CAREERS IN RADIOTHERAPY

As a Clinical Scientist you will be involved in:  

• Commission and assess specialist equipment, and make sure it is safe to use
• Plan and supervise radiotherapy treatment, working with the wider clinical team
• Process complex patient imaging data
• Support clinical trials
• Research new equipment and techniques, review current practice and advise on new equipment requirements.
• Compile reports to initiate change
• Oversee quality control to make sure equipment gives accurate, consistent results and that outputs are achieved
• Make sure maintenance routines are followed
• Teach and train other healthcare professionals, including radiographers, nurses and doctors

•  5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and physics
• A degree with a strong physics content, for example applied physics, physics and mathematics, or astrophysics
• Some departments also ask for an MSc in medical or radiation physics

After your degree, you need to register with the HCPC. You can do this by completing one of the following:

• The 3-year Scientists Training Programme (STP), run by the National School of Healthcare Science
• “Route 2” - in-work training run by the Association of Clinical Scientists, with support from IPEM
• STP equivalence, run by the Academy of Healthcare Science

• The ability to work well under pressure.
• To be able to adapt to change.
• To work well as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Good communication skills.

 As a Clinical Technologist you will be involved in:  

• Producing routine and complex treatment plans, in accordance with relevant clinical protocols. 
• Checking that all patient images required to produce treatment plans are available. 
• Co-registering images from different sources; evaluating the validity of the co-registration. 
• Accurately outlining anatomical volumes from CT scans for Gross Tumour Volumes and Organs at Risk, where trained. 
• Advising clinical staff on the effects of various treatment plan options and patient dose distributions. 
• Checking treatment plans generated by other staff for accuracy and appropriateness prior to treatment commencing.
•  Assisting with the development of new techniques in conjunction with other staff groups and taking an active role in introducing new equipment and clinical techniques.

• The ability to work well under pressure.
• To be able to adapt to change.
• To work well as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Good communication skills.

• Monitor and test radiotherapy equipment
• Calibrate devices and take measurements to confirm equipment is safe to use
• Carry out maintenance, fault-finding and repairs on complex radiotherapy machines
• Maintain accurate records of equipment condition, safety checks, repairs and tests
• Work closely with other professionals, including Therapeutic Radiographers and Clinical Scientists
• Use software to diagnose problems, calibrate and repair computer systems used in radiotherapy

• The ability to work well under pressure.
• To be able to adapt to change.
• To work well as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Good communication skills.