Medical Physicist

ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:                                       Medical Physicist

REPORTS TO POSITION:        Chief Medical Physicist

DEPARTMENT:                         Cancer Services

DATE LAST REVIEWED:          May 2026

OUR VISION:                            Creating America’s healthiest community, together

OUR MISSION:                         In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value

OUR VALUES:                          Accountability, Caring and Teamwork

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: The Cancer Center at St. Charles Health System (SCHS) is a comprehensive cancer center that provides holistic care to our patients. The cancer center provides chemotherapy, medical oncology, infusion services, radiation therapy, integrative medicine, nutrition, social work, survivorship, and other supportive care treatments. All of our staff support our patients in the various stages of their treatment.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Medical Physicist at St. Charles Health System plays a key role in supporting Cancer Services Radiation Therapy by providing expert scientific and technical services. This includes ensuring the safe, effective, and accurate delivery of radiation treatments as prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist, in line with AAPM, ASTRO, and ACR guidelines. The physicist is responsible for producing clear, thorough documentation and communication to support high-quality patient care.

This position maintains compliance with Oregon Health Authority and NRC regulations and participates in radiation safety initiatives within the Cancer Center and the broader St. Charles Health System. The physicist also engages in ongoing professional development to stay current with advancements in quality control practices, patient treatment techniques, and department management strategies.

Staffing is structured in accordance with ASTRO's "Safety is No Accident" guidelines to uphold the highest standards of patient care. While this position does not have direct managerial responsibilities, the physicist collaborates with the radiation therapy team to ensure optimal clinical outcomes and contributes to the continued excellence of the department.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

Provides all medical physics services and related functions for Cancer Services.

Maintains the technical quality, calibration, and accuracy of radiation treatment equipment and hardware including but not limited to all linear accelerators, on-board imaging systems, CT simulators, HDR brachytherapy afterloaders, and all supporting quality-assurance equipment. 

Maintains technical quality and accuracy of the Raystation treatment planning system, Aria record and verify system, and associated computer systems/interfaces.

Makes recommendations for purchase or replacement of software and hardware systems as needed.

Participates in continuous-improvement initiatives.

Researches methods and techniques which enhance the precision of radiation treatments. Develops education plans and disseminates this information to caregivers.

Provides specific patient services such as special physics consultations, special dosimetry consultations, and computerized treatment planning as needed. Collects patient-specific TLD in-vivo dosimetry measurements as needed.

Reviews daily quality assurance metrics, performs weekly chart reviews per HCFA requirements, provides any needed patient-specific calculations, etc.

Provides deformable image and dose registrations to the Radiation Oncologist. Maintains technical accuracy and quality controls over the deformation systems (Raystation and MIM).

Supports departmental development initiatives such as participation in clinical trials, and student education opportunities.

Assists in patient-care procedures as requested by the Radiation Oncologists.

Submits timely and accurate physics charges. Maintains familiarity with job-relevant CMS guidance.

Provides appropriate oversight as custodian of radioactive materials in Radiation Oncology. This includes but is not limited to HDR Ir-192 sources and any QA sources.

Serves as a member of, or provide reports to, the Radiation Safety Committee as necessary. 

Assists the hospital RSO as necessary.

Actively participates in modern quality assurance and quality improvement programs that conform to AAPM recommendations, Joint Commission requirements, and Oregon Health Authority and NRC regulations.

Participates in the drafting, development, revision, and maintenance of departmental policies, procedures, workflows, and Standard Work processes.

Supports the vision, mission, and values of the organization in all respects.

Supports Lean principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change.

Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients, and guests.

Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality. 

Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Supports the organization’s corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violation of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all organizational investigations and proceedings.

Deliver customer service and/or patient care in a manner that promotes goodwill, and is timely, efficient, and accurate.

May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.

EDUCATION:                

Required: Must possess a minimum of a Master's Degree in Medical Physics from an accredited program.

Preferred: CAMPEP or other accredited residency program.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

Required: American Board of Radiology (ABR), American Board for Medical Physicists (ABMP) or Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine (CCPM) board eligible. Must obtain certification within 5 years of eligibility.

Preferred: ABR, ABMP or CCPM Board Certification.

EXPERIENCE:

Required: Two (2) years in a medical center as a Radiation Oncology Physicist or resident.

Preferred: N/A

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:

Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform the job safely.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Continually (75% or more): Use of clear and audible speaking voice and the ability to hear normal speech level.

Frequently (50%): Sitting, standing, walking, lifting 1-10 pounds, keyboard operation.

Occasionally (25%): Bending, climbing stairs, reaching overhead, carrying/pushing or pulling 1-10 pounds, grasping/squeezing.

Rarely (10%):  Stooping/kneeling/crouching, lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling 11-15 pounds, operation of a motor vehicle.

Never (5%):  Climbing ladder/step-stool, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 25-50 pounds, ability to hear whispered speech level.

Exposure to Elemental Factors

Never (5%):  Heat, cold, wet/slippery area, noise, dust, vibration, chemical solution, uneven surface.

Blood-Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Category

Low Risk for Exposure to BBP