Medical Dosimetry Degree Programs

Medical Dosimetry is a newly emerging health care profession. Medical dosimetrists work with radiation oncologists and medical physicists. They help to provide the correct dose of radiation to patients receiving treatment for cancer.

Medical Dosimetrist Career

Medical Dosimetrist

Medical dosimetrists work with computers to develop the treatment plans. When the treatment is approved, it is usually delivered to the patient over the period of several weeks. Medical dosimetrists work in radiation treatment centers and comprehensive cancer centers. They may also work in industry as application support specialists or in sales. The clinical work week is typically a standard 40-hour week. However, you should keep in mind that weekend and evening shifts may arise.

If you wish to become a dosimetrist, then you should consider several requirements.

According to the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB), dosimetrists must pass the medical dosimetrist certification exam in order to earn distinction as a CMD (Certified Medical Dosimetrist). There are three ways you can become eligible to take the certification exam to become a dosimetrist.

You can become eligible if you are already an actively registered radiation therapist. In this case you should complete 24 months of clinical medical dosimetry experience. This clinical practice should be supervised by a certified medical dosimetrist or medical physicist or radiation oncologist.

The second path to eligibility for a certification in dosimetry is to obtain an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in ANY subject. After that you should obtain 36 months of clinical dosimetry experience supervised by a certified medical dosimetrist or medical physicist or radiation oncologist.

And the third path to eligibility for the certification exam is to complete a 12-month accredited education program in medical dosimetry. You should also obtain a 6-month supervised clinical experience in dosimetry.

Medical Dosimetry Programs

There are 16 schools in the United States that are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology in medical dosimetry. Here are a few medical dosimetry programs.

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences–Little Rock

This institute offers 2 types of medical dosimetry programs: a bachelor’s degree and advanced certification for those already holding a bachelor’s degree. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for the certification examination given by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB).
Contact Information:
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Department of Imaging and Radiation Sciences Division of Medical Dosimetry4301 W. Markham, #771Little Rock, AR 72205501-526-7474uams.edu/chrp/dosimetry

Medical College of Georgia–Augusta

You can obtain a Master of Health Science degree in medical dosimetry in this college. During your studies, you will learn anatomy, physiology, organ tolerance to radiation and the ability to obtain medical images such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans to aid in treatment.
Contact Information:
Medical College of Georgia School of Allied Health SciencesBiomedical and Radiological Technologies 1120 15th St.Augusta, GA 30912706-721-3046mcg.edu/sah/brt/meddos/index.html

University of Maryland Medical Center–Baltimore

The University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore offers a one-year certificate program in medical dosimetry.
Contact Information:
University of Maryland Medical Center Department of Radiation Oncology 22 South Greene St.Baltimore, MD 21201-1595410-328-7023umgcc.org/radiation_oncology_program/education.htm

Pitt Community College–Winterville, North Carolina

Pitt Community College offers a joint medical dosimetry program with East Carolina University-Brody School of Medicine. During their studies, students learn anatomy, treatment planning, dosing, radiation protection, ethics and more.
Contact Information:
Pitt Community CollegeRadiologic Sciences1986 Pitt Tech Rd.Winterville, NC 28590252-493-7452pittcc.edu/academics/programs/health-sciences/medical-dosimetry/

Thomas Jefferson University–Philadelphia

The university incorporates technological advances into its coursework, training students to use software programs to take medical images for accurate radiation treatments.
Contact Information:
Thomas Jefferson UniversityDepartment of Radiation Oncology 111 South 11th St.Philadelphia, PA 19107215-955-6700jefferson.edu/jmc/radiation_oncology/education/medical_physics/Medical_Dosimetry_Program.cfm

Bellevue College–Bellevue, Washington

The college offers a certificate program in medical dosimetry. If you are already certified, then you may complete a Bachelor of Applied Science degree with a medical dosimetry concentration.
Contact Information:
Bellevue College Radiation and Imaging Sciences 3000 Landerholm Circle SEBellevue, Washington 98007425-564-2012bellevuecollege.edu/health/imaging/dosimetry.asp