About the position
Under the general supervision of the Chief Dosimetrist, the Clinical Chief Physicist, and the Director-Radiation Oncology Operations, the Medical Dosimetrist develops optimal treatment plans for cancer patients that maximize the dose to the tumor while minimizing dose to normal organs under the direction of the radiation oncologist. Also provides support and assistance for other activities related to patient care, staff and student (radiology oncology residents) education. Dosimetrists are members of a radiation oncology treatment team that plays a key role in the management of cancer. They use their knowledge of mathematics, medical physics, science, and critical thinking to measure and generate radiation dose distributions and calculations for patients and are thoroughly familiar with the physical and geometric characteristics of the radiation equipment and radioactive sources commonly employed. Dosimetrists are responsible for designing a treatment plan and carrying out calculations with mathematical accuracy for the delivery of radiation treatment based on the radiation oncologist's prescribed course of radiation therapy. This treatment plan takes into consideration tumor pathology, tumor volume, and inherent dose-limiting structures surrounding the tumor. The treatment plan and radiation field-placement techniques are constructed utilizing sophisticated computer equipment and technology. The Dosimetrist, along with the Radiation Oncologist and Medical Physicist, will work to construct a treatment plan that will meet the prescription written by the oncologist, ensuring that the patient will not lose important healthy organ function and that the radiation delivered will not affect healthy surrounding tissue. These treatment plans not only include the use of radiation, but in many cases, involve the use of radioactive elements during interstitial brachytherapy procedures. Once the treatment plan is complete, the Dosimetrist will work closely with the radiation therapists in the implementation of the prescribed plan. The Dosimetrist also advises the radiation therapists during simulation and treatment on optimal patient immobilization and setup reproducibility as well as the correct use of devices and field arrangements.
Responsibilities
- Design an optimized patient treatment plan by means of computer and/or manual computation with optimal beam geometry to deliver a prescribed radiation dose and spare critical structures in accordance with the Radiation Oncologist's prescription.
- Identify and contour normal and dose-limiting structures by utilizing images from one or more data sets.
- Create and transfer reference images and localization markers for portal verification and treatment delivery.
- Supervise, perform, or assist in simulations and tumor localization using specified imaging devices.
- Supervise, perform, or assist in the planning and implementation of the fabrication of compensation filters, custom shields, wedges, and other beam modifying devices.
- Supervise, perform, or assist in the planning and implementation of the production of moulds, casts, and other immobilization devices.
- Communicate with the radiation therapist(s) and assume an advisory role in the implementation of the treatment plan.
- Perform calculations for the accurate delivery of the prescribed dose, document all pertinent information in the patient record, and verify the mathematical accuracy of all calculations.
- Provide assistance and technical support to the Medical Physicist, in radiation safety and protection, qualitative machine calibrations, quality assurance of treatment plans and radiation oncology equipment.
- Operate and perform quality assurance on the treatment planning computer(s).
- Supervise, perform, or assist in the application of specific methods of patient and/or beam dosimetry.
- Assist in brachytherapy procedures by performing treatment planning and dose calculations.
- Utilize radiation monitoring devices to measure radioactivity and perform assays.
- Teach applied aspects of medical dosimetry to students, radiation therapists and residents.
- Participate in clinical research.
- Participate in continuing education.
- Participate in quality improvement processes.
- Perform other related and incidental duties as needed or assigned.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university.
- Possesses any combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Chief Dosimetrist and Director of Radiation Oncology that he/she meets the specific eligibility criteria of the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board to sit for the (CMD) certification examination within two (2) years of appointment.
Nice-to-haves
- Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, clinical oncology, tumor pathology, radiobiology, radiation physics, and radiation safety.
- Knowledge of medical dosimetry techniques and procedures.
- Knowledge of the technical aspects of radiation oncology and medical physics.
- Knowledge of healthcare informatics.
- Proficiency in the use of personal computers and business software applications.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- High level critical thinking and problem solving skills.
- Ability to operate and perform quality assurance on the treatment planning systems.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Knowledge of radiation safety principles and practices.
- Ability to interpret criteria and develop treatment plans.
- Possess mathematical skills, including algebra, trigonometry, and introductory calculus.
- Ability to visualize objects in three-dimensional concepts.
Benefits
- 401k
- health_insurance
- dental_insurance
- vision_insurance
- life_insurance
- disability_insurance
- paid_holidays
- tuition_reimbursement
- professional_development
