Chief Medical Physicist - (Altoona)

About UPMC:

The UPMC Hillman Cancer Center network is one of the largest integrated cancer networks in the United States with more than 60 locations throughout Pennsylvania including 24 radiation oncology centers in the United States, and five centers in Europe.  With our team of dedicated clinicians and medical physicists, standardized processes, state-of-the-art equipment, and an integrated IT platform, the UPMC network is a national leader in scaling world class care to radiation oncology patients close to their homes. 

Position Description:

We are seeking a qualified Clinical Chief of Medical Physics for a full-time position at UPMC Altoona, Altoona, PA, part of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Network’s 24 cancer centers.  The center’s medical physics operations are supported by the Medical Physics Division of the Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. The facility is ACRO-accredited and equipped with two Elekta Infinity and Synergy S linear accelerators (featuring kV imaging, cone-beam CT, respiratory gating, and VMAT capabilities), Nucletron micro-Selectron Digital HDR brachytherapy systems, a Philips CT simulator, and a full suite of quality assurance equipment. The center utilizes ARiA, Eclipse, and Mosaic for documentation, treatment planning, and delivery. A new TrueBeam with SRS/SBRT capabilities will soon be installed soon. 

The chief physicist will work closely with another physicist to provide physics support. Primary responsibilities include overseeing all clinical Medical Physics services at UPMC Altoona, including regular quality assurance testing for equipment and treatment delivery, dosimetry calibration of radiation therapy equipment, ensuring compliance with radiation safety and licensing requirements, and providing clinical support. Additional duties involve dosimetry and clinical implementation of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)/VMAT, SRS/SBRT, 4DCT and gated radiation therapy. The successful candidate must have demonstrated clinical skills in these areas, the abilities to work independently, and excellent oral and written communication skills. Significant opportunities exist to engage in and lead various activities across the UPMC network.

Compensation:

The salary is commensurate with the candidate’s qualification and experience.  UPMC Hillman Cancer Center offers a competitive salary and benefit package and is an equal opportunity employer.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with other UPCI Physicists in Radiation Therapy related research in the Division of Medical Physics.
• Obtain and disseminate information pertaining to current practices within the field of Radiation Oncology Physics.
• Oversee and manage the systematic measurement, documentation, and assurance of the physical aspects of all radiation sources/devices used in Radiation Oncology.
• In conjunction with Health System ISD , ensure that the Radiation Oncology Information system is fully implemented, functional, maintained and secure.
• Assist in the clinical practice of Radiation Oncology Physics and dosimetry. This includes equipment usage/selection/replacement, physics and dosimetry staff requirements/assignments/recruitment, program operation, budget preparation, and continuing review of program's policies and procedures.
• Maintain a comprehensive quality assurance program that ensures patients are provided tumor localization, radiation treatment, and dose distributions as prescribed. This includes assurance of the accuracy of treatment unit parameters.
• Supervise and perform acceptance testing and commissioning of all treatment-related equipment. This includes calibration of all radiation producing sources and maintenance of all information for their appropriate use.
• In conjunction with BioTronics, ensure that all therapy equipment is fully maintained and serviced.
• Direct the design, fabrication, and measurement of treatment beam modifiers and treatment aids.
• Initiate and perform research in areas of medical physics that is consistent with the missions and goals of the Department of Radiation Oncology. Such research should be performed in close collaboration with other medical physicists, research scientists, radiation oncologists and postdoctoral research associates (i.e., clinical residents).
• Provide consultation to the Radiation Oncologist on the physical and radiobiological aspect of treatment. Translate the desired treatment plan into a set of instructions for radiation therapists to execute.
• Manage the compliance of NRC and State Rules and Regulations, as well as adhere to ACRO and appropriate AAPM Task Group Guidelines.
• Oversee and manage the development and documentation of performance specifications, procedures, testing, tolerances, and frequency of testing for all therapy equipment.
• Manage the development of treatment plans, acquisition and storage of data for treatment plans, calculation of dose distributions and machine settings for treatment delivery.
• Manage the in-vivo dose measurement and use of measuring devices for verification of dose delivery to patients. Provide interpretation/consultation to the Radiation Oncologist on basis of in-vivo dosimetry.
• Teach the clinical medical physics residents, the radiation oncology residents and the dosimetrists in training the physics of radiation therapy. Provide clinical and research guidance to the clinical medical physics residents.