Medical Physicist

Tennessee Oncology, one of the nation’s largest, community-based cancer care specialists, is home to one of the leading clinical trial networks in the country. Established 1976 in Nashville, Tennessee Oncology’s mission remains unchanged: To provide access to high-quality cancer care and the expertise of clinical research for all patients, at convenient locations within their community and close to their home. Our growing network of physicians and locations is based on this mission. Tennessee Oncology is committed to advancing both the science of detection and targeted treatments, and to making these advances available to every patient. We believe caring for cancer patients is a privilege.

Why Join Us? We are looking for talented and highly-motivated individuals who demonstrate a natural desire to support the meaningful work of community oncologists and the patients we serve.

Job Description:

The Medical Physicist ensures the safe, accurate, and effective delivery of radiation therapy across all aspects of clinical practice and in accordance with the Radiation Oncologist’s prescribed course of treatment. Responsibilities include treatment planning support, image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), quality assurance of equipment and software, radiation safety oversight, and continuous process improvement.

The physicist provides clinical expertise in treatment planning and plan evaluation, maintains accurate clinical documentation, ensures regulatory compliance, and supports the integration and implementation of new technologies. The position functions as a key member of the multidisciplinary care team, contributing to clinical decision-making, problem solving, and coordination of care to support high-quality patient outcomes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• •Perform routine and annual calibration, QA, and necessary characterization of delivery systems in accordance with national guidelines.
• •Performs regular ongoing patient treatment course review.
• •Serve as the focal point for machine maintenance and repair, coordinating with staff and vendors.
• •Oversee the development, optimization, and evaluation of patient treatment plans, including dose distributions, calculations, and verifications.
• •Develop and maintain proper records necessary for APEx, NRC, State, or other regulatory or accrediting agencies.
• •Provide medical physics service in a manner to meet or exceed established standards of practice consistent with the facility size and available resources.
• •Develop, maintain, and monitor the Quality Management Program for radiotherapy equipment, imaging systems, planning systems, and other relevant tools and equipment.
• •Evaluate and participate in acceptance testing, commissioning, and clinical implementation of new equipment, software, and technologies.
• •Provide clinical guidance and consultation to radiation oncologists, dosimetrists, and therapists regarding complex cases, imaging workflows, and treatment delivery.
• •Provide technical direction of radiation oncology staff as specified by the Chief Physicist.
• •Contribute to policy development, process improvement, incident learning, and patient safety initiatives.
• •Provide technical expertise and support for equipment specifications, RFPs, contract support, etc.
• •Support consistent, safe, and efficient clinical operations across all treatment locations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (AREA LEAD PHYSICIST):

• •Report to and coordinate with Chief Physicist for implementation of Tennessee Oncology Initiatives, Policies, Practices, and Goals.
• •Oversee Area Physics operations and coordinate with Local Medical Director as necessary.
• •Support any necessary Area operational reporting, and metric or KPI development.
• •Participate in Physics staff meetings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• •Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of therapeutic medical physics, radiation dosimetry, treatment planning, radiation delivery, imaging, quality assurance, and radiation safety.
• •Strong analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex clinical and technical issues and exercise sound independent professional judgment.
• •Ability to communicate complex technical information effectively to physicians, physicists, dosimetrists, therapists, administrators, vendors, and other healthcare professionals.
• •Ability to provide technical guidance, education, and professional support to clinical staff and colleagues.
• •Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary clinical environment.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• •Master of Science or Doctoral degree in Radiological Physics, Physics, or related discipline.
• •Certification by the American Board of Radiology or American Board of Medical Physics in Therapeutic Radiological Physics or Radiological Physics, or ‘board eligible’.
• •At least two years of post-degree clinical experience in therapeutic medical physics.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• •Completion of a CAMPEP accredited clinical medical physics residency program.
• •Board certification by the American Board of Radiology in Therapeutic Radiological Physics.
• •Possess working knowledge of radiation safety principles and current rules and regulations of the State of Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation Department of Radiological Health (TDECDRH) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
• •Extensive knowledge of modern radiation therapy systems and sub-systems.
• •Experience and fluency in modern treatment planning software systems, Aria and Eclipse treatment planning systems are preferred.
• •Proficient in using radiation-measuring equipment for calibration and quality assurance, treatment planning computers, and oncology information systems in a paperless environment.
• •Excellent overall understanding of all activities of a photon radiation therapy department, (e.g., treatment planning, quality assurance, revenue cycle, customer service, medical staff role(s), etc.).
• •Flexibility to handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
• •Proven time management skills.
• •Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• •Computer skills including but not limited to MS Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Aria.
• •Coding skills, such as Python, C++, C#, etc.

OOCUPATIONAL RISK CATEGORY:

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Job Title:

Physical Activity Required

Amount of time

None

• Less than 1/3
• (Occasionally)

• 1/3 to 2/3
• (Frequently)

• More than 2/3
• (Regularly)

Standing

X

Walking

X

Sitting

X

Fingering or manual dexterity

X

Repetitive finger motion

X

Lifting or exerting force

X

Up to 10 pounds

X

Up to 25 pounds

X

Up to 50 pounds

X

Up to 100 pounds

X

Over 100 pounds

X

Reaching or stretching

X

Climbing or balancing

X

Crouching or stooping

X

Speaking

X

Hearing

X

Seeing (with correction)

X