Medical Physicist

Job Title: Medical Physicist
Location: Boston, MA 
Duration: 3 to 6 Months (possible extension)
 
Schedule: Regular Business Hours
 
Position Summary:
Under general supervision of the Chief of Physics, performs patient treatment planning and dose calculation, plan peer review, plan second and weekly checks, and review/submission of patient charges. Also participates in commissioning of new radiation modalities and software, and assists in routine quality assurance of equipment and software.
 
Department: Radiation Oncology
 
Essential Responsibilities/Duties:

• Provides general clinical physics coverage for a wide range of treatment activities including external beam (photon and electron), , IMRT, brachytherapy and radiosurgery.
• Responsible for quality assurance tasks of all equipment and software including, but not limited to, daily, monthly and annual quality assurance (QA). Appropriately documents and tracks quality assurance requirements per departmental policies.
• Maintains and documents QA compliance of assigned treatment equipment/software as set forth by the vendor, state, federal, ACR, AAPM and Client.
• Provides physics consultation to physicians in target volume definition, treatment planning and treatment techniques, and special requests (such as re-treatment, pacemaker and diode measurements, operative brachytherapy, and clinical trial).
• Provides technical consultation to dosimetrists and treatment planners for treatment techniques, dosimetry considerations, etc.
• Provide peer treatment planning review.
• Commissions new or updated radiation treatment equipment and software, as designated by the Chief Physicist.
• Participates on the Departmental Quality Assurance committee.
• Participates in weekly patient Chart Rounds, weekly physics’ meetings, monthly Departmental staff meetings,, and other meeting as deemed necessary.
• Works with the Chief and Vendor to maintain the treatment equipment and software quality and reliability.
• Responsible for patient-specific QA tasks including plan checks, chart checks, dose verification measurements, etc.
• Designs treatment plans that will deliver prescribed radiation dose, considering dose-limiting structures, and document dose and field placement technique in accordance with the radiation oncologist’s prescription.
• Coordinates treatment simulations and tumor localization on dedicated devices, including CT, MRI, and PET when indicated for radiation oncology treatment planning.
• Performs or assists in the planning of the production of molds, casts and other immobilization devices.
• Instructs the therapist staffing the implementation of the treatment plan including the correct use of compensators, wedges, field arrangement, and other treatment variables (such as structure for cone beam).
• Supports clinical research projects including clinical trial protocol development and implementation.
• Provides prompt and timely completion of Cooperative Group Research credentialing, as needed, and subsequent submission of data.
• Contributes to the education of medical students, residents, physics post-docs, and dosimetry and radiation therapy students.
• Performs in-service education sessions for any members of the team related to specific treatment procedures and techniques.
• Contributes, upon request, to radiation safety measurements and verification, new treatment facility design and shielding calculations.
• Initiates and participates in departmental and hospital quality improvement activities.
• Participates in continuing education in the area of current treatment planning techniques, and advances in medical dosimetry/physics.  If PhD and American Board of Radiology (ABR) certified, participates in Maintenance of Certification (MOC).
• Follows hospital and departmental infection control and safety procedures.
• Observes the general rules, regulations and requirements of the hospital and department.
• Responsible for the maintenance of own certification in therapeutic physics.

 
Job Requirements:
Education:

• A minimum of a Master of Science in physics is required.

 
Certifications, Licenses and Registrations Required:

• Must be certified by the American Board of Radiology for Therapeutic Physics at hire or within 90 days of hire.

 
Experience, Knowledge & Skills:

• The candidate must have a solid foundation in physics at the graduate level and an understanding of therapeutic physics in a hospital setting.
• Ability to function independently and understand the technical aspects of radiation oncology and medical physics
• Ability to perform quality assurance
• Working knowledge of radiation safety and current regulations of the Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail and to clarity in documentation.
• Ability to work collaboratively and to build and sustain collegial working relationships.