quality Management System for the INIR Section.



Assist the Section Lead in collaborating with radiology managers and other staff within Trusts across the North West in the development of business cases, service specifications and equipment and software specifications for new facilities and services.



Supervise and train less experienced healthcare science staff (assistants, associates, practitioners and scientists) as required and appropriate.



Supervise and direct the work of trainee clinical scientists involved in INIR Section



Magnetic resonance imaging



Provide scientific advice and support to clinical magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy services.



Take a particular lead in certain areas of the scientific support as defined by the INIR Lead. Some aspects of this role will require occasional travel throughout the UK to provide the necessary support.



Collaborate and liaise with clinical colleagues and other professionals working within the field of MR both locally, nationally and internationally where appropriate



Provide safety advice to magnetic resonance imaging departments and contribute to the MR Section's role of Magnetic Resonance Safety Expert (MRSE) to the clinical sites which the MR Section supports.



Provide advice on the design, construction and operation of MR facilities, and specifically advise on the safety implications for these facilities.



Assist in the provision of specifications for MR systems, applications packages and related equipment and collaborate closely with sites acquiring new MR systems to ensure optimum and effective purchase decisions.



Provide safety advice relating to specific patients with respect to the MR safety of various implanted medical devices.



Undertake analysis and interpretation of MR data for individual patients and provide patient related reports and data/results generated as part of the scientific support to routine clinical service.



Contribute to the prescription of non-routine specialised MR procedures for individual patients and specific patient groups as required at the MR departments supported by the MR Section.



Ultrasound imaging



Commission, assess and ensure the safe operation of ultrasound equipment used by medical staff.



Perform quality assurance tests on systems according to current section standards.



Provide scientifically robust advice to medical, nursing and other healthcare staff on the safe use of complex ultrasound imaging equipment.



Interpret and communicate current advice on technical and safety issues relating to the use of ultrasound in healthcare.



Maintain technical and clinical knowledge of ultrasound equipment and clinical applications and keep up to date with the current market.



Evaluate and audit the current measures for quality assurance and acoustic safety of ultrasound equipment and implement a continuous improvement program.



Be able to perform measurements of ultrasound acoustic output using complex laboratory equipment and teach trainees and other staff to perform such measurements.



To provide audits and scientific oversight of ultrasound QA undertaken by the users in the region.



To take the lead on research projects both within the section to aid service development, in line with group objectives and as agreed by the section leader, and where required in support of clinical projects throughout contracted customer base.



Provide scientifically robust advice to clinical departmental managers and procurement personnel on the procurement of ultrasound systems.



Perform assessments of RF interference on request and provide scientific advice at a professional level based on findings.



Research



Liaise with the INIR Section Lead in the identification of areas of research appropriate to non-ionising service development and improvement in the delivery of clinical services.



Seek to identify and exploit innovation to achieve improved clinical outcomes and increased value for money in non-ionising services.



Present results via written scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and oral presentation at approved scientific meetings.



Contribute to evaluation of the scientific and medical literature to identify results of published research in imaging and non-ionising in particular which could have relevance for the delivery of clinical and scientific services and develop evidence and quality-based programmes to implement such developments.



Contribute to dissemination of information on new methodologies and techniques in MR and ultrasound imaging to other appropriate research groups.



Contribute to the provision of scientific support to advanced non-ionising techniques.



Work with the INIR Lead to maintain all the requirements of Research Governance.



Teaching and training



Take part in the training of staff in safety issues pertinent to the MR environment where necessary and ensure that the relevant MR safety guidelines are adhered to.



Contribute to various teaching commitments, formally and informally at universities and institutions relating to the education of radiologists, radiographers and scientists involved in MR and ultrasound.



Assist in the training of clinical scientists and trainee physicists undertaking placements in MR and ultrasound.



Professional



Undertake continuing professional development in compliance with the requirements for registration of The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), maintain a professional portfolio and have a commitment to the training and development of other professional colleagues



Participate in mandatory study days



Identify training needs to the INIR Section Lead



Participate in training courses as required by the INIR Section Lead



Keep abreast of developments and maintain in-depth knowledge of techniques, legislation and good practice relating to MR and ultrasound.