[Hiring] Medical Dosimetrist @WVU Medicine

Role Description

The Medical Dosimetrist is a member of the radiation oncology team who has knowledge of the overall characteristics and clinical relevance of radiation oncology in the management of cancer or other disease processes, with special expertise in radiation therapy treatment planning. The essential responsibility of the Medical Dosimetrist is to demonstrate an understanding of topics including, but not limited to:

• Cancer
• Radiation biology
• Radiation therapy techniques
• Radiation oncology physics
• Equipment technology
• Radiation safety and protection
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Mathematics

Once the treatment plan has been generated, the Medical Dosimetrist is responsible for communicating the plan to the Radiation Oncologist, and then to the Radiation Therapist for implementation. The Medical Dosimetrist must maintain a commitment to a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail, and safety. Critical thinking skills are essential when performing treatment planning, plan evaluation, recognizing and resolving equipment problems, and treatment discrepancies.

Qualifications

• Must be board eligible for the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) exam.
• Must obtain Medical Dosimetrist certification through the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) within one (1) year of hire.
• State criminal background check and Federal (if applicable), as required for regulated areas.

Requirements

• Certified Medical Dosimetrist through the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB).
• Completion of a formal medical dosimetry program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
• Three (3) years of medical dosimetry experience.
• Experience with Varian Eclipse and ARIA.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Assemble data to identify and contour normal and dose-limiting structures by utilizing images from one or more data sets.
• Design a treatment plan with optimal beam geometry to deliver a prescribed radiation dose and spare critical structures.
• Create and transfer reference images and localization markers for portal verification and treatment delivery.
• Supervise or assist in simulations and tumor localization using specified imaging devices.
• Supervise, perform, or assist in the planning and implementation of the fabrication of compensation filters, custom shields, wedges, and other beam modifying devices.
• Supervise, 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.
• Develop optimal treatment strategies that result in attainable radiation therapy plans.
• Maintain accurate evaluation of information generated from radiation treatment plans.
• Perform calculations for the accurate delivery of the prescribed dose in MU.
• Maintain accurate transfer and documentation of treatment parameters.
• Provide assistance and technical support to the Medical Physicist.
• Operate and perform quality assurance on the treatment planning computer(s).
• Supervise, perform, or assist in the application of specific methods of patient and/or beam dosimetry.
• Assist in brachytherapy procedures by performing treatment planning and dose calculations.
• Participate in the quality improvement processes by performing periodic checks.

Physical Requirements

• The following items under physical demands, psychological demands, work demands, and exposure category describe the basic extent of physical demands performed by staff in this position.

Working Environment

• Cognizant of environmental factors, infection control issues, and maintains a safe environment.
• Quiet office setting with private workstation.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to be scheduled for work based on operational needs of the hospital.
• Possesses the ability to deal tactfully and harmoniously with guests.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and follows correct chain of command in handling challenges and issues.
• Assumes responsibility by ensuring continued professional growth of self.
• Ability to organize and prioritize time and tasks to achieve a well-coordinated work effort.

Additional Job Description

• Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40
• Shift: Exempt/Non-Exempt: United States of America (Exempt)
• Company: WVUH West Virginia University Hospitals
• Cost Center: 158 WVUH Cancer Radiation Oncology