Dosimetrist - Santa Clara, United States - Kaiser Permanente

Description

Job Summary:
Dosimetrist provides comprehensive treatment plans for patients undergoing radiation therapy and coordinates assoicated dosimetry plan procedures with members of the Radiation Oncology team. Dosimetrist has knowledge of the overall characteristics of radiation oncology treatment and imaging equipment and is cognizant of and maintains proficiency in modern treatment planning and delivery procedures used in the Radiation Oncology, including, but not limited to 3DCRT, IMRT, VMAT, SRS/SBRT, IORT, Brachytherapy. The Dosimetrist also plays a key role in overall quality assurance (QA) efforts by performing radiation dose vrifications with additional calculations and measurements, multi-modality image analysis and other physics support such as QA and patient-specific QA measurements, radiation survey, and calibration of radiation eimitting devices, as directed by the Medical Physicist.
Essential Responsibilities:

• Design radiation treatment plans by means of computer and/or manual computation that will administer a prescribed radiation dose via various delivery techniques in accordance with the radiation oncologists prescription and/or directive(s). Verify the mathematical accuracy of all calculations using systems(s) established by the medical physicist.
• Document all pertinet medical information in the patient record, electronically or otherwise in accordance with existing local and national guidelines, rules and regulations.
• Possess knowledge of two-dimensional and three-dimensional anatomy using various imaging modalities (planar x-rays, CT, MRI, PET, PET/CT and ultrasound)
• Perform multi-modality image review as necessary including rigid and deformable registrations and identify, contour critical anatomical structures in various anatomical images (e.g. CT, MRI, PET, ultrsound)
• Have knowledge of critical organs and consider their dose-limits in the design of treatment plans in accordance with department guidelines and/or radiation oncologists directive(s).
• Consult with the radiation therapy, medical physics and physician team members and advise in the design of optimal treatment positioning and associated treatment aids, molds, casts and immobilization devices for the patient.
• Perform or assist in the planning and fabrication of compensation filters, 2D and 3D molds, custom shields, missing tissue compensators, bolus and other mean modifying devices.
• Perform or assist in the application of specific methods of radiation dose measurements including the use of ionization chambers, electronic portal imaging, in-vivo dosimetry, film or other measurement techniques as directed by the medical physicist.
• Fulfill all quality assurance and documentation requirements for patients enrolled under various clinical or institutional trials, study and protocols and perform/assist with data collection and submisson.
• Participate in investigative projects and clinical initiatives as requested in areas of treatment planning, image analysis, quality assurance, documentation and maintenance of patient databases.
• Actively participate in continuing education in current treatment planning techniques, and advances in the field of radiation oncology and medical physics.
• Attend, participate and present cases in chart rounds, tumor boards and other multi-disciplinary conferences as requested.
• Provide input for the completion of employee performance appraisals, performance improvement initiatives and actively participate in the recruitment of new personnel as requested.

Basic Qualifications:
Experience

• N/A

Education

• Bachelors degree or higher OR Associate degree for candidates with active MDCB certification.
• MDCB Certified OR Graduate from a JRCERT accredited Medical Dosimetry program OR eligible for certification by the MDCB within 3 years of hire.
• High school diploma OR General Education Diploma (GED) required.

License, Certification, Registration

• Medical Dosimetrist Certificate within 36 months of hire

Additional Requirements:

• Demonstrated ability to utilize/apply knowledge of computers, computer treatment planning, planning techniques and procedures; knowledge of radiation physics, dosimetry and State, Federal, and local radiation regulations.
• Must be able to work in a Labor/Management Partnership environment.
• Board certification by Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) OR
• A non-certified medical dosimetrist must:
• Fulfill the eligibility criteria established by MDCB as demonstrated by:
• An active registration to take a scheduled exam administered by MDCB or
• A letter of eligibility by MDCB

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as a certified medical dosimetrist
• Experience with Varian Eclipse treatment planning, ARIA electronic charting and EPIC medical records systems preferred
• Previous work experience as a radiation therapist
• Provide a diploma from Medical Dosimetry JRCERT accredited program of at least 12 months OR
• Completion of at least 36 months (or FTE hours 5,460) clinical medical dosimetry experience within the last six years under the direction of a certified medical dosimetrist or a medical physicist AND
• Completed 24 CE credits approved by the MDCB during your 36 months (or 35 hours per week full time equivalent) clinical experience. The proof of completion must display the MDCB course reference number and must have been completed within the three years.

Secondary Functions:

• Schedule may vary to meet operational needs.