Role | Personnel Requirements/Recommendations |
Medical Director | Each program must have a medical director who is a radiation oncologist as described below. He/she is responsible for oversight of the department, including policies, procedures, and personnel. He/she is also responsible for instituting and supervising the CQI program through direct or delegated leadership. |
Radiation Oncologist (one of these) | Board Certified in Radiology or Radiation Oncology:ABR certification in radiology (for a physician who confines his/her professional practice to radiation oncology) or certification in radiation oncology or therapeutic radiology by the ABR, AOBR, RCPSC or CMQ is considered proof of adequate qualification. Radiation oncologists with time-limited board certification must be enrolled in the certifying board’s MOC program and must satisfactorily renew certification in a timely fashion. Those with non-time-limited certificates are strongly encouraged to voluntarily participate in the MOC program. | Board Eligible:Satisfactory completion of a radiation oncology residency program approved by the ACGME, RCPSC, CMQ, or AOA. For those who are eligible but not yet certified by the date of initial employment, a pathway and timeframe would be defined by the individual for him/her to become licensed and certified in accordance with the requirements for board certification at left. |
Qualified Medical Physicist | The ACR strongly recommends certification in therapeutic medical physics by the ABR, CCPM or ABMP. Previous medical physics certification categories, including radiological physics and therapeutic radiological physics, are also acceptable. |
Radiation Therapists & Simulation Staff | Should fulfill state licensing requirements and be certified or eligible for certification by the ARRT in radiation therapy (radiation therapists or simulation staff) or diagnostic imaging (simulation staff). |
Dosimetrist | Should fulfill state licensing requirements and be certified or eligible for certification in medical dosimetry by the MDCB. |
Patient Support Staff | Should have appropriate nursing credentials (oncology nursing certification is encouraged), appropriate experience in the care of radiation therapy patients, and access to qualified nutritionists or social workers. |
Physician Assistant | Has completed postgraduate education, is currently certified by NCCPA, and has obtained specified licensure in accordance with the state(s) in which he/she practices. CME should be in accordance with NCCPA and state guidelines. |
Nurse Practitioner | Has completed postgraduate education in nursing; currently licensed/certified as a nurse practitioner in accordance with the state(s) in which he/she is practicing. |
Administrative Support | Administrative staff are valuable for budgeting and managing resources that enable the facility to acquire and maintain the equipment needed for standard treatment practices and QA procedures, and to achieve and sustain clinical staffing levels that assure a safe and effective treatment environment. |
Explanation of AcronymsABR: American Board of Radiology ABMP: American Board of Medical PhysicsACGME: American Council of Graduate Medical Education AOA: American Osteopathic AssociationAOBR: American Osteopathic Board of Radiology ARRT: American Registry of Radiologic TechnologistsCCPM: Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine CME: Continuing Medical EducationCMQ: Le College des Medecins du Quebec CQI: Continuous Quality ImprovementMOC: Maintenance of Certification MDCB: Medical Dosimetrist Certification BoardNCCPA: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants QA: Quality AssuranceRCPSC: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada |
