Physics Assistant, Radiation Oncology Treatment Planning - BC Cancer Abbotsford

PHSA; Abbotsford; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Physics Assistant to support radiation therapy planning and treatment. This role involves maintaining radiation physics equipment, performing quality assurance measurements, and assisting in the development of innovative solutions to enhance clinical workflows. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in physics or engineering physics, along with a commitment to promoting equity and addressing systemic barriers within healthcare. Join a dynamic team dedicated to providing exceptional patient care and advancing cancer control initiatives in British Columbia.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Professional development opportunities

Annual statutory holidays

Flexible work options

Employee discount program

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Physics or Engineering Physics required.
• One year of experience in radiation therapy physics or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Assist Medical Physicists with QA and maintenance of radiation physics equipment.
• Perform quality assurance measurements for treatment plan dose verification.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Technical Skills in Radiation Therapy

Education

Bachelor of Science in Physics

One year of related experience in radiation therapy physics

Tools

3D scanning software

Beam profile verification software

Job description

BC Cancer

Abbotsford, BC

The Physics Assistant with work direction from designated Medical Physicists assists with physics, technical and computer services in support of the planning and treatment of radiation therapy. This includes performing machine and patient specific quality assurance (QA) measurements for treatment plan dose verification.

What you’ll do

• Maintain an established inventory of radiation physics equipment and ensures radiation physics equipment is kept in good working order by methods such as correct storage and usage; testing, calibrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting. Informs the Medical Physics Leader of any equipment malfunction and deficiency.
• Assist the Medical Physicists with commissioning, QA, on-going support and regular scheduled maintenance of radiation physics equipment by such means as performing data acquisition, quality assurance checks and testing.
• Assist in performing measurements on radiation therapy and research related equipment, as delegated by a Medical Physicist to :
• Establish and maintain stability of geometrical parameters of radiation therapy machines such as laser alignment, isocentre accuracy, light / radiation field coincidence by following established procedures.
• Establish and maintain stability of radiation output from therapy machines by such means as performing regular radiation constancy measurements.
• Verify radiation dose in specified geometries by such means as using geometric phantoms under conditions defined by the physicists.
• Verify radiation dose predictions from radiation therapy planning systems by such means as using anthropomorphic phantoms under conditions defined by the physicists.
• Assist the Medical Physicist with a range of tasks as required by performing such duties as :
• Acquire radiation physics data (including during equipment commissioning) by such means as gathering percentage depth dose data, tissue air / maximum ratios, dose profile data.
• Assist in performing measurements by routinely using 3D scanning software and beam profile verification software.
• Maintain statistical physics data by methods such as gathering and tracking workload statistics for the planning module.
• Participate in the development and maintenance of QA databases, and upgrade of analyses / tests as technology and clinical requirements evolve.
• Participate in the development of artificial intelligence, automation, machine learning, and scripting to help support clinical workflows and QA processes.
• Support 3D printing programs through printing, QA, print design and / or printer maintenance.
• Provide support to the radiation safety program by methods such as monitoring radiation safety in the OR, radioactive seed assays, administration of personal dose monitoring program, and performing radiation surveys.
• Assist with the maintenance of specialised QA equipment including but not limited to inventory records, packing, shipping, and receiving, and calibration / verification of function.
• Prepare and analysis of in vivo patient dosimetry measurements, particularly those with pacemakers and other implanted electronic devices.
• Assist with medical physics graduate and residency training programs by providing demonstrations of various equipment use and associated QA procedures, assisting with project work and teaching laboratories.
• Work closely with Medical Physicists, Physics Assistants and other relevant team members to ensure continuity of shared responsibilities for the planning and treatment of radiation therapy.

What you bring

• Bachelor of Science degree in Physics or Engineering Physics.
• One year of related experience in radiation therapy physics or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience acceptable to BC Cancer.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, including supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous-specific mandates, including clear understanding of and commitment to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination and embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Cancer contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan : A First Nations Case Study - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated initiatives in breaking down barriers and ensuring a safe environment ensuring a sense of belonging to all and informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Awareness of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

What you have

• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing and listen actively.
• Demonstrated ability to develop working relationships with other health care professionals and work collaboratively and effectively with others.
• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and / or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place : Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan : A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

What we do

provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia.

BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include : Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Create equity – Be courageous.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs :

PHSA and BC Cancer are committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and / or persistently excluded groups identified under the Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and / or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at.