Clinical Physicist - SFMC

Position Summary
The Clinical Medical Physicist is responsible for performing all aspects of quality assurance in radiation therapy in order to ensure accurate and safe delivery of radiation therapy treatments and to maintain compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. It is necessary to maintains the skills necessary to perform regular testing and calibration of radiotherapy equipment and planning systems. Reviews and/or performs treatment plan calculations for external beam, brachytherapy, interventional, or other radiation therapy treatment applications. Proper credentials must be maintained to prepare, receive, or handle hazardous materials (radioactive labeled) packages. Advocate for radiation safety as necessary.
Corporate Philosophy
It is the obligation of each employee of OSF Healthcare System to abide by and promote the Corporate Philosophy, Values, Mission, and Vision of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis.
Principle Job Duties
1.Treatment Planning - Works with other mission partners (physicians, dosimetrists, therapists, nurses) to develop radiation delivery plans appropriate for patients, including imaging, image fusion, simulation, and computer planning techniques.
2.Quality Assurance - Conducts or supervises testing of all radiation generating equipment in radiation oncology department in accordance with industry standard practices and regulatory requirements in order to ensure patient and staff safety.
3.Chart Review and Patient Specific Quality Assurance - Periodically reviews patients' e-charts to ensure variables involved in planning patients' radiation therapy have been properly integrated into a deliverable routine by Radiation Therapists. Performs and/or directs special patient dosimetry measurements and/or calculations as required by physician.
4.Equipment Selection - Participates in the equipment selection process. Gathers information regarding equipment performance specifications and options to help ascertain integration with current program technology and future program goals.
5.Radiation Protection - The Clinical Medical Physicist is a critical member of the Radiation Safety program and will advise other mission partners regarding best radiation safety practices to maintain ALARA principles. Conducts room/area surveys to ensure areas around radiation treatment rooms are in compliance with regulatory requirements to protect members of the general public. May perform calculations to confirm adequateness of room shielding design. May participate in radiological emergency preparedness program.
6.Radioactive Materials Handling - Required to transport, receive, and prepare radioactive materials. May be required to prepare radioactive sources for patients' treatments. Maintains knowledge required to safely handle radioactive materials, including periodic training required by regulation. Required to maintain Radioactive Materials Log as required by regulation. Prepares hazardous radioactive materials packages for shipping. Contacts carrier to arrange for package pickup.
7.Service and Maintenance - Works with maintenance providers to ensure radiation generating equipment is properly maintained and serviced. Performs post-service QA as required. Reviews and signs service reports in a timely manner as required by regulation.
8.Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the field by reading appropriate books, journals and other literature and attending related seminars, conferences and the like. Attends mandatory department, Medical Center meetings, and other work-related educational programs.
9.Supports and is involved in the Medical Center's continuous quality improvement efforts designed to increase patient outcomes, increase patient satisfaction, and improve the utilization of the Medical Center's human, capital, and physical resources.
Required Education, Experience, Licensure/Certification, and/or skills
1.Knowledge of radiation therapy procedures, radiologic technology and atomic and nonatomic physics. Ability to calibrate radiation therapy and radiological equipment at a level normally acquired through completion of a Master's degree in Medical Physics and a two year residency in Medical Physics.
2.Approximately five to seven years progressively more responsible related work experience necessary in order to gain thorough understanding of state and federal laws governing use and disposal of radioactive materials, and acquire the technical skills necessary to effectively perform dose rate calculations, develop radiation safety programs, and the like.
3.The job incumbent is required to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care appropriate to the age of the patients served on the unit.
4.Will speak at professional meetings and interface with all levels of Medical Center personnel.
5.Analytical skills necessary in order to solve difficult technical problems such as equipment failures, quality control evaluations, radiation doses, contamination and the like.
Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure/Certification
1.Master's or Ph.D. degree in Medical Physics from a CAMPEP accredited program.
2.Completion of a two year residency in Medical Physics.
3.Eligibility for certification by the American Board of Radiology in Therapeutic Medical Physics.
Physical Requirements
1.Work requires the ability to carry objects weighing up to 40 pounds on a daily basis.
2.Work requires the ability to stand for up to 1 hour at a time.
3.Work requires manual dexterity, the ability to communicate with others, and color vision
4.Work requires proofreading and checking documents for accuracy on a daily basis.
5.Work requires the ability to use a keyboard to enter and transform words or data on a daily basis.
6.Work requires the ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, and/or audit information and data on a daily basis.
7.Work requires the ability to closely examine images or other forms of output created by diagnostic equipment on a daily basis.