This role offers an exciting opportunity to be part of the dynamic radiotherapy team at UCLH. The post holder will undertake rotations between the photon and proton departments and will work across a wide range of areas; pre-treatment, treatment-prep, the treatment units and brachytherapy.

UCLH is seeking a committed individual with the energy and focus to continue building on the existing service of excellence.
Radiotherapy services at UCLH are delivered across two departments. The photon department is equipped with Varian True Beam systems with advanced imaging packages and 6Do F couches, and is in the process of acquiring and installing an additional Halcyon unit. The department has a comprehensive brachytherapy suite and a Gulmay skin unit. UCLH is one of only two NHS sites delivering proton beam therapy across the NHS. The proton beam therapy (PBT) department is equipped with Varian Pro Beam gantries with advanced imaging packages and robotic couches. Both departments have a dedicated CT scanner and the PBT department also has a dedicated MRI scanner.
The department delivers radiotherapy services for a broad spectrum of cancers comprising of common cancers as well as specialist treatments including brachytherapy, molecular radiotherapy and total body irradiation. The PBT department focus’s predominantly on head and neck, brain and sarcoma treatment sites. Paediatrics and TYAs make up approximately one third of the patient cohort.

Key Results Areas

• Be recognised as the lead practitioner in their specific field, setting an example to junior staff and being available to advise colleagues in other areas.
• Deputise for the Band 8a where necessary to address staffing issues, skill mix and tackle wider departmental problems. Liaise with operational managers, disseminating information and attaining departmental working objectives.
• Must be aware of the skills and competencies available within the team, utilising them effectively and delegating appropriately. Ensures the team they are leading is progressing through the departmental competency programme and highlights when issues arise in order to maintain the required skill mix and deliver a safe, high quality service.
• The band 7 uses their expert interpersonal skills to inspire, motivate and collaborate with all members of the multidisciplinary team to facilitate improvements in service.
• Manage the prioritisation of own and section workload depending on the severity of the patient condition and the direct impact on their management. It is also the responsibility of the band 7 to reorganise workload in both scheduled and unplanned machine maintenance/breakdown scenarios.
• 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 with new and changing practices.

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.

At UCLH our success starts with you.

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the largest and most successful Foundation Trusts in the UK with an international reputation and a tradition of innovation.

Based in the busy West End of London, we have a lively and vibrant working atmosphere, with quick and easy transport links to all our sites. Our size and resources enable us to offer a range of attractive benefits as well as unparalleled education and development opportunities for staff at all levels. This includes an extensive portfolio of academic and clinical courses and programmes ranging from ongoing personal development through to clinical excellence and leadership skills. UCLH prides itself on its investment in staff both in terms of developing career skills but also its commitment to staff health and wellbeing.

Cancer care is one of the top three strategic priorities for UCLH. Our vision is to become Europe’s premier Cancer centre. An ambitious programme of transformation and investment underpins this vision.

UCLH is seeking a committed individual with the energy and focus to continue building on the existing service of excellence and the ability to lead in their area of expertise.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To take a leading role in the care of patients receiving radiotherapy treatment including:

To work with the band 8 to co-ordinate and oversee the efficient running of treatment prep and the treatment units / PBT gantries.
To provide professional leadership and effective management for staff rotating through their respective units.
To train staff in radiotherapy techniques and facilitate the staff gaining the relevant competencies during their rotation onto the units.
To engage positively with the trust appraisal cycle, taking responsibility for their own development, role modelling the constructive nature of this process and ensuring staff are given the opportunity to develop.
To investigate research and be involved in the implementation of new radiotherapy techniques.
To be an integral part of the oncology team, providing the highest possible standard of care for patients with cancer.
To work and liaise with a multi-disciplinary team. Including but not limited to anaesthetics, physics, engineering, ward staff, chemo-day care and clinical oncologists.
Must be qualified to practise as an operator in radiotherapy as defined by IR(ME)R.
Provide appropriate information to patients and families regarding the proposed treatment as part of the informed consent process.
Supporting patients and families throughout treatment, and liaising with appropriate healthcare professionals involved in their care.
To ensure the safe and accurate use of ARIA and to research and develop new ways of working with the system.
To collate departmental statistics.
To undertake clinical audit and quality assurance programmes and ensure that the quality system framework is adhered to by all disciplines and any breaches are reported to the necessary personal.
To ensure that standards, practices and radiotherapy protocols are maintained to a high level within the clinical environment and are continuously evaluated.
To ensure the safe and accurate use of the radiotherapy equipment.
To be responsible for ensuring that verification images are acquired to the highest standard, whilst minimising patient dose and that additional verification exposures for problem set-ups are justifiable.
To advise, supervise and instruct medical staff providing expertise advice on technical aspects of treatment.
To ensure that high professional attitudes and behaviour are maintained in the team and that a high standard of patient care is achieved.
Develop long term relationships with patients, relatives and carers, offering advice and guidance to explain the management of radiotherapy side effects. Assess side effects daily, make appropriate referrals and arrange adequate follow-up care.
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 these expert skills to support and empower them through the care pathway.
The band 7 radiographer must draw on extensive knowledge and experience to converse effectively with patients and families from diverse age, ethnicity, social, and mental health backgrounds.
Participate in the on-call rota.
Participate in research & development and initiate clinical audits to propose changes in practice using an evidence-based approach and evaluative skills.
Develop protocols, documentation systems, standards, policies and clinical guidelines for use by the multi-disciplinary teams.
Devise new protocols and techniques to meet the needs of an ever evolving practice in terms of patient and disease management through participation in working parties amongst the multidisciplinary setting.
The band 7 is responsible for ensuring all patient records are accurately maintained within quality system framework.
It is the responsibility of the team leader to document, report and evaluate radiation and patient/staff/equipment related incidents/near misses to their line manager, instigating changes to practice where necessary.
Work within ICRU 50/62 guidelines and ensure all professional parties are adhering to these guidelines in terms of tumour delineation and treatment.

This vacancy has been advertised in accordance with the new NHS pay rate which will take effect from autumn 2024. Please note if your employment starts before the 24/25 pay scales are implemented you will be paid under the 23/24 pay scales and any backpay will be adjusted accordingly. Further information can be found at https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/pay-scales-202425.

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