ACPSEM Representative on the Clinical Advisory Group of ARPANSA Clinical Dosimetry Service- Call for Expression of Interest
The ACPSEM is seeking to appoint a representative to participate in the Clinical Advisory Group (CAG) of the ARPANSA Australian Clinical Dosimetry Service (ACDS).
Our current representative, Dr John Shakeshaft (Gold Coast University Hospital, ICON Cancer Centre), is stepping down having completed two, two-year terms. We are seeking an experienced radiation oncology medical physicist with an active interest in the development of existing and emerging technologies being implemented in Australian radiotherapy facilities.
Please submit your EOI by cob 10 July with your recent CV and a cover letter outlining your interest or experience in the development of existing and emerging technologies being implemented in Australian Radiotherapy Facilities. This timeline is to ensure that we have enough time to screen candidates if there are more than one member applies.
Background
The Australian Clinical Dosimetry Service is a dosimetry audit service offered by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) to Australian and New Zealand radiotherapy centres. The ACDS was launched in 2010 and delivers a worldclass radiotherapy dosimetry audit program to private and public customers on a cost recovery basis, where the client pays for the services. The audit program assesses the dosimetry of external beam radiotherapy, aiming to improve patient safety by reducing systematic dosimetric risk to the patient through remote and onsite audits of the radiation delivered.
The Clinical Advisory Group serves as ACDS’ independent authority on clinical practice in radiation oncology and medical physics. The CAG is accountable to the CEO of ARPANSA and provides clinical advice to the ACDS Director on development of audit methodologies and immediate clinical interpretation on specific audit outcomes.
CAG membership is voluntary and comprises 6 to 10 members with a broad base of professional clinical experience incorporating diversity across all jurisdictions and practice. Members are appointed by the CEO of ARPANSA for a two year term and may be reappointed once. The CAG includes nominated representatives from RANZCR, ASMIRT/NZIMRT, ACPSEM and the TransTasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG).
Scheduled meetings are held quarterly, with the ACDS providing secretariat support for preparation and management of the meetings. Meetings are generally held by teleconference, with one face to face meeting annually, for which the ACDS will arrange and pay for the cost of travel and other incidental expenses. Some out of session meetings or correspondence may be required for timely responses to audit outcomes. The Chair will meet with the ACDS Director as required to escalate any issues that arise.
From this financial year, the ACDS will begin reporting into the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC). The CAG will provide AHPPC with an annual independent report assessing the clinical impact of the ACDS’ operations.
Further information about ACDS and CAG can be obtained from website www.arpansa.gov.au\acds, our Current Audit Program and the ACDS in Review publications.
