GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Staff Physicist works within the Department of Radiation Oncology. They report to the Chief of Physics and work under the guidance of the Director of Clinical Physics and Medical Physicist Ld. They perform and review all aspects of radiotherapy patient and equipment related planning and quality assurance. The primary responsibility of the Staff Physicist is to assure the best possible treatment is provided to the patients in Radiation Oncology. The Staff Physicist in Radiation Oncology responsibilities will include clinical service, research/development and education/training based on the assignments from the Chief of Physics and Director of Clinical Physics.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Clinical Service, Technical Management and Consultation

a. Manage and monitor clinical treatment process, procedure and staff performing daily calibrations for all therapy and imaging equipment, and radioactive sources.

b. Manage and perform acceptance testing, commissioning and routine QA of all radiotherapy equipment, imaging equipment, and planning system according to the recommendations of AAPM task group reports, industry standards, federal and state regulations.

c. Assist the development of, and ensure staff adherence to all medical physics and dosimetry QA procedures and policies.

d. Provide consultation with radiation oncologists on the physical and radiobiological aspects of patients’ treatments and the development of treatment plans and treatment protocols.

e. Ensure the accuracy/appropriateness of computerized patient treatment plans performed by dosimetry staff and work in consultation with the physicians to achieve optimal care.

f. Perform and guide dosimetry staff with patient-specific radiation measurements and calculations and assist the development/selection and specifications of any complex devices required to direct/protect critical normal tissues.

g. Manage and perform the measurement and analysis of data used for treatment planning computer software and tests new versions of software prior to use.

h. Development of acquisition and storage of data for treatment plans, treatment verification and evaluations.

i. Assurance of the accuracy of dose delivery, patient position, treatment unit parameters and settings used for a patient’s treatment: including correct transfer of parameters between the CT, CBCT, CT/PET, MRI, US, treatment planning system and the treatment unit along with periodic review of each patient’s chart.

j. Assist radiation oncologists in credentialing and supporting clinical trials. Responsible for specific QA of clinical trials and protocals.

k. Promote clinical implementation of advanced technology and technique (hardware, software, or procedural) to improve the planning, imaging and delivering of radiation treatments.

l. Follow regulatory and insure compliance with all local, state and federal agencies promulgating regulations affecting radiation devices and sources and radiological physics services; staff licenses, etc.

m. Ensure accurate production of treatment accessories through monitoring of machine shop, Decimal contract, and/or outside vendor, production techniques and QA processes.

2. Research and Development:

a. Participate in clinical research and study on anatomic/functional/biological image guidance, treatment planning optimization, motion/variation management, and improvement of dose delivering accuracy and efficiency, as well as treatment process control and adaptation.

b. Promote, lead and participate in advanced technology development and clinical application on imaging, dose/treatment position detection, dose response measurement, and treatment planning/delivering.

c. Promote new research and development projects and directions to optimal treatment and patient care.

d. Participate and provide technical support on the clinical translational study and clinical protocol development and implementation.

e. Effort to obtain extramural funds for clinical research and technology development.

3. Education and Training:

a. Education of radiation oncology staff including but not limited to: Radiation Oncology Residents (physician and physics), Clinical Physics Students, Dosimetrists and Radiation Therapists.

b. Mentoring of Radiation Oncology Residents (physician and physics), graduate students, postdocs, research associates, medical students and research fellow on research and study projects.

c. Facilitate training and continuing education of all clinical staff on treatment techniques and technology.

This document represents the major duties, responsibilities, and authorities of this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. It should be understood, therefore, that incumbents may be asked to perform job-related duties beyond those explicitly described.

STANDARD QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

A. Education / Training: Master’s degree or PhD degree in physics, medical physics or related field or Doctorate of Medical Physics or demonstrated equivalency through experience as well as being listed as an Authorized Medical Physicist (AMP) on a Nuclear Regulatory License (NRC).

B. Work Experience: Completion of a CAMPEP approved Medical Physics residency program in Radiation Oncology or 1 – 2 years’ experience in a related field desirable.

C. Certification, Licensure, Registration: Certification in therapeutic medical physics (or therapeutic radiological physics or radiological physics) by either:

1. American Board of Radiology.

2. American Board of Medial Physics.

Or must complete certification within three years or hire or must be classified as an AMP by the NRC.

D. Other Qualifications: None.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

A. Physical Effort: Must be able to frequently sit in a restricted position for several long periods during a work session. Able to move complex computer equipment, sometimes in confined spaces, and to install or remove delicate hardware components, taking appropriate anti-static precautions. Able to lift medium/heavy QA equipment in order to perform Quality Assurance procedures. Able to stand for long periods of time during patient procedures. Able to respond appropriately when subject to frequent unpredictable working patterns (e.g. when interrupted to provide urgent advice on the processing of data for a particular patient or on abnormal system behavior). Able to concentrate frequently and for prolonged periods (e.g. carrying out computer software development, troubleshooting, installation and testing or a sequence of Quality Assurance measurements). Able to deal with stressful circumstances (e.g. working to restore clinical systems to working order when patients and staff activity has been disrupted).

B. Work Environment: Non-standard working hours. Able to interact with patients and team members from other departments within the health system. Able to function in an OR setting.

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