Chief Medical Physicist - Limerick Cancer Centre
Location: Limerick Cancer Centre
Job type: Permanent
Overview of role:
Conducts all aspects of Radiation Oncology physics including equipment calibration and commissioning, clinical support, maintenance of appropriate quality assurance for equipment and treatment delivery, compliance with radiation safety and licensing issues.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
1. 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. This includes calibration of all
radiation producing sources and maintenance of all information for their
appropriate use.
2. Responsible for
the arrangement of all periodic servicing and Preventative Maintenance
Inspections of all radiation producing equipment and treatment planning
systems.
3. Maintains
a comprehensive quality assurance program that ensures patients are
provided tumour localization, radiation treatment, and dose distributions
as prescribed. This includes assurance of the accuracy of treatment unit
parameters.
4. Responsible
for the development of treatment plans, acquisition & assessment of
4DCTs/Respiratory Management. Responsible for the storage of data for
treatment plans, calculation of dose distributions and machine settings
for treatment.
5. Responsible for providing a Medical Physics
Expert (MPE) Review of Treatment plans.
6. Provides
consultation to the Radiation Oncologist on the physical and
radiobiological aspect of treatment.
Translates the desired treatment plan into a set of instructions
for radiation therapists to execute.
7. Responsible
for the dose measurements and use of measuring devices for verification of
dose delivery to patients. Provides
interpretation/consultation to the Radiation Oncologist regarding patient
doses.
8. Directs
the design, fabrication, and measurement of treatment beam modifiers and
treatment aids, as required.
9. Responsible
for the systematic measurement, documentation, and assurance of the Brachytherapy
process, if applicable.
10. Responsible
to obtain and disseminate information pertaining to current practices
within the field of Radiation Oncology Physics.
11. Initiates
and/or collaborates on related research projects with other UPMC
Physicists in Radiation Therapy in the Division of Medical Physics.
12. Responsible
for the coordination of the day-to-day output of the Medical Physics team.
In the absence of the Chief Medical Physicist, the Principal Medical
Physicist will assume the management of the Medical Physics service
provision.
13. Direct and manage
team, ensuring they are carrying out duties in a professional manner.
14. Support with all
quality initiatives including JCI.
15. Responsible for
the initiation and implementation of new clinical practices and Medical
Physics programs.
16. Responsible for the implementation and DICOM
output of Radiotherapy Trials pertaining to Treatment Planning.
17. Responsible for staff scheduling duties.
18. Oversees annual
leave for the Physics team ensuring adequate and appropriate cover for the
service.
19. Responsible for
Radiation Protection in the Radiotherapy Department and manage/perform
Radiation Protection tasks in the department.
20. Responsible for
Radiotherapy Trials treatment plan production, including DICOM output
management.
21. Identifies needs
of staffing for team and helps with recruitment and selection process.
22. Accomplishes staff
results by communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, and
appraising job results; initiating, coordinating, and enforcing systems,
policies, and procedures.
23. Performs
organisation and administration skills in the clinical practice of
Radiation Oncology Physics. This includes decisions in equipment
usage/selection/replacement, physics and dosimetry staff requirements,
assignments and recruitment, program operation, budget preparation, and
continuing review of program's policies and procedures.
24. Responsible for compliance
with EPA/ORP Rules and Regulations.
25. Maintain records
of continuous professional development to maintain Medical Physics Expert
status with the Irish College of Physicists in Medicine.
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 Physicist
works indoors in Radiation Oncology. Based
on Risk Assessment, the Chief Medical Physicist is not required to wear a
personal radiation dosimeter but must adhere to radiation policies/procedures
established by the hospital. Medical
physicists are required to follow universal precautions and infection control
policies. Medical physicists are also
required to comply with all policies/procedures regarding handling hazardous
materials and personal protection.
Qualifications & Experience:
PhD
or MSc from an accredited program in Medical Physics or related field
Experience:
* Experience with 3-D conformal
radiotherapy, brachytherapy and treatment planning systems is required, and
radiosurgery and IMRT/VMAT essential.
* Extensive experience and
knowledge of calibration of linear accelerators and periodical quality
assurance.
* People Management Skills essential
Licensure/Certification:
* Irish (registered MPE) / European/
UK training / US (DABR) / Canada appropriate license.
Equal
Opportunity Statement and Benefits
UPMC is an equal opportunity employer.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment
for all employees.
At UPMC we provide a total rewards program
that is not only market competitive, but fair and provides growth opportunities
for all our colleagues.
Compensation – Competitive pay for the work employees do – base pay, performance related pay
and premium pay where applicable.
Benefits –
Fully paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents. Competitive Pension
Plan, company funded Death in Service Benefit x 3 times. Critical Illness cover
for all employees up to the age of 66.
Performance and Recognition – Rewards for performance that supports the goals and mission of
UPMC through our annual ACES programme.
Work-Life Balance – Enhanced annual leave up to a maximum of 27 days. Flexible
working opportunities to support you to work around external family
commitments.
Development
and Career Opportunities – Opportunities for each employee to reach
their career goals through continued learning and/or advancement.
About
UPMC
UPMC is a renowned multinational academic medical
centre committed to delivering people-focused care that's close to home.
Headquartered in Pittsburgh and affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh
Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC shapes the future of health through
clinical and technological innovation, research and education.
UPMC expands its expertise globally, bringing world-class care across
continents through its UPMC International division — an owned and operated
network of hospitals and ambulatory care centres in Italy, Ireland and
Croatia. UPMC International brings new access to the signature specialty
services of UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre, UPMC Sports Medicine and others to
more people in more places around the world.
In Ireland UPMC has provided high-quality healthcare in the South East since
2006. UPMC's operations in Ireland now include UPMC Whitfield Hospital in
Waterford, UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic in Dublin, UPMC Kildare Hospital in
Clane, and UPMC Aut Even Hospital in Kilkenny. Outpatient care is available at
the UPMC Carlow Outreach Centre, UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre radiotherapy
locations in Waterford and Cork, UPMC The 4th Practice in Mallow, and across
UPMC Sports Medicine Clinics in Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, Tipperary, Cork, and
Mayo. UPMC has also established a nationwide Concussion Network. UPMC's
Global Technology Operation Centre is based in Kilkenny.