Medical Dosimetry Program

A Program Offered by University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute

The Profession

Medical Dosimetry is a newly emerging health care profession designed to support physicians who are radiation oncologist (the use of radiation to treat cancer). Medical dosimetrists are part of the medical physics group and with the medical physicist and the radiation oncologist design treatment plans for cancer patients. Since all the calculations are derived from diagnostic scans (X-ray, CT, MRI), the medical dosimetrist works primarily with computers to develop the treatment plans; once approved, the treatment is usually delivered to the patient over the period of several weeks. Medical dosimetrists work primarily in radiation treatment centers and comprehensive cancer centers. Opportunities for work in industry as application support specialists or in sales are also available. The clinical work week is typically a standard 40-hour week, though weekend and evening shifts may arise.

The increased use of computers in treatment planning, the sophistication and delivery capabilities of modern treatment machines, and the developments in cross sectional and three dimensional imaging (CT, MRI, PET) have increased tremendously the need for qualified medical dosimetrists. Employment is available both nationally and regionally. The average national salary as reported by the American Association of Medical Dosimetrists is over $70,000 per year. The program is jointly sponsored by the UAMS Department of Radiation Oncology, Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute (CARTI), and the UAMS College of Health Related Professions.

The Program

This co-sponsored, one-year, full-time program can be taken to complete a bachelor's degree or to obtain an advanced certificate for those already holding a bachelor’s degree. This new program is currently in the process of applying for accreditation by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

The educational program consists of classroom instruction, laboratory experience, and clinical rotations at CARTI facilities for 12 consecutive months beginning each August. There are four tracts in this program designed for those students who already have a radiation therapy degree and those who have other science degrees (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics) who seek either the bachelor's degree or an advanced certificate. The pre-professional curriculum for the bachelor's degree consists of 78 to 93 semester credit (SC) hours of course work with eight (8) SC of physics and 12 semester credits of mathematics, including calculus I and II. The professional sequence is dependent on the entry-level credentials of the student. If the student is a registered radiation therapist, an additional 31 SC of course work is required over the twelve months. If the individual is a science major without the radiation therapy credential, an additional 46 SC are required to complete the program (21 SC of radiation therapy course work and 25 SC of courses specific to medical dosimetry). The pre-professional curriculum required for the advanced certificate is 50 SC. Courses taken as part of a bachelor's degree track can be counted toward the prerequisite requirement. The professional sequence for the advanced certificate track is identical to that of the bachelor's degree tracks except for one course.

Pre-professional Curriculum

Bachelor's Degree

The bachelor's degree prerequisites include successful completion of 78-93 SC of general education course work from a regionally accredited college or university and must fulfill all College of Health Related Professions requirements regarding acceptance of transfer credit:

Area/Typical Course Title (Minimum Semester Credit)

SCIENCE/MATHEMATICS

• College Algebra (3)
• Calculus I & II (6)
• Additional mathematics course work (3)
• Chemistry with laboratory (4)
• Biology with laboratory (4)
• Anatomy & Physiology I & II (8)
• Physics I & II (Algebra or Calculus based) (8)
• Medical Terminology (3)

LIBERAL ARTS

• English Composition I & II (6)
• American History or National Government (3)
• World/Western Civilization I & II (6)
• Humanities (3)

SOCIAL SCIENCE

• Sociology/Psychology (6)

COMMUNICATIONS

• Oral Communication/Speech (2)

COMPUTER SCIENCE

• Computer Fundamentals/Applications (3)

FINE ARTS

• Fine Arts (3)

ELECTIVES*        22/7

TOTAL        78-93

*Students who have successfully completed radiation therapy course work from a regionally accredited college or university may apply 22 SC of electives to their prerequisite requirements from that course work. Students who have no radiation therapy background are required to complete 7 SC of electives from a regionally accredited college or university.

Advanced Certificate

Those who hold the radiation therapy certificate or who have earned a bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply to the advanced certificate program. The advanced certificate prerequisites include successful completion of 50 SC of general education course work from a regionally accredited college or university and must fulfill all College of Health Related Professions requirements regarding acceptance of transfer credit:

Area/Typical Course Title (Minimum Semester Credit)

SCIENCE/MATHEMATICS

• College Algebra (3)
• Calculus I & II (6)
• Additional mathematics course work (3)
• Chemistry with laboratory (4)
• Biology with laboratory (4)
• Anatomy & Physiology I & II (8)
• Physics I & II (with Calculus) (8)
• Medical Terminology (3)

LIBERAL ARTS

• English Composition I & II (6)

COMMUNICATIONS

• Oral Communication/Speech (2)

COMPUTER SCIENCE

• Computer Fundamentals/Applications (3)

TOTAL 50

Professional Curriculum

For those holding the radiation therapy credential and seeking either the bachelor's degree or the advanced certificate*, the following 32 SC of course work are required:

Area/Typical Course Title (Minimum Semester Credit)

• Clinical Orientation for Medical Dosimetry(1)
• Cross-Sectional Anatomy for Medical Dosimetry (3)
• Medical Dosimetry Physics (3)
• Treatment Planning (3)
• Special Programs in Dosimetry (3)
• Research/Special Topics (6)
• Practicum I (2)
• Practicum II (2)
• Practicum III (6)
• An Elective Course(3)

TOTAL 32

*Students who hold radiation therapy certification who did not receive their education at a regionally accredited institution of higher education must elect the bachelor's degree track.

For those with science preparation who are seeking either the bachelor's degree or the advanced certificate, the following 46 SC are required:

Area/Typical Course Title (Minimum Semester Credit)

• Patient Care (2)
• Radiation Oncology I (3)
• Radiation Oncology II (4)
• Radiation Therapy Physics I (4)
• Radiation Therapy Physics II (4)
• Radiation Physics III (2)
• Radiation Biology (2)
• Medical Ethics and Orientation (1)
• Cross-Sectional Anatomy for Medical Dosimetry (5)
• Medical Dosimetry Physics (3)
• Treatment Planning (3)
• Special Programs in Dosimetry (3)
• Practicum I (2)
• Practicum II (2)
• Practicum III (6)

TOTAL 46

Certification

Upon successful completion of an accredited medical dosimetry program, the graduate is eligible to apply for certification to the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) to become a Certified Medical Dosimetrist (CMD). Successful completion of the program does not itself ensure certification.

Application Procedures and Deadlines

Class size is limited and not all applicants are selected for participation in the program. Applications must be received by March 1 to be assured of consideration for admission. Applicants must provide:

1. A completed CHRP Application for Admission.
2. An application fee ($10.00).
3. Official transcripts of all previous college work.
4. A personal interview if requested.
5. Appropriate references as requested.
6. Professional Observation: Applicants are required to demonstrate an understanding of the responsibilities and duties of the profession through observation and discussion with a practicing professional in the field. Contact the department for details.

Fees

For fees please contact Betty Gann.

Financial Assistance

In addition to the general financial aid opportunities available through the Financial Aid Office (501-686-5454). The curriculum and admission requirements change from time to time; specific dates may change each year.

For the latest information:

Telephone (501) 686-7100 or http://www.uams.edu/chrp/dosimetry

Department of Radiation Oncology
Medical Dosimetry Program
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
4301 W. Markham, #771
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
E-mail: YanYulong@uams.edu