The primary responsibilities of the medical physicist are to collaborate with radiation oncologists and other staff to design treatment plans and to manage equipment and procedures to ensure that patients receive the prescribed dose of radiation to the correct location. To perform and document the initial commissioning and calibration of radiation sources used for treatment and to manage the on-going quality management of the equipment. To provide the necessary data for patient dose calculations and to verify the accuracy of such calculations for each patient. To work collaboratively to develop and implement procedures for accurate and safe patient treatments. To investigate and implement advances in technology and procedures and to participate in on-going practice improvement efforts. To ensure that radiation treatments preserve the radiation safety of staff, patients, and public. To assess data reflective of the patient's status and appropriately interpret information relative to the patient's age-specific needs. To provide teaching instruction and mentoring to medical physics residents and to other staff and students. To participate in planning and budgeting processes.

Post graduate degree, either an M.S., M.A., D.M.P. or Ph.D. in medical physics or related field. Must be knowledgeable of computer processes and have an understanding of the systems involved. Must be able to communicate effectively with personnel with varying levels of education both within and outside the institution, and work effectively with the consulting and paramedical staffs of the institution. Job Specifications for Radiation Oncology require a working knowledge of treatment planning for external beam radiation as well as brachytherapy planning, and active participation in measurement of ionizing radiation, radiobiology, radiation protection and health physics, clinical radiation dosimetry, and federal and state regulatory guidelines pertaining to the medical use of radiation, as well as direct participation in some types of patient treatments. A qualified medical radiation physicist means an individual who is certified by the American Board of Radiology (ABR), American Board of Medical Physics (ABMP), or equivalent board in the appropriate disciplines of physics or who, if not certified, has entered the Board certification process and successfully completes it within three years of initial eligibility for the final part.