Radiotherapy Research & Innovation Technical Lead (XR08)
Job Description
Job summary
Expected Shortlisting Date:
07/04/2025
Planned Interview Date:
17/04/2025
The post-holder will assume the role of Radiotherapy Research & Innovation Technical Lead Therapeutic Radiographer in our multi-disciplinary research programme within the radiotherapy service. This individual will be at the forefront of our radiotherapy clinical research programme, driving technical innovation and implementation through radiographer-led research and fostering a culture of curiosity and continuous learning.
Through their guidance and support, they will inspire radiographers to embark on research projects with the aim of enhancing patient care. This role necessitates a deep and broad understanding of the evolving landscape of radiotherapy practices, innovations, and research opportunities. Recognised as an expert within the department, the successful candidate will provide advice and consultation on a broad range of issues and scenarios. Working closely with the Head of Radiotherapy, they will ensure our practice remains evidence-based and cutting edge.
Main duties of the job
In addition to the overview responsibilities, the successful candidate will lead funding initiatives and establish robust relationships with relevant commercial partners and academic providers, further strengthening our position in the field.
The job plan for this role reflects our commitment to research and academic excellence. Eighty percent of the role is dedicated to technical clinical research and developing our departments research and academic skills. The remaining time will be spent in clinical practice, providing the opportunity to directly impact patient care and the future of our radiotherapy service.
The radiotherapy department delivers treatment care packages to approximately 7,500 patients per year. In this role you will be expected to promote, monitor, and appropriately address issues affecting the efficient, effective, and safe delivery of an emerging radiotherapy research team and program of work, managing
departmental staff as appropriate to ensure all relevant targets are met.
The post holder will be expected to act as a local expert resource regarding this role and any associated service review or development. They will be expected to develop individuals, teams, and work programs and to provide appropriate communication arenas and back-up for distinct areas of this role.
About us
THE LEEDS WAY VALUES
Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:
Patient-centred
Collaborative
Fair
Accountable
Empowered
All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values Additionally, the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:
Radiotherapy roles are additionally expected to contribute towards the NHS Cancer Plan. Successful performance requires a clear personal commitment to the radiotherapy service, working across the department, Trust and Cancer Network as appropriate.
The post holder will be honest, reliable & professional and demonstrate the behaviours outlined by the Trust and the College of Radiographers Professional Code of Conduct.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.
Job responsibilities
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical
Act as a source of expertise and highly specialist advice to the staff within and outside the Trust regarding clinical radiotherapy research
Undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous therapeutic radiographer practitioner
Support junior staff in the management of complex patients
Take a lead role in a team exercising advanced levels of clinical judgement, knowledge, and experience
Have a very extensive knowledge of appropriate equipment and evidence-based radiotherapy
Sensitively deal with distressing or emotional circumstances regarding patient care
Adhere to the Professional Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and HCPC standards and facilitate compliance staff with local and national standards
Academic Research
Co-ordinate, support, supervise, lead and hold responsibility for proper conduct of research activity within your specialist area; that is, be a primary and/or co-investigator that contributes to improving health outcomes for patients
Identify areas for translating research into clinical practice, and design the appropriate methods of investigation
Collaborate in research or service development within and outside of clinical boundaries such as with commercial, non-commercial, and academic partners
Engage actively in practice development and research activities relevant to your specialist area in order to promote evidence based practice
Follow Trust guidelines and secure appropriate approvals to perform research within the Trust
Disseminate research findings; for example to publish in appropriate high quality peer reviewed publications and at appropriate national and international conferences
Work according to Good Clinical Practice https://www.nihr.ac.uk/health-and-care-professionals/learning-and-support/good-clinical-practice.htm & governance standards.
Collaborate with the Lead Research and Innovation Radiographer in the development and awareness of research activity
Be an ambassador for clinical academic careers at the Trust and enhance the visibility and reputation of LTHT through excellence in research
Liaise, inform, and gain support from appropriate members of the multidisciplinary team for research activity
Collaborate with the wider MDT to lead on ongoing development and implementation of the radiotherapy research strategy
Apply for and support others in their applications for funding to support research and development activity.
Form commercial and strategic industry partnerships that aid in technical radiotherapy service development.
Ensure the implementation and translation of research findings into clinical practice and service development within and beyond your clinical specialist area.
Develop Radiotherapy trial protocols with the multidisciplinary team by advising on the practicalities and specialised Radiotherapy requirements for the trial.
Encourage a research active culture, initiating and leading research where appropriate and communicate these activities to the wider department.
Provide key steer in the implementation and effective use of research and development findings across the service, including advising on (relevant new rather than routine) equipment specification and developments.
Oversee the development of patient information sheets regarding the purpose of the trials and the discussions with the patients to ensure that complex information regarding the trial and choices to be made are clearly understood.
Balance research development with the timely and efficient provision of radiotherapy services within the available resources.
Develop working practice guidelines so that working practice meet current professional standards and legislation, and are documented, accessible and regularly reviewed.
Critically analyse the trial procedure at all stages to improve the process if necessary.
Analyse and interpret the results of trials using statistical computer packages where necessary.
Use presentation aids to present and discuss results with clinicians and physicists.
Monitor the quality-of-service provision within the defined radiotherapy treatment services.
Communicate the results of trials by publishing work in multidisciplinary and professional journals and presenting abstracts at National and International conferences, workshops and meetings.
Revise the research objectives annually to contribute to departmental business planning.
Ensure changes because of research and development activities are reflected in protocols and procedures and that timely information is disseminated to all relevant professional groups.
Drive and coordinate research publications and conference presentations from the department, encouraging and supporting staff to present and publish and raise the profile of Leeds as a centre of research excellence.
Support, line manage and advise radiotherapy trials team alongside R&I lead.
...
