What are the responsibilities and job description for the Medical Physics Assistant position at Springfield Clinic?
Job Description
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Medical Physics Assistant (MPA) supports safe, efficient, and high‑quality radiation oncology services by performing delegated physics‑related tasks under the supervision of a Qualified Medical Physicist (QMP). The MPA helps execute routine quality assurance (QA) activities, prepares and acquires patient‑specific QA measurements, supports return‑to‑service checks following service events, fulfills records and data requests, and assists with physics projects and documentation. The MPA does not independently interpret results, determine clinical acceptability, or sign off on QA or clinical decisions; accountability remains with the supervising QMP, consistent with AAPM MPPG 7.a.
Job Relationships
Reports to the Lead, Medical Physicist
Principal Responsibilities
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Working Environment
HIPAA1
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Medical Physics Assistant (MPA) supports safe, efficient, and high‑quality radiation oncology services by performing delegated physics‑related tasks under the supervision of a Qualified Medical Physicist (QMP). The MPA helps execute routine quality assurance (QA) activities, prepares and acquires patient‑specific QA measurements, supports return‑to‑service checks following service events, fulfills records and data requests, and assists with physics projects and documentation. The MPA does not independently interpret results, determine clinical acceptability, or sign off on QA or clinical decisions; accountability remains with the supervising QMP, consistent with AAPM MPPG 7.a.
Job Relationships
Reports to the Lead, Medical Physicist
Principal Responsibilities
- Perform daily/weekly linear accelerator and imaging QA (e.g., output constancy checks with calibrated devices, imaging geometry/CBCT constancy, safety interlocks, lasers) following approved checklists and under appropriate supervision.
- Assist with monthly QA by setting up phantoms, acquiring measurements, and documenting results; the QMP interprets results and signs off.
- Conduct patient‑specific QA measurements (e.g., setting up phantoms such as ArcCHECK/Delta4/MapCHECK/SRS devices; delivering plans; acquiring EPID/ion‑chamber/film data) per QMP instructions.
- Support return‑to‑service QA after maintenance (e.g., execute measurement checklists, acquire reference images/outputs) under direct QMP supervision; the QMP performs final analysis and clinical release.
- Prepare detectors, electrometers, and phantoms (charging, warming up, verifying calibration tags, barcodes, and due dates); maintain tidy, labeled storage and readiness of QA equipment.
- Fulfill records requests (e.g., DICOM exports to outside institutions, image/plan/structure data packaging, and secure transmission) in compliance with HIPAA and institutional policies.
- Collect, label, and upload QA data to institutional repositories, complete QA checklists accurately and on time.
- Obtain interrogation reports for implanted electronic devices from cardiology/device clinics or vendors; route to QMP and radiation oncologist per protocol.
- Assist with building/maintaining device and QA inventories, calibration schedules, and preventive maintenance logs.
- Assist with clinical physics projects (e.g., test script execution, small scale phantom fabrication, SOP edits, spreadsheet tool upkeep, benign data audits).
- Participate in readiness drills (e.g., emergency procedures, power loss, radiation safety scenarios).
- Support commissioning adjacent tasks (e.g., water tank setup/tear down, cable management, labeling), without performing beam modeling or calibrations.
- Comply with the Springfield Clinic incident reporting policy and procedures.
- Adhere to all OSHA and Springfield Clinic training & accomplishments as required per policy.
- Provide excellent customer service and adhere to Springfield Clinic's Code of Conduct and Ethics Standards.
- Perform other job duties as assigned.
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in a technical field (physics, engineering, mathematics, IT, electronics) preferred.
- Demonstrated technical aptitude and comfort with precision instrumentation, measurement, and documentation.
- Proficiency with computers and file management; ability to learn oncology information systems and DICOM workflows.
- Strong attention to detail, professional communication, and reliable follow‑through.
- Prior experience in radiation oncology, imaging, clinical engineering, laboratory QA/QC, medical device servicing, or military technical roles.
- Familiarity with EPID/portal dosimetry, ArcCHECK/Delta4/MapCHECK, ion chambers/electrometers, or film QA.
- Experience with scripting/data tools (e.g., Excel, Python, SQL) and technical documentation.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Working Environment
- Ability to safely lift and position QA equipment/phantoms (up to ~40–50 lb with assistance), and to work early‑morning QA shifts.
HIPAA1
