Trying to get into the field of Dosimetry

[jezyk]

I feel I have done enough research to know what's needed to become a Dosimetrist. The main concern is how to get there. I've talked to quite a few Dosimetrists and several professionals in Rad Onc and I get quite conflicting answers. The training programs are looking for students coming from a Radiation Therapy background. The training programs prefer those with a hard science background. The training programs are looking for someone who's shown interest in wanting to be a Dosimetrist. Okay, I get that there is no one uniform answer on how to get accepted into these programs.

What I find frustrating is the lack of info and help provided by the AAMD and some clinics out there. First, the AAMD website is restricted to those already in the community and it's hard for someone from the outside trying to read up on the field. Second, I understand, to an extent, as to why many clinics aren't looking to offer assistance to anyone interested in this profession. They don't have the time and patience to explain to an untrained person. I was hoping many clinics to allow some shadowing time but many were reluctant. And I know there are fewer and fewer that provide OJT anymore.

However, do these places really have an aversion to allow some sort of internship or unpaid work? I don't have direct experience but I do have a physics background and have worked in nuclear physics laboratory. So it's not like I'm in the complete dark here. I would love if there are places I can put in 30 or so hours a week just to observe. Heck, I'd even make coffee or sweep floors. Ultimately, I'd like to strengthen my application for Dosimetry school but how is it possible when I can't even get volunteer experience?

I don't work in the healthcare industry but many of you are familiar with what goes on in these places. I'd just like to know what the general consensus is in bringing someone in to learn and contribute in any way possible.

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[Gfunk6]

It can be challenging to observe in the fashion you describe. Dosimetrists can be quite busy and many would view your presence as an imposition that reduces their efficiency. So, it boils down to finding the right practice where you know an MD who can "request" that you be allowed to shadow the dosimetrists. That is probably the best approach to take, contact an MD in a regional practice and ask to shadow a dosimetrist.

What area of the country do you live in? One of us may be able to help you out.

As an aside, OJT as a pathway into dosimetry is effectively dead. Our Chief Dosimetrist took this route but he told me that the AAMD is rapidly phasing it out.

 

[jezyk]

It can be challenging to observe in the fashion you describe. Dosimetrists can be quite busy and many would view your presence as an imposition that reduces their efficiency. So, it boils down to finding the right practice where you know an MD who can "request" that you be allowed to shadow the dosimetrists. That is probably the best approach to take, contact an MD in a regional practice and ask to shadow a dosimetrist.

What area of the country do you live in? One of us may be able to help you out.

As an aside, OJT as a pathway into dosimetry is effectively dead. Our Chief Dosimetrist took this route but he told me that the AAMD is rapidly phasing it out.

Thanks so much. I was fortunate enough to shadow at two clinics, each for a day. One was coordinated through the chief therapist and the other by contacting the oncologist. They were more than helpful. I can't say the same for other clinics.

The oncologist I contacted was very accommodating though he was extremely busy. I met him for a total of 5 minutes. However, the dosimetrist seemed very annoyed that I was under his supervision. In a very unsubtle way he would tell me that explaining things really hampered his work. I completely understood his situation though. But it's not like I can go to YouTube and find tutorials on treatment planning. The resources are really scarce.

I'm actually in NYC and may consider relocation in the east coast just for gaining any kind of experience. Although that may be a little difficult as I have a full time job






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[deleted4401]

Yeah, it's a real bear to get into. I think that the best bet is to become a radiation therapist and then you'll have a better shot, based on what I've seen.

We've done OJT for all of our dosimetrists and they are wonderful. Better than people that have trained at these programs. Better than almost all the ones I worked with in residency (who were all typically RTTs or nuc med). I've seen dosimetry school. It's a big joke. You just watch people work. We found 2 physics majors and one chemical engineer and they just watched the current guy work, read Bentel on their own, learned anatomy, and asked a ton of questions. Now, they are fantastic. The one guy I've taught to stage and learn indications for RT. He's like a resident, ha.

When we were trying to hire "trained" dosimetrists, we went through 4 of them. All of them claimed experience in 3D and IMRT, and yet they could not do the job - the quality was poor and they were slow ("I've seen it done better, but never slower"). The simplest things were hard for them. So, we stopped trying to hire someone. We had to take our smartest therapist and now she's doing great, though not as good as the physics guys and the engineer.

 

[deleted4401]

<repost>

 

[jezyk]

Yeah, it's a real bear to get into. I think that the best bet is to become a radiation therapist and then you'll have a better shot, based on what I've seen.

We've done OJT for all of our dosimetrists and they are wonderful. Better than people that have trained at these programs. Better than almost all the ones I worked with in residency (who were all typically RTTs or nuc med). I've seen dosimetry school. It's a big joke. You just watch people work. We found 2 physics majors and one chemical engineer and they just watched the current guy work, read Bentel on their own, learned anatomy, and asked a ton of questions. Now, they are fantastic. The one guy I've taught to stage and learn indications for RT. He's like a resident, ha.

When we were trying to hire "trained" dosimetrists, we went through 4 of them. All of them claimed experience in 3D and IMRT, and yet they could not do the job - the quality was poor and they were slow ("I've seen it done better, but never slower"). The simplest things were hard for them. So, we stopped trying to hire someone. We had to take our smartest therapist and now she's doing great, though not as good as the physics guys and the engineer.

I come from a physics background. Can you hire me through the cracks?

At my institution the OJT dosimetrists are weaker than the guy who went to school. It probably depends on the dosimetry school they went to.

There aren't many schools out there so I wonder why there would be such a discrepancy.

 

[deleted4401]

Perhaps. Just think that a person that graduated with a BS in engineering may have more inherent intellectual fire power than someone that has been on the linac for 5 years, having obtained an associates degree in RTT. But, you are right - the variability is astounding and because certification is optional, there are a lot of crappy ones and some excellent ones that are invaluable.

And we are set for now!

 

[jezyk]

Only if I could get into one of the dosimetry programs. I could theoretically be the best of both worlds 🙂

 

[jezyk]

I suppose this is a dumb question but do most oncologists get annoyed with unsolicited emails asking for internship positions?

 

[deleted4401]

They would just ignore you, unless you repeatedly emailed the same person.
S

 

[Amumu]

If you have a strong background in physics and biology with a decent GPA, you can get into dosimetry programs without being a radiation therapist. A few programs I know of are Jefferson, Loma Linda, and Suffolk, there may be more. The class sizes are small so you will need to have good GPA to get in.