Medical dosimetrists are allied health professionals who design radiation treatment plans, calculate medical radiation dosages, and operate radiation equipment. An allied health professional is someone who works in the medical field but isn’t a doctor. Nonetheless, these positions are critical to the smooth operation of the healthcare system. Midwifery, optometry, and clinical psychology are examples of allied health careers.
After receiving a radiation prescription, a cancer patient will see a medical dosimetrist. The dosimetrist uses computer or manual calculations to design a treatment plan based on the prescription. In humans, radiation therapy has serious side effects, such as the loss of vital organ function and death. The dosimetrist must strike a balance between providing the correct prescription and limiting the patient’s negative side effects.
A dosimetrist collaborates closely with the radiation oncologist, medical physicist, and radiation therapist as part of the radiation oncology team. The dosimetrist, for example, might collaborate with a medical physicist to create computerized plans. The radiation oncologist may then approve her treatment plans. She may eventually be in charge of supervising a radiation therapist or technician who will carry out the plans.
Dosimetrists must have a thorough understanding of physics, math, and anatomy and physiology. They must also be familiar with radiobiology and cancer psychology. They must have advanced knowledge of the radiation equipment and be able to troubleshoot any problems, even if they are not the ones operating the radiation treatment machinery. The dosimetrist must also have excellent communication and analytical skills.
Each country has its own set of requirements for becoming a medical dosimetrist. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Medical Dosimetry is the most common path in the United States. A Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Radiation Sciences and licensure as a radiation therapist is another option. After that, the therapist will work in that field while being trained by a medical dosimetrist until they have enough on-the-job experience to qualify for the position. It is extremely difficult to get into both formal and informal training programs.
Only those who want to be certified must take and pass the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board’s Certified Medical Dosimetrist (CMD) exam. To legally practice in the United States, a dosimetrist does not need to be certified. Some cancer treatment centers do require certification in order to work there. Future legislation may change the laws governing certification in this field.
It’s worth noting that in some countries, the terms “medical dosimetrist” and “radiation therapist” are used interchangeably. In the United States, the dosimetrist has a higher level of education and practical experience. While these professions’ responsibilities often overlap, in larger institutions, a dosimetrist may be in charge of training and supervising several radiation therapists who work with a large number of patients. There may only be one or two dosimetrists and no radiation therapists working with patients in smaller institutions.