About Medical Dosimetry, M.S.
What is Medical Dosimetry?
According to the American Association of Medical Dosimetrists (AAMD) at www.medicaldosimetry.org, the Medical Dosimetrist is a member of the radiation oncology team who has knowledge of the overall characteristics and clinical relevance of radiation oncology treatment machines and equipment, is cognizant of procedures commonly used in brachytherapy and has the education and expertise necessary to generate radiation dose distributions and dose calculations in collaboration with the medical physicist and radiation oncologist.
The Medical Dosimetrist performs calculations for the accurate delivery of the Radiation Oncologist's prescribed dose, documents pertinent information in the patient record, and verifies the mathematical accuracy of all calculations using a system established by the Medical Physicist. We perform, or assist in, the application of specific methods of radiation measurement including ion chamber, thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD), or film measurement as directed by the Medical Physicist. Another area that we may contribute to is giving technical and physics support to the Medical Physicist; this support could be in radiation protection, qualitative machine calibrations, and quality assurance of the radiation oncology equipment. Also, we often take on the role of educator in facilities that have radiation oncology residents, radiation therapy students or medical dosimetry students.
GVSU Medical Dosimetry Program Overview
GVSU’s Master's in Medical Dosimetry program is a JRCERT Accredited 12 month hybrid/online program (September-August) that is comprised of didactic and clinical education for a total of 38 credits. Students remain at one clinical location for the entire year (which are across the US) and are required to come onsite to GVSU a total of one time during the year (3-day orientation). The remainder of the courses are online.
Clinical Sites:
Clinical sites are provided for admitted students. A list of GVSU's clinical sites can be found on the JRCERT website. Please note not all clinical sites are available each year. Students may request clinical sites based on their geographical location, but the ultimate decision for clinical placement will be nondiscriminatory and at the discretion of the Program Director and Educational Coordinator. Please refrain from contacting established clinical sites. At the time applicants are accepted into the program, their clinical site is listed on their offer letter. A prospective student can propose a new clinical site by contacting the program director. The process can be lengthy; therefore students should contact the director well in advance of the application deadline. Students are in the clinic 4 days per week the each semester. An important note is that the students are not allowed to be paid by the clinical site during their clinical hours. There is no cost to the clinical affiliates and compensation is not provided by GVSU.