Medical Dosimetrists
Additional Information
Duties
Medical dosimetrists typically do the following:
- Review patient records, including CT and MRI scans
- Determine the correct amount of radiation to give a patient
- Work with the radiation oncology team to create a plan for delivering the radiation
- Help design molds, casts, or other devices to keep patients still during treatment
- Keep detailed records of the treatment a patient receives
- Conduct quality assurance tests on radiation equipment
Medical dosimetrists are responsible for creating and managing radiation treatment plans for patients dealing with cancer or other serious illnesses. They usually start by examining patient records, such as CT and MRI scans. Using the dosage range prescribed by a physician, they carefully calculate the exact amount and angle of radiation needed. These calculations can be done manually or with the help of computer software.
The specific calculations medical dosimetrists make can vary depending on the type of radiation treatment chosen. For instance, external beam radiation—which targets a tumor from outside the body—often uses a higher dose than brachytherapy, where a radioactive source is placed inside the body near the tumor.
Beyond managing radiation treatments, medical dosimetrists may also help design devices that keep patients still during procedures. They are responsible for maintaining patient treatment records, handling shipments, using radiation detection tools to monitor radioactivity in patients, and calibrating equipment to make sure it operates correctly.
Medical dosimetrists work closely with a radiation oncology team, which typically includes medical physicists, oncology nurses, radiation oncologists and other doctors, as well as radiation therapists.
Education
Medical dosimetrists usually need a bachelor's degree in medical dosimetry or a closely related area, like biology or physical science. Those who earn a degree in a different field can complete a certificate or master’s program in medical dosimetry, which typically takes 1 to 2 years. The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) provides a list of accredited medical dosimetry programs.
Getting into a medical dosimetry program can be competitive. Applicants are often required to be certified radiation therapists or have a bachelor's degree that covers subjects like biology, medical terminology, and calculus.
Medical dosimetry programs offer courses in subjects such as physics, anatomy, and radiology, and include supervised clinical training where students gain hands-on experience working with professional dosimetrists.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Most employers prefer hiring medical dosimetrists who hold the Certified Medical Dosimetrist (CMD) credential from the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB). To become certified, candidates must have a bachelor's degree, graduate from an accredited program, and pass a certification exam. To maintain their certification, dosimetrists must complete a set amount of continuing education hours.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Some medical dosimetrists start out working as radiation therapists before earning the additional qualifications needed to become dosimetrists.
Important Qualities
- Communication skills: Medical dosimetrists must clearly share important details about a patient’s radiation plan both verbally and in writing to ensure accurate treatment.
- Critical-thinking skills: They must evaluate patient information and health data to help create the best treatment plans.
- Detail oriented: Accuracy is crucial when calculating the correct dose and placement of radiation.
- Interpersonal skills: Dosimetrists work closely with other radiation oncology team members and must be able to collaborate effectively.
- Math skills: A strong understanding of math is needed to properly calculate and double-check radiation doses.
- Technical skills: Medical dosimetrists need to be comfortable using computers and specialized medical equipment.
Pay
The median annual wage for medical dosimetrists was $138,110 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $103,760, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $176,360.
Job Projections
Employment of medical dosimetrists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
