Senior Radiotherapy Practitioner (Linac Engineering)

Job overview

We are seeking to appoint an experienced engineer as a Band 6 Senior Radiotherapy Physics Practitioner (Linac Engineering) within the radiotherapy physics department at Nottingham. The ideal candidate will have a degree (or equivalent experience) in engineering (or similar) and some experience in linac engineering in a clinical setting. However, this post may also suit a candidate who is experienced as a field service engineer or who has an aptitude for fault-finding on highly complex equipment. The work involves both preventative and corrective work on complex accelerators including analogue and digital control, High voltage and high current devices, high energy radiofrequency equipment, networking and mechanical work. Applicants with less experience may be considered and offered an appointment at a lower grade.

Main duties of the job

The Radiotherapy Engineering Section provides linac engineering services on behalf of Radiotherapy Physics in the Medical Physics and Clinical engineering Department. The primary role of the team is to provide specialist, patient-focused support and immediate response for the radiotherapy and radiotherapy physics services. This takes the form of pre-treatment maintenance, diagnostic testing and decisions about the clinical status of treatment machines on a daily basis. The team carries out preventative maintenance tasks, calibration of patient critical equipment parameters, safety testing, and prompt fault diagnosis and repair on a wide range of highly complex and patient critical therapeutic and associated ancillary equipment with the aim of maintaining patient treatment targets. The clinical equipment covered incorporates electrical, electronic, mechanical, computer hardware/software and networking, gas, high vacuum, laser, high voltage, water-cooling and safety systems.
The post holder is required to exercise a high level of flexibility, initiative, and tenacity. Working at all times to extremely high standards, maintaining safety and being accountable.

The post holder will need to communicate effectively with treatment radiographers, clinical scientist and medical staff to discuss concerns regarding machine behavior, identify faults, repair equipment, liaise with and work alongside equipment manufacturers as deemed necessary or appropriate.

Working for our organisation

Radiotherapy in Nottingham is a well-equipped department treating patients in the Nottinghamshire area. Major equipment includes 6 Elekta Versa HD linacs, 2 Canon Aquilion Exceed wide bore CT scanners as well as superficial and brachytherapy treatment facilities. Treatment planning is carried out with RayStation and Monaco. We provide both the SRS and paediatric radiotherapy service for the East Midlands. Other advanced radiotherapy treatments we provide include SABR for both oligo-metastatic cancer as well as primary lung cancer.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical Technical
Provide specialised clinical technical services to the Oncology Department.

Start-up Linear Accelerators (advanced radiotherapy treatment machines) and perform daily pre-clinical maintenance to decide upon the clinical status. Ensuring that they operate safely and remain within recommended tolerances and clinically defined parameters.

Interpret treatment machine standby & running values, to identify possible deterioration of specific components, predict useful life remaining and be proactive in the acquisition of replacement items prior to machine failure.

Communicate with treatment radiographers, clinical scientists and medical staff to gain a clear understanding of any problematic equipment symptoms. Use initiative and sound judgment to assess the seriousness and implications of any problems, and dictate the clinical status of the equipment accordingly.

Perform immediate rectification tasks, where possible, to allow the continuation of interrupted patient treatment. Consult with treatment radiographers, where patient contact is imminent; in order to ensure the privacy and modesty of patients is protected.

Ability to work under pressure, undertake advanced faultfinding on complex electronic systems. Apply proven faultfinding techniques to diagnose problems promptly, including those beyond the scope of manufacturer-supplied information. Use all available resources to positively identify defective item, particularly high-cost, non-returnable goods and use judgment to approximate machine downtime.

Perform scheduled Quality Assurance checks on treatment machines, to ensure the correct operation of primary and secondary electronic, mechanical and software driven safety devices, software limits and calibrated settings.

Participate in a shift pattern, which provides pre-treatment maintenance on the weekends when patients are undergoing intensive radiotherapy treatment. Also on-call breakdown cover for evening and weekends, plus weekend on-call breakdown cover for all other emergency radiotherapy patients.

Responsible for maintaining integrity of protection systems for radiation controlled areas.

Responsible as an IR(ME)R 2000 operator.

Perform safety related checks and embody performance-enhancing modifications to treatment equipment, in accordance with manufacturers’ directives and instructions.

Provide support on the maintenance and repair of the complete range of radiotherapy and radiation dosimetry/monitoring equipment.

Take responsibility for the clinical status of patient treatment machines, following maintenance, and the quality of workmanship carried out.

In conjunction with Clinical Scientists (Radiotherapy Physicists) provide specialist knowledge and assistance in the adjustment of patient critical equipment, to optimise performance and obtain the required clinical parameters.

Participate in all general clinical engineering duties as required.

Liaise with clinical staff to organise planned and un-planned maintenance, and adjust schedules in response to short-term clinical needs.

Contact manufacturers to obtain information, provide feedback on equipment related issues and return of parts for assessment.

Monitor stocks of components, spares and materials held, re-ordering when necessary to maintain stock levels.

Keep relevant scientific, technical, and QA documentation for all tasks performed.

Take responsibility for all tools and equipment within the post holder’s care. Ensure electronic workshop facility is kept clear and well ordered and that all equipment is maintained and safe to use. Ensure adequate safety devices and signs are in place prior to live working on lethal voltages.

Provide technical advice to clinical scientists, radiographers, other staff groups and departmental colleagues as appropriate.

Assist with evaluation, commissioning and safety testing of intricate and complex equipment.

Be proactive in locating replacement parts from the most competitive source, whilst maintaining the quality of all items used.

Introduce and improve engineering controlled documentation, used within the department, which must conform to current quality assurance standards.

Managerial
Participate in shift patterns and on-call rosters to ensure adequate cover for equipment preparation and breakdown.

Prioritise and manage own work in accordance with section policies and competing service demands. Propose changes to own working practices and procedures.

Participate in regular meetings with the Head of Radiotherapy Engineering, other technical staff in the Section, Clinical Scientist and Radiotherapy.

Keep accurate records of all work performed and complete appropriate records.

Teaching, Training and Research
Regularly teach and train other staff (technicians, clinical scientists, radiographers) in the operation and care of Radiotherapy equipment.

Train Staff in the full range of techniques and methods used in the Engineering Facility.

Supervise Trainees on placement.

Give presentations at seminars and training courses.

Assist other groups within department in the development and construction of new and innovative devices to support clinical activity and research.

Participate in the evaluation of medical equipment.

Professional

Keep abreast of technical developments. Enrol in appropriate Continuing Professional development programmes. Attend suitable seminars and courses as part of personal development and to further the work of the Department.

Ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and meet regulatory requirements, professional standards and acceptable guidelines.

Miscellaneous

Other appropriate duties, as required, for which the post holder has adequate training.