Dosimetry: What To Know?

[gregors]

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I'm looking into becoming a dosimetrist and there isn't exactly a wealth of information on this online other than they decide how to deliver the radiation using computer simulations and medical imaging, and supervise the radiation therapist. What I want to know is what physics is essential to the job, extent of interaction with patients/families, how frequently they're called in for emergencies, dangers of the job like accidental exposure to radiation, and what factors decide determine the radiation dosage/how rigorous it is. Is there anything else I should be asking?

Another thing is the dosimetry certification agency (JRCERT?) wants to end on the job training, and switch to dosimetry coursework. It's not clear to me what effect this will have since only a handful of dosimetry schools exist and many accept 2-5 students per year.

Also, could someone tell me my chances based on my credentials? I have a BS in chemistry with a 3.6 GPA and I will have a thesis based MS in physical chemistry by the time I try dosimetry. I lack healthcare experience though.

 

[Gfunk6]

I'm looking into becoming a dosimetrist and there isn't exactly a wealth of information on this online other than they decide how to deliver the radiation using computer simulations and medical imaging, and supervise the radiation therapist. What I want to know is what physics is essential to the job, extent of interaction with patients/families, how frequently they're called in for emergencies, dangers of the job like accidental exposure to radiation, and what factors decide determine the radiation dosage/how rigorous it is. Is there anything else I should be asking?

Since this forum is mainly for medical students, residents and attendings, there is not too much conversation about dosimetry. However the questions in your first paragraph are pretty basic and I can answer them.

Physics - you don't really need to learn more than General Physics I & II at the undergraduate college level (or through AP courses in high school).

Patient interaction - minimal to non-existent. The therapists and MDs are essentially the "face" of the radiation treatment team. Once in a while, dosimetrists may interact with patients while on the machine, but even this is rare.

Emergencies - these are generally rare in Radiation Oncology. How often you are called in is highly dependent on your practice setting. However, on those rare occasions it may be possible to "plan" from home if your department is setup with a remote connection. Otherwise, I can't see a dosimetrist having to come in during "off" hours for more than a couple of times per year.

Dangers - you will have minimal exposure to radiation since you will not routinely be going into the treatment vaults. All members of the radiation team get dosimetry badges which are audited for exposure monthly. Due to the meticulous nature of our QA, I'd say your exposure will likely be no higher than the public.

Beyond that, I'm afraid that I can't add much about training/qualificaitons for dosimetrists. However, I can tell you that the few dosimetrists I've met that graduated from "accelerated" programs were not very good.

 

[gregors]

Beyond that, I'm afraid that I can't add much about training/qualificaitons for dosimetrists. However, I can tell you that the few dosimetrists I've met that graduated from "accelerated" programs were not very good.

What background did the dosimetrists that you though were better have?

 

[Gfunk6]

What background did the dosimetrists that you though were better have?

Do a two year program, not an accelerated one year program.

Also, go to a major academic medical center for training. The problem I saw with some of our dosimetry applicants were:

1. Lack of training in fundamental treatment planning - they wanted to talk about their complex prostate/head&neck IMRT experience but if you run them through an exercise in placing breast tangents they get a "deer in headlights" look. You have to master the basics first.

2. Limited hardware availability - it's all well and good if you trained on the state of the art VMAT Linac but do you know how to do "step and shoot" IMRT? What about SBRT? SRS? You should train at a place which has a diversity of treatment hardware to enrich your education and maximize your marketability.

3. Lack of formal face-to-face instruction - you need to be trained face-to-face both in practical learning and theory (e.g. lectures); if any part of the curriculum involves "remote" education I would run away! I would not hire a dosimetrist who trained at the University of Phoenix.

 

[gregors]

That makes sense, but of 17 JRCERT dosimetry programs there are 14 that aren't distance education and 4 that are two years. Is on the job training still a preferred route for dosimetry?

 

[snrussell09]

I would definitely like some more information on this as well as far as the day to day work and main duties are concerned. Also the education because they are doing away from the on the job training so it seems like it would be hard to get hired with only doing a training program and no actual experience. I heard it's also a good idea to become a rad. therapist first to get some experience before going into Dosimetry. The job market seems terribly saturated for therapists though, just too many schools graduating them.