How to Become a Medical Dosimetrist

Are you interested in a career in oncology? Do you have strong math, science, and computer skills? Do you enjoy working independently and solving complex problems? Are you excited by rapidly evolving technology and new methods in cancer treatment? If you answered ‘yes’ to these questions, then a career in Medical Dosimetry might be right for you!

What Do Medical Dosimetrists Do?
 

Traits of a Medical Dosimetrist & Subject Knowledge

Team Player
Medical Dosimetrists have strong communication and interpersonal skills to facilitate the exchange of information with radiation oncology team members, patients/family members and outside radiation oncology institutions. The Medical Dosimetrist collaborates closely with the Radiation Oncologist and Medical Physicist. 

Computer-Savvy
Knowledgeable in health care informatics-including the resources, devices, and methods to acquire, store and retrieve data. Tools include computers and software such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as well as clinical guidelines, current medical terminology, information, and communication systems.
Medical Dosimetrists work within various computer programs to complete patient care tasks including imaging fusions (CT, MR, PET), treatment plan design/calculation. Additionally, Medical Dosimetrists have general knowledge of and implementation of scripts across various programming languages. 

Critical Thinker
Exhibits the ability to interpret criteria and develop treatment plans as defined by relevant treatment protocols. Knowledgeable in conducting clinical research including collecting data, implementing a study, and writing papers for publication.
Demonstrates high level critical thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate and give input regarding treatment plan options or on-line adaptive treatments.

Action-Oriented
Medical Dosimetrists must demonstrate initiative to work on patient cases independently. This requires understanding deadlines for preparing patient treatment plans as well as keeping track of multiple patient care tasks at once.

Subject Knowledge Experts In:

• Anatomy
• Clinical Oncology
• Math
• Radiation Physics
• Radiation Safety
• Radiobiology

The Two Required Steps to Become a Certified Medical Dosimetrist:

1. Complete a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or post-graduate certificate in Medical Dosimetry at an accredited educational program
   1. Find a program: https://www.jrcert.org/find-a-program/
2. Pass the National Medical Dosimetry Certification Exam
   1. Learn more: https://mdcb.org/certification-exam-information

Pathways to Medical Dosimetry 

There are many different degree paths that can lead to a career in Medical Dosimetry!

The most common path to becoming a Certified Medical Dosimetrist is:

1. Complete an associate or bachelor’s degree in Radiologic Technology
2. Complete a bachelor’s degree or certificate in Radiation Therapy
3. Complete a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or post-graduate certificate in Medical Dosimetry

Pathway: Radiologic Technology => Radiation Therapy => Medical Dosimetry

Additional Sample Pathways - Coming soon!

1. A note about ON-THE-JOB TRAINING (OJT): Historically, Radiation Therapists commonly received on-the-job training in Medical Dosimetry at their clinics, which made them eligible to take the National Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) Exam. However, this pathway is no longer available. Currently, the MDCB mandates that exam candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) and have completed an accredited Medical Dosimetry program lasting at least 12 months.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Medical Dosimetry Program

1. Can you stop working to attend a full-time Medical Dosimetry program?
   1. Many master’s and certificate programs are full-time, but there are some schools that offer a part-time option
2. Finding a clinical affiliate site may be a challenge. Is your oncology department willing to become a clinical affiliate?  If not: Are you willing to relocate to a clinical site?
3. How do I find an accredited Medical Dosimetry program?
   1. Find a program at https://www.jrcert.org/find-a-program/
   2. NOTE: When considering a degree program, please visit the program’s website to review application requirements. You may need to complete courses in biology, anatomy and physiology, advanced college math, radiation physics, and introductory health care.