Senior phototesting technician/technologist | Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
| Posting date: | 04 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £56,276 - £63,176 per annum inc HCA |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 04 October 2025 |
| Location: | London, SE1 9RT |
| Company: | Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7399214/196-LIS9850D |
Summary
Specialist Practitioner in Photosensitivity Testing
Senior phototesting technician/technologist
Area/Speciality: Phototesting
Grade: Band 7
Department: Photodermatology Unit and Medical Physics,
Accountable To: Head of Photodermatology, Head of Medical Physics
Location: Guy’s Hospital, Dowling Day Treatment Centre
The post holder will work within the department of Photodermatology, carrying out specialist photosensitivity tests on patients in order to support their clinical diagnosis. The post holder will be responsible for the safe delivery of all aspects of the service, including compliance with all trust policies and procedures, maintenance of the photosensitivity testing equipment (with support & training from medical physics) and co-ordination of the patient workload. The post holder will participate in regular clinical audit and R&D activities. In addition, the individual will be required to provide supervision and training for staff and other professionals. The post holder will give clinical specialist advice to patients regarding specialist photoprotection in the photodermatoses.
The Non-Ionising Radiation Section of Medical Physics is responsible for providing a clinical scientific service to a wide range of clinical Departments at Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, including the Dermatology Department, and to a number of other Trusts around London and the South East. This post holder can also provide technical support for clinical services in phototherapy although their main role is to carry out phototesting.
The postholder will also engage in and support research and service development across Photodermatology and Medical Physics.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best-known hospitals – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high-quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.
We are among the UK’s busiest, most successful Foundation Trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.
We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and – as part of King’s Health Partners – we are one of England’s eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research’s biomedical research centres, established with King’s College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.
Clinical Leadership and Managerial
·To organise and carry out clinical phototesting on patients as part of the clinical investigation of clinical photosensitivity by the Photodermatology Unit. This includes monochromator and solar simulator phototesting, and minimal erythema / phototoxic dose testing. These are all complex clinical procedures requiring considerable care and attention to detail. Standard reports are generated from these procedures by Photodermatology consultants, which lead to the recommendation of an appropriate treatment for the patient.
·To manage the organisation of patients’ admissions for phototesting and other investigations.
·To work in the Photodermatology Clinic to provide Specialist Clinical advice to patients regarding effective photoprotection and topical therapy in the photodermatoses with supervision from Photodermatology consultants.
· To supervise, monitor and undertake regular calibration and quality control checks of highly complex optical equipment used in phototesting. To maintain appropriate records of any procedures, replacements, adjustments or repairs to the equipment.
· To maintain clinical databases for the Photodermatology unit. To produce monthly and annual phototest reports, summarising the diagnoses seen, patient numbers and collating the number of procedures performed.
·To work with colleagues in other Photodermatology centres collaboratively, as and where relevant.
·To work closely and effectively with the Medical Physics Department, as and when necessary.
·Supervises and takes responsibility for the training requirements for all technologist and nursing staff working in phototesting, managing inhouse training programmes and assessing competency levels. This allows for a structured pathway, that will eventually lead to competency in the procedures performed. This ensures personal and service development needs are identified and met, resulting in effective and efficient use of resources.
·Responsible for the annual appraisal and review processes, continuing competency and monitoring of performance levels.
·Participates in the selection and recruitment of technologists staff.To participate actively in the organisation and smooth running of Photodermatology as directed by the Head of Department and Management Team.
·To participate in effective team working
Quality
·To maintain clinical databases for the Photodermatology unit.
·To work within agreed Trust and local policies and protocols.
·To ensure compliance with Trust policies on the safe use of non-ionising radiation equipment.
·To participate in the review and updating of phototest protocols with relevant colleagues in the Photodermatology Unit on the basis of clinical evidence as and when relevant.
·To participate in routine audits to ensure compliance with Trust and Local policies, procedures and protocols.
.To support research projects related to phototesting as required.
· To ensure active compliance with the Trust Risk Management policy and to lead on Risk Assessments within the department.
·To contribute to the facilitation of patient and public involvement in the development of services.
· To record where relevant and appropriate, patient related results, assessments and reports in patient health records.
·To facilitate high quality, cost effective care for Photodermatology patients.
·To be involved in the development and continuing evolution of agreed standards of care and protocols for phototesting and working with these, to ensure that patients receive this standard of care.
·To work with the Head of Department to identify where Standards of Care are not being met for patients and work on remedying the defects.
Education and Training
·To teach and train MSc students and St Johns Photodermatology Course delegates about phototesting.
·To teach patients with photodermatoses about their disease and its treatment as part of the Photosensitivity Practitioner role.
·To ensure personal compliance with mandatory, professional and personal development in line with service needs, and as agreed in appraisal and personal development plans by attending appropriate courses and scientific meetings, and by participating in continuing professional development programs as agreed through appraisals.
·To support the learning and development of other staff groups within the Dermatology departments, including demonstrating various clinical procedures and use of equipment to other multidisciplinary colleagues including MSc students, academic, technical and clinical staff from within and external to the Trust.
·To organise equipment demonstrations at the Photodermatology Course and other study days and courses.
Research and Development
·To coordinate the introduction of new techniques into phototesting, and to coordinate clinical research studies into photosensitivityunder the guidance of Principal Investigators in Dermatology and Medical Physics
·To assist in relevant clinical research studies involving volunteers and patients which involve Phototesting.
·To undertake arrangements for various clinical research studies involving volunteers and patients. This includes providing specialist advice for the protocol and ethics approvals, carrying out the procedures ensuring the protocol is adhered to and the recording of data is within Good Clinical Practice guidelines. Also coordinates with pharmaceutical representatives for start-up meetings, closeout meetings and monitoring meetings to ensure smooth running of the research studies. The post holder must complete case report forms and patient case records and deals with any data queries generated from these.
Management and Leadership
. To organise and manage the Phototesting Service
· To coordinate the introduction of new techniques into phototesting
·To take part in the regular Departmental meetings, Departmental audit and other relevant group activities within the Photodermatology Unit.
·To participate in Trust, Regional and National projects as required by the Head of Department or Management Team.
·To ensure that the Service Level Agreement with Medical Physics is kept up to date, and that any exceptions are raised with senior managers.
·To implement and work within the Trust’s HR policies on all staffing matters, including sickness, capability and disciplinary issues. To take corrective measures if indicated, in liaison with Human Resources and Head of Photodermatology.
·To adhere to relevant Trust and departmental policies and procedures.
General
·To act in accordance with Professional Standards and be accountable for his/her actions at all times.
·To maintain up-to-date records, ensuring that confidentiality is respected and that the standards for “Record Keeping” are met.
Professional
·Keep abreast of the latest technical and scientific developments and their applications in medical and associated fields. Enrol in appropriate Continuing Professional Development programmes. Attend suitable seminars and courses as part of personal development and to further the work of the department.
·Ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and meet regulatory requirements.
·Engage in regional and national groups to develop relevant standards and guidelines, including discussions with regulatory and professional bodies. Undertake and analyse benchmarking comparisons of Trust performance and advise and act on as appropriate.
Miscellaneous
·Ensure compliance with accredited Quality Systems in the areas of work for which the postholder carries responsibility. Participate in the development and routine operation of quality systems.
·Carry out all duties in accordance with the requirements of the Health & Safety at Work Act, relevant Statutory Regulations, Approved Codes of Conduct and Local Rules.
·Work hours necessary for the proper and efficient performance of the work. In practice, the appointee will occasionally be required to perform duties outside the normal working hours of the Department.
·When working in other departments, the appointee will liaise with local heads of department, medical consultants, superintendents, nursing sisters or their representatives as appropriate, adhering to local policies and practices. The postholder will behave courteously and professionally at all times and seek to ensure that the highest level of service is provided by Medical Physics.
·Perform other appropriate duties which may be required from time to time by the Head of Non-Ionising Radiation Physics or Head of Medical Physics.
The Non-Ionising Radiation Section of Medical Physics is responsible for providing a clinical scientific service to a wide range of clinical Departments at Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, including the Dermatology Department, and to a number of other Trusts around London and the South East. This post holder can also provide technical support for clinical services in phototherapy although their main role is to carry out phototesting. The postholder will also engage in and support research and service development across Photodermatology and Medical Physics.
This advert closes on Thursday 25 Sep 2025