Radiotherapy apprenticeships at University Hospitals Dorset
Interested in an exciting and rewarding career using state-of-the-art technology for the treatment of patients?
Do you enjoy science, have good interpersonal and problem solving skills, and would like to earn £21,000-27,000 to study for a BSc degree whilst working in oncology?
The radiotherapy physics team (15 physicists, 6 technicians and 9 dosimetrists) within oncology at University Hospitals Dorset are excited to be taking on level 6 apprentices from September 2023. Our team provide scientific, technical and engineering expertise and advice to clinical oncologists, therapeutic radiographers and other colleagues to ensure patients’ radiotherapy is safe and effective.
Healthcare science staff, which includes those working as scientists, engineers and practitioners in areas like medical physics and clinical engineering, make up just 5% of the total National Health Service (NHS) workforce but are involved in over 80% of all clinical decisions impacting the management and treatment of patients.
The medical physics technology apprenticeship is a three-year program where you will study for a BSc in Healthcare Science at the University of the West of England (mostly distance learning) alongside work-based learning at Poole Hospital across medical physics, linac quality control, treatment planning, mould room (pre-treatment) and brachytherapy.
The position will be paid as follows, with the academic fees and all reasonable travel/accommodation/subsistence expenses for the university covered as well.
- Year 1: £21,730 (Agenda for change band 3)
- Year 2: £23,949 (AfC band 4)
- Year 3: £27,055 (AfC band 5)
The role is full-time (37.5 hours per week), primarily based at Poole Hospital with three five-day blocks at UWE Bristol each year for seminars, laboratory and practical sessions, plus tutorials and assessments. Most of the BSc is completed through online learning, accessed from Poole Hospital.
Working for the NHS you will start on 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), paid sick leave, access to training courses, annual personal development review, flexible working options, an excellent pension scheme and access to NHS discounts in a wide range of providers.
Following completion, there may well be an opportunity to join the department as a permanent member of staff but your new -found skills as a qualified healthcare science practitioner in radiotherapy physics will be in high demand as there is a national shortage of trained staff! If recruited with us, you will move into a band 6 (£33,706) permanent role within the radiotherapy physics dosimetrist team.
Applicants must be numerate, computer literate and have:
- English and Mathematics qualifications equivalent to GCSE Grade C or above
- A level - a minimum of 96 points (CCC) including at least one relevant STEM subject (e.g. physics, engineering or mathematics) at 32 points/Grade C or higher
The job will be advertised on NHS Jobs around Easter.
If you have further questions or would like to arrange a visit to the department contact Josh or Emma (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
