Remote Dosimetry School

 Thank you for showing an interest in Advanced Radiotherapy Consulting,(Remote) Medical Dosimetry School (RDS).   ARC recognizes the need for an intensive Medical Dosimetry School in the U.S.  This Satellite Program is one-year in duration and follows the training guidelines recommended by the AAMD. We will accept 20 students and three alternates from each one-year session.

 ARC is a clinically based medical physics company that specializes in training, physics program implementation, and specialty services implementation:  IMRT, CT Sim, 3D Treatment Planning, HDR Brachytherapy, LDR Brachytherapy, Vascular Brachytherapy, Stereotactic Radiosurgery, and Oncology Imaging.

I look forward to receiving your application.

Brent D. Murphy, MS, DABR,
Certified Medical Physicist
President, Education & Training
 ARC
 

PROGRAM SUMMARY

The RDS training program includes didactic and lab instruction along with clinical rotation at the Sponsoring Facility and/or Affiliating Training Agency covering topics such as Basic Radiation properties, Biology and Delivery, Simulation Processes and Treatment Planning.

ARC RDS training program consists of two stages:
Stage 1:         Didactic/Lab Training                      Weeks 1-4    

Stage 2:         Clinical Rotation 11 months          Weeks 5-52   

                        Didactic Training (On-Line)            Weeks 6-52   

                        Oral Planning Review

Stage 1:        
Stage 1 is an intensive Medical Dosimetry “Boot Camp” that includes didactic and lab instruction.

Location:        The didactic portion of the program will be held at:

ARC
Training Facility
100 E. Wayne St. Suite 140
South Bend, IN 46601

Hours:  Minimum of 200 didactic / lab / module hours.

Curriculum:

• Basic Radiation Properties / Radiation Biology & Radiation Delivery
• Tissue Tolerances / Prescription Doses / DVHs
• Conventional Simulation & CT Simulation Basic
• Photon Dosimetry / Hand Calculations / Electron Dosimetry
• Treatment Planning / Plan Review / Hand Calcs
• Electron Treatments
• CT Sim & Immobilization
• CT Simulation & Treatment of: Prostate, Brain, Head and Neck, Breast, Abdomen, GYN and Extremity Cancers

Terms: Failure to pass Stage 1 will result in immediate removal from the program.

Stage 2:
Stage 2 is an 11-month on-site clinical rotation.

Location: Sponsoring Facility and/or Affiliating Training Agency location.

Hours:  3,640 or 5,460 hours of clinical medical dosimetry experience, depending on degree held. See requirements below.

Terms:
Clinical Rotation. The student will be responsible for completing case studies, clinical and technical module assignments, plan reviews, labs and monthly performance logs that will fulfill the requirements of the AAMD guidelines. In addition, it is required that the student adhere to the course schedule. Failure to do so will result in notification of the Sponsoring Facility and/or ARC RDS Program Director.

During the 2nd stage, the student is expected to participate at the training level established by the Sponsoring Facility and/or Affiliating Training Agency. The student is also required to be supervised by the Sponsoring Facilities Medical Physicist and Radiation Oncologist or the RDS Clinical Instructor depending on the clinical rotation placement.

Didactic Training.Student should allow 5-10 hours per week in addition to the on-site clinical instruction to complete the on-line didactic training. Failure to do so will jeopardize program completion and may result in notification of the Sponsoring Facility and/or ARC RDS Program Director.

Oral Planning Review.The Clinical Instructor will continue throughout Month 11 to provide medical Dosimetry daily planning activities for student. In addition, the student will review the Q&A which will be provided by the Program Director and continue as assigned by Clinical Instructor. At program completion, the student will be able to demonstrate planning competencies and prepare to take the oral planning review guided by the Program Director.

Program Content:     This program is very clinically oriented.  Students will be trained to meet the criteria necessary to sit for the CMD boards as according to the MDCB guidelines which can be found on the AAMD webpage www.mdcb.org/. There you will find clearly outlined, the job responsibilities for a medical dosimetrist. (Adstream note: John Continued on next Page)

Classes Begin:

Tuition:          $ 11,500

Tuition Schedule:

• A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is required to reserve a seat once the applicant has been accepted. 
• If a student fails Stage 1, a 50% re-imbursement will be granted. When students enter Stage 2, there is no re-imbursement.
• Tuition includes the training course, 1 course manual, 1 physics book (Khann), and 1 dosimetry book (Bentel).

Requirements before 2013:

Applicants are required to have an associate’s degree and have completed 5,460 hours of clinical medical dosimetry experience by 2013. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree must complete 3,640 hours of clinical medical dosimetry experience by 2013. Both must complete 12 CEUs approved by the MDCB. Any clinical medical dosimetry experience gained before attending the 1 month remote dosimetry school will count towards the total 3,640 or 5,460 hours needed.

Requirements for 2013:

 Applicants will be required to have a bachelor’s degree in conjunction with 5,460 hours of clinical medical dosimetry experience as well as 12 CEUs approved by the MDCB. Clinical medical dosimetry experience gained before attending the 1 month remote dosimetry school will count towards the total 5,460 hours needed. 

Give us a call to enroll now (574)232-2305.

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FAQ'S

Why is Stage 1 called a Boot Camp?

Stage 1 is very intensive training similar to military boot camp. Students are very extensively trained with a repeating pattern which has proven to be very successful.

How long is Stage 1?
Stage 1 is 4 weeks long with lectures varying from 3 hrs – 10 hrs per day. Assignments and hands on practice will vary from 3 hrs – 10 hrs per day. Group study sessions frequently occur in the evenings and on weekends.

Are there exams during the Boot Camp?
Yes. There are 3 written exams and 1 cumulative Oral Examination. All students must pass the oral examination. There are no grades. Students either meet criteria and pass or they fail.

Should the Facility have a Medical Physicist and Radiation Oncologist for oversight?
Yes. A certified medical physicist is desired. In the event that the facility does not have full time physics support, arrangements can be made with ARC to provide an auditing / oversight type role. The facility’s radiation oncologist should play an active and supportive role in the growth of the student during this rotation cycle.

What type of project work is required during Stage 2?
Stage 2 is the clinical rotation cycle lasting 11 months. Didactic work to include labs, case presentations, case reports, literature review, journal review, and case comparisons are examples of work that will be required.

Where do the students stay during Stage 1?
Stage 1 is 4 weeks long. Lodging is available at a variety of sites and price ranges. The Administrative Assistant for ARC can provide you with a listing of housing options during this time period.

Are there hands-on exercises during Stage 1?
Yes. Students will be required to demonstrate hands on competency in areas of CT Simulation and Treatment Planning.

What responsibilities do facilities have?
Facility responsibilities are outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). 

Course Dates:

Curriculum:

• Basic Radiation Properties / Radiation Biology & Radiation Delivery
• Tissue Tolerances / Prescription Doses / DVHs
• Conventional Simulation & CT Simulation Basic
• Photon Dosimetry / Hand Calculations / Electron Dosimetry
• Treatment Planning / Plan Review / Hand Calcs
• Electron Treatments
• CT Sim & Immobilization
• CT Simulation & Treatment of: Prostate, Brain, Head and Neck, Breast, Abdomen, GYN and Extremity Cancers

Apply Now!

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