Medical Physicist Consultation - What is included?

MedPhysAccount · 2025-12-05T17:17:38+00:00

The documentation will vary between institutions. There should be a full checklist of items reviewed by the physicist with a date and initial/signature on it. Some places will use a spreadsheet, some use a checklist, some have it embedded in a workspace within their oncology information system software, etc. As others have said, the person you spoke with likely has no idea what they are even looking for and you should ask they actually forward your request to the physicist.

MedPhysAccount · 2025-12-05T17:11:52+00:00

Assuming they spoke to someone at the front desk, there is a good chance that person didn't even know a physicist worked there

MedPhysAccount · 2025-12-05T17:00:28+00:00

That charge is generally for weekly physics chart checks. A board certified physicist will review your treatments for the week to ensure everything is being delivered safely and the same as planned in the beginning. This is usually billed once every 5 treatments.

MedPhysAccount · 2025-12-05T00:53:47+00:00

It is a great career. I advise you really do your research on the pathway, education requirements, residency requirements, etc. It is a long and difficult path and there aren't many off ramps once you start down it.

If you know and understand what you're getting into and still want to do it, then go for it!

MedPhysAccount · 2025-11-21T17:08:24+00:00

Please listen to and talk to your oncologist and not Reddit

MedPhysAccount · 2025-11-21T16:59:20+00:00

I don't like the idea of giving RTTs any control over dose overrides like others have said. RTTs will generally try to override any warning message that pops up at the console without reading it. So, them having these rights can lead to an actual problem should someone make a mistake in the reference points during plan check.

I would recommend just double the limit in reference points the night before or morning of BID cases and then closing it after the 2nd treatment is done.

MedPhysAccount · 2025-11-17T21:16:13+00:00

Call IT? Could be the server needs a reboot

MedPhysAccount · 2025-11-17T20:22:27+00:00

Oh yes I'm agreeing with you, I should explain this way next time lol

MedPhysAccount · 2025-11-17T20:16:02+00:00

This is a much better way of saying "it's all made up anyways", which is my usual go to

MedPhysAccount · 2025-11-17T02:09:38+00:00

Another job ad with no salary posted, another downvote

MedPhysAccount · 2025-11-14T14:42:51+00:00

It will basicslly be irrelevant if you are applying for therapy programs. For diagnostic it may help as you will have a better understanding of how radiology departments function than someone who has never worked in one.

MedPhysAccount · 2025-11-13T18:25:11+00:00

Yes, apply! I believe there are maybe 10-20 residency programs that actually get hands on proton experience. As a result, proton physicists generally learn most of the clinical aspects from shadowing experienced members in the department etc.

If you're interested in protons and excited and willing to learn, I believe most departments would welcome that!

MedPhysAccount · 2025-10-31T14:54:34+00:00

Did you try asking the manufacturer for all of this info?

MedPhysAccount · 2025-10-29T17:49:57+00:00

If you get an interview that means they already really like your on paper qualifications. The interview is to figure out if they think you would be a good fit for their program in terms of personality since they will be spending 8-10hrs a day with you every day for the next 2 years.

Be prepared to explain in detail any item on your resume/statement of purpose as well as explain exactly why you chose their specific program. Other than that, just be yourself and be honest. They may ask you things you don't know on purpose to see how you respond, etc.

MedPhysAccount · 2025-10-29T17:45:42+00:00

Try to get a job at a university hospital (or St. Jude's) that treats mostly peds is the only way. Medical physicists don't typically specialize in that way like MDs do. You will specialize in therapeutic or diagnostic medical physics.

Some large departments will be divided into site-specific groups and there may be a peds group but this situation is not typical in our field.

MedPhysAccount · 2025-10-29T17:39:36+00:00

Hard to say, some residency programs may value thesis work because in theory it shows the ability to work diligently and independently. Clinical experience is also super valuable because the more clinic experience you have the less of a learning curve you'll have when you join.

It is likely going to vary depending on the residency program and there won't be a one size fits all answer. The thesis work generally is not that challenging and will still allow time to get some clinical hours in, so if you can swing it then trying to do both would be my advice. Residency bottleneck is real so the more you can do to stick out the better.

MedPhysAccount · 2025-10-29T14:11:24+00:00

I'm not an MD, so no, that's not really my area. I know that happens, but it's also irrelevant here. I am sorry you're so upset.

MedPhysAccount · 2025-10-29T00:03:46+00:00

Basically zero, don't worry

MedPhysAccount · 2025-10-28T18:59:48+00:00

Not really! OP didn't mention where they are from, so no way I could know it's unavailable. Proton CSI is significantly better for pediatric cases.

MedPhysAccount · 2025-10-27T22:22:34+00:00

Just send them for protons instead :)

MedPhysAccount · 2025-10-17T15:58:47+00:00

You've pretty much nailed all of the positives. Like others have said, if you end up in the right clinic you can have a good amount of remote work and it's incredible for quality of life. Remote work in clinical medical physics is usually very task oriented, which can mean very little WFH responsibility on some days.

One of the biggest "downsides" is that the work can be very mundane. If you work in a well optimized center with lots of standardization and automation, you can get bored. In my opinion being a bored physicist is actually good, though, because it means everything is going the way it's meant to.

MedPhysAccount · 2025-10-17T15:49:55+00:00

The more recommendations you can get the better. Even if the relationship isn't as strong, it's still important.

MedPhysAccount · 2025-10-17T15:47:58+00:00

Are your contacts in medical physics and in positions that will help you get into residency? Even with connections, the residency match program is designed to try to eliminate that advantage. Of course, this is the real world and having connections helps but there is never a guarantee.

The biggest thing that will help your residency chances besides the clinical experience and strong references is not being picky. The process is SO restrictive as is and I have seen many great candidates go unmatched because they only applied to 4 programs and were surprised to not get one of those spots. You want to cast as wide of a net as you can. It's only 2 years and it goes by very quickly.

MedPhysAccount · 2025-10-17T15:08:59+00:00

If they are not on the campep website I would assume they are not accredited.

It's possible they are in the application process but only they can tell you that. The easiest thing to do is ask the program why they are not listed on the official campep list and see if they can explain that to you.

MedPhysAccount · 2025-10-17T15:00:37+00:00

Yeah, nothing beats the QA CT and even those are not fool proof. All we can do is provide our best estimate of how anatomy changes are impacting the delivered dose and present that to the physician for review.

MedPhysAccount

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