Chief Medical Physicist

Overview

The Chief Medical Physicist is in charge of all technical aspects of the Radiation Oncology department to include treatment planning, quality assurance, new treatment modalities, dosimetry, and recommendations on new equipment purchases. He is also responsible for supervising the activities of the departmental physicists and dosimetrists.

Responsibilities

Supervise and evaluate the performances of departmental medical physicists and dosimetrists who report directly to him. Develop and maintain the quality assurance program for patient's treatment. Assure that all quality assurance reviews are done and documented throughout the entire patient's treatment course. Develop and maintain the quality assurance program on all the software and equipment related to patient's treatment planning, delivery, and evaluation in the department. Assure that all required quality assurance tests are done and documented, keeping all radiation oncology equipment in good working condition. Develop and maintain departmental radiation safety program to ensure the radiation safety of patients, staff, and general public in the department. Ensure all the requirements set by the regulatory agencies are met and maintained. Evaluate, develop, and implement new treatment modalities and their policies and procedures. Participate in equipment planning, program planning, staff review, and budget preparation. Oversee the mechanical aspects of radiation oncology equipment and the related equipment maintenance; perform the quality assurance tests on the equipment. Maintain the functions, calibrations, and documentation of the equipment used for quality assurance tests. Plan and direct all technical aspects of the department including external beam radiation treatments, radiopharmaceutical treatments, brachytherapy, and special treatment procedures. Responsible for the training of all appropriate staff in the use of and maintenance of department equipment, procedures, devices, and techniques used in radiation oncology. Responsible for the training of hospital staff in the appropriate care of patients receiving radioactive materials or who have had radiation doses delivered to them Perform quality assurance review on each patient's treatment throughout the entire treatment course. Perform special physics task related to patient's treatment as requested by the radiation oncologist. Review, investigate, and report any radiation safety event that was reported by radiation oncology staff. Perform patient-specific radiation dose measurement for dose calculation or dose verification. Inspect, evaluate, and resolve ASAP any machine or patient's treatment issue reported by the therapy staff. Responsible for writing and reviewing policies and procedures as they relate to the department of radiation oncology. Responsible for the maintenance of proper records in the radiation oncology department for JCAHO, NRC, the state of Alabama, and any other regulatory agencies. Serve as a member of the Radiation Safety Committee and other committees as designated by the director of the cancer center.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in medical physics or physics with appropriate certification by a national organization.
• Minimum of five years' experience in radiation oncology preferably with some supervisory experience.
• Must have significant knowledge of equipment and mechanical aspects of radiation therapy department.
• Must be able to read, write legibly, speak and comprehend English.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• M-Medium Work - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.
• Physical presence onsite is essential. Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range. Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Frequently contact with others face-to-face or by phone, email or task alert.