Principal Proton Beam Therapy Physicist

Job content

We are looking for an enthusiastic medical physicist with extensive experience, to join a team of physicists, dosimetrists, engineers and technologists in the provision of radiotherapy physics services specialising in proton therapy.

You will have achieved state registration or be eligible with equivalent radiotherapy physics experience. Ideally you will be a registered MPE or working towards submitting an application to be registered. You will have a solid background in treatment planning and dosimetry, quality assurance for radiotherapy equipment including SABR, VMAT, IMRT and IGRT techniques. Experience with Proton Beam radiotherapy would be an advantage.

Experience in leading and motivating a team would be essential as well as a track record in service development.

The work will involve contact with patients and the ability to communicate clearly and sympathetically with patients having a variety of backgrounds is essential.

The main role of this post is to provide senior oversight to all aspects of the work of the Proton Physics team within the Radiotherapy Physics group. The main area of responsibility will be in the continuing development and maintaining of the treatment planning service to proton therapy with day-to-day supervision of the planning services in conjunction with the Lead Dosimetrist. Close liaison with pre-treatment and treatment radiographers, as well as clinical oncologists is expected for the ongoing delivery of the PBT service.

The post holder will act as, or work towards acting as, a Medical Physics Expert, as defined in IR(ME)R 2017.

The postholder will also be expected to support the Principal Physicist for proton dosimetry and quality assurance.

The successful candidate will support the Group Lead in management of the PBT physics team and deputise in their absence. The individual will act as a mentor for the team and take a lead role in service developments appropriate to their area of responsibility.

Supporting the ongoing research strategy of the trust will be key with close liaison with UCL and other academic and industry partners

Radiotherapy Physics Services consists of a team of over 60 staff consisting of clinical scientists, dosimetrists and engineers.

The Radiotherapy Physics Section is part of a multi-disciplinary team in the Department of Clinical Oncology, which sees about 2000 new patients per year. The Radiotherapy Department is equipped with four Varian TrueBEAM linear accelerators. The department equipment also includes one orthovoltage unit and an Elekta High Dose Rate Brachytherapy unit. Planning equipment includes a CT simulator with full 4D imaging capabilities for Respiratory Gated studies. The Department offers a variety of specialised treatment services and is continually developing advanced treatment techniques. Treatments offered include: IMRT; Volumetric Arc Therapy; IGRT; CT-based TBI; Ultrasound–guided and CT-planned HDR prostate brachytherapy.

UCLH provides one of two national Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) centres for the UK.. The proton department is equipped with four Varian ProBEAM gantries with dedicated CT and MR planning. ARIA and Eclipse is in use across both radiotherapy and proton therapy. The proton service is sited within the Trust’s campus in the heart of the capital where it enjoys a close collaboration with UCL on ground breaking research projects. The site has direct access to the Trust’s existing radiotherapy department and will be a closely located to the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre

The Main duties of the post holder are:

• The main role of this post is to provide scientific and managerial support within a particular aspect of the work of the Radiotherapy Physics group including the proton beam therapy (PBT) service.
• To act as a Medical Physics Expert, as defined in IR(ME)R 2000, to ensure that Trust complies with all safety legislation in the remit of the radiotherapy physics department.
• The postholder will work over a range of areas in Radiotherapy and Proton Therapy Physics and will undergo continual professional development in Radiotherapy Physics and associated techniques.
• The postholder will be responsible for, and supervise on a day to day basis, Proton Dosimetry and Quality Assurance.
• The post requires handling of highly complex dosimetry equipment to perform and supervise routine calibration and monitoring of highly complex radiation producing equipment.
• The post requires the presentation of clinical data to medical staff and the upholding of legal requirements.
• Personal initiative and a keen sense of responsibility with a high degree of accuracy are expected.
• Supervise, advise and produce routine and highly complex treatment planning for external beam radiotherapy. Use computerised planning systems to design and customise treatment plans. Analyse requirements and make complex judgements regarding treatment parameters and patient dose effects to produce the required dose distribution over the treatment volume. Take responsibility for the accurate production of individualised treatment plans and associated dosimetry calculations.
• Supervise, advise, check and approve highly complex treatment plans produced by other members of staff. Ensure second/independent checks are performed on all external beam plans.
• Advise clinical staff on the effects of various treatment plan options on patient dose distributions. Discuss, negotiate and agree approaches with clinical staff to create optimum treatment plans and advise on aspects of the treatment and patient set-up, as required. Often these negotiations take place under time pressure, directly affecting immediate patient management.

For more information regarding the main responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.