Chief of Dosimetry

Company: Yale New Haven Health System
Location: New Haven
Posted on: May 12, 2022

Job Description:

Requisition ID: 42441Location: New Haven, ConnecticutCategory: TECHNOLOGIST/TECH - OTHERPosition Type: Full Time Benefits EligibleDepartment: Smilow Rad Physics New HavenScheduled Hours: 40OverviewTo be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.The Chief of Dosimetry reports to the Director of Radiation Oncology Physics and is a member of the physics leadership team. S/he helps plan and manage all the dosimetry programs and activities of Radiation Oncology Services across the Smilow Cancer Hospital enterprise. Working collaboratively with other department managers, s/he represents dosimetry in developing and executing short and long term goals that strive to achieve the mission and vision of the Department.The Chief of Dosimetry must be knowledgeable of the overall characteristics and clinical relevance of radiation oncology treatment planning systems, treatment machines, imaging equipment and brachytherapy procedures; and must have the expertise and experience necessary to devise /implement new treatment planning techniques and review the work of the staff dosimetrists . The Chief of Dosimetry initiates projects in related areas, including teaching, research and quality assurance. Performs all job responsibilities in a manner that ensures customer satisfaction and promotes positive and constructive working relationships within the department and throughout the YNHH community. EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran. Responsibilities RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages, coordinates and supports the daily activities of the medical dosimetry staff. Assists in unusual treatment planning cases. As needed, supplements the dosimetry staff in the operation of the dosimetry section. Monitors adherence to quality assurance procedures pertaining to the Medical Dosimetry section. Represents the Radiation Physics department at YNHH and Radiation Oncology department , meetings.1.1 Provides input to the Director regarding performance of the medical dosimetry staff and conducts yearly performance reviews.1 2. Provides input to the Director in the selection process for all radiation physics personnel.1 3. Monitors the dosimetrists' requisite JCAHO health and education records.1 4. Monitors HIPAA guidelines and requirements.1 5. Monitors the medical dosimetry Kronos time records.1.6 Reviews the daily treatment planning workflow for organization and prioritization. Routinely monitors treatment planning documentation for QA.1 7. Maintains all required YNHH and Radiation Oncology/Physics monthly and FY statistics.1 8. Informs the medical dosimetry group of YNHH management announcements.1 9. Schedules dosimetry staff meetings as required.1 10 . Meets personally with all dosimetry staff including those at regional sites routinely. Attends monthly Radiation Oncology manager meetings.1.11 Attends monthly Radiation Oncology QI meetings.1 12 . Attends quarterly YNHH management meetings.1 13 . Completes YNHH Management Academy courses for certification. Assists the Director with the Radiation Physics department budget; and verifies the accuracy of dosimetry/physics charge capture.
• Assists the Director with the Radiation Physics department budget; and verifies the accuracy of dosimetry/physics charge capture.2 1. Collaborates with YNHH and YMS billing to verify the accurate use of charge codes.2.2 From YNHH input, monitors changes in CMS billing guidelines and upgrades dosimetry/physics billing guide as required.2 3. Reviews treatment planning charges for YNHH daily.2.4 Assists the Director in reviewing the medical dosimetry section budget, monitoring deviations and preparing salary projections and cost reductions.2 5. Orders medical dosimetry supplies as required.
• Participates in the development and implementation of new clinical planning and treatment techniques, treatment planning systems, and departmental procedures and policies.3.1 Collaborates with the radiation oncologists, physicists, dosimetrists and the chief radiation therapist, in the development of new treatment techniques and Radiation Oncology/Physics departmental policies.3.2 Collaborates with department physicists in the selection process for new equipment.3.3 Participates in treatment planning projects or research, which may result in publication and/or advances in treatment techniques.3.4 Provides technical support to the medical physicists and the radiation safety officer.3.5 Keeps informed of newly opened Radiation Oncology treatment protocols. Reviews new protocols with attending MD staff and maintains copies of protocols in dosimetry section.3 6. Assists physicists in the collection of credentialing data. Provides Clinical Trials office with required documentation for all treatment protocol patients.
• Coordinates and teaches medical dosimetry to residents, dosimetry and RT students and others, as assigned.4 1. Participate in residents education in dosimetry.4 2. Teaches in the resident clinical dosimetry course.4.3 Coordinates and teaches the yearly clinical dosimetry rotation for the RT students . Evaluates student attendees.4 4. Conducts in-services for YNHH oncology nursing staff, medical students and other visiting personnel.
• Maintains continuing education in treatment planning techniques and advances in medical dosimetry. Participates in department educational meetings.5 1. Keeps medical dosimetry certification current and reviews pertinent professional journals.5.2 Expands skill levels as software upgrades and new treatment modalities develop. Reviews software upgrade release notes with dosimetrists. 5 3. Attends weekly Radiation Oncology grand rounds and presents dosimetry information as required.5 4. Attends or coordinates weekly chart rounds and presents dosimetry information as required.QualificationsREQUIREMENTS EDUCATION (number of years and type required to perform the position duties):Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree in Physics or Medical Physics (or a closely related discipline) or relevant advanced professional degree (e.g., MBA or MHA).EXPERIENCE (number of years and type required to meet an acceptable level of performance):Eight (8) years of experience in a clinical environment performing Radiation Therapy Physics and/or Dosimetry.SPECIAL SKILLS:Knowledge of YNHH administrative policies and procedures. Excellent supervisory, management, instructional and technical skills, interpersonal communication skills, organizational skills. Intermediate/Advanced computer skills. Thorough knowledge of the principles and techniques of radiation oncology, medical imaging, and medical physics and dosimetry. A working knowledge of radiation safety and the rules and regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and State Department of Health. Knowledge of the department's treatment planning software programs and techniques for 3-D CRT, IMRT, IGRT and SRS treatment planning protocols.ACCOUNTABILITY (how this position is held accountable for such as goals achievement, budget adherence, or other areas of accountability):Performance is routinely evaluated by the Director of Radiation Oncology Physics. The Chief of Dosimetry manages the daily activities of the medical dosimetrists to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of treatment planning cases, and indirectly oversees treatment planning-related work performed by Medical Physicist Assistant. Errors in treatment planning calculations and the preparation of brachytherapy implants by staff dosimetrists can have a direct adverse effect on the quality of patient care. In-house quality control policies and procedures must be consistently monitored in order to minimize misadministrations. Failure to monitor the accuracy of dosimetry /physics charge capture can result in compromised YNHH reimbursement.COMPLEXITY (describe planning, problem solving, decision making, creative activity, or other special factors inherent in the responsibilities of this position):In personal and job-related decisions and actions, consistently demonstrates the values of integrity (doing the right thing), patient-centered (putting patients and families first), respect (valuing all people and embracing all differences), accountability (being responsible and taking action), and compassion (being empathetic). This position is responsible for the management of the Medical Dosimetry section, comprised of a diverse group of medical dosimetry staff at YNHH and its regional sites. The Chief of Dosimetry performs all job responsibilities in a manner that ensures customer satisfaction and promotes positive and constructive working relationships within the department and throughout the YNHH community. Exercises discretion and independent judgment in medical dosimetry related decisions. Performs ongoing oversight and QA to prevent treatment planning misadministration. The Chief of Dosimetry also provides management liaison to the entire Radiation Oncology department; and represents the Director of Radiation Oncology Physics at essential YNHH management meetings.LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION: Certified by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) or by the American Board of Radiology in Therapeutic Medical Physics (or equivalent board). Additional Information PM22Monday-Friday40 hoursDays YNHHS Requisition ID42441

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