Principal Clinical Scientist

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Management

Manage clinical technologists and Clinical Scientists to deliver non-ionising radiation imaging and therapy duties, including planning, allocation and quality checking of work and participates in staff recruitment.

Carry out Personal Appraisal and Development Reviews (PADR) to include setting annual work objectives and identifying training needs and requirements.

Implementing policies and protocols within the Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering department, including changing or updating existing policies, and determining the impact of such policies on other areas.

LPA Member of the Health Board’s Radiation Protection Group.

Helping to ensure that Health Board and Directorate policies and procedures are followed within the Section.

Contributing to the clinical audit programme of the Non-Ionising Radiation Section and of the Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering department.

Ensuring that the equipment used for the Section’s work is safe and subject to regular maintenance and quality assurance testing.

Assisting in the implementation of a risk management programme within the Section.

Ensure that records (including documents, spreadsheets and databases) of the Section’s work and resources are maintained and regularly updated.

Developing and maintaining an effective liaison with professional colleagues within the Directorate, the Health Board and other organisations, to improve patient care.

Preparing presentations and reports using appropriate computer hardware and software.

Producing Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for the provision of the Non-Ionising scientific services to other NHS Trusts and healthcare organisations.

Clinical and technical

The post Holder will be the lead for non-ionising radiation physics and be appointed as a Laser Protection Adviser (LPA). Providing advice on the safe and optimised use of non-ionising radiation equipment (including lasers, UV and ultrasound), in the Cardiff and Vale Health Board (CVUHB) and other Health Boards and organisations to which the department provides a service.

Acting as a source of advanced knowledge and advice in ultrasound quality assurance and optical radiation safety.

To advise on the purchase of non-ionising equipment including Ultrasound, UV and Lasers for CVUHB and other clients with whom we have a contract or service-level agreement. This includes the specification, acceptance testing, commissioning and setting up of the quality assurance schedules, together with the associated record keeping.

Carry out commissioning and acceptance testing of imaging/therapy equipment (e.g Phototherapy units, Lasers, Ultrasound).  Commissioning includes assessment of performance, calibration, radiation safety aspects of the equipment and measurement of environmental factors.

Reporting the results of audits and QA tests as required and taking remedial action as necessary.

Deliver patient safety compliance through planned testing of imaging/phototherapy equipment by analysing and reporting the results and advising suspension where appropriate.

Supervise and participate in the regular performance testing of a broad range of highly complex non-ionising radiation equipment for the Non-Ionising Section.

Ensure that the testing schedules are completed in a prompt and efficient manner, to the high standards required by the governing legislation, guidelines and department protocols.

Where required, acquire and analyse patient data and provide advice and assistance to staff and managers regarding local protocols and techniques to maintain patient safety.  Attend meetings of local audit groups.

Manage the traceable and routine calibration of the section’s non-ionising equipment, some of which is used for patient dose measurements.  Including taking responsibility for liaising with the Accredited Calibration Service on all matters relating to calibration of equipment, dosemeters, including their traceability to National Standards, as required.

Participating in the clinical services of the section, for example, undertake and record UV measurements at dermatology clinics, and/or undertake and record patient measurements using ultrasound equipment in the Vascular Ultrasound service for the assessment of venous and arterial disease. Follow standard operating procedures and clinical pathways for such patient tests.

Non-Ionising Radiation Safety

To undertake the duties and responsibilities of Laser Protection Adviser and other artificial optical radiations for the CVUHB and other organisations with whom the Health Board has a contract or service-level agreement. This includes providing advice on the safe use of ultraviolet radiation, lasers and other NIR radiations, and advising the Health Board when incidents are reportable to the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) and/or the Health and Safety Executive, undertaking any dosimetry calculations and internal investigations required. 

Compose CVUHB policies and procedures relating to safe use of non-ionising radiation and guide staff on implementation of legislation and good practice guidance issued nationally.

In consultation with the relevant Laser Protection Supervisors and the CVUHB Radiation Protection group (RPG), advise on preparation of the risk assessments, local rules and systems of work needed in connection with the use of non-ionising radiations and to identify introduction of new techniques or equipment, which require a revision to the Local Rules.

To undertake, and be responsible for, the accuracy of measurements and dosimetry calculations relevant to treatment with UV and lasers and to ensure that dosimetry follows nationally agreed protocols and inform the Head of Section immediately when any error in dosimetry is either detected or suspected and to inform the consultant responsible for the patient's care.

To undertake and advise on radiation protection measurements relevant to Ultrasound, UV, lasers and other Artificial Optical Radiation (AOR).

Teaching, training and research

Maintaining and updating authoritative scientific and technical knowledge of diagnostic ultrasound, lasers and UV and of by attending appropriate conferences and meetings, reading relevant literature and participating in a programme of continuous professional development.

To provide Non-Ionising radiation safety and other physics training to groups of nurses, doctors, Phototherapists and other staff as appropriate. Participating in the teaching and specialist training of other staff, students and visitors as required.

To teach and train Trainee Clinical Scientists and Clinical Technologists. CVUHB is part of the Wales consortium which is accredited by the National School of Healthcare Science for STP and HSST training.

Supervise and undertake research and development commensurate with the achievement of clinical objectives, consistent with CVUHB R&D policies.  Assist with the development of new or modified techniques in conjunction with other staff groups.

As an experienced non-ionising radiation expert, participate as appropriate and where possible, in a professional capacity in both All-Wales and UK advisory bodies.

Be prepared to present work at clinical meetings, presentations or for training.

Participating in the lecturing and teaching activities of the Non-Ionising radiation section for undergraduate and postgraduate courses at Cardiff and Swansea Universities, and supervising project students.

Professional

Participating in the work of professional, advisory, scientific and technical organisations and learned societies at local or national level as appropriate.

Participate in the CVUHB’s Personal Appraisal and Development Review System (PADR).

Maintain Continual Professional Development (CPD) through seminar and course attendances and keep abreast of the latest scientific developments and their applications in medical and associated fields. Providing feedback to the department as required.

Ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and conform to Statutory Regulations, approved Codes of Practice and Local Safety Rules.

The post-holder must maintain an up-to-date detailed expert knowledge of Non-Ionising Radiation Physics and relevant Radiation Protection legislation in order to carry out the duties of the post. This will be achieved by attending local and national meetings and by private study.

Miscellaneous

When working in other departments, the appointee will behave courteously and professionally at all times and seek to ensure that the highest level of service is provided and the CVUHB values are adhered to.

Occasionally, perform duties outside the normal working hours of the Department, in order to complete work efficiently, or as required for critical equipment to be available for patients. 

Undertake contractual work with firms and organisations outside the NHS as required by the Head of Section.

Perform other appropriate duties which may be required from time to time by the Head of Non-Ionising Radiation or Director of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering.