Deputy Head of Radiotherapy Physics

Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for a detailed job description for the role.

Main duties of the job

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a new Deputy Head of Radiotherapy Physics to join us and support the operational and strategic leadership of a talented and diverse team of around 50 to deliver clinical, scientific, advisory, educational and research & development capacity and services to support over 4000 patients a year.

The successful candidate will be an experienced scientist having worked extensively as a senior Medical Physics Expert (MPE) in radiotherapy physics. You will be responsible for providing senior operational management and leadership to support the comprehensive scientific and technical services provided by our radiotherapy physics service, including working with complex imaging devices, linear accelerators and computerised planning systems.

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to.

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As part of the Senior team and in line with the Trust’s Values, you will deliver high quality and innovative patient care through your strategic leadership and by promoting a culture of inclusivity and continuous improvement. You will also bring your innovative, collaborative and collegiate leadership style and be able to demonstrate your strong communications skills working across a large and varied stakeholder landscape.

We are a dynamic and fast paced environment, balancing challenging operational demands whilst ensuring we are evolving and always improving and encouraging innovation. We are committed to your career development and offer a supportive, flexible and collaborative working environment.

What you’ll do:

You will deputise for the Head of Radiotherapy Physics, directing and managing the resources of the Radiotherapy Physics Group to deliver clinical, scientific, advisory, educational and research & development capacity and services across our Trust and other health care organisations in our local economy.

You will support the management of a talented and diverse team of around 50, including Clinical Scientists, Dosimetrists (Therapy Radiographers and Clinical Technologists), Software and Electronic engineers, working across two sites in Southampton and Hampshire Hospitals.

You will act as an MPE and also a quality manager in radiotherapy physics.

What we’re looking for:

Formal academic training in Physics and Medical Physics, with State Registration as a Clinical Scientist in Radiotherapy Physics.

Extensive knowledge and experience of clinical procedures, practices, and developments in Radiotherapy and Imaging.

Strong communication skills, with a proven ability to present at national/international meetings, engaging diverse audiences.

The ability to build highly effective relationships with staff, Trust management, including Board members, and peers at local, regional, and national levels.

A supportive leadership style that fosters team engagement, empowerment, and career growth.

A commitment to our core values: Patients First, Working Together, Always Improving.

Additional information:

Final Panel Interviews will be held at our Trust on Friday 9 May 2025

Should you wish to have an informal conversation please do contact the Head of Radiotherapy Physics: [email protected] or [email protected] in the UHS Senior Appointments Team.

Person specification

Trust Values

• Patients first
• Working together
• Always Improving

Skills and competencies

• Advanced analytical thinking
• People Management
• Problem solving
• Strategic planning
• Resource management
• Data analysis
• Leadership
• Communication
• Research skills
• Presentation skills

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

• BSc in Physics
• MSc in Medical Physics
• HCPC registration
• Formal training to attain State Registration as Clinical Scientist (Radiotherapy Physics)
• Registered as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE)
• Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of radiation physics, radiotherapy physics, radiation dosimetry, clinical radiobiology and radiation protection
• Strong mathematical skills, capable of analysing large amounts of data using modern software

• Ph.D. by research in medical physics or closely related discipline
• Fellowship in at least one professional body (e.g. IPEM, IoP)
• Author of reports and/or publications
• Working knowledge of NHS financial systems and HR policies and procedures, with appropriate local involvement
• Good working knowledge of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines, e.g. IRR17, IR(ME)R17, ISO 9001:2015, Data Protection Act, Caldicott and other relevant BSI and ISO standards, professional and regulatory body reports and guidelines
• Management experience at a senior level

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications. We will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

For more information about our Trust

https://careers.uhs.nhs.uk

Getting to work - our travel promise

Eligibility for on-site parking is dependent on the nature and requirement of the role. All staff can also access a range of discounted benefits relating to travel including reduced price bus tickets, purchase of salary sacrifice bikes and ultra-low emission cars.

Our commitment to equality

Equality remains at the centre of our policymaking, service delivery, and employment practice, giving all employees equal opportunity to develop, apply for promotions, and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

UHS actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. We also closely monitor recruitment activity, training, development, and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

How and why we use your information

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.

The European General Data Protection Regulations enhances individuals’ rights and safeguards all of their data in place under the DPA.

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