Physicist - Radiation Oncology

The Staff Physicist is responsible for the radiation physics requirements of CVPH according to the NYS Department of Health 10 NYCRR 16 and ACR requirements.  The Staff Physicist functions as the Radiation Safety Officer and develops/maintains the Radiation Safety Program.  The Staff Physicist is responsible for participation in the clinical aspects of external radiation therapy and brachytherapy, monitoring and calibration of radiation therapy treatment equipment, and oversight of the quality control program for radiation producing equipment according to ACR, NYSDOH and The Joint Commission requirements.  The Staff Physicist participates in the design of the radiation therapy facility and commissions linear accelerators, treatment planning computers and other radiation producing equipment.  The physicist participates in establishing and monitoring the record and verify systems for Radiation Therapy.  Directly supervises the technical staff and clinical function of the section of Radiation Oncology.  Collaborates with the Director of Oncology Services to meet the established goals related to budget, staffing, regulatory agency requirements as well as staff, patient and physician satisfaction.

1. Actively participates in the clinical aspects of radiation therapy which includes medical physics support for radiation dosimetry, treatment planning and calculation of dose distribution. This also includes intracavitary/interstitial brachytherapy, weekly physics review of charts and review of daily QA on acclerators.
2. Collaborates with the radiation therapy technologists, dosimetrist and block cutter.
3. Acts as a resource and mentor to the dosimetrist in relation to all aspects of treatment planning and dose verification.
4. In collaboration with the Senior Physicist oversees the linear accelerator delivery of the prescribed treatment.
5. Collaborates with the director and the radiation oncologist in planning of equipment selection for and implementation of radiation oncology programming.
6. Provides input in the purchase of radiation equipment by:
   • Providing input in the design and specification development process for Radiation Therapy providing recommendations for purchase;
   • Providing recommendation for purchase after equipment bids have been received, reviews specifications.
7. Participates in the Radiation Oncology QA Program.
8. Collaborates with the Senior Physicist in the implementation of the Quality Control Program for all ionizing radiation producing equipment. Maintains related records.
9. Participates in the maintenance of radiation therapy treatment equipment by:
   • Determination of performance characteristics of the radiation producing machines;
   • Performance and calibrations on machines to maintain accuracy of all radiation producing equipment;
   • Participates in the acceptance of new radiation producing equipment;
   • Works in collaboration with biomedical engineering in the maintenance of all radiation therapy treatment machines.
10. Maintains radioisotope inventory records.
11. Conducts leak tests on sealed radiation sources.
12. Conducts or supervises the required surveys for radiation contamination
13. Maintains and upgrades, as necessary, operational guidelines/procedures to assure compliance for Radiation Safety Program according to The Joint Commision (TJC), NYSDOH, and ACRO requirements.
14. Participates in the preparation, monitoring, after loading, and removal of sources for brachytherapy according to New York State Bureau of Radioactive Materials Licensure and CVPH Medical Center guidelines.
15. Assists in the provision of patient instruction for permanent brachytherapy implants, injections and PO
16. Performs Radiation Safety Inservices to appropriate staff annually.
17. Reviews and maintains all film badge records.
18. Investigates all overexposure on film badges and makes recommendations for corrections/changes.
19. Participates in the strategic plan acquisition of radiation therapy equipment which provides appropriate state of the art radiation therapy services.
20. Provides radiation therapy physics support to other UVM Network hospitals in New York as assigned.
21. Other duties as assigned.

1. ABR/ACR certified or eligible in radiation medical physics required
2. Certification in diagnostic physics preferred.
3. New York State Licensure required.
4. Holds a master of science degree in medical physics, medical physicist, therapeutic radiology.
5. Experience in quality assurance and calibration on a variety of radiation producing equipment.
6. Experience with design of Radiation Therapy facilities and commissioning of linear accelerators, treatment planning computers and other radiation producing equipment preferred.
7. Experience as the Radiation Safety Officer preferred.
8. Travel to support other New York UVM Health Network sites may be required.

As applicable, the individual has training/competency in attending to the special needs and/or behaviors appropriate to the age of the patients for which care is being provided.