DOSIMETRIST

WHAT IS A MEDICAL DOSIMETRIST?

A medical dosimetrist plans and administers ionizing radiation under the direction of a radiation therapist or physician.  The primary duties of a dosimetrist include: tumor localizations; providing immobilization devices; providing radiation protection; planning, fabricating, and modifying devices; calculating equipment settings, aligning beams, and detecting equipment problems; assisting in insertion of radioactive substances inside body cavities for the treatment of cancer.  Some dosimetrists are also involved in clinical research for the development and implementation of new techniques. Medical dosimetrists work in hospitals, cancer treatment centers, and medical research labs.

HOW DO I BECOME A MEDICAL DOSIMETRIST?

There are two options for becoming a medical dosimetrist. There are schools which offer formal programs dedicated to teaching dosimetry. In order to enroll in one of these schools, most programs require that the applicant be a registered radiation therapist or have a Bachelor’s degree with certain prerequisite courses. The second way is to complete on-the-job training. This training if often offered in radiation oncology departments in hospitals, and supervision by a certified medical physicist or certified medical dosimetrist is a necessity.

Upon completion of the program, graduates may be eligible to take the certification exam offered by the Medical Dosimetry Certification Board. Certification has to be renewed on an annual basis, and continuing education courses are required each year.

PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION SOURCE:

American Association of Medical Dosimetrists
12100 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 130
(703) 234- 4063
www.medicaldosimetry.org