- How much do Medical Dosimetrists make (salary)? – 1:13
- Medical dosimetrists make between $80,000 to $150,000 annually, which is my personal prediction for those who are based in the U.S. Where someone falls within that range will depend on location, level of experience, and the institution.
- AAMD releases salary survey reports, which will be the most reliable data available to us. Unfortunately, that report is locked behind their membership and purchasing the report by itself also seems quite pricey. If, however, you’re interested in obtaining a copy, you may use the following link: https://www.medicaldosimetry.org/publications/salary-and-workforce-surveys/
- What is a Medical Dosimetrist? – 0:37
- Medical dosimetrists design treatment plans for radiation therapy to kill cancer cells. Consider a “treatment plan” as a virtual blueprint, such that when it’s uploaded onto the radiation therapy machine, the machine will follow our exact instruction to deliver the radiation.
- We use dedicated planning computer programs that display patients in 3-D and allow us to precisely position radiation beams around them. We work closely with medical doctors to achieve their clinical intentions, e.g., maximizing radiation dose to the cancerous regions while simultaneously minimizing radiation dose to surrounding healthy organs.
- Our other clinical responsibilities revolve around this central core, that is treatment planning.
- How do I become a Medical Dosimetrist? – 4:07
- You can become a medical dosimetrist by graduating from a JRCERT-accredited medical dosimetry program and become credentialed (Certified Medical Dosimetrist) by passing the board exam administered by the MDCB- note that individuals residing outside of the U.S. have different requirements to fulfill, which can be found using the following link: https://www.mdcb.org/certification-exam-information/eligibility
- Search for JRCERT-accredited programs: https://portal.jrcertaccreditation.org/accredited-educational-programs/search
- Learn about the standards of JRCERT-accredited programs: https://www.jrcert.org/accreditation-information/accreditation-standards-2021/
- Learn about the curriculum guidelines of JRCERT-accredited programs: https://www.medicaldosimetry.org/publications/curriculum-guide/
- You can become a medical dosimetrist by graduating from a JRCERT-accredited medical dosimetry program and become credentialed (Certified Medical Dosimetrist) by passing the board exam administered by the MDCB- note that individuals residing outside of the U.S. have different requirements to fulfill, which can be found using the following link: https://www.mdcb.org/certification-exam-information/eligibility
- How is the Medical Dosimetry outlook? – 1:56
- The outlook for Medical Dosimetry is positive, though this is a subjective viewpoint that myself and my colleagues hold. Given the relatively small number of JRCERT-accredited programs, a candidate who is willing to relocate should find a job without significant difficulty.
- Candidates may be limited geographically as radiation oncology clinics are not as common as say primary care clinics. However, recent global events have likely triggered the thought of transitioning to a more remote-based work arrangement.
- Two general arguments for avoiding medical dosimetry if the “cure for cancer” is found and the onset automation.
- I can’t speak for a pill in the future that may “cure cancer”, but in our current present, consider cancer as an umbrella term, where each patient’s cancer diagnosis is very specific to the individual.
- As for automation, there is no doubt that tasks have and are becoming more automated. Though these tasks should still require humans to perform, supervise, and/or intervene. A limitation of automated tasks tend to be observed when new scenarios, with limited precedent, presents themselves.
For more information, you may watch the full video and if you have any questions, feel free to contact us: https://dosepedia.com/contact-us-donate/
Related Content:
