Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist - Medical Dosimetrist

$119,106 - $154,832/Yr

United States Department of Veterans Affairs - Seattle, WA

Part-time,Full-time - Mid Level

Onsite - Seattle, WA

Administration of Human Resource Programs

About the position

The Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist - Medical Dosimetrist is responsible for producing treatment planning dosimetry calculations for conventional or IMRT external beam radiation using a computerized treatment planning system. This role involves consulting with radiation oncologists, participating in brachytherapy and total body irradiation procedures, and ensuring the accuracy and safety of radiation treatments for patients.

Responsibilities

• Enter irregular fields, patient contours, and other vital beam data into a treatment planning computer in a timely and accurate manner.
• Enter approved treatment fields into the record and verify system, ensuring all patient data is correctly input and transferred to treatment machines.
• Accurately compute radiation dose to individual ports, tumors, spine, and other necessary body structures to ensure quality treatment and safety to tissue tolerance.
• Submit plan choices to the appropriate physician to aid in determining the best treatment method for specific patient tumors.
• Accurately prepare treatment charts prior to first treatment with the method of treatment to be used.
• Indicate vital factors necessary for correct patient treatment such as boosts, cord block, wedges, and other various treatment aids.
• Accurately diagram patient set-up when necessary to assure treatment method is easily understood by the therapists administering the treatments.
• Perform weekly chart checks of patient dose and chart radiation therapy review in the absence of the Physicist.
• Assist CT scan technologists and instruct them on the necessary scan slices.
• Ensure CT scans are promptly delivered to dosimetry for image formatting to assure smooth patient flow.
• Work with Radiation Oncologists, Therapists, Department Nurse, and Clerical staff as a member of the radiation therapy team.
• Stay current with new developments in the field of radiation therapy and utilize new technologies available for patient treatment.
• Adhere to all safety and health standards, regulations, and work practices, using proper protective equipment as required.
• Assist oncologist in brachytherapy procedures and maintain sterile techniques.
• Design a treatment plan using computer and/or manual computation to determine a treatment field technique that delivers the prescribed radiation dose.
• Execute planning for intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy procedures.
• Supervise, perform, or assist in producing molds, casts, and other immobilization devices for accurate treatment delivery.
• Use imaging modalities such as CT scans, MRI, or PET scans to create treatment plans that enable higher doses of radiation to tumors while lowering doses to sensitive structures.
• Perform calculations for the accurate delivery of the prescribed dose and document pertinent information in the patient record.
• Provide technical and physics support to the Medical Physicist, including radiation protection and quality assurance of radiation oncology equipment.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Minimum of a bachelor's degree and graduation from a medical dosimetry program of at least 12 months in duration, accredited by JRCERT or recognized accrediting bodies.
• Certification in medical dosimetry by the MDCB (Certified Medical Dosimetry - CMD).
• Proficiency in written and spoken English is required.
• At least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in medical dosimetry.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with radiation safety and current rules and regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
• Ability to resolve complex physical and geometric errors in radiation equipment and treatment delivery implementation.
• Experience in providing guidance and expertise related to all aspects of the treatment planning process.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package as a federal employee, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave.