Radiotherapy Electronics Technologist

Job overview

Do you have a strong practical background in either electronic or electrical engineering? Then you may be the person for this role. We are looking for someone with your skills to join our small team of engineers that service and maintain specialist medical equipment used in the treatment of cancer.

The ideal candidate will have a degree level qualification in either electronics or electrical engineering. A person with a practical approach to problem solving electronic faults is the main qualification we are looking for.

You will also be working in a supportive team of specialists to help you learn on the job.

Please email [email protected] to express your interest in attending the open evening

Main duties of the job

The clinical equipment covered incorporates electrical, electronic, mechanical, computer hardware/software and networking, medical gas, high vacuum, laser, high voltage, water-cooling and safety systems.

Working for our organisation

Radiotherapy in Nottingham is a well-equipped department treating patients in the Nottinghamshire area.

Major equipment includes 6 Elekta Versa HD linacs, 2 Canon Aquilion wide bore CT scanners as well as superficial and brachytherapy treatment facilities.

Treatment planning is carried out with RayStation, OMP and Monaco.

We provide both the SRS and paediatric radiotherapy service for the East Midlands. Other advanced radiotherapy treatments we provide include SABR for both oligo-metastatic cancer as well as primary lung cancer. We also benefit from a well-equipped mould room.

1. Clinical Technical

1. Provide specialised clinical technical services to the Oncology and Radiotherapy Physics Departments under a service level agreement as a major job requirement.
2. Start-up Linear Accelerators (advanced radiotherapy treatment machines) and perform daily pre-clinical maintenance to decide upon the clinical status. Ensuring that they operate safely and remain within recommended tolerances and clinically defined parameters.

ii. Interpret treatment machine standby & running values, to identify possible deterioration of specific components, predict useful life remaining and be proactive in the acquisition of replacement items prior to machine failure.

iii. Communicate with treatment radiographers, physicists and clinical staff to gain a clear understanding of any problematic equipment symptoms. Use initiative and sound judgment to assess the seriousness and implications of any problems, and dictate the clinical status of the equipment accordingly.

iv. Perform immediate rectification tasks, where possible, to allow the continuation of interrupted patient treatment. Consult with treatment radiographers, where patient contact is imminent; in order to ensure the privacy and modesty of patients is protected.

1. Ability to work under pressure, undertake fault-finding on complex electronic systems. Apply proven fault-finding techniques to diagnose problems promptly. Use all available resources to positively identify defective item, particularly high-cost, non-returnable goods and use judgment to approximate machine downtime.

vi. Perform scheduled Quality Assurance checks on treatment machines, to ensure the correct operation of primary and secondary electronic, mechanical and software driven safety devices, software limits and calibrated settings.

vii. Participate in a shift pattern, which provides pre-treatment maintenance on the weekends when patients are undergoing intensive radiotherapy treatment. Also on-call breakdown cover for evening and weekends, plus weekend on-call breakdown cover for all other emergency radiotherapy patients.

viii. Responsible for maintaining integrity of protection systems for radiation controlled areas.

1. Perform safety related checks and embody performance-enhancing modifications to treatment equipment, in accordance with manufacturers’ directives and instructions.

xi. Provide support on the maintenance and repair of the complete range of radiotherapy and radiation dosimetry/monitoring equipment.

1. In conjunction with Radiotherapy Physicists provide specialist knowledge and assistance in the adjustment of patient critical equipment, to optimise performance and obtain the required clinical parameters.
2. Participate in all general clinical engineering duties as required.
3. Prioritize with clinical staff and senior colleagues breakdown situations.
4. Contact manufacturers to obtain information, provide feedback on equipment related issues and return of parts for assessment.
5. Monitor stocks of components, spares and materials held, re-ordering when necessary to maintain stock levels.
6. Keep relevant scientific, technical, and QA records for all tasks performed.
7. Take responsibility for all tools and equipment within the post holder’s care. Ensure electronic workshop facility is kept clear and well-ordered and that all equipment is maintained and safe to use. Ensure adequate safety devices and signs are in place prior to live working on lethal voltages.
8. Provide technical advice to physicists, clinical scientists, radiographers, other staff groups and departmental colleagues as appropriate.
9. Assist with evaluation, commissioning and safety testing of intricate and complex equipment.
10. Be proactive in locating replacement parts from the most competitive source, whilst maintaining the quality of all items used.
11. Suggest improvements to engineering controlled documentation, used within the department, which must conform to current quality assurance standards.

1. Managerial

1. Work is manged by senior electronics staff.
2. Participate in shift patterns and on-call rosters to ensure adequate cover for equipment preparation and breakdown.
3. Prioritise and manage own work in accordance with section policies and competing service demands. Propose changes to own working practices and procedures.
4. Participate in regular meetings with the Radiotherapy Engineering Manager and other technical staff in the Section.
5. Keep accurate records of all work performed and complete appropriate records.

1. Teaching, Training and Research

1. Regularly teach and train other staff (technicians, physicists, radiographers) in the operation and care of Radiotherapy equipment.
2. Train less experienced staff in the full range of techniques and methods used in the Engineering Facility.
3. Supervise Trainees on placement.
4. Assist other groups within department in the development and construction of new and innovative devices to support clinical activity and research.
5. Participate in the evaluation of medical equipment.

1. Professional

1. Keep abreast of technical developments by enrolling in an appropriate Continuing Professional development programmes.
2. Attend suitable seminars and courses as part of personal development and to further the work of the Department.
3. Ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and meet regulatory requirements, professional standards and acceptable guidelines.

1. Miscellaneous

1. Other appropriate duties, as required, for which the post holder has adequate training.

Person specification

Training & Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering
• Some knowledge of medical equipment

• Training in linac engineering

Communication skills

• Ability to convey information about complex systems to a non-expert group
• Decisive and approachable

• Good team worker

Experience

• Practical experience of fault finding and electronics
• Experience of hardware and software systems

• Knowledge of quality systems (e.g. ISO9000)

Analytical and Judgement skills

• Able to deal with complex and unpredictable situations

Planning and organisation skills

• Able to plan own workload
• Able to judge own limitations

Physical skills

• Able to use fine tools for electronics repair
• Able to lift heavy objects

Other requirements specific to the role (e.g. be able to drive or work shifts

• Able to work shifts (including weekends)

• Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the radiotherapy service

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust’s “We are here for you” behavioural standards

[...]

Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at the NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career!

We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.

Closing Dates: Please submit your application form as soon as possible to avoid disappointment; we reserve the right to close vacancies prior to the published closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.

Communication: All communication related to your application will be via the email address you have provided. Please ensure you check your email account including your junk email regularly.

Easy read application: if you have a disability and find it difficult to complete our online application form, you can apply via our easy read application which you can find on the intranet https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/easy-read-job-application

NUH are now able to offer application completion support and interview preparation support. Please follow the link to book onto our sessions: Support for NUH Job Applications

Applicants are kindly requested to refrain from using AI at any stage during the recruitment process.

If you are aged 16 or 17 and applying for a role that is more than 20 hours a week, please be aware that you will be asked to commence an Apprenticeship within the Trust alongside your role, as long as there is a suitable apprenticeship standard available. This is in line with the current guidance in England that whilst young people under the age of 18 can leave school (on the last Friday in June) they must then do one of the following:

• Stay in full-time education, for example at a college
• Start an Apprenticeship
• Spend 20 hours of more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training

For more details visit; School leaving age - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Disability Confidence: All applicants who have declared a disability and who meet the essential criteria for the post will be shortlisted.

At Risk of redundancy: NHS employees within the East Midlands who are ‘at risk’ of redundancy will be given a preferential interview where they meet the essential criteria of the person specification.

International Recruitment: If you are applying for a role with us from outside of the UK then please read the guidance on applying for a health or social care job in the UK from abroad.

The system will run a check against the key security features within your documentation. The system will provide us with an outcome of your check which will be stored securely on your personal file along with all other pre-employment check documentation.

Consent:

• Transfer of information: If I have previous NHS service - I consent to the transfer of my Electronic Staff Record (ESR) data between this and other NHS Trusts. I also consent to the Occupational Health Department confidentially accessing my occupational health records from my current or previous employer in order to check the status of my vaccinations, immunisations s and screening tests as relevant to the post. I understand this is an automated process and the information will only be used for these purposes prior to me taking up the position at NUH.
• Disclosure and Barring Service: Your post maybe subject to a DBS check which incur a cost dependent on the level of check required (£42.90 for enhanced and £22.90 for standard). I agree to reimburse Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust the cost of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if it is required (by deduction from first month’s pay). Should I decide to withdraw from my job offer, I agree to reimburse Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust the cost of the DBS check undertaken by cheque or other agreed method.
• For more information about our organisation and the career opportunities available, please visit our website and/or follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook