Medical Dosimetry

The medical dosimetrist is a member of the radiation oncology team that plays a role in the management/treatment of cancer. Medical Dosimetry allows professionals to utilize their knowledge of mathematics, medical physics, science, and critical thinking in his/her everyday work. Medical Dosimetrists specialize in the planning of optimal radiation treatment techniques and dose calculations in collaboration with the medical physicist and radiation oncologist.

The professional organization, American Association of Medical Dosimetrists (AAMD) provides an in depth description of the medical dosimetry profession and the skills required. 

Career Outlook

The future job market for Medical Dosimetry is strong. The advances in treatment planning continue to increase the demand for qualified medical dosimetrists. Wages are comparable with other healthcare professions. Given the diversity and ever changing technology of the job, lifelong career satisfaction is achievable.

Certification

After successful completion of the medical dosimetry program and several months of work experience, students are eligible to apply to take the medical dosimetry certification exam.  The exam is held in various locations throughout the United States annually.  The Medical Dosimetry Certification Board (MDCB) is the credentialing body for the certification exam.

Mission

The Medical Dosimetry Program at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse is committed to the education of medical dosimetrists who are knowledgeable, competent, and dedicated to their profession and their patients.

Goals & Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)

1. Students will demonstrate clinical competence in medical dosimetry.
   1. SLO: Students will contour anatomy proficiently.
   2. SLO: Students will create a treatment plan to meet given prescription and dose constraints.
2. Students will demonstrate effective communication skills.
   1. SLO: Students will apply effective oral communication skills.
   2. SLO: Students will apply effective written communication skills.
3. Students will use critical thinking skills to practice in current and emerging technology.
   1. SLO: Students will examine factors that affect dose distribution.
   2. SLO: Students will identify safety concerns and respond appropriately.
4. Students will use graduate-level skills in medical dosimetry.
   1. Students will implement principles of protocol planning.
   2. Students will develop a manuscript at graduate-level rigor.

Institutional

The University is accredited at the institutional level by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. 

Programmatic

The UWL medical dosimetry program is accredited by the

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology

20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850

Chicago, IL 60606-3182

Phone: (312) 704-5300

email: mail@jrcert.org

The program's current award is 8 years. General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter can be found here. 

What does an accredited program mean to a prospective student?             

• The profession is assured, through programmatic accreditation, that educational programs in the field are providing consistent minimum education in the profession as the profession itself has defined it.
• Through the process of programmatic accreditation, educators are assured that their educational programs are keeping pace with the profession and with standards developed through national consensus.
• Accreditation of educational programs assures patients that students who perform procedures have appropriate supervision during the educational process. It also assures them that graduates will have met the minimum level of competency as defined nationally by the profession.
• Accreditation of an educational program provides students, as graduates, assurance that the educational program will provide them with the requisite knowledge, skills, and values to competently perform the range of professional responsibilities expected by potential employers nationwide. It also assures they will be eligible for licensure in each of the 50 states. By requiring programs to teach the entire curriculum developed by the professional society, the American Society of Radiologic Technology, it also assures students they will have the foundation knowledge to continue to develop as professionals in the various fields of the radiation sciences.                

(www.jrcert.org, 2008)

The UWL Medical Dosimetry program tracks effectiveness data (credentialing examination pass rate, job placement rate, and program completion rate) on an annual basis. The program effectiveness data is reported to the JRCERT for accreditation purposes in an annual report. 

2023 Cohort Program Effectiveness Data

Program Effectiveness Data 5 year average (2019-2023)

Assessment
Assessment of student learning takes place at four levels at the university:

• Institution-wide assessment
• Assessment of student learning outcomes in general education
• Assessment of student learning outcomes in each undergraduate and graduate academic program
• Assessment of student learning in individual courses

The program develops, implements, and analyzes an annual outcomes assessment plan to:

• promote programmatic improvement
• improve teaching and learning
• facilitate accountability
• identify program strengths

An important concept of the Medical Dosimetry Program is evidence-based practice. Therefore, graduate students are given the opportunity to perform research through practicum experiences. 

The program faculty encourage students to present and/or publish their research. The American Association of Medical Dosimetrists (AAMD) offers an annual writing competition for students and for medical dosimetry professionals.  Students are encouraged to enter the writing competition after their research is completed.  They are also encouraged to submit their research for publication within the various professional organization publications, such as Medical Dosimetry  journal or the Radiation Therapist  journal.