Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

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.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1.    Maintains 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.

2.    Assists 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.

3.    Assists in performing measurements on radiation therapy and research related equipment, as delegated by a Medical Physicist to:

a.    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.
b.    Establish and maintain stability of radiation output from therapy machines by such means as performing regular radiation constancy measurements.
c.    Verify radiation dose in specified geometries by such means as using geometric phantoms under conditions defined by the physicists.
d.    Verify radiation dose predictions from radiation therapy planning systems by such means as using anthropomorphic phantoms under conditions defined by the physicists.

4.    Assists the Medical Physicist with a range of tasks as required by performing such duties as:
a.    Acquiring radiation physics data (including during equipment commissioning) by such means as gathering percentage depth dose data, tissue air/maximum ratios, dose profile data.
b.    Assisting in performing measurements by routinely using 3D scanning software and beam profile verification software.
c.    Maintaining statistical physics data by methods such as gathering and tracking workload statistics for the planning module.
d.    Participating in the development and maintenance of QA databases, and upgrade of analyses/tests as technology and clinical requirements evolve.
e.    Participating in the development of artificial intelligence, automation, machine learning, and scripting to help support clinical workflows and QA processes.
f.    Supporting 3D printing programs through printing, QA, print design and/or printer maintenance.
g.    Providing 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.
h.    Assisting with the maintenance of specialised QA equipment including but not limited to inventory records, packing, shipping, and receiving, and calibration/verification of function.
i.    Preparation and analysis of in vivo patient dosimetry measurements, particularly those with pacemakers and other implanted electronic devices.
j.    Assisting 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.

5.    Works 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.

6.    Maintains a safe environment for patients, families and staff by following established safety policies and standards and emergency procedures. Reports hazardous work issues and all work-related injuries promptly to the Medical Physics Leader.

7.    Maintains knowledge of current developments and an awareness of risk factors related to radiation therapy and physics equipment through methods such as reviewing relevant literature, consulting other professionals, and attending in-service lectures presented by individuals such as Physicists.

8.    Assists, as required by a Medical Physicist, with orientation and in-service training of staff and students by methods such as explaining radiation safety policies and procedures and familiarizing them with related equipment and practices.

9.    Assists, as required by a Medical Physicist, with liaising and coordinating with Provincial Digital Health and Information Services (PDHIS) services regarding server hardware and software applications upgrades.

10.    Assists, as required by a Medical Physicist, in the design of quality assurance procedures.

11.    Participates, as required and directed by a Medical Physicist, in related clinical service and research.

12.    Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

•    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.

Skills and Abilities

•    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.