Within Christie Medical Physics and Engineering (CMPE), we have healthcare scientists, healthcare science practitioners (often called technologists) and clinical engineers working as a large team. There are admin support roles, and we are looking at healthcare science associate/assistant roles to expand the entry level posts within the career/workforce structure.
Check out the ‘Medical physics roles’ heading of the Diagnostic radiology and radiation protection section of the CMPE website for more information on roles and competence in this area of the medical physics workforce.
The job description usually states if we need specific academic qualifications and experience in the field, or if we are open to taking in applicants with relevant skills and provide them with on-the-job training to equivalent qualifications/registration.
The CMPE group is currently offering a 2-day work experience placement for university students and graduates to introduce physics as a healthcare science. During the placement, students will have the opportunity to partake in several activities with current medical physicists to gain an insight into the career.
There will be activities across 4 departments (subject to staff availability): radiotherapy; diagnostic radiology and radiation safety; nuclear medicine; and imaging with non-ionising radiation.
The next placement is due to run on 7 to 8 January 2025. Applicants should be current or former physics (or related field) undergraduates and must be above the age of 18. It is applicants' responsibility to provide their own accommodation.
Applications for the next placement have now closed. Information on when future placements will run and how to apply will be available here in due course.
We support continued professional development and have a large scope of training opportunities within the profession due to The Christie’s advanced clinical services and the large regional medical physics service, which turns 50 years old in 2022.
We always need caring, hardworking, team players to ensure patient centric services can be delivered in Manchester and across the North West.
Often HCS practitioners can be trained on the job. A STEM degree will be expected but it is not necessary to have experience working in the field for entry level posts. It’s a good idea to be aware of the profession and field you are applying for, so you know what the role is and are committed to the role with development requirements. This could be through shadowing or work experience.
It is expected that HCS practitioners work towards registration with The Register of Clinical Technologists. This can be through a formal IPEM training scheme (CMPE are accredited to support this training path) or through equivalence for those with experience in the field.
There is a national Practitioner Training Programme (PTP), and you can often undertake this through an apprenticeship route. This is an excellent opportunity to earn while you learn and keep your student debt down.
Gaining an opportunity in this role is currently through advertised jobs from The Christie. You may be able to get jobs outside the North West through other NHS training centres. You may also be able to gain the associated academic degree and then apply for a post at The Christie having increased your employability through gaining qualification/experience.
There are currently relevant degrees in medical physics offered by:
HCS graduate trainee → HCS (registered with the Health and Care Professions Council) → specialist HCS and expert roles → consultant HCS
We take about 10 graduate trainees onto the scientific training programme (STP) each year through the national programme. We support radiotherapy, radiation safety, imaging (Ionising) and imaging (non-ionising).
See the NHS careers website for more info on these roles:
An alternative route to registration as a clinical scientist is via route 2 on the IPEM scheme after securing a post. This is likely to be suitable for those with relevant skills and experience in the field rather than someone starting from no relevant knowledge, where STP would be better.
CMPE deliver the HSST national programme with The University of Manchester. We put several our employees across the disciplines through this programme each year.
CMPE offer a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship route to become a clinical engineer. The degree is funded via the Apprenticeship Levy and lasts 4.5 years.
You will attend university on a day release basis whilst gaining priceless work experience for the rest of week. At the end of the degree course, you will have a BEng (Hons) Electrical & Electronic Engineering along with vital experience repairing and maintaining radiotherapy medical devices such as linear accelerators and CT scanners. You would then be eligible for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status with the Engineering Council UK and would also apply for the Register of Clinical Technologists via the equivalence route.
The Christie Charity