Dosimetrist

Summary

The Medical Dosimetrist is responsible for helping ensure that the Cancer Treatment Center’s Radiation Therapy patients receive accurate and safe treatment by creating optimal radiation therapy treatment plans in a timely, efficient, and accurate manner.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

These duties and responsibilities described below represent the general tasks performed on a daily basis; other tasks may be assigned.

• Design treatment plans 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.

• Identify and contour normal and dose-limiting structures by utilizing images from one or more data sets.

• Assume proficiency in image registration with various image data sets, including CT, MRI, and PET.

• Create and transfer reference images and localization markers for potential verification and treatment delivery to include DRRs, CBCTs, and other IGRT methods.

• Supervise, or assist in simulations and tumor localization using specified imaging devices including, but not limited to, CT and MRI.

• Supervise, perform, and/or assist in the planning and implementation of the fabrication of blocks, electron cutouts, compensation filters, custom shields, wedges, and other beam modifying devices.

• Supervise, perform, and/or assist in the planning and implementation of the production of molds, casts, and other immobilization devices.

• Communicate with the Radiation Therapist(s) and assist in the implementation of the treatment plan, including the correct use of immobilization devices, compensators, wedges, field arrangements, and other treatment or imaging parameters.

• Perform calculations for the accurate delivery of the prescribed dose, documenting all pertinent information in the patient’s chart, and verifying the mathematical accuracy of all calculations by the appropriate method.

• Assist the Medical Physicists in ensuring radiation safety and protection guidelines are followed.

• Ensure appropriate treatment machine and treatment plan quality assurance standards are followed.

• Perform quality assurance on the treatment planning computers as directed and supervised by medical physicist.

• Assist in brachytherapy procedures as directed by medical physicist.

• Teach applied aspects of Medical Dosimetry to students and radiation therapists.

• Participate in clinical research, continuing education, and quality improvement processes.

• Keep abreast of current trends in anatomy, physiology, clinical oncology, radiobiology, radiation physics, and radiation safety.

• Utilize expertise in the technical aspects of radiation oncology and medical physics to develop optimal treatment plans.

• Remain knowledgeable in healthcare informatics, including the resources, devices, and methods to acquire, store, and retrieve data.

• Attend required hospital-wide orientations, meetings, and in-services.

• Demonstrate a commitment to flexible work scheduling when necessary to ensure patient care.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Reports to: Operation Manager

Supervises: None

Responsibilities: Not applicable

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

Minimum Required Education:
High school diploma and successful completion of a certified Radiologic Technology Training program specialized in Radiation Therapy and Dosimetry

Preferred Education:
Formal training in a JCERT accredited Dosimetry program

Experience:
3 years as a Medical Dosimetrist in simulation, patient setup, and radiation therapy treatment planning

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Applicants must be certified by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board and able to work in the Commonwealth of Virginia.