Dosimetrist

Overview

Department/Unit:
Radiation Oncology Physics & Dosimetry

Work Shift:

Day (United States of America)

Salary Range: $ - $

The Medical Dosimetrist is a member of the radiation therapy planning team, familiar with the physical and geometric characteristics of radiation equipment and radioactive sources commonly employed, with the training and expertise necessary to generate radiation dose distributions and calculations under the directions of the Radiation Oncologist and Medical Physicist. (S) he communicates with the therapists to assure correct implementation of the treatment planning and assists during simulations and with the fabrication of custom designed blocks and molds as needed.

Duties also include preparation for, and assistance with all types of brachy therapy procedures and quality assurance of treatment machines.

The Medical Dosimetrist is a member of the radiation therapy planning team, familiar with the physical and geometric characteristics of radiation equipment and radioactive sources commonly employed, with the training and expertise necessary to generate radiation dose distributions and calculations under the directions of the Radiation Oncologist and Medical Physicist. (S) he communicates with the therapists to assure correct implementation of the treatment planning and assists during simulations and with the fabrication of custom designed blocks and molds as needed.

Duties also include preparation for, and assistance with all types of brachy therapy procedures and quality assurance of treatment machines.

Primary Age Groups Served: All ages.

Education, Licensure and Certification

Required:

Certified as a Medical Dosimetrist or to have the educational background as required to qualify for the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) Exam.

Experience: 1 year

And any of the following 4 options:

• Certified Medical Dosimetrist. (MDCB)
• A graduate of a formal university, college or hospital based dosimetry program.
• Registered Radiation Therapist. (ARRT)
• A bachelor’s degree in the physical or biological sciences.

• Design a 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. The types of plans required are 2D planning, 3D conformal planning, IMRT/VMAT planning, 4D planning and SRS/SBRT planning.
• Identify and contour normal and dose-limiting structures by utilizing images from one or more data sets. Assumes proficiency in image registration with various image data sets to include CT, MRI and PET.
• Create and transfer reference images and localization markers for portal verification and treatment delivery to include DRRs, CBCTs and other IGRT methods, as specified.
• Oversee, perform, or assist in simulations and tumor localization using specified imaging devices including, but not limited to CT, MRI, and PET.
• Oversee, perform, or assist in the planning and implementation of the fabrication of compensation filters, custom shields, wedges, and other beam modifying devices.
• Oversee, perform, or assist in the planning and implementation of the production of molds, casts, and other immobilization devices.
• Communicate with the radiation therapist(s) and assume an advisory role in the implementation of the treatment plan including: the correct use of immobilization devices, compensators, wedges, field arrangement, and other treatment or imaging parameters.
• 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 by an approved method.
• 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.
• Operates and performs quality assurance, under the direction of the Medical Physicist, on the treatment planning computer(s) and radiation oncology equipment.
• Oversee, perform, or assist in the application of specific methods of patient and/or beam dosimetry as directed…