SOUTHERN DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD JOB DESCRIPTION
SENIOR MEDICAL PHYSICIST
POSITION PURPOSE
To work as part of a team in the Southern Blood and Cancer Service providing comprehensive
radiation oncology physics support, with particular responsibilities for certain physics services as
may be assigned by the Chief Physicist from time to time.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES
1. To provide comprehensive, efficient, effective and safe radiation oncology physics support
within the Oncology and Haematology Service and Southern District Health Board.
2. To ensure compliance with all relevant legal requirements, standards, and codes of practice.
3. To ensure that all clinical physics work is carried out to the highest professional standards
4. To provide efficient and effective technology management.
5. To maintain a cooperative and productive working relationship with the multi-disciplinary staff in
the service, and therefore contribute to the provision of high quality radiation oncology services.
6. To undertake scientific research and development of radiation oncology technology.
7. To contribute to training and education within the service and organisation.
QUALIFICATIONS
1. Post-Graduate degree in physics/ medical physics from a recognised tertiary institution in New
Zealand or overseas.
2. Minimum of six years relevant experience in all areas of radiation oncology physics.
3. Membership of (or eligibility for) the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers
in Medicine (ACPSEM).
4. ACPSEM certification in radiation oncology physics or overseas equivalent.
PROFESSIONALISM
Professional behaviour is expected to be demonstrated through the words, actions, and attitude
towards fellow team members, patients and their families, and all other members of the healthcare
team. Patient confidentiality will be maintained at all times.
CONSULTATION and RESPONSIBILITIES
The senior medical physicist will be working in collaboration with members of the medical physics
team. Provide supervision of medical physicists, medical physics registrars, and medical physics
technicians. Consult with other multi-disciplinary team members including Radiation Oncologists,
Radiation Therapists, nurses, clerical staff, and other SDHB staff, where appropriate.
Consult with Australasian regional cancer centres, TEAP National Registrar Training Coordinator
and officials, the Office of Radiation Safety and the National Centre for Radiation Science.
The senior medical physicist will be responsible to the Chief Physicist, Radiation Oncology Physics
manager.
TREATY OF WAITANGI
The Southern District Health Board is committed to its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi. As
an employee you are required to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi - Partnership,
Participation and Protection.
LOCATION
Radiation Oncology Department, Ground Floor, Oncology Building, Dunedin Hospital.
HOURS of WORK
The employee will undertake rostered physics work for forty hours per week, 8 hours per day with
two consecutive days off per week. Rosters shall be posted 4 weeks in advance and will be
developed by agreement between the physics team.
The employee must be available out-of-hours, at a mutually agreeable time, for clinical procedures
for example stereotactic radiosurgery, respiratory gating, and un-rostered work including machine
service and maintenance.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Southern District Health Board is committed to achieving the highest level of health and safety for
its staff. All employees are expected to take initiative, and identify, report, and resolve issues that
may cause harm to themselves or others in the organization.
As an employee of Southern District Health Board, the health and safety of clients and colleagues, as
well as your own, are your responsibility. You are expected to work safely at all times, and to actively
participate in health and safety programs in your area. It is expected that you will report all accidents or
potential hazards to your manager.
The employee is required to follow national and international guidelines for safe use of irradiating
apparatus and radioactive substances, consistent with the maintenance of the departmental
radiation safety plan.
QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Southern District Health Board is committed to the concept of quality improvement. As an
employee you are required to actively participate in quality improvement and risk management,
both at a professional level and service level. You are also required to participate in quality control
initiatives and risk programmes as an integral part of your position.
The employee will utilise the Radiation Oncology Physics quality assurance management system in
conjunction with the Radiation Oncology Radiation Safety Plan for the maintenance of radiation
safety and dosimetry standards for betterment of staff, patients and the general public.
COMPETENCIES
In addition to the core medical physics competencies as defined by the Australasian College of
Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM) the employee will possess expertise in
advanced Radiation Oncology Physics.
The employee must communicate effectively and work co-operatively in a multi-disciplinary team
and demonstrate an effective management of work priorities and projects.
Key tasks and accountabilities are listed below.
KEY TASKS and ACCOUNTABILITIES
Dosimetry
Maintain dosimetry for irradiating apparatus including linear accelerators,
ortho-voltage treatment machine, CT, image-guided systems, sealed and
unsealed sources for brachytherapy, and planning systems, in liaison with
the other medical physicists to meet regulatory requirements.
Ensure that all equipment meets the accepted standards and codes of
practice.
Ensure that the treatment checking protocol is met.
Radiation Safety
Ensure that the regulatory requirements are met and maintained to
ensure high standards of radiation safety for personnel and equipment.
Adhere to the departmental radiation safety plan.
Advise on all aspects of radiation safety to ensure that:
1. Personnel are following the appropriate standards
2. Equipment is operated within safe guidelines
3. Installation of new equipment meets the regulations and
manufacturers specifications.
Quality Assurance
Ensure that the radiation oncology quality assurance programme meets
the codes of safe practice currently in use from the National Radiation
Laboratory;
Assist with the ongoing development and maintenance of the local quality
assurance programme covering all aspects of radiation oncology;
Ensure adequate supervision of technical staff undertaking quality
assurance programmes
Professional Skills
Maintain high professional scientific standards.
Participate in scientific research and technology development.
Be aware of and able to interpret the hospital policies and ethical issues
concerning medical physics practice
Education
Supervise the training of Medical Physics Registrars and physics syllabus
for Radiation Oncology Medical Registrars.
Take responsibility for self-directed, self-initiated learning through
continued professional development (CPD) and impart this knowledge.
Participate in peer and self appraisal.
Undertake education sessions for health and education groups in
particular: Radiation Oncology Medical Registrars, Radiation Therapists
(Qualified and students), and Nursing.
Communication
Establish and maintain effective working relationships within medical
physics and the multidisciplinary team, and with other healthcare workers.
Ensure that all documentation of radiation protection, patient treatment
and equipment dosimetry is maintained and available.
Health and Safety
Adhere to the departmental radiation safety plan.
All policies of health and safety adopted by SDHB will be adhered to;
Standards are formulated, adhered to and updated on identifiable health
and safety problem areas;
Incidents and potential incidents are documented appropriately.
Participate in the audit of work place hazards.
Research and
Participate in scientific research and technology development including
Development
clinical trials;
Continue to develop procedures and protocols to further enhance current
and new technology;
Maintain and develop scientific skills through CPD.
Other
The appointee shall perform such other duties as may be reasonably
required by the Chief Physicist.
The foregoing is an outline of the key tasks and performance standards attached to the
position, but these may be extended or amended to meet changing circumstances.