Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
Version 8
Date: June 2015
Job Description
Job Group (Delete as
applicable):
Job Title:
Healthcare Scientists
Sponsored Trainee: Clinical Technologist (Healthcare Science
Practitioner)
Bursary & Fees Package
Clinical Support Services
Healthcare Science & Technology Summary
Dependant of Training Speciality Radiation Physics
Plymouth NHS Hospitals
Line Manager
Line Manager
Existing Grade:
Care Group:
Service Line:
Department:
Location:
Appraiser:
Accountable to:
Position Number:
Date:
April 2017
Job Purpose & Key Dimensions
The training departments for Medical Physics Practitioners within Plymouth NHS Hospital Trust
comprises of three sections, Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy Physics, and Radiation Protection.
All are based on the Derriford Hospital site.
Brief job statement:
To complete the Healthcare Science Practitioner Training Programme (PTP) to meet the
requirements set out by the Register of Clinical Technologists / Academy of Healthcare Science.




To attend University and Work placements as set out in the training programme.
To complete and pass appropriate academic modules to the required breadth and
depth of underpinning knowledge.
To gain practical understanding and experience over the whole range of Medical
Physics.
To gain practical knowledge and experience in one main specialism.
Organisational Chart
Manager / Supervisor
Scientific & Technical Staff
Admin Staff
Sponsored Trainee
Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
Version 8
Date: June 2015
MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
To participate in the following activities, under appropriate supervision, thereby gaining education and
skills required to be a Clinical Technologist (Healthcare Science Practitioner)
Clinical Technologists:

Conduct safe working practices applying risk management and health and safety principles

Produce risk assessments

Work safely specifically with regard to radioactive, biological and chemical hazards in
accordance with current legislation

Produce and review incident reports

Perform equipment management procedures

Operate quality management systems

Use computer systems and software appropriate to their work

Operate medical equipment, performing calibration, equipment quality assurance and
equipment quality control

Work as “Operator” under the requirements of the IR(ME)R regulations

Carry out equipment acceptance and safety testing

Perform assessments, interventions and equipment handovers

Perform quality control procedures and review and interpret quality control results

Perform measurements, checks and tests required in order to prescribe or design technology
solutions

Maintains appropriate records

Communicate effectively with stakeholders

Undertakes all mandatory training

Maintains a professional and courteous attitude

Operate in accordance with Good Scientific Practice
Radiation Physics Clinical Technologists Specifically
Environment and Equipment QA

Audit facilities using all forms of ionising and non-ionising radiation, for compliance with current legislation

Measure shielding and protection in new and existing radiation facilities.

Assess staff and patient protection devices

Participate in commissioning, acceptance testing and quality assurance testing of a range of ionising and
non-ionising imaging equipment, therapy equipment and image production and storage devices

Participate in analysis and interpretation of results

Assist with the analysis and interpretation of patient dose data
Equipment calibration and personal monitoring

Calibrate ionising and non-ionising radiation measuring instruments

Participate in the provision of radiation monitoring services for staff, patients and the environment
Management of Sealed and Unsealed Sources

Leak test sealed radioactive sources.

Carry out contamination monitoring of areas using unsealed sources and decontaminate as necessary

Maintain inventories and carry out audits of radioactive sources/substances

Transport radioactives in accordance with legislatory requirements

Receive, store and dispose of radioactive and non-radioactive materials and products according to local
protocols and environmental authorisations

Maintain records of radioactive waste
Additional Skills Clinical Technologists Could Develop:

Expert technical practice

Clinical service project management

Research and innovation

Incident investigation

Leadership

Mentoring and coaching
Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
Version 8
Date: June 2015
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
Internal:
Clinical Scientists and Technologists, as well as radiographers, nurses and clinicians
External:
Clinical Tutors, Academic provider
All Job Holders are required to:

Work to the Trust values - Put patients first, Take ownership, Respect others, Be positive, Listen, learn
and improve.

Adhere to Trust policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities etc.

Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate
in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training.

Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training.

Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All
members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Comply with the Corporate Governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out
by the Trust.

Comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body of which registration is
required for the post.

Ensure they are familiar with the Risk Management Framework, follow policies, procedures and safe
systems of work, make known any hazards or risks that they identify and take all necessary actions to
reduce risk.

Ensure the welfare and safety of children within their care. This includes staff who come into contact
with children and families in the course of their work as well as those staff who have a specific role
with children and families.

Ensure they attend Child Protection training at the appropriate level within the specified time frame.

Staff must comply with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in order to promote
safeguarding and prevent abuse to vulnerable people using Trust services.

Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Trust Infection Control
policies and procedures.

Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the
Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public
records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations.
All Managers are responsible for…

Assessing risks and implementing the necessary actions to minimise these risks within their sphere of
responsibility. They must also enable staff to attend the relevant statutory and essential training.

Managing attendance in accordance with the Trusts Attendance Management Policy.
All Heads of Departments are responsible for…

Ensuring all necessary risk assessments are carried out within their division, Service Line or
department in liaison with relevant sources of specialist support and expertise within the Trust. They
must also ensure that the risk management process is completed appropriately.
Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
Version 8
Date: June 2015
Note
This job description is neither definitive nor exhaustive and is not intended to be totally comprehensive. It may
be reviewed in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder. This job
description is to be read in conjunction with all current Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust policies, procedures &
guidelines.
Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
Version 8
Date: June 2015
PERSON SPECIFICATION: Sponsored Trainee: Clinical Technologist (Healthcare Science
Practitioner)
All candidates will be considered on their ability to meet the requirements of this person
specification.
ATTRIBUTES
KNOWLEDGE &
EXPERIENCE
QUALIFICATIONS
APTITUDE &
ABILITIES
ESSENTIAL

Understand the concept of quality in both
healthcare and scientific settings and
practical approaches to assuring quality in
applied science.

Have information technology skills to
operate word processing, and ecommunication packages commonly
found in the workplace and to use spread
sheets to record and analyse complex
data.

Be able to manage own workload under
supervision and through direction and
ensure this meets the required standards.

Minimum BBB at A2 level including maths
or physics. GCSE profiles need to include
a minimum of 5 A-C passes including
English Language, Mathematics and a
Physical Science or Double Award
Science. Or equivalent [for entry to
academic course]

Demonstrate proven knowledge of
Healthcare Science and its importance in
patient care.

Be able to work within safe systems of
work and report any deficiencies in those
systems.

Able to work with Standard Operating
Procedures and contribute to their review
and implementation.

Able to work individually and as part of an
extended team.

Have well developed manual dexterity
and coordination.

Ability to work accurately and to deadlines
in a busy environment.
DESIRABLE
Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
DISPOSITION /
ATTITUDE /
MOTIVATION
OTHER FACTORS
Version 8
Date: June 2015

Advanced verbal communication skills to
convey complex information to a variety of
listeners. Able to observe when
communication has failed and to adopt
different communication strategies under
those circumstances.

Reliable.

Conscientious.

Good attention to detail.

The post holder is guided by broad
legislation and occupational policies.

The post holder will be required to use
VDU equipment for significant periods of
time on most days.

The post holder will be exposed to
radiation and/or laser and ultraviolet and
intense light sources, controlled through
being contained or subject to specific
health and safety regulations. The post
holder may be exposed to radiation in an
uncontrolled manner in the event of a
radiation/contamination incident.

The post holder will frequently have to
concentrate for prolonged periods when
working on, for example, detailed reports
on equipment performance and patient
dose calculations

The post holder will frequently have to
move test equipment weighing between 6
and 15kg to undertake equipment testing.
On occasions, this equipment will need to
be loaded and unloaded from cars.