Proton Physicist- days

Carilion Clinic•Roanoke, VA

20d

About The Position

Carilion Clinic currently seeks two medical physicists to support proton therapy in its new, state-of-the-art Cancer Center. Upon completion, the Taubman Cancer Center, rising on the Roanoke VA campus, will house 3 Varian TrueBeam LINACs, a CyberKnife, an HDR unit, a new Siemens photon counting CTSim, as well as a Mevion 250i proton therapy unit. Experience with proton therapy, as well as a commitment to lead the proton unit's commissioning, quality assurance and daily treatments are the cornerstones of one of the two new positions. The other will act in a support role to the lead proton physicist. The clinic is currently in the early stages of assessment and budgeting for all associated proton therapy RTP, QA, and treatment device needs. We would like to fill these positions quickly so that new hires can play an active role in the adoption of proton therapy. The candidates will join a Physics Department team consisting of 5 physicists (therapy and diagnostic), 3 dosimetrists, 2 physics assistants and a LINAC engineer. Besides supporting the Radiation Oncology Department and the three associated physicians, the Physics Department is actively involved in Y90 infusions, GammaTile implants and a theranostics program which has recently adopted voxel based dosimetry, as well as leading radiation safety throughout the 7 hospital system. Applicants are invited to come be part of something big happening in the Roanoke Valley. The new Cancer Center is scheduled to open its doors for patient treatments beginning in January of 2028, with proton therapy to arrive soon afterwards. Roanoke is a mid-sized metropolitan area nestled in Virginia's Blue Ridge mountains. Cost of living is more favorable than many other areas of the country and it truly is a great place to raise a family. Outdoor recreation abounds and other entertainment options such as minor league sports, music festivals and various cultural events are plentiful. The Senior Radiologic Physicist Measures, analyzes, and documents radiological physics data to support the clinical application of physics and radiation safety in medical settings. Performs surveys and evaluations of radiation-producing equipment to assess clinical performance and radiation safety compliance. Provides radiological physics services required by regulatory and accrediting agencies, including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Joint Commission, and applicable state and federal authorities. Maintains and oversees quality control programs for radiation-measuring and radiation-producing equipment. Provides clinical radiologic physics support to Diagnostic Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Oncology as appropriate to specialty. Independently performs advanced physics evaluations consistent with specialty requirements, including diagnostic imaging, mammography, nuclear medicine, and therapeutic equipment quality assurance. Serves as a senior technical resource and mentor to junior physicists, providing guidance on complex clinical issues, project development, and professional growth. Leads or contributes to developmental, quality improvement, and research-related projects within radiological physics. Develops and delivers education, training, and in-service programs related to radiation safety and radiological physics. Provides input into departmental budgeting, cost containment, and operational efficiency initiatives related to physics services and equipment performance. Maintains current professional knowledge and competencies through continuing education and engagement with professional standards and best practices.

Requirements

Master’s or Doctoral degree in Radiological Physics or a closely related field required.
Prior related experience required.
Diagnostic physicists must be able to independently perform evaluations of diagnostic equipment, including ACR testing of CT and MRI scanners and gamma cameras, and must be qualified to test mammography equipment under MQSA.
Therapeutic physicists must be able to independently perform annual and monthly linear accelerator quality assurance and be listed on the RAM license as an Authorized Medical Physicist.
Certification by the American Board of Radiology in Diagnostic Physics, Therapeutic Physics, or Physics of Nuclear Medicine, or an equivalent certification as appropriate, required.
Effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment in complex clinical and regulatory situations.
Ability to mentor and support junior staff.

Responsibilities

Measures, analyzes, and documents radiological physics data to support the clinical application of physics and radiation safety in medical settings.
Performs surveys and evaluations of radiation-producing equipment to assess clinical performance and radiation safety compliance.
Provides radiological physics services required by regulatory and accrediting agencies, including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Joint Commission, and applicable state and federal authorities.
Maintains and oversees quality control programs for radiation-measuring and radiation-producing equipment.
Provides clinical radiologic physics support to Diagnostic Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Oncology as appropriate to specialty.
Independently performs advanced physics evaluations consistent with specialty requirements, including diagnostic imaging, mammography, nuclear medicine, and therapeutic equipment quality assurance.
Serves as a senior technical resource and mentor to junior physicists, providing guidance on complex clinical issues, project development, and professional growth.
Leads or contributes to developmental, quality improvement, and research-related projects within radiological physics.
Develops and delivers education, training, and in-service programs related to radiation safety and radiological physics.
Provides input into departmental budgeting, cost containment, and operational efficiency initiatives related to physics services and equipment performance.
Maintains current professional knowledge and competencies through continuing education and engagement with professional standards and best practices.