Medical Physics for Radiation Therapy

The physics staffs of the radiation oncology departments includes medical physicists, medical dosimetrists, and physics aids.

Medical Physicists

Medical physicists hold degrees of various levels in physics, chemistry or engineering. They work closely with the physicians and dosimetrists to optimize individual treatment plans. Through continuous inspection of treatment machines and charts they ensure that daily treatments are accurate and precise. PhD. physicists direct the physics services at VRA sites. We welcome you to learn more about Medical Physics as applied to Radiation Oncology.

Medical Dosimetrists

Medical dosimetrists have postgraduate training in radiation dosimetry as applied to radiation therapy patients. They work with physicians and physicists in developing individual treatment plans. Treatment planning refers to the process of generating the parameters (beam arrangements, calculations, and other technical factors) that will optimally treat a patient according to the physician's prescription. The dosimetrist also supervises the radiation therapists so that the exact treatment parameters are utilized.

Physics Aids

Physics aids are trained in custom manufacturing many of the radiation treatment devices, and may help the therapists and physicists in other ways.