Physicist Certified

The US Oncology Network•Columbia, MO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Missouri Cancer Associates (MCA) is Mid-Missouri’s only community-based cancer clinic, delivering world-class care for over 43 years. MCA has grown into a multi-specialty practice offering Medical Oncology, Hematology, Radiation Oncology, and Urology services. We proudly serve 105 of Missouri’s 114 counties through 12 locations, including Columbia, Kirksville, Lake of the Ozarks, Jefferson City, Macon, Marshall, Mexico, Moberly, Hannibal, and Sedalia. Columbia is a perfectly located city in Central Missouri less than a two-hour drive from Kansas City and St. Louis. It is home to the University of Missouri, which provides endless activities for a family to enjoy. With a population of 131,000 residents, it has everything you’ll need and most anything you’ll want, great schools, shopping, quaint downtown and it is served by an airport with daily flights to Dallas, Denver, and Chicago. Missouri Cancer Associates is an ACR accredited site where a high standard is expected. This position is based in Columbia Missouri. It has 4 radiation oncologists, 3 part time/full time dosimetrists, a chief physicist and will add a staff physicist. This clinic is equipped with both Varian True Beam and Elekta Equipment HDR, CT and PET CT. Aria and Eclipse system. This position will be reported to the Chief Physicist

Requirements

Excellent written and verbal communication skills
A successful candidate will be a positive team player of Missouri Cancer Associates.
Knowledgeable in state and professional regulations
A desire to demonstrate initiative and ownership of daily tasks and projects
Detailed oriented, thorough, and well-organized
Ability to actively solve problems by seeking, developing, and implementing viable solutions
Must have the ability to utilize components of the treatment-planning computer including but not limited to the use of keyboards, digitizers, trackball and mouse controls.
Must be able to stand for 8 hours; lift 40-pound block to shoulder level; have sufficient visual acuity to distinguish structures and isodose displays on computer monitor.
Additionally, must be able to align treatment fields and monitor patients during radiation therapy treatment.
Minimum is MS degree in medical physics.

Responsibilities

Determines the need for, specifies, and accesses dosimetry and treatment planning equipment including, but not limited to, measurement instruments to calibrate all treatment equipment and monitoring devices, computerized treatment planning systems, computerized water phantom systems with appropriate ionization chambers and diodes, film densitometry systems, etc.
Participates in the specification, selection, and acceptance of radiation-producing machines, accessories, and computerized treatment-planning system.
Supervises arrangements for proper maintenance of radiation treatment equipment.
Periodically evaluates all equipment for continued utility, appropriateness, reliable performance, age and condition and makes recommendations on practical life span, obsolescence and replacement.
Maintains responsibility for the design and implementation of the aspects of the quality management program that involve the use of the external beam radiotherapy equipment as well as the review and approval of the procedures followed by the radiation therapy staff.
Advises and consults with physicians to provide advice or direction to technical staff when patients are being planned or treated. Develops protocols for performing and checking monitor units calculations to ensure all calculations agree with written prescription.
Participates in chart rounds to ensure the fulfillment of the prescription and review any changes in dose and patient set-up.
Completes, keeps and maintains proper records of all required documentation relating to radiation treatment plans and equipment, QA and calibration records. Participates in the clinical instruction of newly hired radiation staff and radiation therapy students.
Conducts HDR (high dose rate) and LDR (low dose rate) brachytherapy procedures as needed. May be expected to act as a junior physicist mentor. Familiarity and use of record and verifying systems such as Varis and IMPAC.
Directs the radiation oncology physics program, including the technical direction of medical dosimetrists, therapy equipment service engineers and other physics support staff.
All aspects of radiation oncology activities, including performing routine clinical physics activities, clinical support and treatment planning, brachytherapy & Advanced procedures, adhere to policies and procedures, keeping up to date AAPM protocols and other regulations. Maintain standards and regulation requirements.