Healthcare Science Technical Services Manager

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

SPECIFIC DUTIES/JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

 

1               Management

1.1           Line management for function: healthcare practitioners within the team, including allocation of work, performance, appraisals and any associated disciplinary (should it arise). 

1.2           Work closely with senior managers to ensure satisfactory service provision at all times, planning for the future in line with Trust and team strategies.

1.3           Participate in and ensure staff are available for day-to-day survey related logistical or technical issues to provide real time solutions to staff in the field.

1.4           Take a share of DRRPS ‘duty management’ day to day (8am start time, on a rota).

1.5           Prioritise work and adjust routine work as necessary.

1.6           Lead on recruitment of technical staff.  Participate in other recruitment as required.

1.7           Be responsible for the career development of technicians.

1.8           Oversee the supervision of less experienced physicists, technologists and any other staff seconded to the group who are assigned survey tasks. 

1.9           Procure various resources in agreement with senior managers.

1.10        Be involved in developing and providing information for contracts as required.

1.11        Prep for (seeking input on content and delivery) and chair/lead the group ‘survey meeting’ and ‘diary review’. 

1.12        Ensure suitable KPIs are in place and produced for reporting channels (Trust, customers).

1.13        Identify efficiency savings and suitable digital solutions for the service.

1.14        Interpret and implement policy/procedures in relation to this JD with guidance from senior staff or external reference points as required.

1.15        Act to ensure change is managed effectively in close collaboration with senior managers. 

1.16        Manage (drawing in expertise when required) the assets for the group including cars, test tools, dosemeters, calibrations, maintenance contracts, the environmental monitoring service, TLDs/reader/oven, phantoms and radioactive sources (leak testing and audit) etc.

1.17        Investigate options for key purchases to meet group needs and draft a case for the section lead to approve. Purchase related consumables and test objects/tools (group leader holds budget responsibility).

1.18        Sign off team overtime claims. 

1.19        Proactive customer liaison – gaining feedback to inform customer needs and expectations. Use feedback to inform development of service objectives and lead on monitoring and fulfilment of objectives.

1.20        Complaints handling

 

2               Equipment performance testing and radiation protection surveys

2.1           Be responsible for the organisation, delivery and quality of the planned and reactive equipment testing & radiation safety service, in line with national recommendations. 

2.2           Oversee the booking of surveys, ensuring good liaison with appropriate staff in external departments. This will include oversight of internal staff with booking responsibilities.

2.3           Responsible for the inventory data accuracy (likely to be on ‘EQUIP’ platform), the quality of work instructions/test workbooks/templates & timeliness of reports etc.  This includes holding others in the team to account when they have been delegated tasks.

2.4           Work with the senior staff to plan for new/novel equipment such that we are prepared to undertake commissioning when it arrives.

2.5           Regularly undertake equipment performance and radiation protection surveys (with greater involvement in more complex testing and training surveys), alone or with a colleague, following clearly defined operating procedures, at customers’ premises to ensure compliance with the regulations (IRR & IRMER) and in line with our ISO9001:2015 quality management system.  This will involve accurate positioning and methodical use of dosemeters & test objects. This includes:

-      Critical exams

-      Commissioning new equipment

-      Routine quality control on existing installations.

-      Investigation of faults on existing installations.

-      Calibration of patient dose measuring equipment.

-      Checking the radiation protection of the installation.

2.6           Analyse the results of equipment performance measurements and draw conclusions based on national guidelines and own experience.

2.7           Write accurate reports for the Radiation Protection Adviser / Medical Physics Expert and radiology staff detailing the findings and recommending any action required in line with group Key Performance Indicator expectations.

2.8           Maintain accurate records using Excel and Access, e.g. results from testing, details of equipment.

2.9           Provide advice on and demonstrate level A QC testing, review results and report findings.

2.10        The safe use of expensive and highly complex imaging equipment and associated test instruments

 

3               Research and Development

3.1           Research is a secondary aspect of the role i.e. not regular.  Service development is regular.

3.2           Keep abreast of current developments in the field that may be applicable to how we deliver our equipment and radiation protection service.

3.3           Work closely with physicists to undertake and manage service developments and projects.  This can be operational and/or scientific/technical.

3.4           Lead on key projects related to service development.

3.5           Present work at appropriate meetings (both internal and external).

3.6           Promote original work in collaboration with scientific colleagues e.g. presentations, poster presentations, journals.

 

4               Health and Safety

4.1           Responsible for ensuring Health and Safety requirements are in place and enacted, relating to the tasks required to uphold this JD.  For example, the lone working policy, driving safety, radiation risk assessments etc.

4.2           Ensure that relevant risk assessments are reviewed in a timely fashion.

4.3           Strong working knowledge of IRR and IRMER legislation and guidance.

4.4           Ensure provision of personal dosimetry for DRRPS staff, record keeping and ongoing monitoring of doses received.

4.5           Ensure suitable Radiation Protection Supervisors are appointed to supervise the work within the service/department and report into the Trust Radiation Protection Committee.

4.6           Long periods of digital display screen use but freedom to take breaks and move around as necessary.

 

5               Quality system

5.1           Active role in the Group’s ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System & at Management Review Meetings.  Responsible for ensuring appropriate processes are in place and enacted to uphold this JD. 

5.2           Undertake internal audits.

5.3           Lead on and work closely with senior managers to ensure a satisfactory outcome of any service non-conformities, risks or opportunities.

5.4           Work closely with modality leads to write, revise and review work instructions for survey work, taking responsibility for ensuring these are in place.

5.5           Work closely with senior managers to develop group policies and procedures.

 

6               Training

6.1           Responsible for the DRRPS technologist training schemes delivery, supervision and management. 

6.2           Ensure the training of technicians and physicists, to undertake equipment performance evaluation, is planned, delivered, documented and reviewed, in collaboration with modality lead scientists (MPEs) where appropriate. 

6.3           Ensure the group is accredited as a training centre, undertaking or delegating roles required for this e.g. IPEM Training Supervisor contributions. 

6.4           Training requirements are not necessarily grade specific and therefore the role extends to physicists and technicians at any grade. 

6.5           Deliver presentations and training as appropriate for the group and our customers.

 

7               Professional

7.1           Hold and maintain registration as a Healthcare Science Practitioner and/or Clinical Scientist. 

7.2           Set high expectations and coach/support staff to meet them.

7.3           Undertake continuous professional development in accordance with professional and regulatory requirements. Contribute to and promote the work of our professional bodies as appropriate.

7.4           Develop oneself through self-directed learning (science and leadership) and through taking direction from line management.

7.5           Undertake training identified by the Trust or line manager.

7.6           Follow the appropriate key work instructions, risk assessments and systems of work and ensure direct supervision of those you are responsible for until they are competent.

7.7           You will be trained as a Radiation Protection Supervisor to supervise your own independent working.

7.8           Work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and foster good customer relations.

7.9           Demonstrates the agreed set of values and accountable for own attitude and behaviour.

7.10        Frequent requirement for concentration for long periods (with interruptions).  Dealing with multiple workstreams simultaneously.

7.11        Communicate complex technical and/or sensitive information using persuasion and motivation skills. 

7.12        Work within the RPA Body framework as appropriate.