Job Description
The Medical Dosimetrist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
Under direct supervision of the Manager of Medical Dosimetry, and on broader terms, under Director of Medical Physics, the Medical Dosimetrist provides accurate and meaningful treatment plans for the radiation oncology patients. The candidate should have creative ideas for treatment planning options, innovative techniques and methodology for optimization of the treatment plans that are optimum for the radiation treatment.
The Medical Dosimetrist should be able to coordinate with Radiation Oncologist, Physicist, Nursing, and Therapists regarding proper patient care. This position provides integrated clinical care and supports treatment planning, dosimetry in every aspect of the radiation treatment modalities such as 3DCRT, IMRT, VMAT, IGRT, SBRT and/or protons, as well as any future new technologies that may be acquired at the regional sites.
Responsibilities:
- The Medical Dosimetrist is responsible for developing computer generated treatment plans in order to deliver radiation to a defined tumor volume as prescribed by the radiation oncologist
- Coordinating with radiation oncologist, nursing and therapists for treatment simulation
- Understanding and implication of imaging artifacts either due to motion or prosthesis, understanding of imaging parameters, and image fusion for contouring in local software
- Should have a comprehensive understanding of anatomy for contouring normal structures in coordination with Radiation Oncologists
- Expertise in site specific treatment planning and should know every modules of the software, dose calculation algorithms, interplay between treatment parameters and dose accuracy
- Monitor Unit (MU) calculation in photon and electron beam
- Communicates with treatment team regarding treatment plan implementation, including: patient setup, immobilization devices, bolus, compensators, wedges, and field arrangements
- Provides support to therapists for DRR, kV and portal images, and other imaging parameters
- Clear understanding of advanced treatment planning techniques including beam modulation (FIF, IMRT, VMAT, SBRT, KBP (knowledge based planning), protons (where applicable), etc), as well as other treatment options as technology progresses
- Preparation of treatment plan documentation and transfer of treatment fields to record and verify system
- Knowledge of making photon and electron blocks, bolus and treatment aids
- Accurate billing of patient codes per planning/procedures
- On a regular basis, the Medical Dosimetrist will participate in Dosimetry Rounds/Chart Rounds, and staff/department meetings as scheduled
- Other tasks include communicating with outside institutions to bring in or export previous radiation dose files and doing dose summations and composite documentation for all patients with previous treatment
- Actively participates in the orientation and education of new students and staff members
- Assists in ensuring that all patients are treated in a safe and timely manner
- Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with staff throughout the department, promoting a positive work environment
- Maintains competencies and complies with continuing education requirements of credentialing agencies
