Radiation Oncology Medical Staff Physicist | United Hospital Center | Bridgeport, WV | WVU Medicine

Medical Physicist

Applies knowledge and methodology of science of physics to all aspects of medicine, to address problems related to diagnosis and treatment of human disease. Advises and consults with physicians in such applications as use of ionizing radiation in diagnosis, therapy, treatment planning with externally delivered radiation as well as use of internally implanted radioactive sources.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

• Registered Medical Physicist with the WV Department of Health
• Certified in Therapeutic Medical Physics through one of the following: OR obtain within three (3) years of hire:
• American Board of Radiology (ABR)
• The Canadian College of Physics in Medicine
• The American Board of Medical Physics (ABMP)

Experience:

• Two (2) years of clinical experience OR Two (2) years of residency experience in medical physics.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Three (3) years of clinical experience.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

• The design, optimization, technical evaluation, and precise and accurate delivery of treatment plans.
• Maintain quality control of measurement instruments used to calibrate all treatment equipment and patient monitoring devices (e.g., ionization chambers, electrometers, constancy check instruments, water phantoms).
• Participate in the specification, selection, acceptance, and commissioning of radiation-producing equipment, accessories, and computerized treatment planning systems.
• Provide clinical support which includes, but is not limited to, patient specific dose measurements, appropriate use of multi-leaf collimators (MLC's), and special external beam treatment techniques (e.g., SRS, SBRT, IMRT, IGRT, TBI, and HDR brachytherapy).
• Maintain those aspects of the Quality Management (QM) program that involve the use of the external beam radiotherapy equipment.
• Participate in the development, implementation, supervision, and review of the policies and procedures that encompass radiation therapy equipment.
• Verify that all external beam radiation therapy equipment meets the manufacturer's specifications and establish baseline performance values for new or refurbished equipment or for equipment following major repair.
• Perform routine review of all patient treatment plans which includes a review of patient and dosimetric data as well as beam and machine parameters.
• Participate in weekly department-wide chart rounds to ensure the fulfillment of the prescription and review any changes in dose, patient setup(s), and simulation.
• Perform a weekly review of each patient's record to ensure accuracy of calculations, appropriateness of charting data, and fulfillment of the physician's written prescription.
• Perform an end of treatment review of the patient's entire record to affirm the fulfillment of the initial and/or revised prescription dose.
• Perform special medical physics consults as ordered by the radiation oncologist(s).

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prolonged periods of sitting or standing.
• Visual strain may be encountered in viewing computer screens.

Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Normal office environment.
• Work may also include exposure to ionizing radiation during brachytherapy procedures.
• Some travel may be required.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to multi-task