Job summary
The service runs three busy nuclear medicine departments at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Gateshead, South Tyneside District Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital (this role), where we operate 5 gamma cameras including a ring geometry CZT SPECT-CT. We also expect to upgrade another gamma camera to SPECT-CT within the next 18 months.
We are currently thoroughly expanding and optimising our diagnostic imaging service, including cardiac amyloid SPECT-CT and exploring Tc-99m-PSMA; as well as the usual smorgasbord of other imaging and non-imaging tests. We also operate a therapeutic service in I-131 therapy for benign thyroid conditions and a massive bone densitometry service. Additionally, we provide MPE and RWA support to the PET-CT service based at South Tyneside (Alliance Medical).
The post-holder will work closely with the clinical technologist and scientist teams, as well as a wider hospital workforce including consultant radiologists, endocrinologists and surgeons.
Owing to variation in clinical demand, the successful candidate will be required to work cross site as and when required. If the successful applicant is working towards, but yet to gain HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist, the successful candidate will be appointed at band 6 on a fixed term contract for up to 12 months until this registration is attained.
For an informal discussion please contact Harry Slinger (Head of Nuclear Medicine Physics) at harry.slinger@nhs.net
Main duties of the job
You will actively contribute to a range of tasks associated with the STSFT nuclear medicine service. This includes (but is not limited to):
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Duty physicist roles including vetting, drafting and reporting nuclear medicine referrals on behalf of the STSFT ARSAC/IRMER practitioners for the service as per locally approved referral and clinical reporting criteria; as well as answering frequent clinical and technical queries.
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Regular quality control testing of nuclear medicine equipment, such as gamma cameras, SPECT-CT (including CT image quality), sample counters, contamination monitors, dose rate meters, radionuclide calibrators and surgical probes.
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Safe and compliant transport of radioactive materials from the radiopharmacy to other hospital sites.
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Audit, research and development projects that maintain and enhance our service and fulfil our extensive legislative requirements including optimisation and risk assessment.
You will also work closely with the services Clinical Scientist staff to maintain and improve the STSFT nuclear medicine service, with such examples as:
- CBRN training with A&E staff and ADR Class 7 Radioactive Transport driver training.
- MPE support to our Alliance PET site.
- Optimisation and development of acquisition and reconstruction protocols to get the best use out of our state-of-the-art equipment.
MPE certification is not required, but the successful applicant would be supported in their submission of a portfolio to RPA2000.
About us
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.
One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.
We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.
The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Perform a range of healthcare science activities and duties. If the post-holder has yet to attain registration with the HCPC, this work will be performed under clinical scientist supervision, with an appropriate re-banding of the role (B6) until registration is attained.
- Provide specialist advice and training to staff (and other professionals) within own area of expertise.
- Active involvement in research, audit and development of services and projects.
- Assist in the provision of scientific services and expertise in nuclear medicine, radiopharmacy and bone densitometry; including supporting routine clinical services.
- Assist with maintaining and improving required standards relating to these services in relation to the departments 5 year plan.
- Undertake quality assurance procedures for nuclear medicine and bone densitometry equipment within the unit.
- Assist with development of existing services or additional new services.
- Write scientific papers and present at regional, national and international scientific meetings.
- Assist with maintaining the services legal duties and obligations as described by the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017, the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017, the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 and the European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road 2023, among others.
- Drafting of clinical reports of nuclear medicine (and occasionally) bone density studies (in keeping with developed expertise).
- Maintain professional development and registration.
PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DETAILS OF THE ROLE.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience in nuclear medicine.
Desirable
- Quality assurance and calibration procedures relating to a range of nuclear medicine equipment.
- Experience in radiation protection.
- Manufacture of radiopharmaceuticals.
- Experience in training and supervision of trainees.
- Audit, research and development.
- Formal presentations at national and local meetings.
Physical Skills
Essential
- Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post which will require some cross site working at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, South Tyneside and Sunderland Royal Hospital sites when required.
- Ability to move and handle objects safely
Qualifications
Essential
- First or second class honours degree in physics or related subject.
- Appropriate post-graduate degree at Masters level, or equivalent level of specialist knowledge.
- Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Clinical Scientist, or to gain this registration within a known short timeframe (temporary re-banding to a B6 pending registration).
Desirable
- Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Clinical Scientist, or to gain this registration within a known short timeframe (temporary re-banding to a B6 pending registration).
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of a range of nuclear medicine procedures.
- Knowledge of legislation, standards and protocols relating to clinical nuclear medicine work.
- Understanding of the functioning and safe use of common nuclear medicine equipment.
- IT skills including database, spreadsheets
- Ability to communicate effectively with other health professionals and patients.
- Good writing skills.
- Good time management and organisational skills.
Desirable
- Nuclear medicine software applications development, including optimisation of acquisitions and image reconstruction.
- Patient handling skills including occasional administration of radiopharmaceuticals.
- Drafting clinical reports of nuclear medicine studies for practitioner/lead clinical scientist sign-off
- Knowledge of the clinical relevance of nuclear medicine investigations.
- Knowledge of standards for radiopharmaceutical production.
- Knowledge of bone densitometry.
- Wider knowledge in radiation protection.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Sunderland Royal Hospital
Kayll Road
Sunderland
SR4 7TP
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
This listing was aggregated from publicly-available sources. The employer holds an A-rated sponsor licence at the time of this listing, but sponsorship of this specific role is not guaranteed — the employer's offer and UK Visas and Immigration are the final authority. Details may have changed since our last update — verify with the employer via the Apply link.