Senior Medical Dosimetrist-UPMC HCC Waterford

at  UPMC in Ireland

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Person Specification
Qualifications: Completion of a qualification in Radiation Therapy recognised by the Radiographers Registration Board at CORU, see www.coru.ie.
Or CAMPEP Accredited Graduate Program in Medical Physics.
Experience:
(Amount and Type) Experience with 3-D conformal radiotherapy and treatment planning systems is required, and radiosurgery and IMRT/VMAT are highly desirable.
A minimum of 2 year’s working as a Radiation Therapist required.
Job Specific Competencies and Knowledge: Attention to detail.
Good Communication skills both written and Oral.
Equal Opportunity Statement and Benefits

OVERVIEW OF ROLE:

The overall purpose of the Dosimetrist, Senior Grade post is to provide radiotherapy treatment planning for radiation oncology patients in line with international best practice and in accordance with the Radiation Oncologists’ prescriptions. The Dosimetrist, Senior Grade will be expected to participate in the development of new techniques, as well as in staff education and training and to engage in departmental research and support of clinical trials.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical & Technical:
The post holder will:
Participate in day-to-day routine treatment planning work and comply with the scheduling of work within the treatment planning section.
Three-Dimensional Treatment Planning:Assist in CT data transfer to the treatment planning system.Perform image fusion, anatomical contouring, beam placement, isodose calculations and generate treatment plans.
IMRT/VMAT planning:Assist in CT data transfer to the treatment planning system.Perform image fusion, anatomical contouring, beam placement, isodose calculations and generate treatment plans.
Actively participate and cooperate with the development of treatment planning procedures and quality assurance within the Treatment Planning section, in liaison with the Physicist responsible for Treatment Planning.
Ensure that a high level of technical competency is achieved and maintained when participating in treatment planning.
Work as part of a team of medical physicists for treatment planning and work as part of a wider multi-disciplinary team of radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, radiation oncology nurses and clerical staff within the radiotherapy department.
Communicate using technical accuracy at all times when discussing treatment plans or procedures with all professions working in the radiotherapy department
Promote and participate in the development of new treatment techniques and new treatment modalities, together with other staff in the Department of Radiotherapy and Medical Physics.
When required, communicate by presentation and written report, information regarding new techniques or protocols to an audience of multidisciplinary medical professionals.
Ensure that difficult/non-standard treatment plans are adequately discussed with physicists and/or radiotherapy oncologists and radiation therapists, as appropriate, prior to clinical implementation.
Assist other Treatment Planning staff with technical problems as required.
Contribute to and maintain Treatment Planning procedure documents and guidelines, together with the Physicist with responsibility for Treatment Planning.
Report any radiation incidents or near misses on discovery and bring to the attention of the Head of Radiotherapy Physics.
Participate in routine chart reviews.
Managerial/ teamwork:
The post holder will:
Manage their own workload efficiently and effectively
Attend the weekly New Patient and On Treatment meetings and feedback key information to the rest of the physics team at the next daily planning huddle or prior to this is pertinent information needs to be passed on quickly.
Assist with the collection of key performance indicators for the treatment planning process and assist with the interpretation of these KPIs to propose optimisation when giving feedback to the Head of Radiotherapy Physics.
Maintain good and clear communication regarding treatment planning with the treatment planning team and radiation oncologists, radiation therapists and physicists and provide feedback to the Head of Radiotherapy Physics when required.
Have an active role in the training and supervision of trainee physicists or radiation therapists being trained in treatment planning skills.
Keep such records as are consistent with good professional practice.
Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Head of Department.
Teaching, Training & Research:
The post holder will:
Participate in and develop orientation and teaching/training programmes for new staff as well as other relevant personnel or students in the area of Treatment Planning.
Promote, actively support and participate in clinical research for the development and implementation of new techniques.
Participate in clinical trial work as part of the radiotherapy multi-disciplinary team
Communicate by presentation and written report, information regarding research work, clinical trial work, and project work to an audience of multidisciplinary medical professionals.
Participate in research carried out by the radiotherapy physics team with students from NUIG, TCD, UCC & WIT during student placement.
Professional:
The post holder will:
Keep informed of developments in the area of treatment planning techniques and advances in Medical Dosimetry as part of continual professional development and to develop their own skills in treatment planning and patient Dosimetry.
Standard Responsibilities
Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Lives the UPMC Values
Working Conditions / Environmental Factors
The Medical Dosimetrist works indoors in Radiation Oncology. As this position includes exposure to radiation, 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. Medical Dosimetrists are required to follow universal precautions and infection control policies. Medical Dosimetrist are also required to comply with all policies/procedures in regards to handling hazardous materials and personal protection.