Medical Dosimetry Training Program
Program Goals
- To train competent, efficient, and effective medical dosimetrists.
- To support the development of a diverse set of skills necessary to participate in both current and emerging technologies in radiation oncology.
- To promote development of integrative, critical thinking, and written, verbal and computer-based communication skills.
- To encourage students to continue their scholarly and professional activities after graduation by becoming active in local, state, and national medical dosimetry organizations, by furthering their own education, and/or by contributing to the education of others.
Program Faculty and Professional Staff
All students in our medical dosimetry program are under the tutelage of radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiation biologists, certified medical dosimetrists, and certified radiation therapists. Program faculty include UNC School of Medicine faculty and UNC Hospitals professional staff.
Academic Policy and Curriculum
The Program is a 12 month certificate program taking place at The UNC Hospitals Department of Radiation Oncology in Chapel Hill, NC.
The educational format includes both didactic sessions and clinical practicums. Students are expected to participate in clinical and research conferences, quality assurance, two and three dimensional external beam treatment planning, low and high dose rate brachytherapy, stereotactic and intraoperative radiotherapy, and clinical education.
Students are expected to adhere to high academic standards of performance and ethics, and display appropriate professional behavior during all phases of their educational experience. Students are also required to abide by all program policies as outlined in the Program's Master Plan of Education and the Student Handbook.
Courses include: Radiation Oncology Orientation; Introduction to Medical Dosimetry; Medical Dosimetry Physics; Brachytherapy Dosimetry; Research Methodology and Statistics (2 courses); Clinical Education (3 courses); Radiation Safety and Protection; Human Anatomy for Radiation Oncology; Radiation Histopathology; Radiation and Cancer Biology; Clinical Radiation Oncology; Special Topics in Radiation Oncology.
Academic Calendar
Classes begin on or about August 15 of each year with a completion date of August of the following year. Attendance is required Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM (standard 40 hour work week). Students are allowed a total of 11 UNC Hospitals-designated holidays plus an additional five days off for "personal time".
Admissions
In order to be considered for the program, the applicant must be a US citizen and have prior certification in radiation therapy. At least two years of clinical radiation therapy experience is also highly desirable. Having met the program prerequisites, the applicant must then:
- Complete a program application form, which can be downloaded here. (Operating system independent Adobe Acrobat Reader can be obtained here.)
- Submit transcripts from all high schools and institutions of higher education attended, SAT scores or equivalent if available, and any previous registry scores.
- Submit three letters of recommendation.
After completion and submission of the application package, the Admissions Committee then considers as much information as possible when evaluating a candidate's qualifications for the study and practice of medical dosimetry. The Admissions Committee will invite selected candidates to proceed to the next step, a personal interview. The personal interview enables prospective students to obtain more information about the Program, and allows the Committee to better assess such factors as motivation and interpersonal communication skills. Selection for a personal interview does not guarantee admission into the Program
The Medical Dosimetry Program adheres to the UNC Healthcare System's Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, offering equal employment opportunity without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religious affiliation or disability.
Technical Standards for Medical Dosimetrists
- Demonstrate oral and written proficiency in the English language, including the ability to read, interpret and apply written instructions (treatment charts, notes, records, technical publications, equipment manuals, etc.).
- Communicate effectively with faculty, fellow students, physicians, and all members of the health care team.
- Maintain intellectual and emotional stability and maturity under stress while also maintaining appropriate performance standards.
- Lift 30 pounds of weight (treatment cones, blocks for treatment, ancillary aids), including the ability to lift such heavy items overhead up to 6 feet.
- Push a standard wheelchair from the waiting room to the treatment room, and move immobile patients from a stretcher to a treatment or diagnostic table.
- Possess sufficient audio acuity to perceive and interpret audio signals from equipment during treatment or treatment planning.
- Possess sufficient visual acuity--corrected to 20/20--to observe patients and equipment operation during treatment or treatment planning; have adequate perception of depth and color; and be able to view computer monitors for extended periods.
- Grasp complex three-dimensional spatial relationships.
- Have sufficient manual dexterity to carry out all aspects of medical dosimetry procedures.
Graduation and Certification Examination Requirements
Before a student enrolled in the UNC Hospitals Medical Dosimetry Program can be deemed eligible to apply for the MDCB Examination, he or she must fulfill the following requirements:
- The student must have completed the academic requirements of the Program successfully, as well as all research papers and other projects before being allowed to graduate.
- The student must have all fees and other Program charges paid in full.
- The student must return all state property in their possesion, or else remit payment(s) for lost, stolen or damaged property.
- The student must have at least 6 month of post-graduation clinical experience.
It is ultimately the responsibility of the student to verify that he or she is eligible to take the MDCB examination. Previous convictions or other legal problems may make the individual ineligible.
The UNC Hospitals Medical Dosimetry Program cannot absolutely guarantee the student will be eligible to take the examination despite fulfilling the requirements; the final decision is made by the MDCB.
Transfer Credit
The Program is a one year certificate program, and as such, does not accept transfer students.
If an already-enrolled student in our program wishes to transfer to another medical dosimetry certificate program (that does accept transfers) or continue his or her higher education, it is the responsibility of the student to ascertain which, if any, UNC Hospitals Medical Dosimetry Program courses would be transferable to the other program or institution.
Student Services
Students enrolled in the UNC Hospitals Medical Dosimetry Program have access to four UNC-Chapel Hill academic libraries, UNC Healthcare computer laboratories and tutors, medical and undergraduate bookstores, and the UNC Hospitals recreational facilities.
Students are responsible for their own health insurance coverage and living expenses.
Tuition and Fees
There is no tuition for the Program per se, although the following non-refundable, one-time costs apply:
- Textbooks: approximately $300
- Computer/Dosimetry Laboratory Fee: $500
Deadlines
The deadline for receipt of Program application materials is March 1 of each year, for planned enrollment the following August.
Past Student Performance (since 2003)
90% of our students (9 out of 10) have passed the MDCB exam on their first attempt.
Need Additional Information?
For additional information about our Medical Dosimetry Program beyond that provided above, please contact:
Robert D. Adams, RT(R)(T), CMD, MPH, EdD
Program Director, Radiation Therapy and Medical Dosimetry Programs
Department of Radiation Oncology
UNC Hospitals
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: (919) 966-1101<br>
E-Mail: Robert_Adams@med.unc.edu