At Houston Methodist, the Radiation Physicist is responsible for performing measurements and providing data for quality assurance of radiation sources and treatment plans, under the supervision of a fully licensed therapeutic medical physicist, to ensure that patients receive the physician prescribed radiation dose for accurate treament of disease as well as protecting patients, staff and public from radiation harm. The incumbent will monitor the performance of radiation producing devices as well as ensure that patient-specific quality assurance, including initial and periodic treatment plan checks, and measurements are performed appropriately and in a timely manner.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Works with therapy staff to ensure that periodic machine quality assurance is routinely and appropriately performed.

• Works with engineering/vendor staff to ensure machine repairs and upgrades are adequately performed and machine performance verified.

• Provides consultation to physicians and guidance to dosimetrists and therapists regarding best approaches to simulate, plan, image and treat patients to assure accurate delivery of prescribed radiation dosage to a specific human patient, and the associated risks.

• Participates in training of departmental personnel as needed to effectively and safely utilize equipment for patient care and in the didactic education and hands-on training for radiation oncology and medical physics residents and other trainees.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in the development of procedures for testing and evaluating performance levels of radiotherapy treatment and simulation equipment. This includes assisting in the development and execution of plans for acceptance and commissioning of new radiotherapy and dosimetry equipment and software.

• Provides documentation that radiotherapy treatment, simulation and measurement equipment meet accreditation and regulatory compliance requirements.

• Participates in the development and management of the quality control program for a radiation treatment facility that includes applicable facility accreditation and regulatory requirements, and the review of policies and procedures pertaining to therapeutic radiation and its safe and appropriate use.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs quality assurance to verify proper functioning after installation, repair or upgrade of radiation treatment equipment and software. It includes acceptance testing of radiotherapy treatment and simulation equipment, calibration and characterization of radiation beams from therapeutic equipment including radiation quantity, quality, and distribution characteristics, and assessment of the mechanical and geometric optics for proper placement of the beam. It also includes calibration and/or verification of the physical and radiological characteristics of brachytherapy sources.

• Supports the implementation and management of dosimetric and beam delivery aspects of external beam delivery, brachytherapy irradiation and special procedures. External beam delivery aspects include treatment aids, beam modifiers, and geometrical arrangements. Special procedures are included for both external beam (e.g. radiosurgery, total body irradiation, total skin irradiation, intraoperative therapy) and brachytherapy (e.g. high dose rate, intravascular brachytherapy).

• Participates in acceptance testing, management, and supervision of computer systems used for treatment planning and calculation of treatment times or monitor units. This includes measurement and input of dosimetry data base and verification of output for external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy.

• Ensures that patient-specific quality assurance, including initial and periodic treatment plan checks, and measurements if required, are performed on a timely manner.

• Participates in the development and/or evaluation of a radiation safety program in a therapeutic radiation facility including written procedures for the protection of patients, workers, and the public, as well as in the protective shielding design and radiation safety surveys in a radiotherapy facility.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supports the development of specifications for radiotherapy treatment and simulation equipment, including software. Provides equipment and software evaluations of value and performance on possible equipment and software purchases.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• This position is eventually expected to grow into a senior physicist position (Radiation Physicist II) and manage all aspects of the clinical medical physics program.

• Participates in clinical research and development projects as well as other research projects that are consistent with departmental goals.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• M.S. degree in physical science required.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of two years of experience in therapeutic medical physics in a hospital/clinic based environment, including educational training.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• MPHYS - Medical Physicists - State Licensure -- in Therapeutic Medical Physics OR
• MPHYS-Temp - Temporary Medical Physicists - State Licensure AND
• ABR-TMP - Therapeutic Medical Physics (ABR) -- or eligible for certification

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group - As one of the nation’s leading hospitals and academic medical centers Houston Methodist has brought together some of the nation’s leading experts in multiple specialties to serve our patients.  As part of Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group (HMSPG), these specialists not only provide excellent clinical care, but are on the forefront of research, developing leading-edge technologies and treatments, and teaching the medical pioneers of tomorrow.  This combination of clinical service, research and academics ensures patients have access to the latest in treatments and technologies while providing the best in comprehensive patient care.  Established as a non-profit corporation and certified by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, HMSPG enables physicians to maintain autonomy with respect to their clinical practice while growing their practice within an academic environment.