Medical Physics Residency

Program Description

**We are not accepting applications until November of 2009**

The two-year Radiation Oncology Clinical Medical Physics Residency Program at UAMS is designed for candidates with doctoral degrees in the relevant physical/engineering sciences who are interested in pursuing careers as Clinical Medical Physicists in Radiation Oncology. This program concentrates on the medical applications of physics in the clinical treatment of cancer patients with radiation.  It does not focus on training in theoretical physics or basic research.

Clinical Training

The training is based on the recommendations of the AAPM and the curriculum developed by CAMPEP.

During the residency, the resident will rotate through the following subspecialty areas:

• Quantification of radiation
• Radiation Safety
• Linear Accelerator, acceptance testing and quality assurance
• Imaging for planning and treatment verification
• Brachytherapy including High Dose Rate (HDR) and Low Dose Rate (LDR)
• Prostate implants
• Computer assisted treatment planning
• Quality control of the treatment process

• New delivery techniques including:

  - Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)

  - Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)

  - Tomotherapy, with the Hi-ART Helical Tomotherapy System.

  - Stereotactic radiosurgery with Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion

  - Stereotactic radiotherapy with a Linac equipped with a mini- multileaf collimater (MLC)

   

   

• Special procedures including:

  - Spatially Fractionated Radiation Therapy (GRID)

  - Mammosite Brachytherapy

  - TBI, TSE, etc.

In addition, your clinical training will include work on department projects, carried out under the supervision of the Medical Physics faculty.

Didactic Training

Clinical conferences, seminars, small discussion groups, journal clubs and one-on-one instruction are all an integral part of the program. The resident will participate in the following established activities: Physics Division meetings, Treatment Planning conferences, Patient Case conferences, and assigned projects and readings.  Depending on experience and qualifications, the resident may also participate in teaching of dosimetry students.

Competency

Clinical competency is evaluated by an oral exams and reports generated for each of the clinical rotations.

Research Experience

During the second year of training and depending upon progress, a resident may have the opportunity to concentrate on a particular area of interest, and design and execute a research project. Opportunities exist for collaborative research with staff members from other departments. Residents who successfully perform research will be encouraged to submit their results for presentation at a scientific meeting and/or prepare a manuscript for publication in a scientific journal.

Appointments and Applications

To be eligible to apply, you must have a Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in Medical Physics, in a related Physical Science or Engineering. We are currently accepting applications immediately. Selected Applicant  should be able to start anytime between January 1, 2008 and July 1, 2008.  

Print an application form.

For more information contact:
 Keasha Campbell
 University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
 4301 West Markham, Slot 771
 Little Rock AR 72205
 tel (501) 526-7474;  fax (501) 686-7285