About Us
The medical dosimetrist, in collaboration with the radiation oncologist and medical physicist, performs calculations and designs treatment plans that maximize dose to the target, while minimizing dose to nearby healthy tissues. Medical dosimetrists must be knowledgeable of radiation oncology simulators, treatment machines, and brachytherapy. The medical dosimetrist coordinates tumor localization CT, MRI, and/or PET when indicated. The dosimetrist performs in-vivo dosimetry, supervises radiation therapists, and assists with brachytherapy procedures.
The Medical Dosimetry Program offers a one-year training program to meet the demand for qualified dosimetrists. Graduates receive certificates, which qualify them to apply for the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) examination. The Medical Dosimetry Program is a hospital-based program; therefore, college credit is not earned for participation in this program. All didactic courses are completed in-person at Cleveland Clinic. Some didactic lectures require synchronous interactions with program faculty via Distance Education with Microsoft Teams. All clinical rotations are completed in-person at Cleveland Clinic.
Accreditation
The Medical Dosimetry Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology:
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
312.704.5300
Email: mail@jrcert.org
The program's current award is Probation.
Mission
The mission of the Medical Dosimetry Program is to prepare students to provide accurate, state-of-the-art planning for the radiation oncology patient’s treatment.
Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:
- Demonstrate competence as an entry level medical dosimetrist
- Demonstrate critical thinking
- Communicate Effectively and Professionally
The Medical Dosimetry Program will provide the profession and community with qualified medical dosimetrists.
Objectives
- Goal 1: Demonstrate competence as an entry level medical dosimetrist.
- Student learning outcome
- Students will produce clinically acceptable treatment plans
- Prepared for an entry level position
- Goal 2: Demonstrate critical thinking.
- Student learning outcome
- Develop problem solving skills
- Comparison of different treatment modalities and treatment techniques
- Goal 3: Communicate effectively and professionally.
- Student learning outcome
- Students will use effective oral communication skills
- Students will use effective written communication skills
Contact information
Jennifer Archambeau, MS, CMD
Acting Program Director
Radiation Oncology (CA-50)
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44195
DosimetryProgram@ccf.org
Admissions
Admissions requirements & disclosures
In addition to program-specific admissions requirements and procedures, applicants are encouraged to review requirements and disclosures outlined on the School of Health Professions’ Admissions page.
School of Health Professions catalog
Additional information can be found in the School Catalog, including school-wide policies and procedures, program-specific information, and course descriptions.
Technical standards
Physical requirements/technical standards:
- Manual dexterity and the ability to participate in assisting patients on and off treatment couches
- Requires standing, sitting, and walking for extended periods of time
- Must lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds
Requirements
To be eligible for admission to the Medical Dosimetry Program, applicants must have a:
- Baccalaureate degree
- ARRT registration in Radiation Therapy
- Must have completed the following college level or equivalent prerequisite courses with a grade of ‘C' or above:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Cross-Sectional Anatomy
- Physics
- Introductory or Pre-Calculus or the combo of College Algebra and Trig
- If the applicant’s native language is not English, official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the Duolingo English Test (DET) are required. Applicants must have a total minimum score of 75 with written and speaking sections no less than 17 for the TOEFL. A minimum score of 105 is required for the DET. Exam date must be within two years of the program's start date.
Application process
Applicants must submit the following materials:
Pre-acceptance documents and requirements
An applicant is required to complete the following items after submitting their initial application in Campus Cafe in order for their application to be considered.
- Submit your non-refundable $20.00 application fee payment in Momentus and upload a copy of your payment confirmation to your applicant portal in Campus Cafe.
- Complete the Medical Dosimetry Supplemental Application and upload the completed supplemental application form to your applicant portal in Campus Cafe.
- Complete the Applicant Demographic Survey and upload a copy of your survey completion confirmation to your applicant portal in Campus Cafe.
- Complete the Distance Education Technology Review and Acknowledgement survey and upload a copy of your survey completion confirmation to your applicant portal in Campus Cafe.
- Upload a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae to your applicant portal in Campus Cafe.
- If applicable, complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Duolingo English Test (DET) and upload a copy of your results to your applicant portal in Campus Café. Please see additional information regarding scoring under “Requirements” above.
- Request three recommendation letters accompanied by three completed recommendation waivers and forms from the three individuals you have selected as references. Letters and recommendation forms are required to be submitted by the selected reference via email to DosimetryProgram@ccf.org. The letters and completed forms will be uploaded to your applicant portal by program administration.
- Request official academic transcripts. You are required to submit official transcripts from every school you have attended. High school transcripts are not required. Once received, the transcripts will be uploaded to your applicant portal by program administration.
You can submit your official transcripts through one of two methods:
- Electronically (preferred):
- By mail (all paper transcripts must be submitted in an official sealed envelope):
Request delivery to DosimetryProgram@ccf.org
Cleveland Clinic
Radiation Oncology
Attention: Jennifer Archambeau
9500 Euclid Avenue/CA-50
Cleveland, OH 44195
Post-acceptance documents and requirements
If an applicant is accepted into the program the following items are required in order to enroll in the program. Please review the health requirements before submitting your documentation.
- Complete and sign an Enrollment Agreement in Campus Cafe via DocuSign.
- Complete the Student IPEDS Survey and upload a copy of your survey completion confirmation to your applicant portal in Campus Cafe.
- Upload your negative tuberculosis (TB) test documentation to your applicant portal in Campus Cafe. The TB test must be completed within 12 months prior to the start of the program.
- Upload your immunization documentation for chicken pox (varicella) or positive titer to your applicant portal in Campus Cafe.
- Upload your immunization documentation for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) to your applicant portal in Campus Cafe.
- Upload your positive hepatitis B titer or waiver to your applicant portal in Campus Cafe.
- Upload your tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) booster documentation to your applicant portal in Campus Cafe. The booster is required within the past 10 years.
- Influenza immunization documentation is required during flu season (November 1 through March 31). The applicant is not required to upload documentation to the applicant portal in Campus Cafe at this time but will be required to obtain and submit documentation when the vaccination becomes available.
- Complete the required onboarding tasks in SilkRoad. Onboarding will include a background check. Additional information will be provided following completion of the above items.
Candidates for admission will undergo an interview with the Department of Radiation Oncology Admissions Committee. Decisions for accepted candidates will be based on: 40% application materials including academic history and performance, relevant experience, and recommendations - 60% interview, including clinical fit, technical skills and overall impressions.
Tuition & Fees
The total tuition cost for the Medical Dosimetry Program is $10,000.00 per year.
A non-refundable tuition deposit of $300.00 is due upon acceptance into the program. The balance of $9,700.00 is due prior to the first day of class.
Cost of attendance
The cost of attendance for the Medical Dosimetry Program is a budget comprised of direct and indirect costs. Tuition is a direct cost charged by the program. All others are indirect costs that a student may incur during the course of the program and is not paid to the program. These costs are subject to change.
|
Tuition |
$10,000 |
|
Books & supplies |
$0 |
|
App fee |
$20 |
|
Food & housing |
$15,870 |
|
Transportation |
$2,340 |
|
Personal |
$2,304 |
|
Total |
$30,534 |
Tuition refund policy
The Medical Dosimetry Program issues refunds for tuition and other fees for eligible applicants and students as outlined in the School of Health Professions’ Tuition Refund Policy.
Graduation Requirements
Successful completion of the program is defined as fulfilling each of the following:
- Achievement of a passing grade in all didactic courses.
- Satisfactory performance of all required competency based evaluations.
- Satisfactory completion of all required clinical rotations.
- Make-up all clinical time lost, due to absence in excess of that allowed.
The Medical Dosimetrists Certification Board (MDCB) administers a national certification examination in dosimetry. Students are encouraged to apply. Upon successful completion of the educational program, a certificate will be awarded.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
The student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward graduation will be evaluated after the completion of each term of the program. Failure to maintain SAP may result in the student being dismissed from the program.
Program Outcomes
Program effectiveness data & requirements
This data is reported to the JRCERT annually.
Curriculum
Distance education
The Medical Dosimetry Program delivers some courses via distance education using Microsoft Teams.
Grading scale
The Medical Dosimetry Program utilizes the following grading scale:
|
Scale |
Grade |
GPA |
Definition |
|
90-100% |
A |
4.0 |
Excellent |
|
80-89% |
B |
3.0 |
Good |
|
70-79% |
C |
2.0 |
Satisfactory |
|
60-69% |
D |
1.0 |
Unsatisfactory |
|
0-59% |
F |
0.0 |
Inadequate/Fail |
|
|
P |
|
Pass |
Academic grading policy
Students must maintain a 75% or better grade point average in each course of the program. Students not satisfying the minimal academic requirements will be counseled and may be subject to academic probation and/or dismissal from the program.
Grievance policy and procedure
Students enrolled in the Medical Dosimetry Program may resolve a grievance through an informal resolution process or a formal grievance review.
Clinical obligation/experience
All clinical assignments occur Monday through Friday during the following hours:
- 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Early)
- 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m (Regular)
- 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m (Regular)
- 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m (Late)
Students will be assigned to clinical rotations at the following sites:
All didactic classes are held during the day.
