Dosimetry: information, first hand experience, etc.

[PreMedical2012]

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I am currently on the premed route. I am going to be a college junior in the fall and am also looking at alternatives to medicine. I was wondering if anyone knew anything about dosimetry? I know they are an essential part of the radiation oncology team, what their job entails, but would like others' opinions. Like hours, job outlook, good schools (preferably in the tristate area: NY, NJ, PA or close to), difficulty in getting a job. Any information would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[OTN]

Not sure about schools- can't help there. However, my fiance is a dosimetrist, so I have a pretty good idea of their job outlook.

I think the job is a fantastic one. Hours are good (40 hrs a week), pay is great ($90-$100k), work isn't hard if you're good at it and has the potential to be interesting.

The one downside is geographic location. As it's not a very large profession, getting a job in a specific city can be rather difficult.

The job entails basically constructing the treatment plans, along with the radiation oncologist and medical physicist, that will be used to treat the patients. Some treatment plans take more input/time/work to create than others, and the particular techniques used to treat may differ.

As far as schools go, you'd have to check with someone who is closer to having gone through everything. Many schools these days require you to finish therapy school before studying dosimetry. While this isn't the path my fiance took (graduated from college, did lab research, went back to dosimetry school), I think it is the more common one.

Good luck!
t

 

[AB90HBX]

I asked a very similar question a couple months ago: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=731498 . In fact OTN gave me similar advice. Thanks again! 😀

Basically here's my take, as someone who is about to attend a Dosimetry program and whose talked with recent graduates.

Job outlook: The jobs are there. In talking with recent graduates, nearly all of them have had interviews and at least 50% have all but secured a job prior to graduation. This is with a class size of 15 people. I believe the stats were the same the year before, I believe all but 1 graduate had a Dosimetry after 6-8 months.

Job availability/location: Again the jobs are there; but you can't be very picky on where you will live after you graduate. This is the major downside to getting into the profession.

If you are not willing to relocate (even temporarily while you build experience for the CMD exam), then it might be worth reconsidering. To give you some perspective on the demand, out of the 15 graduates at my school, so far only 1 secured a job locally. Some places where the others have had interviews or secured jobs include: Seattle, Spokane, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, some place in Oklahoma and some place in Louisiana.

As an aside, if you are willing to relocate and don't mind living in the middle of no where you could find a job with some nice perks. An acquaintance of mine ended up in the middle of nowhere New Mexico, making ~$70k and they are paying his rent, utilities and even fuel for his car. To top it off they guaranteed a $5k/year raise (w/o CMD certification) and $10k/year (w/ CMD certification). 😱

Hours: As I understand it it's pretty much a 9-5 or 8-5 thing. There are exceptions to this but that's pretty standard.

Hope that helps... 👍