A Dosimetrist, or Dosimetry Technician, has specialized oncology knowledge and works with the radiation therapy team to create and execute treatment plans. Their duties include monitoring and analyzing a patient’s treatment needs, determining the proper amount of therapeutic radiation to use to target an affected area and working closely with the radiation team to implement treatment.
A Dosimetrist should be able to fulfill various duties and responsibilities. The following are some duties and responsibilities a Dosimetrist should be able to execute:
- Obtaining and analyzing the appropriate information needed to draft effective therapy plans
- Communicating with the radiation and larger oncology team to successfully implement treatment plans and perform follow up therapy as needed
- Assisting in radiation therapy and supervising radiologists
- Using specialized medical equipment to locate tumors, including MRIs, CT and PET scans
- Setting up medical equipment and providing image guidance to physicians during surgeries and offering technical support as needed
- Verifying all mathematical calculations are correct using appropriate tools while drafting treatment plans
A competitive Dosimetrist will have certain skills and qualifications, including:
- Advanced knowledge of medicine, anatomy, radiation physics and safety, clinical oncology and radiobiology
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to convey complex information regarding procedures, including calculations
- High-level critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Interpersonal skills that facilitate effective communication between the oncology staff as well as patients and their family members regarding procedures and expected outcomes
- Strict organizational skills to properly manage multiple projects and treatment plans
- Mathematical skills such as calculus, trigonometry and algebra
