FAQ’s
For those clients that are interested in best practice, not just regulatory requirements, MPS can provide an extended list of services for the imaging facility. This may include:
• Establishing radiation dose and image quality baseline values
• Benchmarking radiation dose against Australian and international DRLs
• Developing facility reference levels
• Optimising radiation dose and image quality
• Developing and implementing an ongoing quality assurance and quality control program to ensure continual best practice and patient outcomes.
We recommend contacting us to develop a scope and discuss how we can become your partner in best practice.
Please contact us as we can quickly assess requirements.
It is always better to assess shielding questions upfront as retrofitting facilities in the future is frequently disruptive, very expensive and may have regulatory implications. MPS can provide a shielding assessment with recommendations on the minimum lead shielding (or equivalent) required for all radiology and nuclear medicine practices. This assessment is presented in an easy to understand report for the builders and architects to use during the construction process. It also includes all the required information for the regulatory licensing.
Our listed services are a general snapshot. We pride ourselves on working closely with clients to understand their needs and bring a wide range of experiences. We don’t apply a one-size-fits all model. We will always be honest, if we can’t help you, we will tell you and try to refer to someone who can.
MPS can provide a medical physics report for research. The medical physics report consists of:
- An assessment of the expected total effective dose and, if appropriate, relevant organ dose for only those radiological procedures which are performed specifically for the research protocol and which would not form part of the research participant’s normal clinical management
- A statement as to whether the dose constraints are likely to be exceeded. If the dose constraints are likely to be exceeded, MPS will organise for a second medical physicist to verify the radiation dose assessment.
- An assessment of the risks associated with expected radiation exposure to be considered by the HREC
- Proposed text on the radiation dose and radiation risks to be included in the patient informed consent form (PICF)
- A statement on whether the project needs to be notified to DHHS (in Victoria)
Although there is a large degree of commonality in fundamentals and objectives, each regulatory jurisdiction (State or territory) has its own specific requirements and processes that may contain subtle differences. Please contact use to discuss your specific circumstances, having staff experienced in multiple jurisdictions it is very likely can assist you.
MPS can provide you will a comprehensive radiation safety service, including all the items listed as well as periodic reports for management on the activities undertaken and annual KPI reports.
The Victorian Radiation Act 2005 (the Act) has the objective of protecting the health and safety of persons and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation. DHHS administers this legislation.
The Department sets out the mandatory radiation incident reporting requirements to which holders of management licences issued by DHHS are subjected.
A management licence holder authorised to conduct a medical radiation practice is required to report any human diagnostic procedure other than as prescribed that could lead to an effective dose exceeding 1 millisievert (mSv), including wrong patient, or wrong body part examined. The most common reportable radiation incidents are:
- A worker, patient or a member of the public has or may have received an unplanned or abnormal exposure to ionising radiation, other than a justified medical exposure, exceeding 1 mSv total effective dose.
- Any human diagnostic procedure other than as prescribed that could lead to an effective dose exceeding 1 mSv (including wrong patient, or wrong body part examined).
- Any unplanned exposure to a child (under 18 years old).
- Any unplanned exposure to a pregnant female
MPS can provide you with a radiation dose assessment for the DHHS reportable radiation incident form, internal risk management system, as well as recommended wording for the patient file, where appropriate.
Researchers undertaking medical research that requires exposure humans to ionizing radiation must justify the exposure and ensure compliance with ethical and regulatory requirements. Most commonly these exposures result from additional medical imaging that is needed to assess the outcome of a clinical trial intervention or procedure. The assessment is support by a Medical Physics Report. In order to correctly estimate the radiation doses received during trial participation, the medical physicist needs to obtain the specifics of each device and exposure parameters that will be used.
MPS can often complete an assessment on the existing shielding in an imaging facility. This verification is presented in an easy to understand report for hospital management and the local radiation safety officer to use as evidence of safe radiation practices.
MPS encourages building a positive and constructive working relationship with the regulatory bodies. MPS staff have long experience in working closely with regulators to effectively resolve potential issues. We can assist in preparing for regulatory audits and create a project plan to address any items identified as areas for improvement.
MPS provides a range of radiation safety in-services for all different craft groups (radiographers, doctors, admin and ancillary staff etc.). We can cater a personalized radiation safety education session based on your radiation practice and the audience.
Some of the most satisfying projects have been undertaking a strategic review of operations and processes for efficiency and quality management improvements. This can include document management review, quality improvement and analysis of quality assurance data.
Other items have included assisting with research project design, data analysis for small research projects and supporting clinical trials with technical and trial management experience.
An unplanned exposure to a pregnant female is a reportable radiation incident in Victoria. MPS can provide the services listed in the above as well as provide a radiation dose and risk estimate to the fetus to be placed in the patient’s medical record and provided to the patients referrer.
Generally speaking, the answer is yes, within the medical radiation domain.
If we can’t provide expert advice, we’ll be upfront about that and do our best to refer you to someone who can provide you with the service you require.
As part of Health STEM Solutions, MPS is fully insured for public liability and professional indemnity for work conducted by its employees. In particular, this includes medical specialist cover for medical physics activities including clinical work, equipment acceptance and commissioning and radiation shielding design. When engaging a consultant for these kinds of services always make sure to check that professional indemnity is held and is applicable (i.e. not tied specifically to work for another employer), covers the type of work to be performed and includes a sufficient level of cover.
Sub-contractors, when engaged, are required by MPS to hold and provided evidence of a comparable level of insurance as MPS, commensurate with the works to be performed.
MPS provides a comprehensive service reviewing, updating and implementing radiation management plans for imaging services of all sizes. We will work with you to develop a radiation management plan that is easy to understand, is reflective of your practice and complies with the regulatory requirements.
Yes. We work with other organizations to support the work on medical radiation facilities of any size. MPS staff have substantial experience in working on building and development projects from greenfield sites to complex remediation building works.
MPS does not provide independent dosimetry audits.
However, MPS does provide independent reviews of process and procedures, which may include measurements with facility equipment.
Yes. MPS has worked with facilities to address staffing needs. This often needs a creative and flexible approach to the work required, as it is not always possible to provide a certified physicist on-site without notice or for long durations, but we will always do our best to find a solution to any challenge and have manage these scenarios.
Yes, we are happy to assist with planning and management of larger projects such as new equipment/software procurement, associated works, commissioning and clinical implementation.
Yes, with some caveats.
We can assist with the planning and execution of projects for straight forward equipment commissioning e.g. a new linac. Our preferred approach is to use our expertise to lead or work closely with facility physicists to complete the commissioning, rather than do so in ourselves in isolation. For broader commissioning and development work, e.g. implement SABR treatments, we can develop and implement these projects more autonomously, but still in close consultation with facility staff.
Join a dynamic group of medical physics consultants and technical officers in a casual or part-time role.
We are seeking a New South Wales based Consultant Medical Physics Specialist in Nuclear Medicine to join our nationwide team. Must be registered (or eligible for registration) on the ACPSEM Register of Qualified Medical Physics Specialists and Radiopharmaceutical Scientists. ACPSEM TEAP Registrar’s within imminent completion of the training program are also invited to apply.
The appointment is casual or fixed-term part-time (0.2-0.4 FTE) with flexible working hours and a mixture of work from home and at client sites. While work location is generally flexible, the majority of onsite work would be required in Sydney.
For more information about the role, please contact:
John Kenny
Managing Director & Principal Consultant
E: john.kenny@med-phys.com
P: +61 3 8638 0105
Andrew Campbell
Senior Consultant Medical Physics Specialist | Diagnostic Imaging (Nuclear Medicine)
E: andrew.campbell@med-phys.com
P: +61 3 8638 0105
To apply, submit your application via the ‘Apply Now’ form below
Consultant Medical Physics Specialist – Diagnostic Imaging (Nuclear Medicine) CMPS-1-5-042024
Applications Close: [Extended Deadline] Friday 10 May 2024, 5pm AEST
No, we can provide services Australia wide. We take full advantage of cloud systems and modern communications so we can function anywhere that is required whether on or off site. We will happily consult with international clients as well.