Proton Medical Physicist

Overview

Job Summary

Provides physics services related to the planning and delivery of therapeutic radiation treatment in accordance with the Radiation Oncologist's prescription. Provides technical leadership including clinical set-up expertise to radiation oncologists, dosimetrists and therapists. Performs quality assurance checks according to NC state requirements and industry standards for all department equipment.

Essential Functions

• Works collaboratively with radiation oncologists, medical dosimetrists, and radiation therapists to provide technical expertise in treatment planning, patient setup, and treatment delivery.
• Performs quality assurance checks based on industry standards on all equipment including, but not limited to, linear accelerators; CT scanners; treatment planning systems; and brachytherapy sources and equipment per AAPM recommendations and regulatory requirements.
• Maintains a high level of expertise in the use of the treatment planning and treatment delivery hardware and software and performs routine quality assurance checks and peer reviews of treatment plan quality.
• Performs physics chart checks during the course of care for patients under treatment; makes recommendations for policy and procedure updates; and provides oversight for the technical aspects of the treatment delivery process.
• Supports the physicians and chief medical physicist in the analysis and review of new and existing treatment delivery methods and makes evidenced based recommendations.
• Recommends opportunities for performance improvement and leads performance improvement projects; participates in research; and maintains a current industry knowledge by attending industry meetings and reviewing industry journals.
• Collaborates with physics and dosimetry staff at other enterprise locations for best practices.
• Provides staff in-services; radiation safety education; and participates in the instruction of radiation therapy students rotating through the clinic.
• In conjunction with the chief medical physicist, works closely with radiology, as needed, for advanced imaging techniques and QA that benefit radiation oncology patients.

Physical Requirements
This position requires frequent to moderate heavy lifting, pulling, pushing and carrying in excess of 100 pounds. Requires frequent walking, standing, stooping and reaching. Manual dexterity required. Heavy concentration with computers. Environment is climate controlled. Exposure to radiation, chemicals, pathogens and patient body fluids.

Education, Experience and Certifications

Master's Degree in Medical Physics or equivalent field of study. Board Certified in Therapeutic Radiologic Physics by the American Board of Radiology or its International equivalent preferred. 3 years experience as a Radiation Medical Physicist preferred.

Additional Essential Functions
Treatment Planning
• Acquire/review all proton dosimetry data required for accurate calculation of patient treatments. Verify accuracy of computer calculations and approve for clinical use. Review regularly and update as required in accordance with established QA program.
• Review and approve for clinical use all new and special treatment procedures. Periodically review current treatment procedures and update as required. Initiate and periodically review a procedure manual for standard calculation techniques.
• Calculate or review and approve for submission benchmark calculations and studies done for formal clinical trials and protocols. Review before treatment protocol patients and review the documentation of their treatment before submission.
• Create a library of disease-specific cases with proton vs IMRT plan comparisons for training and reference use by dosimetry staff.
• Assist in providing software and hardware vendors with a works-in progress list of quality performance issues, bugs, desired features, and overall performance to ultimately enhance our clinical operation.

Maintenance and Quality Assurance (QA)
• Perform or review regular calibrations and routine QA checks on all radiation producing equipment. Perform and evaluate annual calibration of all radiation producing equipment and maintain appropriate records. Update treatment planning computer systems, charts and tables as appropriate.
• Review results of test procedures for computer software updates and approve for clinical use.
• Supports weekly chart review for patients under treatment.
• Participate in weekly chart review as assigned.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive process for patient-specific QA.

Other Related Functions
• With appropriate training and demonstrated competency, perform other duties as assigned or needed including assisting in all aspects of QA, weekly chart checks, morning warm-up procedures, special procedures, and coverage for non-proton modalities. Assist with Gamma Knife stereotactic radiotherapy and radiation protection tasks related to radiopharmaceutical administrations.
• Participates in mentoring and didactic teaching of medical physics residents and other trainees.
• Supports commissioning and acceptance of the proton therapy system.
Additional Training and Certifications
• Proton therapy experience is highly desired.