Basic Grade Physicist

The role is responsible for the provision of quality service in line with standards of Physics practice. As a key member of the frontline team, the Basic Physicist will demonstrate professional competence and facilitate effective communication with colleagues in the hospital. The position requires a strategic approach to the development of services and structures, embracing continuous quality improvement and the management of changes necessary to achieve organisational objectives. Physics department at BHHC supplies services to Radiotherapy, Radiology, and Theatre departments beside the radiation protection across the hospital. The successful candidate might work supply services for both Radiotherapy and / or Radiology departments according to Physics department needs.  The Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic is a private hospital providing a full range of medical and surgical care across a broad spectrum of specialities. The department provides a range of Radiotherapy physics services and manage and direct the Diagnostic Radiology and Radiotherapy physics service. The services and this role is important in making a significant contribution, developing and maintaining best practice in Physics services.  The post holder :Will be a member of the Physics Department Will assist in reviewing and updating Policies, Procedures and Systems that support the needs of the hospital.May be assigned to other duties within any of the institutions to which the Department of Physics provides services.Operations PlanningTo prepare treatment plans for patients undergoing radiotherapy and to ensure this work is undertaken in accordance with local rules and procedures. To ensure that a high level of technical competency is achieved and maintained in the area.Perform treatment plans when required. The complexity level of the plans to be decided by the Head of Physics department. To aid in the development of any complex / new treatment modalities.  To perform 3DCRT, IMRT VMAT, SRS and SBRT plans.To perform Cyberknife SRS / SBRT plans. To perform machine and patient specific QA tasksTo work single-handedly to design and calculate treatment plans, in accordance with the Radiation Oncologist’s prescription. To consider dose-limiting structures in the design of treatment plans and document dose in accordance with the Radiation Oncologist’s PrescriptionTo perform calculations necessary for the delivery of the prescribed dose to the patient and verification of the mathematical accuracy of the calculation.To work with staff in treatment verification, CT/Sim (virtual simulation), when indicated, in order to aid the production of a treatment plan or to facilitate the treatment of a patient.Develop and maintain Treatment Planning procedure manuals, together with the Physicists with responsibility for Radiotherapy Treatment Planning.To promote the development of new treatment techniques and new treatment modalities, together with other staff in the Department of Radiotherapy.To ensure that difficult/non-standard treatment planning is adequately discussed with Physicist and/or Radiation Oncologist, as appropriate, prior to clinical implementation.To develop and perform quality assurance of the treatment planning procedures and treatment planning system together with the Physicist with responsibility for Radiotherapy Treatment Planning.To keep informed of developments in the area of treatment planning techniques and advances in medical dosimetry. Quality AssuranceTo carry out quality assurance checks on all equipment in the department including output constancy and calibration checks on the therapy units.To assist with the QA checks on the treatment planning computers. To provide first line maintenance and support in the event of breakdown on all radiotherapy equipment in the department.  Diagnostic To provide daily support in radiology department.To assist in carrying out annual and post service quality control checks on all imaging equipment in the Radiology department.Assist with scientific and technical support to Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Protection services in the hospital. Covering a range of diagnostic imaging equipment including General Radiography, Dental, Interventional Fluoroscopy, Mammography, CT, MRI, LASER and ultrasound systems.To assist in the quality control on image quality on all reporting workstations.To assist with routine laser services in the hospital.To assist in organising the calibration of all radiation measurement instruments and other ancillary equipment used in the diagnostic radiology department.Keep abreast of current developments in the field including current standards, tolerances and safety limits.Analyse computer generated data in Medical Imaging, and other areas, and present it in a form suitable for clinical interpretation.Radiation ProtectionTo assist in the management of occupational radiation exposure monitoring.To carry out radiation protection measurements as required in diagnostic and radiotherapy if required and work closely with the RPU members. GeneralTo participate in the acceptance and commissioning of new imaging modalities including ionising and non-ionising equipment.To promote inter-and intra-department relationships.To promote and participate in educational programmes and attend meetings when required.As the department expands and the range of services provided increases, there may be a requirement to perform administrative duties associated with the department.Promote a patient centred culture of openness and responsiveness to positive and constructive patient feedback and ensuring patient dignity, respect and choice is maintained in their care. Staff development and in-service training relevant to the post as may be organised from time to time.To assist in the development of clinical audits and dose reviews Contribute, as required, to research, development and innovation.Attend relevant meetings and take minutes if required. To assist with training and education of other staff as required. Attend and participate in the regular departmental meetings. Information technologyTo participate in the development of a network in the Physics department and the main hospital.To assist in the implementation of the verification system and associated modules.To contribute to the development of specialised computer programmes for use in radiotherapy  Quality Improvement and Risk ManagementEnsure compliance with all relevant BHHC guidelines, policies, procedures and relevant legislation and regulatory requirements. ·      Participate in the continuous review and evaluation of policies, guidelines and existing practices through regular audit programmes and review engaging with the multi-disciplinary team where required.·      Assist in promoting a culture of continuous quality improvement across the department. ·      Be aware of the core objectives, standards and key performance indicators for the service and contribute to the monitoring of performance against these standards.Participate in the requirements of the hospitals accreditation process.Participate in the requirements of the hospital’s risk management programme.Promote the delivery of a high standard of care to all patients. Encourage evidence-based practice and assist in the dissemination and implementation of research findings.·      Work with members of the Multidisciplinary team in devising Standard Operating Procedures for the development of the Department.Assist in ensuring a culture of safety, promoting positive reporting of incidents and near misses; investigate and take remedial action on incidents or near misses involving patients and staff according to hospital policies, protocols and guidelines.Attend all mandatory training days and ensure that all mandatary training is in date.Comply with all HR system and policy requirements. The post holder :Will be a member of the Physics Department Will assist in reviewing and updating Policies, Procedures and Systems that support the needs of the hospital.May be assigned to other duties within any of the institutions to which the Department of Physics provides services.Operations PlanningTo prepare treatment plans for patients undergoing radiotherapy and to ensure this work is undertaken in accordance with local rules and procedures. To ensure that a high level of technical competency is achieved and maintained in the area.Perform treatment plans when required. The complexity level of the plans to be decided by the Head of Physics department. To aid in the development of any complex / new treatment modalities.  To perform 3DCRT, IMRT VMAT, SRS and SBRT plans.To perform Cyberknife SRS / SBRT plans. To perform machine and patient specific QA tasksTo work single-handedly to design and calculate treatment plans, in accordance with the Radiation Oncologist’s prescription. To consider dose-limiting structures in the design of treatment plans and document dose in accordance with the Radiation Oncologist’s PrescriptionTo perform calculations necessary for the delivery of the prescribed dose to the patient and verification of the mathematical accuracy of the calculation.To work with staff in treatment verification, CT/Sim (virtual simulation), when indicated, in order to aid the production of a treatment plan or to facilitate the treatment of a patient.Develop and maintain Treatment Planning procedure manuals, together with the Physicists with responsibility for Radiotherapy Treatment Planning.To promote the development of new treatment techniques and new treatment modalities, together with other staff in the Department of Radiotherapy.To ensure that difficult/non-standard treatment planning is adequately discussed with Physicist and/or Radiation Oncologist, as appropriate, prior to clinical implementation.To develop and perform quality assurance of the treatment planning procedures and treatment planning system together with the Physicist with responsibility for Radiotherapy Treatment Planning.To keep informed of developments in the area of treatment planning techniques and advances in medical dosimetry. Quality AssuranceTo carry out quality assurance checks on all equipment in the department including output constancy and calibration checks on the therapy units.To assist with the QA checks on the treatment planning computers. To provide first line maintenance and support in the event of breakdown on all radiotherapy equipment in the department.  Diagnostic To provide daily support in radiology department.To assist in carrying out annual and post service quality control checks on all imaging equipment in the Radiology department.Assist with scientific and technical support to Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Protection services in the hospital. Covering a range of diagnostic imaging equipment including General Radiography, Dental, Interventional Fluoroscopy, Mammography, CT, MRI, LASER and ultrasound systems.To assist in the quality control on image quality on all reporting workstations.To assist with routine laser services in the hospital.To assist in organising the calibration of all radiation measurement instruments and other ancillary equipment used in the diagnostic radiology department.Keep abreast of current developments in the field including current standards, tolerances and safety limits.Analyse computer generated data in Medical Imaging, and other areas, and present it in a form suitable for clinical interpretation.Radiation ProtectionTo assist in the management of occupational radiation exposure monitoring.To carry out radiation protection measurements as required in diagnostic and radiotherapy if required and work closely with the RPU members. GeneralTo participate in the acceptance and commissioning of new imaging modalities including ionising and non-ionising equipment.To promote inter-and intra-department relationships.To promote and participate in educational programmes and attend meetings when required.As the department expands and the range of services provided increases, there may be a requirement to perform administrative duties associated with the department.Promote a patient centred culture of openness and responsiveness to positive and constructive patient feedback and ensuring patient dignity, respect and choice is maintained in their care. Staff development and in-service training relevant to the post as may be organised from time to time.To assist in the development of clinical audits and dose reviews Contribute, as required, to research, development and innovation.Attend relevant meetings and take minutes if required. To assist with training and education of other staff as required. Attend and participate in the regular departmental meetings. Information technologyTo participate in the development of a network in the Physics department and the main hospital.To assist in the implementation of the verification system and associated modules.To contribute to the development of specialised computer programmes for use in radiotherapy  Quality Improvement and Risk ManagementEnsure compliance with all relevant BHHC guidelines, policies, procedures and relevant legislation and regulatory requirements. ·      Participate in the continuous review and evaluation of policies, guidelines and existing practices through regular audit programmes and review engaging with the multi-disciplinary team where required.·      Assist in promoting a culture of continuous quality improvement across the department. ·      Be aware of the core objectives, standards and key performance indicators for the service and contribute to the monitoring of performance against these standards.Participate in the requirements of the hospitals accreditation process.Participate in the requirements of the hospital’s risk management programme.Promote the delivery of a high standard of care to all patients. Encourage evidence-based practice and assist in the dissemination and implementation of research findings.·      Work with members of the Multidisciplinary team in devising Standard Operating Procedures for the development of the Department.Assist in ensuring a culture of safety, promoting positive reporting of incidents and near misses; investigate and take remedial action on incidents or near misses involving patients and staff according to hospital policies, protocols and guidelines.Attend all mandatory training days and ensure that all mandatary training is in date.Comply with all HR system and policy requirements. Essential Criteria/Knowledge/Experience·    Hold a recognised first or second class honours degree (BSc) in Physics or another appropriate science subject.·    Possess the required knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability) for the proper discharge of duties of the post.  Skills/ Competencies ·      Clinical Skills·      IT skills·      Quality focus·      Risk Management·      Clinical audit·      Team work·      Analytical Skills·      Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Desireable Skills Knowledge/ Experience ·      Hold an appropriate MSc. or PhD in the area of medical physics·      Have three years recent experience in medical physics·      Completion of a formal training scheme in medical physics.·      Completed therapeutic or diagnostic physics professional examination with a recognized body Skills/ Competencies ·      Presentation skills·      Programing  This Job Description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the position and is subject to regular review and amendment. The role holder will be required to be flexible in this position and is expected to facilitate working additional hours on occasion, when requested.The Hermitage Clinic is an Equal Opportunities Employer