Senior Dosimetrist

Boston Medical Center•Boston, MA

About The Position

Under direct supervision of Chief of Physics, per-diem senior dosimetrist provides comprehensive treatment plans for patients undergoing radiation therapy. The per-diem senior dosimetrist is expected to have knowledge of the overall characteristics of radiation oncology treatment machines and equipment, is cognizant of procedures commonly used in in treatment of cancer patients (e.g., 3DCRT, IMRT, VMAT, SBRT) and has the education and expertise necessary to generate radiation dose distributions and dose calculations in collaboration with clinical team.

Requirements

Meets all the educational requirements established by MDCB to maintain board certification by MDCB.
A Bachelor's degree and more than 5 years of active clinical experience as a medical dosimetrist are required.
Certified Medical Dosimetrist by MDCB
Ability to understand the technical aspects of radiation oncology and medical physics, sufficient to produce computerized treatment plans and to communicate all relevant information to other members of the treatment team.
Ability to perform routine duties independent of supervision, consulting with the radiation oncologist and physicist as needed.
Ability to interpret and execute treatment plans as defined in relevant treatment protocols.
Knowledge of bony and soft-tissue anatomy sufficient for effective treatment plan design and assessment.
Familiarity with clinical radiation biology including dose fractionation, early and late effects, and normal tissue tolerances.
Must be experienced and comfortable with computer operations and functions.
Working knowledge of radiation safety and current regulations of the Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health.
Mathematical skills including algebra and trigonometry, and good three-dimensional spatial visualization.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Attention to detail and to clarity in documentation.
Ability to work collaboratively and to build and sustain collegial working relationships.

Nice To Haves

Perform rigid or deformable image fusion of various imaging technologies as requested and/or necessary.
Perform or assist in the planning and construction of the production of molds, casts and other immobilization devices.
Participate in clinical research for the development and implementation of new techniques.
Assist faculty members with clinical/academic projects in areas of treatment planning, documentation and identifying patient databases.

Responsibilities

Design a treatment plan by means of computer and/or manual computation that will deliver a prescribed radiation dose and field placement technique in accordance with the radiation oncologist’s prescription to a defined tumor volume.
Perform monitor unit/timer setting dose calculations using manual or software based systems.
Identify and contour normal and critical anatomical structures using various imaging modalities (e.g. CT, MRI, PET, US).
Consider dose-limiting structures in the design of treatment plans and document dose in accordance with the radiation oncologist’s prescription.
Perform or assist in the planning of the fabrication of compensation filters, custom shields, wedges, and other beam modifying devices.
Perform or assist in the planning and construction of the production of molds, casts and other immobilization devices.
Consult with the therapy, physics and physician team members and advice in designing optimal treatment positioning and associated treatment aids for the patient.
Instruct the therapist staff on the implementation of the treatment plan including the correct use of compensators, wedges, field arrangement, and other treatment variables.
Perform treatment planning and calculations for the accurate delivery of the radiation oncologist’s prescribed dose, document all pertinent information in the patient record, electronically or otherwise, and verify the mathematical accuracy of all calculations using a system established by the medical physicist.
Conduct all necessary quality assurance practices on treatment plans as established by department policy and procedures.
Fulfill all quality assurance and documentation requirements for patients enrolled under various trials, study and protocols and perform/assist with data collection and submission.
Perform or assist in the application of specific methods of dosimetry including ion chamber, TLD, or film measurement as directed by the medical physicist.
Perform or assist in performing pre-treatment and continuous quality assurance checks of the patient treatment plans and ensure treatment deliveries occur according to approved treatment plan.
Attend, participate and present cases in chart rounds, tumor boards and other multi-disciplinary conferences as requested.
Assist in intra-cavitary and interstitial Brachytherapy procedures and in the subsequent manual and/or computer calculation of the dose distributions of these treatments.
Teach applied aspects of medical dosimetry to students and residents as assigned.
Comply with all billing, coding and reimbursement requirements and ensure appropriate documentation necessary for the submitted procedure codes.
Participate in clinical research for the development and implementation of new techniques.
Assist faculty members with clinical/academic projects in areas of treatment planning, documentation and identifying patient databases.
Actively participate in continuing education in the area of current treatment planning techniques, and advances in medical dosimetry.
Must adhere to all of BMC’s RESPECT behavioral standards.