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
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.
Responsible for the arrangement of all periodic servicing and Preventative Maintenance Inspections of all radiation producing equipment and treatment planning systems.
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.
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.
Responsible for providing a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) Review of Treatment plans.
Provides consultation to the Radiation Oncologist on the physical and radiobiological aspects of treatment.
Translates the desired treatment plan into a set of instructions for radiation therapists to execute.
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.
Directs the design, fabrication, and measurement of treatment beam modifiers and treatment aids, as required.
Responsible for the systematic measurement, documentation, and assurance of the Brachytherapy process, if applicable.
Responsible to obtain and disseminate information pertaining to current practices within the field of Radiation Oncology Physics.
Initiates and/or collaborates on related research projects with other UPMC Physicists in Radiation Therapy in the Division of Medical Physics.
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.
Direct and manage team, ensuring they are carrying out duties in a professional manner.
Support with all quality initiatives including JCI.
Responsible for the initiation and implementation of new clinical practices and Medical Physics programs.
Responsible for the implementation and DICOM output of Radiotherapy Trials pertaining to Treatment Planning.
Responsible for staff scheduling duties.
Oversees annual leave for the Physics team ensuring adequate and appropriate cover for the service.
Responsible for Radiation Protection in the Radiotherapy Department and manage/perform Radiation Protection tasks in the department.
Responsible for Radiotherapy Trials treatment plan production, including DICOM output management.
Identifies needs of staffing for team and helps with recruitment and selection process.
Accomplishes staff results by communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; initiating, coordinating, and enforcing systems, policies, and procedures.
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.
Responsible for compliance with EPA/ORP Rules and Regulations.
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 periodic 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.
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.
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