Apprentice Healthcare Science Practitioner in Radiotherapy Northampton, England
Job description
The post-holder will participate in a three-year, structured apprenticeship program that meets the criteria for registration as a Healthcare Science Practitioner on the Academy of Healthcare Science (AHCS) register. The post will focus on a wide range of aspects of the work in Radiotherapy Physics. The trainee will be expected to attend the accredited, part-time degree course in Healthcare Science at the University of the West of England
Successful completion of the Apprenticeship allows voluntary registration with the Academy of Healthcare Science (AHCS) and the Register of Clinical Technologists (RCT).
The candidate will gain experience and competence in: -
Planning of individualised radiotherapy treatment for patients with cancer.
Quality assurance (QA) checks of radiation treatment and equipment within a hospital environment.
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone’s full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Producing routine and complex treatment plans, in accordance with relevant clinical protocols.
Checking that all patient images required to produce treatment plans are available. Co-register images from different sources; evaluating the validity of the co-registration.
Accurately outline anatomical volumes from CT scans for Gross Tumour Volumes and Organs at Risk, where trained.
Advise clinical staff on the effects of various treatment plan options on patient dose distributions.
Participate in the acceptance testing, commissioning and routine quality assurance programs for radiotherapy planning software.
Assist in producing written protocols for treatment planning as part of the department’s Quality System. Participate fully in implementing and maintaining this system.
Keep careful records of all work performed. Assist in the maintenance of the Treatment Planning Database and production of management statistics. Able to report on the data.
Assist with the development of new techniques in conjunction with other staff groups.
Take part in quality assurance, following specified procedures, for CT scanners, treatment-planning systems, radiotherapy treatment units, and dosimetry equipment.
Check equipment is operating within agreed tolerances.
To assist with on-going calibration and quality control of clinical dosemeters, remaining familiar with current UK dosimetry protocols, in order to maintain the accuracy and traceability of the dosimetry chain.
Take part in the commissioning of new Radiotherapy equipment.
Manage own work and prioritise it on a day to day basis working flexibly where necessary.
To remain up to date regarding the latest scientific and technical developments and their applications within radiotherapy physics. This to be achieved by journal reading, internet research, and attending suitable seminars and training courses.
Ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and conform to Statutory Regulations, approved Codes of Practice and Local Rules.
