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Medical Dosimetrists
Generate radiation treatment plans, develop radiation dose calculations, communicate and supervise the treatment plan implementation, and consult with members of radiation oncology team.
Other titles employers use
CMD (Certified Medical Dosimetrist) · Dosimetrist · Medical Dosimetrist · Medical Physicist · Radiation Oncology Medical Physicist · Certified Medical Dosimetrist · Qualified Medical Dosimetrist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Design the arrangement of radiation fields to reduce exposure to critical patient structures, such as organs, using computers, manuals, and guides.
- Plan the use of beam modifying devices, such as compensators, shields, and wedge filters, to ensure safe and effective delivery of radiation treatment.
- Identify and outline bodily structures, using imaging procedures, such as x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, or positron emission tomography.
- Calculate the delivery of radiation treatment, such as the amount or extent of radiation per session, based on the prescribed course of radiation therapy.
- Calculate, or verify calculations of, prescribed radiation doses.
- Develop radiation treatment plans in consultation with members of the radiation oncology team.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, organizing and practical work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Complex Problem Solving
Subjects to know
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Computers and Electronics
- Biology
- Medicine and Dentistry
Useful strengths
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.6 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 1.8 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.8 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.0 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A master's degree 50%
- A four-year degree 40%
- A certificate or some college 5%
- A doctorate or professional degree 5%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Medical software
- Development environment software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 350
- Job openings each year
- 20
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 9.4%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 350 | 20 | 9.4% |
| Texas | 320 | 20 | 18.5% |
| Ohio | 270 | 10 | — |
| Virginia | 190 | 10 | 11.8% |
| New Jersey | 150 | 10 | 7.1% |
| North Carolina | 150 | 10 | 7.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 150 | 10 | 7.1% |
| Michigan | 120 | 10 | — |
| Wisconsin | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Indiana | 110 | 0 | 10.0% |
| Arizona | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Illinois | 80 | 0 | — |
| Maryland | 70 | 0 | 16.7% |
| Missouri | 70 | 0 | — |
| Tennessee | 70 | 0 | — |
| Nebraska | 60 | 0 | — |
| Colorado | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
| South Carolina | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
| West Virginia | 50 | 0 | — |
| Kentucky | 40 | 0 | — |
| Minnesota | 40 | 0 | — |
| Oregon | 40 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Alabama | 20 | 0 | — |
| New Hampshire | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Boise State University
- Degrees each year
- 272
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000
Midwestern State University
- Degrees each year
- 218
- Admit rate
- 87%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Oregon Institute of Technology
- Degrees each year
- 168
- Admit rate
- 92%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
University of Missouri-Columbia
- Degrees each year
- 93
- Admit rate
- 77%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Ohio State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 87
- Admit rate
- 51%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Sacred Heart University
- Degrees each year
- 86
- Admit rate
- 68%
- Annual cost after aid
- $42,000
Georgia Southern University
- Degrees each year
- 84
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
MCPHS University
- Degrees each year
- 76
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $38,000
Compare every college offering allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions