Physicist

Hello humankindness

Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona is an international leader in the treatment, research, and education of brain and spinal diseases, conditions, and injuries. Led by Barrow President and CEO Michael T. Lawton, MD, one of the world’s top neurosurgeons, the Institute is one of the busiest centers for neurology and neurosurgery in the United States. Because of our high volume, our physicians and clinicians are familiar with the rarest and most challenging conditions.

Newsweek ranks Barrow as one of the best specialty hospitals in the world for neurosurgery. In addition, U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Barrow as a top center for neuro-rehabilitation in the country. We are certified by The Joint Commission in Comprehensive Stroke. Barrow boasts a Level I trauma center, CARF-accredited neuro-rehabilitation programs, and more certified neuroscience registered nurses (CNRN) than any other hospital in the world. The Ivy Brain Tumor Center at Barrow, is home to the largest Phase 0 clinical trials program in the world.

Highly regarded for neuroscience education for decades, Barrow is ranked by Doximity as first in the nation for its neurosurgery residency program and 45th for neurology. Barrow has contributed to many breakthroughs in neuroscience and neurosurgery, including refining the cardiac standstill procedure, isolating the gene for the inherited form of cerebral cavernous malformations, and pioneering thoracoscopic spinal surgery. We are a leader in harnessing innovative technologies and procedures, such as minimally invasive spine surgery, microscopic techniques, and robotic spine surgery.

We seek a highly skilled and experienced Medical Physicist to join the Barrow Radiation Oncology team. As a Medical Physicist, you will ensure radiation’s safe and effective use in diagnosing and treating diseases. Your expertise will be vital in maintaining quality assurance, conducting research, and supporting the medical team. You will collaborate with physicians, radiologists, and other healthcare professionals to optimize patient care and enhance treatment outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:
1. Radiation Safety: Ensure compliance with radiation safety regulations and protocols,
including monitoring radiation levels and implementing appropriate safety measures in
accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines.

2. Treatment Planning: Collaborate with radiation oncologists and radiation therapists in the
development of treatment plans for patients undergoing radiation therapy. Use advanced
imaging techniques to accurately target tumors while minimizing radiation exposure to healthy
tissues.

3. Quality Assurance: Develop and implement quality assurance programs to maintain high
standards of safety, accuracy, and effectiveness in radiation therapy equipment and procedures.
Perform regular equipment calibrations, machine performance checks, and quality control tests.

4. Treatment Delivery: Assist in the safe and accurate delivery of radiation therapy treatments.
Perform patient-specific quality assurance checks, verify treatment parameters, and ensure
proper functioning of treatment machines.

5. Research and Development: Stay updated with the latest advancements in medical physics
and radiation oncology. Contribute to ongoing research projects, evaluate new technologies,
and participate in clinical trials to improve treatment techniques and outcomes.

6. Radiation Dosimetry: Calculate and optimize radiation dose distributions using sophisticated
treatment planning systems. Analyze patient data, including CT scans and lab results, to
customize treatment plans and optimize radiation delivery.

7. Training and Education: Provide education and training to medical staff, including radiation
therapists and other healthcare professionals. Conduct in-service training sessions, workshops,
and seminars to enhance their understanding of radiation safety and treatment techniques.

8. Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate and detailed records of treatment plans,
equipment calibrations, quality assurance procedures, and patient dosimetry. Prepare reports
and documentation for regulatory agencies, accreditation bodies, and internal review processes.

9. Collaboration and Communication: Work closely with the multidisciplinary healthcare team,
including radiation oncologists, radiologists, nurses, and administrators. Communicate
effectively to provide guidance and support on radiation-related matters and participate in
clinical conferences and tumor boards.

MINIMUM

• Masters degree in radiation physics or related field

• Has completed at least one year of full-time training in medical physics

• Must be board eligible for American Board of Radiology (ABR) Therapeutic Medical Physics Certificate or obtain certificate within 36 months of hire or transfer.

PREFERRED

• Doctorate degree in radiation physics or related field

• Have a minimum of two years of full-time practical training and/or supervised experience in medical physics from a CAMPEP-accredited residency program

• Current certification in Therapeutic Medical Physics  by the American Board of Radiology (ABR) or an equivalent specialty board

• Experience with external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy, and/or stereotactic radiosurgery
• Strong preference for experience with Varian Truebeam/Aria/Eclipse, CyberKnife and Gamma Knife
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and accreditation processes in medical physics. 
• Strong knowledge of medical physics principles, radiation safety regulations, and radiation therapy techniques.
• Proficiency in treatment planning systems, radiation dosimetry, and quality assurance procedures.
• Experience with advanced imaging modalities, such as CT, MRI, and PET.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with a diverse team.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, work independently, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Familiarity with relevant software and programming languages used in medical physics research and data analysis.

Dignity Health now offers an Education Benefit program for benefit-eligible employees.  This program provides debt relief and student loan assistance to help you achieve your goals. Full-time employees can receive up to $18,000 over five years, while part-time employees can receive up to $9,000. While you’re busy impacting the healthcare industry, we’ll take care of you with benefits that include health/dental/vision, FSA, matching retirement plans, paid vacation, and adoption assistance.