Radiation oncology clinical physicists are professionals primarily engaged in the evaluation, planning, delivery and optimization of radiation treatments. A primary responsibility is the accurate determination and specification of the radiation dosage for each treatment. The treatment planning functions include consultation with the clinician to design treatment plans, the preparation of the technical details for the deliveries, the correct implementation of the treatment plan, and the quality assurance and progress review of the treatment. Physicists with expertise in computer science applications will develop digital solutions to provide cost effective processes to integrate the above activities. At a more basic but critical level, clinical physicists develop and implement radiation dosimetry protocols and data bases for all radiation sources in the department (from machines, and sealed brachytherapy sources) to meet national and State standards. They report to the section chief or the Chief of Medical Physics.
II. Principal responsibilities:
Patient Care:
1. Work along side with radiation oncologists to provide all the needed support for safe radiation treatments, including simulations, image processing, treatment plan designs and treatment deliveries to ensure correct radiation dosages and patient safety including decision to suspend treatments when necessary.
2. Participate and supervise all brachytherapy applications including dosimetric verification, treatment planning, documentation, and all radiation safety issues, including decision to stop treatments.
3. Implement special irradiation procedures, such as intensity modulated therapy, image guided radiation therapy, total body irradiation, stereotactic radiosurgery.
4. Participate in departmental chart reviews, experimental trials, national clinical protocols, and provide documentation to support these efforts.
Coordinate with other departments and integrate medical imaging information to assure patient care is seamless.
B. Clinical physics duties
1. Develop and implement protocols for radiation dose specifications to meet national and state regulations.
2. Develop and maintain a State mandated Quality Management Program (QMP) covering external beam procedures and material license applications (brachytherapy and radiopharmaceuticals for therapy)
Develop and implement quality assurance programs and dosimetric verification procedures for patients undergoing treatments.
Design treatment facilities to meet the national and State radiation protection guidelines.
Assume key role in purchase acquisition, installation, and commissioning of all new machines and treatment planning systems.
Design computer programs to improve comprehensive analyses, processing and integration of imaging, planning and delivery information for maximum operational efficiency and accuracy. This is essential for image-guided and robotic techniques.
Work with engineers in the diagnosis, repair, maintenance, including assessment for release of treatment machines for clinical use.
C. Leadership and management responsibilities
1. Assist in supervision, coaching, training of dosimetrists, junior physicists, and physics assistants, and other radiation therapy personnel.
2. Assist section chief in management of team effort.
3. Assist the hospital administration by assuming a key role in managing the technical aspects of clinical programs: implementation, quality assurance, documentation.
4. Apply quality improvement measures to enhance efficiency and safety of clinical programs.
5. Work closely with administration to provide accurate documentation for billing and charge capture to insure compliance.
6. Work with Administration on strategic and fiscal planning for on campus and outreach programs.
Qualifications
III. Requirement:
A: Education:
At least a Masters Degree in Medical Physics, preferably a Ph.D.
B: Experience/Education:
Clinical experience in radiation oncology physics is an advantage for this position. Evidence of the ability to act in a leadership/management role in his/her area of expertise, and computer programming experience are desired. Certification in Radiation Oncology Physics from the American Board of Radiology, American Board of Medical Physics or Canadian Board of Medical Physics is required.
EEO Statement
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.
