Chief Physicist - Oncology, Full-time, Days

  • Full-time
  • Job Shift: Day Job (1st)

Company Description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Job Description

The Chief Physicist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Chief Medical physicist provides oversight of all quality control, regulatory and JCAHO compliance testing of all therapeutic radiation therapy equipment in the Cancer Center. This position will provide technical assistance in the development of treatment plans for patients undergoing radiation therapy, monitor patients, and maintain established policies, procedures, objectives, quality measurement, and safety. The Chief Physicist provides scientific support to medical staff in accurate, effective and safe diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients. The chief clinical medical physicist does research involving new techniques in clinical developments and services. This role also trains and updates Cancer Center Associates in all aspects of physics applied to medicine.

Responsibilities:

  • Oversees radiation treatments and dose calculations for cancer patients using a wide range of scientific equipment to aid clinical diagnosis, treatment, physiological measurement and bioengineering.
  • Will be responsible to assure for that the appropriate treatment plan and the correct radiation dose will be given to the selected treatment area while minimizing the dose elsewhere.
  • Oversees and organizes all of the quality assurance programs with respect to the diagnostic and therapeutic equipment in the cancer center(s), which include:
    • Linear accelerators
    • Brachytherapy sources
    • Treatment planning systems
    • In-house diagnostic treatment simulation and/or planning equipment
    • All radiation measurement equipment.
  • Ensures accurate measurement of radiation output from all sources employed in cancer therapy with respect to national and all regulatory standards.
  • Manages the clinical technical aspects of junior physicist’s, dosimetrist's, and therapist’s activities.
  • Investigates new treatment techniques, advises on the purchase of new equipment, hardware, software, etc. for the implementation of these new techniques.
  • Implements controls for medical radiation hazards by performing safety checks and ensuring that safety procedures are followed in all areas in which radiographic equipment is utilized.
  • Develops and writes specifications for diagnostic and therapeutic radiological equipment and serves as a resource for physicians, dosimetrists and therapists in developing new methods of testing equipment.
  • Participates in the advancement of the Cancer Center as a member of a development committee overseeing new techniques, new facilities and new equipment.
  • Radiation safety responsibilities include surveys, the radiation badge-monitoring program, and participation in Radiation Safety Committee.
  • Consults with radiation oncologists, dosimetrists and therapists, provides instruction in treatment planning practices, and assists in the development .of new treatment techniques.        
  • Oversees and maintains required records, reports, files and collects related statistics.
  • Consults and participates in the high dose and low dose brachytherapy planning and treatments provided to patients.
  • Oversees, participates and assists in the provision of educational offerings to Cancer Center Associates in the area of his/her expertise.
  • This position performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

  • Master’s degree in physics, radiological physics, medical physics or a related specialty.
  • Certification by the American Board of Radiology, or the American Board of Medical Physics.
  • Minimum of 15 years of experience
  • Have a working knowledge in the use and function of all radiological equipment required to perform the responsibilities of the position.

Preferred:

  • Demonstration of direct supervisory responsibilities or equivalent.

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.