JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES SUMMARYGENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES* Engages in the design, optimization, technical evaluation, and precise and accurate delivery of treatment plans. * Participates in any special procedures (e.g., high-dose-rate brachytherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery) that require the presence of a medical physicist.* Establishes, reviews and documents monitor unit (time) calculation procedures and protocols. * Participates in and documents a radiation protection program as it pertains to radiation oncology. * Performs and documents calculations related to patient dosimetry and/or physics measurements when such needs arise or per clinicians requests. * Performs consultations requested by the radiation oncologist. * Participates as a leader in mentoring in the Physics Residency and the Physician Residency. EQUIPMENT NEEDS* Participates substantially in the specification, selection, and commissioning of radiation-producing machines, accessories, and computerized treatment planning systems. * Develops and conducts acceptance testing and commissioning procedures for new systems and/or equipment introduced into the clinic. * Supervises arrangements for proper maintenance of equipment. * Periodically evaluates all equipment for continued utility, appropriateness, reliable performance, age, and condition and makes recommendations on a practical life span, obsolescence, and replacement.* Maintains and documents up-to-date statistics regarding treatment unit uptime.* Conducts and documents procedures to verify the manufacturers specifications and establishes baseline performance values for radiation therapy equipment. * Conducts and documents instrument calibration and periodic instrument constancy checks. QUALITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM* Conducts and documents quality management programs for radiation therapy equipment, CT-simulators, treatment planning systems, and monitor unit calculation algorithms. Performs procedures for checking the mechanical and electrical integrity of patient care devices. * Assumes responsible for reviewing and approving the procedures followed by the radiation therapy and dosimetry staff in planning and delivering the prescribed dose.CLINICAL PRACTICE* Checks independently all brachytherapy parameters to be used in each procedure (source, isotope and activity, dose rate, source position, total dose prescribed and time, etc.).* Is available for continuing medical physics consultation for patients, consultation with the radiation oncologist and provides advice or direction to staff when patient treatment is being planned or conducted.* Performs the calculations necessary to determine the appropriate dose to be delivered by the treatment equipment for advanced treatment techniques, whether external beam or radioactive implants. * Provide physical measurements for verification of IMRT plans. CLINICAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT* Conducts and documents a Physics chart check protocol for all patient treatment plans including review of patient and dosimetric data as well as beam and machine parameters and their faithful transfer from simulation through planning to delivery by the treatment units before the first treatment and after the last treatment. * Checks treatment charts as an independent person before the first treatment if the total number of fractions is 5 or fewer, or every week after the third fraction.* Participates in scheduled department-wide chart rounds to ensure the fulfillment of the prescription and to review any changes in dose, patient setup(s), and simulation and port films.NEW PROCEDURES* Receives, commissions, and releases for clinical use any new procedure, technique, system, or accessory. Commissioning will also include development and institution of a quality assurance (QA) program to demonstrate the consistent safety and performance of the system or device. The quality improvement program associated with any new procedure should be periodically reviewed and updated.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES* Graduate of a medical physics, physics, or equivalent graduate program at the M.S level.* Diplomate of a CAMPEP-accredited Medical Physics Residency Program.* Certified by the American Board of Radiology or equivalent board as a Therapeutic Medical Physicist.* Licensed by the Texas Board of Licensure for Professional Medical Physicists.