Physicist jobs in New Jersey

Overview

Position Description:
Hackensack Meridian Health is looking for a Board Certified/Board Eligible Physicist. The successful candidate will be an integral part of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, in Neptune, New Jersey. The department has one TrueBeam, one TrueBeam Edge and a very busy HDR program. In addition, as part of the Neuroscience Institute at Jersey Shore University Medical Center we have a first in world combination of a Synaptive Medical dedicated brain MRI and Zap Surgical ZAP-X gyroscopic radiosurgery platform. The department utilizes the Aria electronic medical record and the Eclipse and ZapX treatment planning systems.

Facility and Equipment:
This is a unique opportunity to become a vital part of our world-class team. Hackensack Meridian Health is the largest, most comprehensive, and truly integrated health network in New Jersey. It comprises 19 hospitals, including three academic centers, and over 500 freestanding locations. The network includes the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, the Center for Discovery & Innovation, and is supported by 36,000 talented team members. The Radiation Oncology team works out of eight radiation therapy departments throughout an eight-county geography. The current complement of 16 treatment machines will increase to 22 by the end of 2024. This technology includes TrueBeam, Gamma Knife, Cyber Knife, TomoTherapy, Reflexion Scintix and ZAP-X. In addition, there is a very robust HDR program at three of the centers, which will expand to a total of five locations. The Radiation Oncology team consists of 12 radiation oncologists, 19 board certified medical physicists, two medical physics residents (as part of the CAMPEP approved residency program) and 13 certified medical dosimetrists. The multidisciplinary team at the Neuroscience Institute includes three neurosurgeons, two radiation oncologists and a neuro-oncology neurologist.

Responsibilities

A day in the life of a Physicist at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

1. Assists in establishing and maintaining quality assurance and improvement programs: Oversees and reviews all QA/QC programs active in the department and assures compliance.
2. Available for guidance in the event of a radiation disaster or emergency: Demonstrates knowledge of hospital disaster plans and aids in carrying out the orders of the RSO.
3. Coordinates the implementation of new technology to the Radiation Therapy Department: Performs acceptance testing and commissioning for new equipment.
4. Develops patient treatment plans as prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist: Completes tasks before the start of treatment 95% of time.
5. Ensures that instrumentation for RTP is calibrated in accordance with appropriate regulations: All instruments are sent out on or before the previous calibration date.
6. Functions as member of the Radiation Safety Committee: Attends quarterly meetings for the Radiation Safety Committee.
7. Measures and documents all beam characteristics of treatment machines needed for programming and maintaining the treatment planning computers: Performs treatment data acquisition when needed and hence data input and verification for treatment planning system on an ongoing basis. QA on the treatment planning system runs on a weekly basis.
8. Participates in in-service education for staff members.: In-service of nursing, housekeeping personnel and radiation staff on an annual basis. All newly hired staff will be in service prior to caring for brachytherapy patients.
9. Performs monthly and annual checks on all radiation therapy equipment: Calibrates and monitors radiation therapy equipment to ensure that all equipment is operating in compliance with the specifications of the manufacturer, with radiation control regulations such as ACRO, State and JCAHO requirements.
10. Performs radiation surveys and assures radiation safety for various brachytherapy and therapeutic radiopharmaceutical patients. All the records are reviewed and filed upon the completion of treatment.
11. Treatment Review: Verifies the accuracy of the chart prescribed and accumulated doses and all calculations. Verifies treatment course of patients by performing weekly chart checks and end of treatment summary checks. Reviews are done on a weekly basis and initiated.
12. Assist in CT simulation setup and immobilization techniques and has full GE CT and AW workstation knowledge. Ensures simulation therapists have implemented proper setup and immobilization techniques. Performs computerized dose treatment planning QA for treatment planning system. Verifies the accuracy of the chart prescribed and accumulated doses and all calculations. Verifies treatment course of patients by performing weekly chart checks and end of treatment summary checks. Performs specific patient QA, monthly spot checks, quality control, and annual calibrations of linac. Performs acceptance testing and commissioning for new equipment. Reviews QA/QC programs active in the department and assures compliance with radiation control regulations such as ACRO, State and JCAHO requirements.
13. Reviews dosimetry plans produced and assists with difficult plans when needed. Participates in community screening, educational programs, QA meetings, quarterly meetings for the Radiation Safety Committee. Supervises, performs, or assists in fabrication and implementation of immobilization devices for external beam patients. Ensures reproducible patient immobilization techniques in the linac treatment room for complex or special case setups. Communicates effectively with therapists to ensure understanding of complex or special case setup procedures. Understands new treatment policies and procedures considering the full impact to the radiation oncology system.
14. Demonstrates knowledge of hospital disaster plans and aids and abets in carrying out orders of the RSO. Participates in teaching and service activities of any Radiation Oncology health program in which the hospital may participate. Researches information thoroughly and demonstrates enthusiasm to participate. Illustrates a pride in the Department of Radiation Oncology. Performs and checks various dosimetric calculations for external beam patients with interruptions in radiation therapy. Completes tasks within the scheduled time frame. Maintains records and equipment for Radiation Oncology required by the various regulatory agencies. Responsible for quality assurance of external beam treatment plans. Ensures new treatment policies and procedures are safe, effective and efficient.
15. Maintains open and regular communication with radiation oncologists, physicists, dosimetrists, management and department staff. Passes and keeps current the national certification boards for physicists.
16. Manages and/or assists in the recruitment, development and supervision of team members. Creates and sustains an environment that fosters team member engagement. Establishes clear objectives tied to department and/or organizational strategic goals. Coaches, counsels and evaluates performance of direct reports.
17. Involved in the development and/or management of budget for assigned areas. Regularly monitors relevant key financial indicators and performance metrics, modifying business activities where needed in response to changing financial situations.
18. Track, analyze, and report on relevant data and metrics as needed and/or requested. Develop, recommend and/or implement actions or process improvements as appropriate.
19. Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
20. Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

1. Master's Degree in Physical Science.
2. Knowledgeable in Varian Aria EMR, Eclipse treatment planning, and TrueBeam delivery system
3. Capable of planning and delivering HDR treatments.
4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
5. Proficient computer skills that include but are not limited to Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite platforms.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

1. A minimum of three (3) years of experience as a physicist.
2. Experience in SRS/SBRT.
3. Prior experience with any of the following systems: ArcCHECK, MapCHECK, Pips-Pro, Atlas.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

1. ABR Board Certified Medical Physicist OR must have passed Part 1 of Therapy.
2. NJDEP QMP Registration, or obtained within 30 days of hire.

Licenses and Certifications Preferred:

1. NJDEP AMP license.

If you feel the above description speaks directly to your strengths and capabilities, then please apply today!

Our Network

Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) is a Mandatory Influenza Vaccination Facility

As a courtesy to assist you in your job search, we would like to send your resume to other areas of our Hackensack Meridian Health network who may have current openings that fit your skills and experience.