Occupation · SOC 29-2036
Medical Dosimetrists
Generate radiation treatment plans, develop radiation dose calculations, communicate and supervise the treatment plan implementation, and consult with members of radiation oncology team.
Median wage
$138,110
$103,760–$176,360
Projected growth
+2.1%
Slower than average
Annual openings
20
per year
Employed (US)
3,970
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
101 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingWritingJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingMonitoring
Knowledge areas
MathematicsPhysicsComputers and ElectronicsBiologyMedicine and Dentistry
Technology & tools
Development environment softwareMedical software
Representative tasks
Design the arrangement of radiation fields to reduce exposure to critical patient structures, such as organs, using computers, manuals, and guides.Calculate the delivery of radiation treatment, such as the amount or extent of radiation per session, based on the prescribed course of radiation therapy.Identify and outline bodily structures, using imaging procedures, such as x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, or positron emission tomography.Plan the use of beam modifying devices, such as compensators, shields, and wedge filters, to ensure safe and effective delivery of radiation treatment.Calculate, or verify calculations of, prescribed radiation doses.Develop radiation treatment plans in consultation with members of the radiation oncology team.Supervise or perform simulations for tumor localizations, using imaging methods such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, or positron emission tomography scans.Create and transfer reference images and localization markers for treatment delivery, using image-guided radiation therapy.Record patient information, such as radiation doses administered, in patient records.Advise oncology team members on use of beam modifying or immobilization devices in radiation treatment plans.Fabricate beam modifying devices, such as compensators, shields, and wedge filters.Perform quality assurance system checks, such as calibrations, on treatment planning computers.Fabricate patient immobilization devices, such as molds or casts, for radiation delivery.Develop requirements for the use of patient immobilization devices and positioning aides, such as molds or casts, as part of treatment plans to ensure accurate delivery of radiation and comfort of patient.Teach medical dosimetry, including its application, to students, radiation therapists, or residents.Conduct radiation oncology-related research, such as improving computer treatment planning systems or developing new treatment devices.Develop treatment plans, and calculate doses for brachytherapy procedures.Measure the amount of radioactivity in patients or equipment, using radiation monitoring devices.Educate patients regarding treatment plans, physiological reactions to treatment, or post-treatment care.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Radiation field arrangements — identify basic configurations under direct supervision using department planning manuals and guides in a clinical dosimetry setting.Beam modifying devices — recognize and catalog compensators, shields, and wedge filters under supervision during initial treatment planning rotations.Medical imaging procedures — identify anatomical structures on x-ray and CT scans with guidance from a senior dosimetrist in a radiation oncology department.Radiation dose calculations — perform entry-level arithmetic computations for prescribed treatment sessions using provided formulas and institutional protocols.Treatment plan verification — assist in checking calculated prescribed radiation doses against physician orders under direct oversight in a clinical environment.Radiation oncology team communication — participate in plan development meetings by documenting discussion points and relaying information as directed by supervising dosimetrists.Tumor localization simulations — observe and assist with simulation procedures using CT and MRI imaging under senior staff direction in a simulation suite.Reference image transfer — support the creation and transfer of localization markers for image-guided radiation therapy under step-by-step supervision.Treatment planning software — navigate development environment and medical software interfaces to enter patient data and retrieve plan parameters as instructed.Clinical physics knowledge — apply foundational mathematics and physics principles to interpret dosimetric data while following established departmental protocols.
developing
Radiation field design — develop multi-field treatment arrangements to protect organs at risk using 3D planning software with routine peer review in a clinical oncology setting.Beam modifying device planning — select and specify appropriate compensators, shields, and wedge filters for standard treatment sites with limited oversight from the oncology team.Anatomical structure contouring — outline target volumes and critical structures on CT, MRI, and PET imaging with increasing independence during routine treatment planning workflows.Dose calculation execution — calculate radiation doses per session for common treatment prescriptions, applying institutional dose constraints and standard planning protocols.Prescription dose verification — independently verify calculated radiation doses against physician prescriptions, flagging discrepancies for physicist review in a clinical environment.Interdisciplinary plan development — contribute actively to radiation oncology team consultations, presenting preliminary treatment plans and incorporating feedback into revised iterations.Simulation supervision — perform tumor localization simulations using CT and MRI with minimal oversight, ensuring accurate patient positioning and data acquisition.Image-guided treatment delivery setup — create and transfer reference images and localization markers accurately for routine image-guided radiation therapy cases.Medical software proficiency — utilize treatment planning and medical record software to manage patient plan data, produce dose-volume histograms, and document treatment parameters.Time and workflow management — prioritize competing planning assignments to meet clinical scheduling deadlines across a standard caseload in a busy radiation oncology department.
proficient
Complex radiation field arrangement — design conformal and intensity-modulated field configurations autonomously to minimize critical structure dose across challenging anatomical sites in a comprehensive cancer center.Advanced beam modification — plan and implement complex beam modifying strategies, including dynamic wedges and compensating filters, for non-routine or re-treatment cases requiring independent judgment.Multi-modality structure delineation — independently contour targets and organs at risk on fused CT, MRI, and PET datasets for complex disease sites using advanced imaging analysis skills.Non-routine dose calculation — calculate and optimize radiation delivery parameters for complex fractionation schemes and stereotactic procedures, applying both manual and algorithmic methods.Independent plan verification — perform comprehensive quality assurance reviews of prescribed dose calculations across all treatment modalities, resolving discrepancies without escalation in most cases.Collaborative treatment plan leadership — lead multidisciplinary treatment planning discussions, integrating clinical objectives, physics constraints, and patient-specific factors to produce optimized plans.Advanced simulation oversight — supervise and troubleshoot tumor localization simulations for complex or anatomically challenging cases, adapting imaging protocols to achieve reliable target definition.Image-guided workflow optimization — develop and refine image-guided radiation therapy localization procedures, ensuring accurate reference image transfer and marker placement for high-precision treatment delivery.Systems-level planning analysis — evaluate dosimetric outcomes across patient cohorts, identify systematic planning inefficiencies, and implement corrective protocol adjustments within the department.Mentorship and problem resolution — guide junior dosimetrists through non-routine clinical scenarios, applying active learning strategies and critical thinking to resolve complex planning challenges.
advanced
Departmental treatment planning strategy — establish organizational standards and policies for radiation field design and beam arrangement across all disease sites treated within a multi-site cancer program.Technology and protocol governance — lead the evaluation, selection, and clinical implementation of new beam modifying technologies and planning techniques at an institutional or health-system level.Imaging integration leadership — direct the adoption and standardization of multi-modality imaging protocols for structure delineation and simulation across radiation oncology departments.Dose prescription framework development — author and institutionalize dose calculation methodologies, constraint libraries, and prescription verification systems to ensure safety and consistency program-wide.Quality assurance program oversight — design and lead comprehensive dosimetry quality management programs, including audit cycles, incident learning systems, and regulatory compliance reporting.Radiation oncology team leadership — serve as the senior dosimetry authority within the multidisciplinary oncology team, guiding complex clinical decisions and resolving high-stakes planning dilemmas.Simulation and localization program direction — oversee the full scope of tumor localization simulation operations, setting staffing standards, equipment procurement priorities, and workflow innovation goals.Image-guided therapy advancement — spearhead the development and dissemination of novel image-guided radiation therapy workflows, contributing institutional expertise to national clinical and professional bodies.Workforce development and education — design and lead formal training curricula and competency assessment programs for dosimetry staff, residents, and students across the organization.Strategic systems analysis — analyze program-wide dosimetric performance data to inform capital investment decisions, technology roadmaps, and organizational quality improvement initiatives at the executive level.
Also known as
86 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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