Physicist, Certified

When you come to the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center, you’re coming to more than simply a beautiful 37-acre, 218-bed suburban Baltimore, Maryland campus. You’re embarking on a professional journey that encourages opportunities, values a team atmosphere, and makes convenience and flexibility a priority. Joining our team of healthcare professionals means you’ll be contributing to a locally and nationally recognized institution. UM St. Joseph has been recognized by The Leapfrog Group as a grade ‘A’ hospital and by U.S. News & World Report as #3 in both the state and Baltimore Metro area, making UM St. Joseph the highest-ranking community hospital in Maryland. In addition, we’ve been consistently recognized as a top employer by Baltimore magazine. 

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday , Day Shift

Under limited supervision, perform commissioning and calibration of radiation equipment, treatment planning, dosimetry measurement and calculations, radiation protection and safety related duties to radiation therapy.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

1. Performs site planning and shielding calculations for installation of new equipment. Performs acceptance testing and commissioning of new equipment prior to and during use on patients.

A. Performs shielding calculations and site planning based upon ALARA principles. Reviews manufacturer’s specifications for new equipment and makes recommendations pertaining to efficacy and safety.

B. Performs dosimetry measurements and assembles dosimetry data required by treatment planning system and for dose calculation. Verifies the accuracy and integrity of dosimetry data. Inputs dosimetry data into the treatment planning system and tabulates data needed for calculations. Performs benchmark tests on treatment planning system to ensure accuracy of dose calculations.

2. Performs quality assurance (QA) testing on existing equipment to ensure radiation safety and dosimetry accuracy.

A. Performs weekly, monthly, and annual quality assurance testing of accelerators and other radiation emitting equipment according to state regulations and code of practice. Calibrates machine output for linear accelerators and other treatment devices, verifies dosimetry and geometric accuracy and the functionality of all safety features of the systems. Performs regular verification of treatment planning systems to ensure consistency of planning parameters with actual treatment device and accuracy of dose calculations.

B. Performs dose calibration for high dose rate (HDR) after loader when a new source is installed. Perform daily QA checks as defined in the quality management program on days that an HDR procedure is scheduled.

3. Design treatment plans for patients receiving radiation therapy.

A. Provides training to dosimetrists on the physics of radiation therapy, dose calculation algorithms (especially the ones used by the treatment planning system), and the use of the new treatment planning systems. Provide guidance to dosimetrists to develop treatment plans for patients receiving radiation therapy treatment in collaboration with physicians.

B. Reviews and approves treatment plans generated by dosimetrists to ensure the completeness of prescription; the appropriateness of the treatment; that critical structures are not overdosed; and the accuracy of the dose calculation.

C. Determines treatment plan for special treatment procedures, such as intraoperative radiotherapy, total body irradiation, total skin irradiation, and implants of radioactive materials.

4. Handles radioactive materials, develops and enforces the quality management program (QMP) according to state regulations and participates in brachytherapy procedures.

A. Develops and enforces QMP for proper handling of radioactive materials and for clinical use of radioactive sources in Radiation Therapy. Works with the Environmental Health Safety Office making sure control mechanisms are used properly and discrepancies are resolved.

B. Reads x-ray with physician for assurance of proper placement of implant. Calculates the amount and activity of radioactive materials for interstitial (brachytherapy) and intracavitary therapy (isodose plans) as prescribed by the physician. Evaluates geometrical shape of lesion and the activity for optimization of the treatment.

C. Participates in the removal of radioactive material, prior to discharge of patient, documents appropriately, and sends to the Environmental Health & Safety Office for decay and disposal. Calculates the level of activity on an on-going basis to determine when patient with permanent implant may leave hospital and not present a danger to the general population.

5. Evaluates patients to receive radiation therapy treatment in collaboration with the physician. Views x-rays for position and size of lesion. Creates a contour of the patient of the level determined by the physician. Inputs information into the computer to simulate the patient’s condition. Identifies position of vital structures surrounding lesion and determines areas and amount of radiation received by those areas through fields.

A. Determines treatment plan for Inter-operative radiotherapy. Accompanies physician to operating room or place of insertion of radioactive material. Reads x-ray with physician for assurance of proper placement of implant.

6. Refines and verifies Dosimetrists’ calculations of amount and activity of radioactive materials for interstitial (Brachytherapy) and intracavitary therapy (isodose plans) as prescribed by the physician. Evaluates geometrical shape of lesion and the activity for optimization of the treatment.

7. Responsible for proper handling of radioactive materials during clinical use in Radiation Therapy. Works with the Environmental Health Safety Office making sure control mechanisms are used properly and discrepancies are resolved.

A. Participates in the removal of radioactive material, prior to discharge of patient, documents appropriately, and sends to the Environmental Health & Safety Office for decay and disposal. Calculates the level of activity on an on-going basis to determine when patient with permanent implant may leave hospital and not present a danger to the general population.

8. Teaches in the UMMS Residency Program.

9. Participates in innovative research activities for the overall improvement of patient treatment, such as, the development of Stereotactic Radiosurgery/Gamma Knife techniques/applications, Dynamic Electron Beam Therapy, and designing/writing computer programs for treatment plans.

10. Maintains established department policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety, environmental and infection control.

11. Maintains various other required records, reports, and statistics.

12. Assists in care and maintenance of department equipment and supplies. Alerts Physics Division Head of deficient supply levels, equipment needs and malfunctions.

13. Attends Inservice and other required meetings. Participate on committees as directed. Participate in discussion, presentations, etc. as necessary.

14. Enhances professional growth and development through seminars, in services, conferences, professional associations, educational programs and keeping current with relevant literature.

15. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on the assigned unit. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs, and provides the care needed as described in the unit/area/department policies and procedures.

16. Perform other duties as required.

Education and Experience

• A Master of Science Degree in Physics from an accredited program is required. A Ph.D. in Physics is preferred.
• Board certified or eligible for certification as a Medical Radiation Physicist by the American Board of Radiology is required.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience in field of physics in radiation medicine, or equivalent, is required.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.