Vacancy - Chair of the Skin cancer consensus statements steering group

The RCR is committed to supporting radiotherapy teams to reduce variation in clinical practice. We are now looking to develop consensus statements for radiotherapy in skin cancer in  2025/26. 

We are seeking a chair to lead a steering group, in consultation with the CO Medical Director Professional Practice, on this exciting and important project.

We have established a process for developing consensus statements on topics where there is known variation in UK practice that are not covered in other guidelines. The RCR has produced a series of consensus statements in different tumour types:

• Post-operative breast radiotherapy
• Radiotherapy for lung cancer
• Breast radiotherapy – hypofractionation
• Head and neck  
• Bladder  
• Gynaecological cancer 

The process involves evidence being reviewed and consensus being sought from all UK cancer centres to produce practical guidance with the purpose of improving the standard of radiotherapy practice for all patients.

To be eligible for this role, you should be:

• A consultant clinical oncologist with a special interest in skin cancer
• A Fellow of the RCR
• Resident in the United Kingdom at the time of your application 
• In active clinical practice with a current licence to practise.

On appointment you will be required to complete a declaration of interests form.

You will be expected to demonstrate:

• Expertise in the treatment of skin cancer
• Experience of chairing meetings
• The ability to represent the views of a number of people
• Experience of developing and implementing protocols or standards.

The main duties of the Chair will be to:

• Chair the steering group and the consensus day in accordance with the consensus process developed by the RCR
• Decide on topics where variation in practice exists
• Review available evidence and existing guidelines to avoid duplication
• Lead on the drafting and re-drafting of the initial consensus statements working with other members of the steering group
• Agree who should be involved in the wider consensus process (eg specialist radiographers, surgeons, patient groups)
• Lead on the writing of the consensus report/publication
• Ensure that the consensus statements include an audit template
• Liaise with key stakeholders.

It is expected that the time commitment will be:

• Approximately 3-4 working group meetings (mostly conducted via Microsoft Teams) each lasting at least two hours
• A one-day consensus meeting plus work via email over a 12-month period
• Online reading, reviewing, emailing and drafting that is not likely to exceed one hour per week on average.

The steering group will be supported by staff in the Professional Practice Team. This will include:

• Providing the secretariat to the steering panel
• Project management of the consensus process including writing, design and publication expertise
• Event management on the consensus day.
• The Chair will not express any opinion or make any statement publicly or to the media that is held out to be a view from the RCR without first consulting and agreeing the approach with the Clinical Oncology Medical Director for Professional Practice.  

This is a voluntary role. Meetings are expected to take place virtually. 

As the Chair, you must comply with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation as regards processing and disclosure of any personal data that is made available to you as part of your work for the RCR.

You will from time to time be provided with documents at various stages of development prior to their formal approval and publication, which must be kept confidential. You must not disclose any confidential information to an outside person or organisation.

The RCR will hold the intellectual property and copyright of any documents or publications you produce in your capacity as the Chair of the steering group. You will be required to assign these rights to the RCR.

We are keen for the RCR consensus process to be as inclusive as possible. Application from eligible candidates will be ranked considering their experience and competencies, however, we will also be looking to select candidates from different types of centres across the UK, and at different stages in their career. 

The selection panel will comprise of the CO Medical Director Professional Practice, CO Vice President and the Professional Standards Manager. 

To apply, you will need to submit: 

• A short curriculum vitae (CV) 
• A brief statement outlining your suitability for the role including how you meet the required experience and competencies 

Applications must be submitted by email to [email protected] by 5 December 2024.

If you have any questions about this role, please get in touch via [email protected]