Proton Therapist

Orlando Health Cancer Institute is seeking a highly skilled Proton Physicist to join our team of medical professionals. As a top cancer care provider in Florida, we offer a comprehensive, multidisciplinary cancer program consisting of six treatment sites and more than 10 practice locations.

The Proton Physicist will be responsible for planning for the proper allocation of Department resources within the proton center, including equipment usage, selection, and replacement; recruitment; budget preparation; program operation and continuing review of policies and procedures.

• Supervise proton center dosimetrists and technical staff.
• Develop and administer a comprehensive Quality Assurance (QA) program for proton therapy equipment, localization procedures, and computational equipment and programs.
• Collaborate with the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) and Radiation Oncology Administration to develop and administer a comprehensive radiation safety program.
• Monitor the performance of the therapy staff and treatment areas and provide the necessary equipment and support to assure the accurate delivery of patient treatments.
• Assist in the development of and ensure staff adherence to all policies and procedures related to technical aspects of proton therapy.
• Develop performance, acceptance testing, and commissioning specifications for all newly acquired equipment.
• Calculate, or review, and certify for use all shielding for new or modified radiation areas.
• Collaborate with the Radiation Oncologist and/or physics and/or dosimetry staff on individual patient treatment plans.
• Develop, or review, and approve for clinical use new or non-standard treatment techniques.
• Provide statistical analysis for evaluation of treatment efficacy.
• Review and approve for use all necessary charts and tables for all treatment units to enable the accurate calculation of patient treatments.
• Evaluate and approve for use new or improved treatment aids applicators or instruments.
• Research and evaluate new developments in the field of Radiation Oncology to assess the need for and acquisition of new or improved equipment for simulation, planning, or treatment.
• Constantly review and implement process changes on all aspects of clinical operation to increase workflow efficiency.
• Acquire/review all proton dosimetry data required for accurate calculation of patient treatments.
• Verify accuracy of computer calculations and approve for clinical use.
• Review regularly and update as required in accordance with established QA program.
• Review and approve for clinical use all new and special treatment procedures.
• Periodically review current treatment procedures and update as required.
• Initiate and periodically review a written procedure manual for standard calculation techniques.
• Calculate or review and approve for submission benchmark calculations and studies done for formal clinical trials and protocols.
• Create a library of disease-specific cases with proton vs. IMRT plan comparisons for training and reference use by dosimetry staff.
• Assist in providing software and hardware vendors with a works-in-progress list of quality performance issues, bugs, desired features, and overall performance to ultimately enhance our clinical operation.
• Perform or review regular calibrations and routine QA checks on all radiation producing equipment.
• Perform and evaluate annual calibration of all radiation producing equipment and maintain appropriate records.
• Update treatment planning computer systems, charts, and tables as appropriate.
• Review results of test procedures for computer software updates and approve for clinical use.
• Supervise the program of weekly chart review for patients under treatment.
• Participate in weekly chart review as assigned.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive process for patient-specific QA.
• Treat all patients and staff in a courteous and understanding manner, preserving their privacy and dignity at all times.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to the special needs and concerns of the aged, infirm, and impaired.
• Address all issues in a prompt and professional manner.
• Participate as required in corporate wide training, continuing education, and committees to assure compliance with corporate and department policies and regulatory agencies.
• Provide continuing education for other team members as required.
• Collaborate with colleagues and staff on various clinically related R&D projects as needed.
• Participate in mentoring and didactic teaching of medical physics residents.
• Take a lead role in commissioning and acceptance of the proton therapy system.

• Must have a graduate (M.S. or Ph.D.) degree in medical physics, physics, biophysics, radiological physics, medical health physics, or equivalent discipline from an accredited college or university.
• Graduation from an accredited residency program is preferred, but not required.
• Must have a current license in Therapeutic Radiological Physics (State of Florida Department of Health).
• Must have been granted or in the process of obtaining certification in Therapeutic Radiologic Physics from The American Board of Radiology, The American Board of Medical Physics, or the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine.
• If the certifying body has maintenance of certification, you must meet all the requirements to maintain certification.
• A minimum of 2 years direct clinical experience in therapeutic radiologic physics is required.
• Proton therapy experience is highly desired.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.