Dosimetry School

The Profession

Medical dosimetrists work closely with medical physicists and radiation oncologists to determine radiation dose distributions and calculations for radiation therapy treatments. Dosimetrists must be knowledgeable about the physical and geometric characteristics of the equipment and radioactive sources to accurately compute the distributions.

The Program

CTRC currently offers a one-year training program in Medical Dosimetry. This program includes clinical as well as didactic training in all aspects of medical dosimetry. The program is in the process of accreditation through the JARCRT.

Admissions Criteria

Admission requirements:
• Individuals who hold certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist in Radiation Therapy Technology with one year of experience
• Individuals who hold a bachelor degree in Radiation Therapy
• Individuals who hold a bachelor degree in a physical science with college algebra and one year of physics

The following criteria are considered but not required:
• Anatomy course
• Medical terminology course
• Internship in dosimetry

It is the policy of the school and its sponsor to admit students without regard to race, sex, religion, national origin or handicap, unless the handicap would prevent the student from fulfilling clinical requirements.

Application Process

Applications and all supporting documentation must be submitted by March 1. The application form may be downloaded here. A personal telephone interview from one or more of the committee members may be conducted.

Student Selection

During March, the admissions committee will review all completed applications. The committee may select some candidates for a personal telephone interview based on academic achievements, GPA, training and personal references. A strong math background is highly recommended. If you are asked to come to the facility for an interview, out-of-town applicants are responsible for their own transportation and all costs associated with the interview.
Professional Certification

Graduates of the program are eligible to apply to the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) for the certification examination once they fulfill the MDCB requirements. This examination is designed to improve the practice of medical dosimetry by voluntary testing of the candidate's competency. For more information go to http://www.mdcb.org.

Costs

• $3,500 fee for the one-year program (subject to change without notification). Of this, $500 is paid as a non-refundable deposit upon acceptance into the program.
• A non-refundable $50 application fee

CTRC does not provide health insurance for students. Students assume the cost of books, meals, housing, transportation and supplies (i.e., lab coats).

Housing

No on-site residential accommodations are available. CTRC is located in the San Antonio Medical Center, very closely situated to many apartment complexes. Homes are also available for rent or purchase.

Facility

CTRC is an outpatient facility located in the San Antonio Medical Center area. The radiation therapy department treats over one hundred patients per day.

Imaging modalities:
• 2 GE CT scanners
• 1 CT/PET scanner

Linear accelerators:
• 2 Varian 600C
• 2 Varian 2100C/D (80 and 120 Leaf MLC)
• 2 Varian 23EX (80 Leaf MLC)
• Helical Tomotherapy HiArt

Record and verify system: Impac/Mosaic Multi-Access Software

External Beam Treatment Planning
• Virtual simulation using AcQ3
• 3-D external beam treatment planning using Pinnacle treatment planning system
• Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and intensity modulated radiosurgery (IMRS) planning and delivery using the Nomos Corvus planning station and MiMiC binary collimated Peacock delivery system
• Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) planning using the Pinnacle3 system

Brachytherapy Treatment Planning
• High dose rate brachytherapy using the Nucletron treatment planning system CT guided brachytherapy
• Transrectal ultrasound prostate seed implants using the Prowess treatment planning system
• Low dose rate brachytherapy using Pinnacle treatment planning system

Special Procedures
• Total body photon irradiation
• Total skin electron irradiation
• Intravascular brachytherapy

Who To Contact

Please address inquiries and applications to:

Niko Papanikolaou, PhD
Director of Medical Physics
Department of Radiation Oncology
Cancer Therapy and Research Center at
University of Texas Health Science Center
7979 Wurzbach Rd
San Antonio TX 78229-4427
Phone: (210) 450-5664
Fax: (210) 450-1076
papanikolaou@uthscsa.edu