Physicist jobs in Columbia, SC

Radiation Oncology
Full Time
Day Shift
8

Consistently named best hospital, Lexington Medical Center anchors an expansive health care network that includes nearly 600 physicians and advanced practice providers at nearly 80 locations across the Midlands of South Carolina, making it the region’s third largest employer. From general medicine and orthopaedics to oncology, cardiology and neurosurgery, these dedicated professionals combine the highest quality care with advanced medicine and state-of-the-art technology to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes.  Its postgraduate medical education programs include family medicine and transitional year residencies.

Job Summary

Assists Lead Physicist in performing linear accelerator, simulator and superficial calibrations, as well as mechanical and safety quality assurance. Responsibilities may include verification of data input, review of treatment plans, calculations, and IMRT QA. Provides assistance to the Radiation Oncologists for Radiation Medicine patients as needed. Also performs HDRs (including Mammosite therapies) with Nucletron planning and treatment device and intraoperative Prostate implants utilizing Varian's Variseed and Core Oncology's Isoloader. Equipment includes: 3 State of the art Varian Linear Accelerators with Respiratory Gating, OBI and CBCT capabilities; Varian's Eclipse treatment planning system using 3D, IMRT, and portal Dosimetry; Varian's EMR (Aria).

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: Master's Degree in Medical Physics or related field
Minimum Years of Experience: 3 Years of relevant clinical experience in Radiation Oncology
Substitutable Education & Experience: None.
Required Certifications/Licensure: Board certified or eligible in Medical Physics
Required Training: None.

Essential Functions

• Reports to the Director and Medical Director concerning professional and technical activities in the Department.
• Checks the accuracy of treatment unit parameters and settings used for a patient’s treatment, including correct transfer of parameters between all equipment and required calculations.
• Prepares inverse and forward external beam and brachytherapy treatment plans, customized to each patient.
• Presents proposals to Medical Director/Director, such as new devices, protocols, or designs of equipment, changes in treatment, planning, research, etc.
• Performs and verifies equipment, dosage, film, and patient QA measurements.
• Performs specification, acceptance testing, and commissioning of new equipment.
• Calibrates diagnostic, planning, and therapeutic x-ray machines, and determines the distribution of radiation throughout the irradiated area. Transfers data into planning computers.
• Documents applicable dosimetry and physics parameters and calculations required to deliver the prescribed treatment in the electronic and paper charts.
• Performs weekly QA chart and dose reviews on each patient under treatment. Compares electronic vs written and actual treatment data.
• Outlines QA procedures which include tests to be performed, tolerances, and frequency of tests.
• Monitors daily linac and simulator QA values obtained by the Radiation Therapists.
• Arranges for external verification of dose values and calibration measures, such as annual TLD measurements, leak testing, calibration of radiation detection devices, etc.
• Assists the Radiation Oncologists in real-time seed implant and intravascular brachytherapy.
• Determines post-procedure dose determination of seed implants through CT studies.
• Consults with Radiation Oncologists per their request for special patient-specific treatment considerations.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Evaluates all conformal, IMRT, stereotactic and brachytherapy setups and dosimetry plans at the beginning or prior to beginning the course of treatment.
• Operates equipment delivering ionizing radiation to patients for therapy.
• Uses computer and video display terminal for computing and designing radiation therapy beams to the appropriate target.
• Offers input on treatment setup techniques.
• Calculates amount and activity of radioactive materials. Confirms vendor’s stated values.  Receives, logs, registers, and assumes responsibility for radioactive materials from receipt through decay and disposal of material, following established protocols.
• Maintains current and complete records and documentation of radiation safety, pertinent QA activities, calibration reports, and others as required by the Department Director, policy, and SC DHEC.
• Works cooperatively to assist DHEC and DNV representatives with on-site regulatory inspections.
• Ensures proper radiation safety measures are in place for patients receiving brachytherapy.  With the Radiation Oncologist, instructs nursing and other personnel on radiation precautions and self protection.  Performs room and patient radiation surveys.
• Reviews monthly Landauer reports and posts in the Department. Notifies Director of special requests or changes in badging to be made with the RSO/designee.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, conferences, and workshops as requested by the Director or Medical Director. Researches current Physics literature.
• Captures and reviews Physics and applicable dosimetry charges accurately.
• Works with vendor’s service engineer for special equipment testing and calibration.  Coordinates physics activities deemed applicable in coordination with or as a result of servicing.
• Communicates ongoing equipment problems or issues with the Director or Medical Director.
• Attends weekly departmental meetings.
• Serves on departmental CQI committee and other committees as designated.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.
• Able to access and navigate the hospital's electronic health record (EPIC) when necessary.
• Performs annual training and testing required by Lexington Medical Center.

We are committed to offering quality, cost-effective benefits choices for our employees and their families:

• Day ONE medical, dental and life insurance benefits
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• Employees are eligible for enrollment into the 403(b) match plan day one.  LHI matches dollar for dollar up to 6%.
• Employer paid life insurance – equal to 1x salary
• Employee may elect supplemental life insurance with low cost premiums up to 3x salary
• Adoption assistance
• LHI provides its full-time employees employer paid short-term disability and long-term disability coverage after 90 days of eligible employment
• Tuition reimbursement
• Student loan forgiveness

Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of LMC to provide equal opportunity of employment for all individuals, and to remain compliant with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. LMC strives to provide a discrimination-free environment, and to recruit, select, on-board, and employ all employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including but not limited to, lactation. LMC endeavors to upgrade and promote employees from within the hospital where possible and consistent with the employee’s desires and abilities and the hospital’s needs.