Senior Physicist (Radiotherapy)

Job Purpose

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 Physicist Senior 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.

Job Background/Context

• Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic is a private hospital providing a full range of medical and surgical care across a broad spectrum of specialities.
• The Radiation Oncology Physics Section of the Medical Physics Department) provides scientific services including absolute dosimetry, individual patient computerised treatment planning, advice on treatments, Quality Control of processes and equipment, commissioning of new equipment, in-vivo dosimetry, radiation protection advice and also research activities.
• The Radiation Oncology Physics Section provides services primarily to the Radiation Oncology Department of Hermitage Clinic.
• Services will develop in parallel with development plans for the provision of radiation therapy to the people of Ireland
• The Medical Physics department provides physics support to Radiation Oncology, Diagnostic Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Protection. The Principal Physicist will head the Radiation Oncology Physics section and will provide support to the other areas listed.

Key Responsibilities

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

• Treatment planning department _
• Development and implementation of formal quality assurance systems, quality audit and quality assurance procedures.
• Responsible for the day to day management of the treatment planning computers (hardware and software).
• Preparation of treatment plans for patients undergoing radiotherapy and to ensure this work is undertaken in accordance with local rules and procedures.
• To be skilled in the use of external beam and stereotactic treatment planning computers that may be used
• To implement and supervise the QA checks on the treatment planning, verification and stereotactic systems.
• To ensure regular maintenance and back up of patients and beam data and ensure the geometric accuracy of images used.
• To assist, with the preparation and checking of treatment plans for patients.
• The provision of manual/independent calculations on all planned dose distributions for patients undergoing radiotherapy.
• 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.
• Radiotherapy equipment_
• To carry out quality assurance checks on all radiotherapy equipment including routine calibrations.
• To become fully conversant with the quality assurance procedures used on all equipment in the radiotherapy department.
• To assist with the calibration of treatment machines and dosimeters.
• The provision of first line support in the event of breakdown on all radiotherapy equipment.
• Be able to participate in the commissioning of new radiotherapy equipment including multi-modality linear accelerators, treatment planning systems, simulators and ancillary equipment.
• To do Brachy therapy I-125 planning and seed calibration.
• Information technology_
• To participate in the development of a network in the radiotherapy department and the main hospital.
• To maintain and develop specialised computer programs for use in radiotherapy.
• To develop and maintain a database of plans, treatments and equipment checks carried out in the radiotherapy department.
• The provision of patient information and data for use in a verification system.

**- Safety and Radiation protection:_

• To carry out radiation protection measurements as required.
• To carry out appropriate Radiation risk assessments.
• To assist in the development of local procedures for diagnostic imaging equipment as required.
• Keep abreast of current developments in the field including current standards, tolerances and safety limits.
• Staff development and in-service training relevant to the post as may be organised from time to time
• Assist with formulating advice on the maintenance arrangements to be employed for medical equipment as appropriate and contribute to their implementation.
• To perform routine department radiation surveys, instrument calibration and equipment performance assessment.
• Assist in Radiation protection presentations for new staff induction course
• Radiology and Nuclear _
• Because of the Physics department