Dosimetrist

General summary:

Medical dosimetrists are trained to work as team members in managing cancer patients going through radiation treatments. They are trained in all areas of basic medical physics with special emphasis in treatment planning. The primary role is to understand and integrate the clinical information specified by the radiation oncologist for each patient. They then utilize departmental resources to design optimal treatment strategies and to ensure that such treatments are properly delivered. They work closely with physicists, physicians, therapists, nurses, and engineers.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

A. Treatment Planning activities

The routine treatment planning activities are usually carried out by medical dosimetrists. Irradiation modalities may include both external and brachytherapy sources. The tasks include:

1. Collection and analysis of patient data; interaction with radiation oncologists to define target volumes and critical structures.

2. Design of an optimal approach for the treatment.

3. Basic dose calculation and 2D, 3D, IMRT, SBRT, SRS/SRT or Adaptive treatment planning using treatment planning software on several different platforms

4. Competency in multiple treatment sites and treatment techniques

5. Participation in implementation of new techniques and new treatment modalities for radiation therapy

6. Design of immobilization device(s) or other accessories to ensure reproducibility of the treatments and conformation to the plan and/or the simulation.

7. Design of custom shielding blocks, compensators and other beam modifying devices to optimize dose distributions.

8. Radiation dosage calculation and documentation of radiation beam output according to the plan and the physician's description.

9. Teach medical dosimetry to students, residents and visitors

10. Participate in continuing education and quality improvement processes.

11. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as necessary. These fall under the activities described in the scope of position.

Qualifications

A. Education

Bachelor's degree in physics or related science major topic is a requirement for this position.

Knowledgeable in the areas of anatomy, physiology, clinical oncology, radiobiology, radiation physics and radiation safety.

Knowledgeable in the technical aspects of radiation oncology and medical physics and able to develop clinical treatment plans.

Practical knowledge of health care informatics: resources, devices and methods to acquire, store and retrieve data required for the treatment planning process.

B. Experience and certification:

Certification by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) and at least 4 years of practical planning experience is required

C. Other skill requirements

The dosimetrists must be mature, considerate and honest individuals as they interact with multiple disciplines that are involved in their daily routines towards successful patient treatment. Professionally, they should have the ability and the desire to provide competent and efficient health care. Because of the multitude and diversity of treatment data involved in their daily work, dosimetrists should have the ability to attend to details in complex processes. Furthermore, they should have the desire and capacity to learn and expand their knowledge.

BWH is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.