This post offers an exciting opportunity to join the pre-treatment team across radiotherapy and proton beam therapy services at UCLH. They will promote technical developments and ensure the highest possible standard of care for patients with cancer.

The radiotherapy department delivers treatment for a broad spectrum of cancers which include a wide range of common cancers as well as specialist treatments including a paediatric and adolescent workload, brachytherapy and isotope work, total body irradiation and limb sarcoma radiotherapy. The pre-treatment suite area is equipped with a dedicated CT, Mould room and has access to MRI and PETCT. Radiographers deliver advanced practice for palliative virtual simulation and breast localisation.

UCLH has been designated as one of two national PBT centres for the UK. The Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) department will focus on the treatment of CNS tumours, head and neck cancers and spinal/pelvic sarcomas. Paediatrics, and teenage and young adults, will make up approximately one third of the patient cohort. The PBT pre-treatment suite has a dedicated CT and MRI scanner.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and dynamic individual to join our team. The individual will promote best practice and streamlining the patient pathway. They will carry out all practical aspects involved in preparing radiotherapy delivery to a high standard in a culture of safe, patient centric service.

Plan radiotherapy procedures to a wide range of benign and malignant conditions to a high level of accuracy. Use individual judgement on a daily basis to ensure reproducible and precise treatment.
Be responsible for the acquisition of high quality planning images whilst minimising patient dose by justifying each exposure made. Regularly utilise skills and experience to assess and manipulate images. This requires knowledge and ability to interpret between numerous imaging modalities. This includes making decisions regarding patients’ treatment and making amendments where necessary.
To be accountable for own professional actions.
Be responsible for the acquisition of high-quality planning images whilst minimising patient dose by justifying each exposure made. Regularly utilise skills and experience to assess and manipulate images. This requires knowledge and ability to interpret between numerous imaging modalities. This includes making decisions regarding patients’ treatment and making amendments where necessary.
Liaison with the multi-disciplinary team to ensure best practice with respect to patient care prior to, during and following radiotherapy treatment.

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)

National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals

University College Hospital Grafton Way Building

Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicin e

University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre

The Hospital for Tropical Diseases

University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women’s health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Main duties of the role:
The ability to deputise for Band 7 radiographers on a regular basis with respect to pre-treatment management and delegation. This ensures the continuity of patient flow through the department.
To facilitate the development, training and integration of junior members of staff.
To rotate throughout all areas within both the Photon and Proton services
To participate in the departmental pre-treatment on call service
Work within departmental protocols to provide optimal care.
Work autonomously within the legal, ethical and professional framework provided by the professional body.
Continually looking to improve existing methods and create new solutions to optimise the care and service provided to the patients.
Must be extremely competent and comfortable with the use of computer software, e.g. image acquisition, image manipulation and processing, virtual simulation, in a highly technological environment.

Key Results Areas

Deputise for the lead practitioner in their specific field, setting an example to junior staff and being available to advise colleagues in other areas.
Must be aware of the skills and competencies available within the team, utilising them effectively and delegating appropriately.
Being able to prioritise daily tasks, taking into consideration the patients’ needs and the capability of the team.
Reacting and reorganising the workload in response to unforeseen circumstances, such as machine breakdown, in such a way as to minimise disruption.
Running the pre-treatment area smoothly and effectively in the absence of the Band 7 radiographer.

Work within the quality system at all times. Question and propose changes to procedures when necessary, to maintain the validity and appropriateness of the system.
In partnership with patients and other professionals, make sound, ethical based decisions in the interest of patients.
Demonstrates safe use and maintenance of expensive, specialist equipment used by self and others, using quality assurance methods.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Work independently, or closely with the Band 7 radiographer and mould room technician, to coordinate the efficient, accurate patient focused planning and delivery of ionising radiation following evidence based protocols.
To reflect upon current practice with the ultimate aim of refining and improving patient focused protocols.

• To ensure the safe and accurate use of the radiotherapy equipment.

Evaluation of the patient’s condition, drawing on expert knowledge and experience to intervene where necessary. This may include discussion with the wider multi-disciplinary team to devise an appropriate course of action.
Obtain further written informed consent prior to radiotherapy planning.
Effectively develop a rapport with patients, relatives and carers; offering advice and guidance to explain their pathway and management of radiotherapy side effects.

• Use effective communication skills to provide and receive highly confidential, sensitive and complicated patient information. The radiographer must seek and maintain patient cooperation and trust using expert skills to support and empower them through the care pathway.
• To collate departmental statistics .

Work with junior members of the radiographic and medical team to cascade knowledge and experiences to develop their learning.

• To advise, supervise and instruct medical staff providing expertise advice on technical aspects of treatment.

Must maintain all patient records accurately within the quality system framework and be involved in weekly checks to ensure accuracy of all staff.
To be compliant with IR(ME)R.
Participate in research and development and take part in audits to propose changes in practice using an evidence based approach and evaluative skills.
May need to document, report and evaluate radiation and patient/ staff/ equipment related incidents / near misses.

• Work within ICRU 50 / 62 guidelines and ensure all professional parties are adhering to these guidelines in terms of tumour delineation and treatment.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

UCLH top trust to work at in England – for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

• In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England – for the second year in a row.

UCLH top trust to work at in England – for the second year running! University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.