About Our Medical Physics Residency Program
Program Objectives
The goal of the Clinical Medical Physics Residency Program at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) is to prepare individuals to practice independently as a certified medical physicist in Radiation Oncology. Clearly, few individuals can be experts in all areas of Medical Physics, but the graduate should have the experience and knowledge base necessary to implement and maintain routine clinical procedures, and establish novel techniques.
Major objectives of the program include:
- Prepare the graduate for certification in the specialty of Radiation Oncology Physics by an appropriate certification Board.
- Provide a broad based in-depth training that will permit the graduate to immediately contribute to the quality of medical care received by the radiation oncology patient.
Training will take place under the close supervision of experienced radiation oncology physicists. The program emphasizes all areas of training and experience that will be needed by a radiation oncology medical physicist in a “state-of-the-art” treatment facility, as well as expose them to management of a single accelerator community-based free-standing facility.
Program Completion Requirements
The Clinical Medical Physics Residency Program is 24 months in length to include 13 rotations, attendance at case conferences, recommended readings, didactic courses, written report assignments, and oral examinations. In addition to the experiences from didactic training and clinical rotations, the Medical Physics residents receive clinical training through their participation in monthly quality assurance on the linear accelerators, perform IMRT quality assurance measurements in film and ionization chambers, and perform electron cutout measurements. As the resident progresses through the clinical rotations they begin to participate in post-planning and weekly chart review, high dose rate brachytherapy quality assurance, and become the “physicist of the day” providing first response physics support to all activities within the clinic. The progression of the resident through these clinical responsibilities is evaluated and discussed with the resident during quarterly reviews with the program director.
Evaluation
Clinical competency is evaluated through written rotation evaluations and by an oral exam, based on reports submitted in the clinical experience areas. You will receive a grade on a quarterly basis.
Career Development
The environment and large patient volume at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics will prepare you for all aspects of clinical medical physics practice in an academic environment.
Participation in national medical physics or radiation oncology meetings is encouraged
Board Passage Rates and Average Scores
Graduates of this program may take the board certification exams offered by the American Board of Radiology.
Number of Residents in Program
The Radiation Oncology Clinical Medical Physics Residency at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has 3-5 residents in the program at any given time.
Average Percent Employed
Nationwide, there is a shortage of medical physicists. Therefore, when you graduate from this program, you will likely find employment opportunities in the location and environment of your choice.
Faculty
The faculty involved in the Radiation Oncology Medical Physics Residency include PhD and MS medical physicists, who collectively have a wealth of experience in every aspect of radiation oncology medical physics. Areas of expertise include all areas of clinical practice and basic and applied research, education and professional activity, as demonstrated through leadership in national organizations, the certification and peer-review process and educational involvement.
Advisors and Mentors
You will be assigned a faculty advisor and numerous mentors throughout this residency.
Visiting Professors
Prominent professors visit University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics each year. They present their work during morning and late afternoon lectures. You will be encouraged to take full advantage of these opportunities to interact with these experts.
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