Physics Assistant, Radiation Oncology Victoria

Physics Assistant, Radiation Oncology
BC Cancer
Victoria, BC
The Physics Assistant with work direction from designated Medical Physicists assists with physics, technical and computer services in support of the planning and treatment of radiation therapy. This includes performing machine and patient specific quality assurance (QA) measurements for treatment plan dose verification.
What you'll do
Maintain an established inventory of radiation physics equipment and ensures radiation physics equipment is kept in good working order by methods such as correct storage and usage; testing, calibrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting. Informs the Medical Physics Leader of any equipment malfunction and deficiency.
Assist the Medical Physicists with commissioning, QA, on-going support and regular scheduled maintenance of radiation physics equipment by such means as performing data acquisition, quality assurance checks and testing.
Assist in performing measurements on radiation therapy and research related equipment, as delegated by a Medical Physicist to:
Establish and maintain stability of geometrical parameters of radiation therapy machines such as laser alignment, isocentre accuracy, light/radiation field coincidence by following established procedures.
Establish and maintain stability of radiation output from therapy machines by such means as performing regular radiation constancy measurements.
Verify radiation dose in specified geometries by such means as using geometric phantoms under conditions defined by the physicists.
Verify radiation dose predictions from radiation therapy planning systems by such means as using anthropomorphic phantoms under conditions defined by the physicists.
Assist the Medical Physicist with a range of tasks as required by performing such duties as:
Acquire radiation physics data (including during equipment commissioning) by such means as gathering percentage depth dose data, tissue air/maximum ratios, dose profile data.
Assist in performing measurements by routinely using 3D scanning software and beam profile verification software.
Maintain statistical physics data by methods such as gathering and tracking workload statistics for the planning module.
Participate in the development and maintenance of QA databases, and upgrade of analyses/tests as technology and clinical requirements evolve.
Participate in the development of artificial intelligence, automation, machine learning, and scripting to help support clinical workflows and QA processes.
Support 3D printing programs through printing, QA, print design and/or printer maintenance.
Provide support to the radiation safety program by methods such as monitoring radiation safety in the OR, radioactive seed assays, administration of personal dose monitoring program, and performing radiation surveys.
Assist with the maintenance of specialised QA equipment including but not limited to inventory records, packing, shipping, and receiving, and calibration/verification of function.
Prepare and analysis of in vivo patient dosimetry measurements, particularly those with pacemakers and other implanted electronic devices.
Assist with medical physics graduate and residency training programs by providing demonstrations of various equipment use and associated QA procedures, assisting with project work and teaching laboratories.
Work closely with Medical Physicists, Physics Assistants and other relevant team members to ensure continuity of shared responsibilities for the planning and treatment of radiation therapy.
What you bring
Bachelor of Science degree in Physics or Engineering Physics.
One year of related experience in radiation therapy physics or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience acceptable to BC Cancer.
What you have
Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment.
Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work.
Demonstrated interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing and listen actively.
Demonstrated ability to develop working relationships with other health care professionals and work collaboratively and effectively with others.
Awareness of and commitment to learning and understanding the Truth & Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight Report (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), and other related reports.
Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
What we bring
Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That's why we're focused on your care too - offering health