At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Medical Physicist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Physics IV collaborates and assist Physics V in administrative aspects related to management of the physics section of Radiosurgery/Radiation Oncology/Prentice Radiation Oncology (hereafter referred to as “departments”) and ensuring that the staff and infrastructure of the physics section supports the clinical needs of the department. Primary responsibilities include developing and accurately documenting treatment plans, new procedures and protocols, to assure the delivery of quality and safe patient care.

Responsibilities:

• Develops and verifies the prescribed radiation treatment plan for a given patient in consultation with the radiation oncologist for both external beam, Radiosurgery, Hyperthermia, and Brachytherapy procedures.
• Develops CT, MRI, PET, PET/CT based plans, including fusion.
• Produces digitally reconstructed radiographs from the CT simulator as required to provide documentation of the shape and placement of the radiation field.
• Assist Physics V in the completion of Electronic Medical Record, as it pertains to physics department.
• Determines and implements optimal method for field shaping as prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist, utilizing custom blocks or the multi-leaf collimators. 
• Performs and verifies accuracy of treatment calculations.
• Accurately prepares patient chart (paper and electronic) for initial physics check before treatment delivery.
• Completes electronic and paper documentation in a thorough and accurate manner to ensure proper treatment delivery.
• Constructs or assists in the preparation of immobilization devices, treatment aids and shielding blocks which may include the lifting of objects weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Creates and oversees the implementation of complex treatment plans, including but not limited to: IMRT, IGRT, CBCT, Gating, Arc therapy, Tomotherapy, etc.
• Assesses in vivo dosage using TLDs, diodes, mosfets, film, etc., and records the results appropriately.  Informs physicians of the results and takes appropriate action when necessary.
• Performs and records weekly physics quality control and quality assurance processes.
• Completes proper documentation to ensure accurate patient charging.
• Assures smooth workflow in Dosimetry section of physics.
• Maintains supply needs of the physics section/departments.

• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with staff throughout the department.
• Promotes a positive work environment.

• Ensures that assigned work area meets hospital and department standards of safety and professional appearance. 

Proactively identifies and addresses maintenance and facility issues as needed.

• Maintains competencies and complies with continuing education requirements of credentialing agencies. Assists in commissioning of new equipment, development of new treatment techniques, quantitative analysis of clinical trial data, and other appropriate physics duties.
• Executes mandatory regulatory measurements, inventories, and logs in a timely fashion as legislated.
• Assists physicians and other medical personnel in esoteric special patient procedures.
• Measures, experimentally, machine parameters and calculates output of treatment units, which requires use of devices weighting approximately 50 pounds. 
• Plans, verifies, and implements accurate radiation dosage for Radiation Oncology patients
• Performs and analyzes pertinent functions for quality control of radiation devices, and provides documentation.     
• Performs minor maintenance of radiation producing machines.
• Participates in defining need, parameters, and budget for new equipment
• Assists with research into new modalities, and uses of present treatment methods 
• Assists with special procedures as needed (e.g. Brachytherapy, Gamma Knife, HDR, Radiosurgery, etc.). Identifies quality issues to be addressed and brings to the attention of the Manager, Physics V, and Quality Committee as appropriate. 
• Assists in the design and implementation of measurement tools and process improvements.
• Collects and monitors data for key quality indicators and process improvement plans.

Required:

• Master’s or PhD Degree in Medical Physics or equivalent
• Registered with Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety as an approved Therapeutic Radiological Physicist
• Demonstrated excellence as a Radiation Physicist in Therapeutic Radiology
• Teaching experience
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Board Certified in Therapeutic Radiology by the American Board of Radiology or American College of Medical Physics

Preferred:

• Faculty Appointment at Northwestern University Medical School
• Five years previous supervisory experience
• Proven skills in independent clinical research resulting in publication in peer reviewed journals

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.