, 2008
SIUC Graduate School
Application
Dosimetry
Application/Information
Master of Science Degree Program in Medical Dosimetry
Mission
The mission of the Medical Dosimetry Program offered by Southern Illinois University Carbondale
(SIUC) is to provide a quality program integrating education, research and service in order to
meet the needs of the profession and improve health care of the people and communities we
serve.
Program Goals
- Prepare the student to practice as an entry level
professional Medical Dosimetrist by offering a comprehensive curriculum
and quality didactic/clinical instruction.
- Provide didactic and clinical experiences that lead to research in educational, professional,
or health care issues relating to medical dosimetry.
- Provide avenues to students for professional development and growth within the profession.
- Provide avenues for students to develop and apply skills in effective communication, analytical
and critical thinking and problem-solving necessary for successful medical dosimetry practice.
- Provide a clinical and didactic environment which leads to the development of clinical skills and
competence appropriate to an entry level Medical Dosimetrist.
Program Description
The Medical Dosimetrist is a member of the Allied Health and Radiation Oncology Team.
Course material and practicum covers radiation physics, radiation protection, dose
calculations, tumor localization, external beam treatment planning, brachytherapy, quality
assurance, medical imaging/anatomy, clinical radiation oncology, and radiobiology.
Clinical practicum includes external beam treatment planning, brachytherapy treatment,
preparation and planning, chart reviews and dose calculations, record and verify system
data entry, simulation (conventional and CT-simulation), treatment aid fabrication, treatment
machine quality assurance, stereotactic treatment planning, gamma knife, IMRT planning
and treatment. Special project assignments, conference attendance, written reports, chapter
reviews, and labs are also part of the curriculum.
Accreditation:
The Medical Dosimetry Program is fully accredited through the Joint Review Committee
on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The program at SIUC was the third
accredited program in the United States. www.jrcert.org.
The program meets the formal education eligibility criteria for the national certification exam following graduation and six months of full-time employment, as required by the Medical Dosimetry Certification Board.
www.mdcb.org.
General Description of a Medical Dosimetrist
The Certified Medical Dosimetrist (CMD) is a member of the radiation oncology (cancer
treatment) team who has knowledge of the overall characteristics and clinical relevance of
radiation oncology treatment machines and equipment, is cognizant of procedures commonly
used in brachytherapy (treatment with radioactive sources at a close distance) and has the
education and expertise necessary to generate radiation dose distributions and dose
calculations in collaboration with the Medical Physicist and Radiation Oncologist.
Major Duties
Design a treatment plan by means of computer and/or manual computation that will deliver a prescribed radiation
dose and field placement technique in accordance with the Radiation Oncologist's prescription to a defined tumor
volume.
Consider dose-limiting structures in the design of treatment plans and document dose in accordance with the
Radiation Oncologist's prescription.
Coordinate treatment simulations and tumor localization on dedicated devices, including Computerized Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI),
and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) when indicated, for radiation oncology treatment planning.
Supervise, perform, or assist in the planning of the fabrication of compensation filters, custom shields, wedges,
and other beam modifying devices.
Supervise, perform, or assist in the planning of the production of moulds, casts, and other immobilization devices.
Supervise therapy staff in the implementation of the treatment plan including: the correct use of immobilization
devices, compensators, wedges, field arrangement, and other treatment variables.
Perform calculations for the accurate delivery of the Radiation Oncologist's prescribed dose, document all
pertinent information in the patient record, and verify the mathematical accuracy of all calculations using a
system established by the Medical Physicist.
Provide physics and technical support to the Medical Physicist, in radiation protection, qualitative machine
calibrations, and quality assurance of the radiation oncology equipment.
Supervise, perform, or assist in the application of specific methods of dosimetry including ion chamber, TLD,
or film measurement as directed by the Medical Physicist.
Assist in intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy procedures and in the subsequent manual and/or computer
calculation of the dose distributions of these treatments.
Teach applied aspects of medical dosimetry to students and residents, as assigned.
Participate in clinical research for the development and implementation of new techniques.
Participate in continuing education in the area of current treatment planning techniques, and advances in medical
dosimetry.
Source: www.medicaldosimetry.org
Eligibility for the Master of Science Program in Medical Dosimetry
Preferred candidates are individuals who have a baccalaureate degree and have been trained as a radiation therapist.
Consideration is given to applicants with a bachelor's degree in the physical or biological sciences without radiation
therapy experience.
Number of Students
Due to clinical hour requirements and the number of clinical sites, a maximum of 10 students per year will
be allowed at this time. There will be approximately 3-4 internship sites for these students. Distance
Learning (DL) students will rotate through 1-2 clinical sites.
Application
Applications should be received by February 1st of the year one plans to attend the program. Class selection
will occur in February/March. Two separate applications are required: One for the program and one for the
Graduate School.
Class Location
The main educational center is located within the Siteman Cancer Center in Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Other training
facilities are located in cancer treatment centers in the St. Louis area.
The program also offers education via
DL for specific sites outside the St. Louis area. Live video conferencing equipment is used to allow students to
interact with the instructors in real time.
Clinic Sites
Siteman Cancer Center
Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Mailstop 90-38-635, 4921 Parkview Place
St. Louis, Missouri 63110
Cancer Treatment Center, Memorial & St. Elizabeth Health Care Services, LLP
4000 North Illinois
Belleville, Illinois 62226
SSM De Paul Health Center
12303 DePaul Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63044-2588
Siteman Cancer Center
150 Entrance Way
St. Peters, Missouri 63376
St. Lukes Hospital
232 South Woodsmill Road
Chesterfield, Missouri 63017
Alexian Brothers Medical Center
820 Biesterfield
Elk Grove, Illinois 60007
St. Alexius
1555 Barrington Road
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
St. Francis Hospital
6161 South Yale
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136
The University of Kansas Hospital
Radiation Oncology, Bldg 58
3901 Rainbow Blvd
Kansas City, Kansas 66160
Alton Memorial Hospital
Cancer Care Center
6 Memorial Drive
Alton, Illinois 62002
Spectrum Health Hospitals
Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion
145 Michigan NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Decatur Memorial Hospital
2300 North Edward
Decatur, IL 62526
St. John’s Hospital
800 East Carpenter Street
Springfield, IL 62769
Expenses
Tuition: $12,000 for the calendar year.
Textbooks and Lab Coat: Approximately $450
Living Expenses: Students must find housing on their own. This can vary greatly.
A Computer, Scanner, and High Speed Internet will be required.
MEDICAL
DOSIMETRY
MASTER OF SCIENCE PROGRAM
COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND ARTS |
Curriculum
The total curriculum consists
of 30 semester hours. Program length is 52 weeks and the students
attend classes/clinical for 40 hours per week.
Didactic component is approximately 300 - 350 hours.
Clinical component is approximately 1650 - 1700 hours. The student will have approximately
2000 hours of education per year and have 80 hours of vacation.
Fall Semester
RAD 510-2 Simulation and Cross Sectional Anatomy in Medical Dosimetry - This course covers the conventional and CT simulation techniques used in initiating radiation therapy for cancer patients. Identification of cross-sectional anatomy at different anatomical locations within the human body is also reviewed. This course is twenty weeks in length. Prerequisite: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry Program.
RAD 515-4 Medical Dosimetry Clinical I - This is the first course of a three course sequence. During the three course sequence, students will complete eight clinical rotations including Brachytherapy, Simulation, Gamma Knife, Treatment Aids, IMRT, External Beam, Physics, Special Measurements and QA. The length of these rotations varies from one to eleven weeks. During this course students will perform two to four of these rotations depending on the rotation schedule. While in the clinical setting students will observe and work directly with a medical dosimetrist. Emphasis is given on learning and understanding the role and responsibilities of a medical dosimetrist in the clinical setting. This course is twenty weeks in length. Prerequisite: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry Program.
RAD 520-3 The Physics of Medical Dosimetry I - This course covers the following topics: Radiologic Physics, production of x-rays, radiation treatment and simulation machines, interactions of ionizing radiation, radiation measurements, dose calculations, computerized treatment planning, dose calculation algorithms, electron beam characteristics, and brachytherapy physics and procedures. This course is twenty weeks in length. Prerequisite: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry Program.
RAD 525-3 Seminars in Medical Dosimetry I - This course consists of various seminars/literature reviews associated with radiation oncology. Topics include treatment techniques for various cancers, technological advances in cancer treatment, cancer treatment trends, and the role of a medical dosimetrist. This course is twenty weeks in length. Prerequisite: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry Program.
Spring Semester
RAD 530-2 The Essentials of Medical Dosimetry - This course covers the various quality assurance procedures performed in a radiation oncology department. Also included are various statistics topics to educate the student in becoming a good consumer of medical dosimetry research literature. Professional development, billing/coding, HIPAA, and professional service are also addressed. This course is twenty weeks in length. Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in RAD 510, RAD 515, RAD 520, and RAD 525.
RAD 535-4 Medical Dosimetry Clinical II - This is the second of a three course sequence. During the three course sequence, students will complete eight clinical rotations including Brachytherapy, Simulation, Gamma Knife, Treatment Aids, IMRT, External Beam, Physics, Special Measurements and QA. The length of these rotations varies from one to eleven weeks. During this course students will perform two to four of these rotations depending on the rotation schedule. While in the clinical setting students will observe and work directly with a medical dosimetrist. Emphasis is given on learning and understanding the role and responsibilities of a medical dosimetrist in the clinical setting. This course is twenty weeks in length. Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in RAD 515.
RAD 540-3 The Physics of Medical Dosimetry II – This course covers the following topics: imaging for radiation oncology, IMRT, stereotactic radiosurgery, special procedures, particle therapy, hyperthermia, and radiation safety. This course is twenty weeks in length. Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in RAD 520.
RAD 545-3 Seminar in Medical Dosimetry II - This course consists of various seminars/literature reviews associated with radiation oncology. Topics include treatment techniques for various cancers, technological advances in cancer treatment, cancer treatment trends, and the role of a medical dosimetrist. Prerequisite: This course is twenty weeks in length. Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in RAD 525.
Summer Semester
RAD 550-2 Medical Dosimetry Clinical III - This is the third course of a three course sequence. During the three course sequence, students will complete eight clinical rotations including Brachytherapy, Simulation, Gamma Knife, Treatment Aids, IMRT, External Beam, Physics, Special Measurements and QA. The length of these rotations varies from one to ten weeks. During this course students will perform one to two of these rotations depending on the rotation schedule. While in the clinical setting students will observe and work directly with a medical dosimetrist. Emphasis is given on learning and understanding the role and responsibilities of a medical dosimetrist in the clinical setting. This course is ten weeks in length. Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in RAD 535.
RAD 555-2 The Physics of Medical Dosimetry III – This course covers the following topics: Monitor Unit (MU) calculations, point dose calculations and radiation biology. This course is ten weeks in length. Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in RAD 540.
RAD 560-2 Seminar in Medical Dosimetry III - This course consists of various seminars/literature reviews associated with radiation oncology. Topics include treatment techniques for various cancers, technological advances in cancer treatment, cancer treatment trends, and the role of a medical dosimetrist. This course is ten weeks in length. Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in RAD 545.
Independent Study
RAD 565-1 to 6 Independent Study - Directed independent study in select areas of medical dosimetry.
Prerequisite: Consent of Program Director
Program Director Contact Information
Scott Collins, MS.Ed, R.T.(R)(T), CMD
Medical Dosimetry Program Director
School of Allied Health, MC 6615
College of Applied Sciences and Arts
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois 62901
Office: 618-453-8800
Fax: 618-453-7020
Disclaimer
Content of the program materials is subject to change without notice.
Dosimetry
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