Work Shift: Four 10-hour days during the week and occasional weekend rotation for QA work.

Work Locations: Regular floating to all locations including West Ashley Cancer Center, Berkeley Hospital, and Roper Hospital.

Primary Function/General Purpose of Position

The responsibility of the Chief Physicist is to assure the best possible treatment given the state of technology and the skills of the other members of the radiation oncology department. The physicist performs with the radiation oncologist, the radiotherapists and others to assure the accurate delivery of all aspects delivery of all aspects of a treatment prescription.

Essential Job Functions

• Assists radiation oncologist with the physical and radiobiological aspects of patients' treatments and the development of treatment plans. Acquisition and storage of data for treatment plans. Calculations of dose distributions and machine settings for patient treatments. Design and fabrication of treatment aids and treatment-beam modifiers. Assurance of the accuracy of treatment unit parameters and settings used for a patients' treatment, including correct transfer of parameters between the simulator, treatment plan and the treatment unit, and periodic review of each patient's chart. In-vivo measurement to verify the dose delivered to a patient. Assists the radiation oncologist in statistical analysis for evaluation of treatment efficacy and participation in clinical trails. Development of techniques (hardware, software or procedural) to improve the delivery of radiation treatments. Participate in patient discussion conferences.

• Provides Continuing education of the radiation oncology and other hospital employees as related to Radiation Safety Practices. Assists in the Development and administration of the radiation safety program including compliance with all regulating and certifying agencies (the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Department of Health and Environmental Control and other appropriate state and local agencies). Supervises the administration of personnel radiation monitoring program. Supervision of source preparation and handling during brachytherapy procedures, and the continual maintenance of the brachytherapy source inventory including leak tests. Participation on the Isotope Committee and other committees as needed. Calculation of shielding required for new or renovated treatment rooms, radioactive storage and handling facilities, and brachytherapy treatment rooms. Room surveys after brachytherapy I131 patients. Renews or amends radioactive materials license as required. 2

• Performance specification, acceptance testing and commissioning of all new equipment, hardware and software. Annual calibrations and reports required by regulatory agencies. Calibration of sources and maintenance of all information necessary for their appropriate use. Maintenance of all instrumentation required for calibration of sources, measurement of radiation, and calculation of doses. First-order maintenance of treatment units in conjunction with clinical engineering. Provides input for negotiations and performance criteria of new equipment. Maintains good working relationships with radiation oncologist and radiation therapist. Oversees work of dosimetrist and mold room technician in the construction of specialized masks, molds and wedges. Maintains good working relationship with Clinical Engineering and other service personnel.

• Oversees work of other staff physicists. Coordinates activities in physics. Plans for future development in physics and dosimetry services. Is overall responsible for the smooth operation of dosimetry and physics.

This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Licensing/Certification

• Certification by one of the following organizations in an appropriate area:

• The American Board of Radiology - Therapeutic Radiological Physics

• The American Board of Medical Physics - Radiation Oncology Physics

• The Canadian College of Medical Physics - Radiological Physics

• The American Board of Health Physics - Comprehensive Health Physics

Education

• Satisfactory completion of Medical Physics degree in an accredited school (required)

Work Experience

• Minimum of 5-7 years experience (required)

Language

Patient Population

The following must be included in all position descriptions that involve direct or indirect patient care. This is a Joint Commission requirement. Also, select the age of the patient population served:

X Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.

Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age, specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures.​

Neonates (0-4 weeks)

Infant (1-12 months)

Pediatrics (1-12 years)

Adolescents (13-17 years)

Adults (18-64 years)

Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Not applicable to this position

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing, walking. Frequent lifting/moving patients. Intermittent lifting, moving or carrying, pushing or pulling, up to 50 lbs. Frequent use of finger/hand dexterity. Constant reaching with hands/arms. Frequent talking or hearing. Corrected hearing and vision to normal range. Exposure to blood, body fluids or tissue. Possible exposure to infectious materials, ionizing radiation, medical preparations, communicable diseases and/or other conditions common to a healthcare environment. Frequent exposure to risk of radiation. Intermittent exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals. Intermittent exposure to risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Quiet to moderate noise level in work area. Requires work under stressful conditions, deadlines, or irregular hours. May be required to take call and/or work weekends/holidays based on the needs of the department. Duties occur in all areas of the radiation oncology department including simulator, dark room, and treatment and exam rooms.

Skills

Hard/Tech/Clinical Skills:

• The skills and knowledge to perform the required Quality Assurance duties, complex calculations for treatment planning, and operation of treatment planning computers.

• Must maintain strict confidentiality to work related information.

Soft/Interpersonal Skills:

• Skill in maintaining effective working relationship with patients, medical staff, co-workers and the public.

• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.

• Ability to interpret, adapt and apply guidelines and procedures.

• Ability to communicate clearly.

• Ability to handle multiple tasks with frequent interruptions.

• Must be self directed and able to work independently.