JOB SUMMARY:
The medical dosimetrist is a member of the radiation oncology team who has knowledge of the overall characteristics and clinical relevance of radiation oncology in the management of cancer or other disease processes, with special expertise in radiation therapy treatment planning.
Medical dosimetrists develop, optimize, and monitor patient treatment plans and provide oversight to high-level treatment procedures. Accurate calculations are required for all treatment plan implementation including both external and brachytherapy. The medical dosimetrist must have knowledge of the overall characteristics and clinical relevance in the management of cancer and other radio-responsive conditions and provide input for the use of ancillary treatment devices and patient immobilization techniques. The medical dosimetrist must accurately transfer and document treatment parameters either manually or electronically. Written and oral communication skills are required.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES:
- Designing radiation treatment plans to deliver precise levels of radiation doses with optimal beam geometry.
- Identifying and contouring normal and dose-limiting structures by utilizing images from one or more data sets.
- Creating and transferring reference images and localization markers for portal verification and treatment delivery.
- Using specified imaging devices, such as CT, MRI, and PET scans, to supervise, perform, or assist in simulations or tumor localization.
- Planning and implementing the fabrication of compensation filters, wedges, custom shields, and other beam-modifying devices.
- Performing calculations to ensure accurate delivery of the prescribed radiation dose.
- Documenting all pertinent information in patient records.
- Verifying the mathematical accuracy of all calculations by an approved method.
- Providing support and assistance to medical physicists.
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:
- Knowledgeable in the areas of anatomy, physiology, clinical oncology, radiobiology, radiation physics, and radiation safety.
- Expertise in the technical aspects of radiation oncology and medical physics to develop optimal treatment plans which include multi-modality (MR, PET) imaging for use in rigid and deformable registration, respiratory gating, and daily assessment of CBCT for dose tracking and possible treatment adaptation.
- Knowledgeable in health care informatics-including the resources, devices, and methods to acquire, store and retrieve data. Tools include computers and software such as Word, Excel, and Powerpoint as well as clinical guidelines, current medical terminology, information, and communication systems.
- Possess good communication and interpersonal skills to facilitate the exchange of information with patients, family members, the radiation oncology treatment team as well as outside entities.
- Has high-level critical thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability to make quick evaluations and decisions for online adaptive responsibilities.
- Works independently, but in collaboration with the Radiation Oncologist and Medical Physicist.
- Has working knowledge of radiation safety principles and practices as well as current rules and regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other regulatory agencies.
- Has the ability to interpret criteria and develop treatment plans as defined by relevant treatment protocols.
- Has mathematical skills including algebra, trigonometry, and introductory calculus.
- Knowledgeable in conducting clinical research including collecting data, implementing a study, and writing papers for publication.
- General understanding of scripting across various programing languages.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- It is expected that an individual will hold him/herself qualified to practice in medical dosimetry only when the knowledge and skills to perform dosimetry tasks have been established.
- An individual shall be considered eligible to practice if he/she is certified by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board.
- The MDCB requires a Baccalaureate Degree to sit for their exam by the year 2017 and the AAMD fully supports that educational level for new candidates.
TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Able to lift 10 pounds for routine performance of essential functions
- They are required to precisely document treatment plans, a responsibility that takes a good deal of time. They frequently consult with physicians, with patients and their families and with the radiation oncology team.
- The very nature of this work places the medical dosimetrist in close proximity to radioactive materials. Proper safety precautions are absolutely necessary to minimize exposure.
Email mhoatson@yourcancercare.com with any questions, or use the link below to apply!
