Medical Dosimetry Graduate Certificate Program

IU Graduate School &

The Department of Radiation Oncology
IU Simon Cancer Center
All students accepted into the Medical Dosimetry Graduate
Certificate Program will have completed:
Bachelors degree, (Radiation Therapy preferred but not required),
maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Certification through the ARRT as a Radiation Therapist
PreRequisite Courses:
College Algebra and Trigonometry or Pre-Calculus
Cross-Sectional Anatomy
Radiation and Cancer Biology

Twelve Month
Course of Study
Concepts for Preparation and Planning in Medical Dosimetry I
credit hours
Concepts for Preparation and Planning in Medical Dosimetry II
credit hour

2
1

Medical Physics for Radiation Oncology I

hour
Medical Physics for Radiation Oncology II
hours

1 credit

Clinical Oncology and Dosimetric Considerations

hour

1 credit

Independent Study / Research in Radiation Oncology

credit hours
Clinical Practicum
hour
Clinical Practicum
credit hours
Clinical Practicum
credit hours
Clinical Practicum
credit hours

I Introduction to General Dosimetry

2 credit

2
1 credit

II

Intermediate Planning for Medical Dosimetry

III

Advanced Topics in Medical Dosimetry

IV

Assessment Challenges in Medical Dosimetry

Curriculum Synopsis
Concepts for Preparation and Planning in Medical Dosimetry I
This course is an introduction for the skills and technologies needed to
pursue a career in medical dosimetry. It is designed for the student who has
already completed a program in Radiation Therapy Technology and provides
background information on both the professional and technological side.
Includes both didactic lectures and hands on lab computer activities.
Professional Relations and Responsibilities
Ethical Conduct & Code of Ethics for AAMD, MDCB
Professional / Legal Perspective / Malpractice
Scope of Practice for Medical Dosimetry
Professionalism and Professional Development
External Beam Monitor Unit Calculations
Dosimetric Quantities
Photon and Electron Manual Calculations
Central Axis and Off Axis Dose Calculation
Manual Correction for Inhomogeneity
Special Topics and Dose Calculation
Math Topical Review with Dosimetric Applications
Geometric and Trigonometric Applications
Logarithmic Applications
Imaging Modalities / Targets
Radiographic
Computed Tomography
Magnetic resonance (MR) Nuclear Medicine (PET)
Ultrasound
Imaging / Sectional Anatomy Review
Contouring / Segmentation of Targets
Contouring / Segmentation of OAR
Cancer Patient Management
Signs and Symptoms
Cancer Treatment Modalities
Cancer Management
Radiation Protection
Dose Equivalent
Protection Regulations
NRC Regulations for External Beam and Brachytherapy
Computer Technology and Networking
Hardware Technologies
Software
Networking Technologies / PACS / Dicom

Concepts for Preparation and Planning in Medical Dosimetry II

Designed to give the student a thorough understanding of treatment
planning considerations for the patient, the course addresses conventional
planning techniques as well as newer technologies. Lab Course with hands on
lab sessions supervised by instructor.
3-D Treatment Planning
ICRU Reports 50, 62
Nomenclature for Targets
Reference Point & Normalization
Virtual Simulation
3D Conformal Planning
Evaluating the Plan
Techniques for Mantle, Involved Field for Hodgkins Disease
Electron Beam Planning
IMRT Planning
ICRU Report 83
Segmentation Considerations
Choosing the Beam Arrangement
IMRT Optimization, Constraints, Priorities
Plan Evaluation
SBRT Planning
Meeting Protocol Requirements
Segmentation Considerations
Treatment Planning and Plan Evaluation
Brachytherapy Planning
Gynecological Brachytherapy
Prostate Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy Manual Calculations
Proton Planning
Introduction to Proton Planning
EMR Technology The Electronic Medical Record
Requirements / Documentation
Billing Requirements

Clinical Oncology and Dosimetric Considerations

The course consists of a series of site specific oncology lectures given by
radiation oncologist lecturers. After completing this course, the medical
dosimetrist should be able to participate in the discussion about optimal
treatment planning for specific anatomical sites and offer helpful suggestions
when asked.
Cancers of the Head and Neck
Cancers of the Central Nervous System
Cancers of the Gastrointestinal Tract esopho-gastric, pancreas, liver,
rectum, anal
Cancers of the Genitourinary Tract - prostate, bladder, testis
Gynecologic Malignancies cervix, uterine, vulvar, vaginal, ovarian
The Lymphomas
Cancers of the Skin melanoma, non-melanoma, mycosis fungoides
Breast Cancer
Pediatric Malignancies
Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Benign Malignancies
Metastic Disease
Discussions include:
Anatomy, Pathology, Physiology, Lymphatic Drainage
Treatment Techniques and Beam Arrangements
Dose Calculation Considerations
Critical Organs and Dose Limiting Factors
Positioning and Immobilization
Age Specific Considerations

Medical Physics for Radiation Oncology I

Medical Physics I covers nuclear physics, production of X-rays, and
ionizing radiation. The course provides the basis for the field of medical physics
and the production of radiation.
Review of Math and Physics Concepts
Structure of Matter

Calculations
Nuclear Transformations

Production of X-rays

Clinical Radiation Generators

Interactions of Ionizing Radiation

Medical Physics for Radiation Oncology II

Medical Physics II addresses the physics considerations for measurement
of absorbed dose, dose distributions, dosimetric calculations, treatment planning
for photons, electrons and brachytherapy, other advanced technologies and
quality assurance from the physicist point of view.
Measurement of Ionizing Radiation
Measurement of Absorbed Dose
Analysis
System of Dosimetric Calculations
Patient Data, Corrections, Setup
Electron Beam Therapy
Quality Assurance
Total Body Irradiation
Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Quality of X Ray Beams

Dose Distribution and Scatter
Isodose Distributions
Field Considerations
Brachytherapy
3D Conformal / IMRT Planning
Monte Carlo Introduction
Proton Planning

Independent Study / Research in Radiation Oncology

This course is comprised of two separate components, both of which
highlight the students ability to work independently as well as oral and written
communication skills.
Each student prepares treatment plans requiring advanced planning skills
and the ability to interpret the physicians written instructions or a clinical
protocol for assigned site-specific data sets. All aspects of the planning
processes are critiqued by members of the physics/dosimetry staff in an open
discussion peer review format where they are judged on contouring skills, plan
optimization, following ICRU guidelines, protocols, oral communication skills,
critical thinking skills, and time management.
In addition, each student works independently on a research project,
preparing both a written research paper and a power point presentation on a
treatment planning topic of their choice. The paper is written in a format
consistent with the AAMD/CIVCO student writing competition guidelines
published on the AAMD website page. It is highly recommended that the
students submit their research to the student writing contest or as a potential
poster presentation for the AAMD.
Examples of Advanced Planning Cases:
3D Intact Breast Compensation Methods
3D Techniques for Chestwall & Nodal Volumes
IMRT Techniques for Chestwall & Nodal Volumes
IMRT Head/Neck with SIB Technique
IMRT Prostate Multiple Phase Technique
3D SIB Technique for the Pancreas Protocol
Sarcoma of an Extremity Planning Methods
3D Planning for the Partial Brain
IMRT Planning for the Partial Brain
IMRT Pelvis for Anal or Vulvar planning
SBRT Planning for the Lung-Liver-Spine

Clinical Practicum I

General Dosimetry Introduction

This clinical experience provides the student with a general overview of

clinical activities. The student will observe and assist with day to day activities
from the preparation of the patient for treatment through the planning process,
and meeting minimum competency levels is required. The clinical rotation
consists of 90 contact hours.
Competency List Summer Session
Electronic Medical Record and Chart Management
Overview of CT / Simulation Requirements for Dosimetry
Monitor Unit Calculations
Acquiring / Importing Images from the CT Simulator
Acquiring / Importing Images from PACS for PET, MR, Diagnostic CT, Other
Registration of Images
Contouring Tools
Creating the 2D SSD Plan
Creating the 2D SAD Plan
Creating a 3D Coplanar Plan

Clinical Practicum II

Intermediate Planning for Medical Dosimetry

Clinical rotations at various clinical sites provide a broad experience in 2D,

3D and IMRT planning as well as experience with brachytherapy planning and
physics quality assurance tasks.
Demonstration of clinical competency is required. Clinical rotation consists of
360 contact hours.
Required Competency List Fall Semester
Conventional Simulation Requirements
Irregular Field Calculations
CT Simulation for Head / Neck
CT Simulation for Breast
Block Fabrication for Electrons
Fabrication of Custom Bolus
3D Treatment Planning for:
Esophagus
Lung
Tangent Breast Field in Field, E compensators
Conventional 3D Head / Neck PLanning
Non-Coplanar 3D Treatment Plan
Chestwall & Nodal Regions
Electron Treatment Planning
IMRT Treatment Planning Introduction:
Pancreas
Prostate
Introduction to Brachytherapy
Low Dose Rate GYN Treatment Plan
Introduction to Proton Therapy Planning
Physics Quality Assurance of the Treatment Chart

Clinical Practicum III

Advanced Topics in Medical Dosimetry

This clinical rotation allows the student to participate in and demonstrate

competency for advanced technologies, including IMRT, SBRT, VMAT and Proton
therapy. The rotation includes 540 clinical contact hours.
Required Competency List

Spring Semester

IMRT Planning
Prostate Planning
Head / Neck SIB
IMRT Sequential Phase
Left Chestwall/Nodal Intensity Modulated
V-MAT Planning
Rapid Arc Planning
SBRT Planning
SBRT Lung
SBRT Liver
SBRT Spine
Cone Beam CT verification Process
SRS Gamma Knife
Observations / Planning Techniques for Gamma Knife
Brachytherapy
HDR QA, Planning, Treatment Delivery
Physics Quality Assurance
Electron Cutout Measurement
Daily Morning QA
Monthly Verification Linear Accelerator
IMRT QA

Clinical Practicum IV

Assessment Challenges in Medical Dosimetry

During this clinical experience, the student will function as a medical

dosimetrist, choosing one site from each of the listed categories. The student
will communicate with the radiation oncologist about all aspects of the plan and
the plan will be approved by the radiation oncologist. In addition, all plans will
also be checked by the certified medical dosimetrist and a board certified
physicist. The rotation consists of 210 clinical contact hours.

Competency Checklist - Summer Session

Conventional 2D Planning
Conventional 3D planning
IMRT Treatment Planning
VMAT Treatment Planning
SBRT Planning
Brachytherapy Planning