Medical Physicist Assistant

Medical Physicist Assistant

The Medical Physicist Assistant will have system wide responsibilities as the radiation safety coordinator. In the Radiation Oncology Department activities will be completed under the supervision of the Medical Physicists. They will be responsible for communicating frequently with the Medical Physicists about all variances, concerns and gaps in knowledge. They will be required to progressively work through competency assessments on radiation safety, external beam chart reviews, accelerator and beam data collection and review, brachytherapy data collection and review and gamma knife data collection and review.

Responsibilities

Perform periodic quality control (QC) of imaging and therapeutic devices to ensure radiation dose and image quality are appropriate for the task. Perform patient-specific dosimetric measurements, e.g., intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) quality assurance (QA), assay radioactive sources. Develop and monitor data analysis and statistical tools that track system accuracy and performance. Assist in the creation of safety and quality training for hospital personnel. Work with the Radiation Safety Office. Characterize and understand the application of current and new technology within a hospital setting. Participate in Quality Review Team variance review huddles and meetings.

Prepares all documents as requested by leaders and the radiation safety team. This may include, but is not limited to creation, modification and publication of system policies and procedures, collecting and organizing all State and Federal compliance documents, preparing radiation safety committee and sub-committee agendas, and meeting minutes. Responsible for data collection and submission timeliness of compliance documents to all regulatory agencies, including the Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NRC). Responsible for maintenance, modifications, new requests, and data extraction of the film badge software. Incumbent will draft regulatory amendments and review with RSO. Responsible for radiation safety policy and procedure drafting, editing, publication, and communication in conjunction with the RSO and RPS. Responsible for coordinating radiation safety education and training and will work with the education department for required e-Learning modules. Is a resource and point of contact for radiation safety policies, procedures, and training materials for the health system. Coordinates materials for meetings, prepares correspondence, notices and meeting minutes. Track tasks and actions items from various meetings and communicate as appropriate with responsible parties. The use of Microsoft Windows, Outlook, and other software will be essential to this position.

Answers the telephone, screens calls and takes messages for RSO, RPS, and radiation leadership as assigned. This person will be the intake for all system-wide radiation safety inquiries, requests, and questions as well as managing the radiation safety email activity. Required to triage and troubleshoot all radiation safety requests.

Engage in high quality discussions with the Medical Physicists that will include but is not limited to: seeking understanding of the chart review and reconciliation process, the communication tree and method to utilize for specific concerns, securing knowledge and understanding of changes and updates to policies and procedures, maintaining a working knowledge of standing policies and procedures, maintaining a working knowledge of regulatory guidelines, and review of the decision making processes and inputs. Additionally, these conversations will require the physicist to provide information to the Medical Physicists including but not limited to: notification of any variance outside of clearly defined or documented limits, gaps in understanding on any topic, and thought processes or considerations for the resolution of issues. Train with other roles within the department, especially dosimetry, to broaden understanding of the Radiation Oncology Program.

Acts as the liaison with our contract physics partner. Coordinates and manages the security protocols pertaining to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Communicates and gathers quotes from competitive vendor contracts for proposal review.

Remain in good standing with the academic center in which they are enrolled. Follows hospital dress code and wears appropriate monitoring device to detect personnel exposure. Understand the basic mechanics and function of the linear accelerator and other equipment and technologies within the department. Attends scheduled in-services to review policy/procedure and safety measures. Performs and documents proper charge capture for all procedures performed along with documentation of supervision. Participates in process improvement activities. Other duties as assigned.

Certifications and Licensures

BLS: Basic Life Support Required within 1 month of hire or transfer into position.

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree radiation therapy, radiology, nuclear medicine, or health physics (including biophysics) required. Must be currently enrolled in a Medical Physics master's degree Program.

Other Information

Must possess knowledge of radiation physics governing bodies including American Association of Physicists in Medicine and The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission as well as the American College of Radiology and the American Society for Radiation Oncology. Excellent verbal and writing communication skills are required. MyMichigan Health is a technology driven organization and employees need to demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows. An employee may be required to participate in further learning opportunities offered by MyMichigan Health. Experience in a radiation safety program preferred.

Physical/Mental Requirements and Typical Working Conditions

Will be required to travel to departments at various MyMichigan members, dependent on the need as determined by the Radiation Oncology Supervisors. Exposure to stressful situations, including those involving public contact, as well as trauma, grief and death. Able to wear personal protective equipment that includes latex materials or appropriate substitute if required for your position. Is able to move freely about facility with or without an assisted device and must be able to perform the functions of the job as outlined in the job description. Overall vision and hearing are necessary with or without assisted device(s). Frequently required to sit/stand/walk for long periods of time. May require frequent postural changes such as stooping, kneeling or crouching. Some exposure to blood borne pathogens and other potentially infectious material. Must follow MyMichigan Health bloodborne pathogen and TB testing as required. Ability to handle multiple tasks, get along with others, work independently, regular and predictable attendance and ability to stay awake. Overall dexterity is required including handling, reaching, grasping, fingering and feeling. May require repetition of these movements on a regular to frequent basis. Physical Demand Level: Light. Must be able to occasionally (0-33% of the workday) lift or carry 11-20 lbs., frequently (34-66% of the workday) 10 lbs. and or Walk/Stand/Push/Pull of Arm/Leg controls.