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Job Description
Basic Grade Medical Physicist at UPMC Cork
Responsible for the systematic measurement, documentation, and assurance of the physical and dosimetric aspects of all radioactive sources/radiation producing equipment used in Radiation Oncology.
- Performs acceptance testing and commissioning of all treatment-related equipment under supervision.
- Maintains a comprehensive quality assurance program that ensures patients are provided tumour localization, radiation treatment, and dose distributions as prescribed.
- Develops treatment plans, acquires and stores data, calculates dose distributions and machine settings for treatment delivery.
- Provides consultation to the Radiation Oncologist and translates the desired treatment plan into a set of instructions for radiation therapists to execute.
- Assists in CT data transfer to the treatment planning system, as required.
- Performs image fusion, anatomical contouring, beam placement, isodose calculations and generates treatment plans.
Key Responsibilities:
- Participates in day-to-day routine 3 D & IMRT/VMAT treatment planning workload and complies with the scheduling of work within the treatment planning section.
- Works as part of a team of medical physicists and works as part of a wider multi-disciplinary team of radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, radiation oncology nurses and clerical staff within the radiotherapy department.
- Communicates using technical accuracy when discussing treatment plans or procedures with all professions working in the radiotherapy department.
- Participates and becomes competent in the physics support for prostate Brachytherapy, as the service requires.
- Keeps abreast of latest developments pertaining to current practices within the field of Radiation Oncology Physics.
Managerial/Teamwork:
- Manages their own workload efficiently and effectively, as guided by the Principal/Chief Physicist or designate.
- Assists with the collection of key performance indicators for the treatment planning process and assists with the interpretation of these KPIs to propose optimization when giving feedback to the Chief Physicist.
- Maintains good and clear communication regarding treatment planning with the treatment planning team and radiation oncologists, radiation therapists and physicists and provides feedback to the Chief Physicist when required.
Teaching, Training & Research:
- Participates in and develops orientation and teaching/training programs for new staff as well as other relevant personnel or students in Treatment Planning & Quality Assurance.
- Promotes, actively supports, and participates in clinical research for the development and implementation of new techniques.
- Participates in clinical trial work as part of the radiotherapy multi-disciplinary team.
Professional:
- Keeps informed of developments in treatment planning techniques, Linac Quality Assurance, and advances in Medical Dosimetry as part of continual professional development and to develop their own skills.
- Maintains a personal record of competencies and achievements throughout their post, for future Medical Physics Expert (MPE) application to the Irish College of Physicists in Medicine.
Working Conditions:
- Works indoors in Radiation Oncology.
- As this position includes exposure to radiation, physicists/dosimetrists are required to wear a film badge, which is read according to EPA/ORP regulations, and adhere to radiation policies/procedures established by the hospital.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Ph D or MSc from an accredited program in Medical Physics.
- Experience with 3 D/IMRT/VMAT/SRS radiotherapy and treatment planning systems is highly desirable.
- Attention to detail.
- Good Communication skills both written and Oral.
UPMC is a $26 billion healthcare provider and insurer, inventing new models of patient-centred, cost-effective, accountable care. Providing high-quality healthcare in the South East since 2006, UPMC's operations in Ireland include UPMC Whitfield Hospital in Waterford, UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic in Dublin, UPMC Kildare Hospital in Clane and UPMC Aut Even Hospital in Kilkenny.