Medical Dosimetrist Career Description

Medical Dosimetrist Job Profile And Description

A medical dosimetrist is a medical professional who has to supervise and administer the exact amount of radiation which is given to someone suffering from cancer during the course of a radiation treatment. Measuring and monitoring this amount is very crucial because an excess can destroy the body tissue and a less amount can fail to kill the cancerous cells. He is employed with the radiation oncology department in a healthcare facility and makes sure that the correct measurement of radiation is imparted in the affected parts of the patient’s body. He needs to have the knowledge and skills to know about the human physiology and also how to operate the medical equipment.

Medical Dosimetrist Duties And Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of a medical dosimetrist will involve:

• Operate the medical equipment used for various radiation therapies
• Calculate the energy to be used in linear accelerator machines
• Consult medical physicists and radiation oncologists to plan the right treatment
• Study the medical records of the patient and condition of the cancerous tissue or tumour

Medical Dosimetrist Skills And Specifications

The skills and specifications that are required of a medical dosimetrist include:

• Excellent mathematical, research and analytical skills
• Good communication and listening skills
• Being detail-oriented and organised also helps

Medical Dosimetrist Education And Qualification

The education and qualification requirements for a medical dosimetrist are as follows:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably a master’s degree in applied science and specialisation in medical dosimetry concentration or radiation and imaging sciences
• Study subjects like physics, biology and chemistry at the lower level
• There are many certification programmes recognised by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology

Medical Dosimetrist Salary

The average salary of a medical dosimetrist is $98,000 per year and one can expect a starting salary of $50,000 in a year, which can go up if you are certified.