SEARCH CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Under the general direction of the Senior Research Dosimetrist or designee, the Research Dosimetrist is responsible for the review and evaluation of the radiation therapy treatments of patients on protocols.  Review the dosimetry of the treatment, in particular calculating radiation doses and assessing their appropriateness to the protocol.  Set up various databases and compiles summaries of patient data.  The Research Dosimetrist coordinates the benchmark studies.  With the Chief Physicist the Research Dosimetrist designs new benchmark test cases and/or participates in research projects resulting from completed benchmarks or protocols.  Attend all QARC Review meetings and interacts in the final evaluation with the Radiation Oncologists at these meetings. 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Review the protocol patient's treatment charts, extract pertinent data, enter data into the computerized patient database and compare the results of the patient's treatment with the protocol requirements. Write a description of any deviation to be included in the evaluation summary.
• Calculate the radiation doses in points specified by the protocols and review the results for compliance.
• Consult with physicists and dosimetrists at participating hospitals concerning these dose calculations in order to resolve discrepancies.  This analysis may concern the numerical calculations, quality assurance procedures, treatment planning methods, radiation beam parameters, etc.
• Extract data and compiles reports from the QARC database and/or from patients' treatments records to answer research questions or to assist in the development of optimal treatments for new protocols.
• Participate in QARC Review Meetings, interact with the physicians answering questions as they relate to the patient's treatment, set-up; summarize, and present the details of each patient's treatment; enter the volume evaluation into the computer.
• Act as the content expert for new and existing protocols including familiarity with eligibility requirements, the time sequence of therapy, and radiation dose requirements.  Extract the pertinent radiotherapy treatment details from each new protocol for the "fast fact sheet" and entry into the computer protocol database.
• Review patient's treatment planning while the patient is still on-treatment.  May contact the institution to discuss the dosimetry when it is not prescribed or being carried out in accordance with the protocol requirements.
• Participate with the Chief Physicist in the development of benchmark test cases for new protocols.
• Participate with the Chief Physicist in special physics research and development projects.  These projects may include retrospective chart reviews or may include prospective tests on accelerators making measurements.
• Attend all QARC staff meetings and on occasion may be able to attend National Cooperative Group Meetings.
• May assign and direct the work of the Research Dosimetry Assistant for specific projects.
• Assist Clinical Research Associates in preparation for the Review Meetings.  Preview all of the patient's Radiotherapy and Diagnostic Films to assure that a complete set is available and organized.  Provide a summary of dosimetry deviations for the final review letter.
• Interact with the Radiological Physics Center (RPC) in Houston as it pertains to the facilities and equipment in use for protocol patients.
• May review new protocols in development and contribute to improvement in the writing of the dosimetry of these protocols and new model protocols.
• Perform other duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in physics or mathematics, graduation from a dosimetry program, or completion of a Radiation Therapist program (RTT) with some experience in dosimetry.
• 1-2 years of experience in radiotherapy treatment planning, some of which may be replaced by work experience as a radiation therapist.
• Basic knowledge of radiation treatment planning.
• Computer skills including proficiency in relational databases.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills
• Normal visual acuity.
• Ability to lift boxes of charts and piles of x-rays (up to 25 lbs)

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Under the general direction of the Senior Research Dosimetrist or designee

SUPERVISION EXCERCISED:

May assign and direct the work of the Research Dosimetry Assistant for specific projects

ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS: