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Medical dosimetrist vs dosimetrist

The differences between medical dosimetrists and dosimetrists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a medical dosimetrist and a dosimetrist. Additionally, a medical dosimetrist has an average salary of $116,829, which is higher than the $110,837 average annual salary of a dosimetrist.

The top three skills for a medical dosimetrist include patients, dosimetry and oncology. The most important skills for a dosimetrist are patients, radiation therapy, and patient care.

Medical dosimetrist vs dosimetrist overview

Medical DosimetristDosimetrist
Yearly salary$116,829$110,837
Hourly rate$56.17$53.29
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs47,5813,298
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

What does a medical dosimetrist do?

A medical dosimetrist is a health professional who plans radiation treatment for oncology patients. They with other members of the oncology team to oversee treatment implementation, offer support with radiation equipment, design radiation treatment for oncology patients, perform calculations to determine effective dosing, and create a treatment plan that will be reviewed by a physician. They are also sometimes required to teach at universities and participate in research laboratories.

What does a dosimetrist do?

A dosimetrist is a medical professional who assists patients undergoing radiation therapy. You are responsible for determining the proper radiation dosage being used in treating patients with cancer. Your duties include explaining the procedure to patients and responding to their questions and concerns, working closely with physicians to determine the amount and duration of radiation therapy, and assisting in the simulations and tumor localization using various imaging devices such as MRI, CT, and PET.

Medical dosimetrist vs dosimetrist salary

Medical dosimetrists and dosimetrists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical DosimetristDosimetrist
Average salary$116,829$110,837
Salary rangeBetween $75,000 And $179,000Between $73,000 And $166,000
Highest paying CityFargo, NDCape Girardeau, MO
Highest paying stateUtahMississippi
Best paying companyBillings ClinicKaiser Permanente
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between medical dosimetrist and dosimetrist education

There are a few differences between a medical dosimetrist and a dosimetrist in terms of educational background:

Medical DosimetristDosimetrist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianMedical Technician
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Medical dosimetrist vs dosimetrist demographics

Here are the differences between medical dosimetrists' and dosimetrists' demographics:

Medical DosimetristDosimetrist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 46.2% Female, 53.8%Male, 48.5% Female, 51.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 8.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 6.4% White, 69.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 8.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 6.4% White, 69.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage17%17%

Differences between medical dosimetrist and dosimetrist duties and responsibilities

Medical dosimetrist example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient charts in MOSAIQ record and verify system.
  • Gain experience in planning 3D-CRT, IMRT, and VMAT plans as well as SBRT and SRS plans.
  • Conduct port management as necessary using IGRT, CBCT and electronic portal imaging.
  • Generate computerized treatment plans for cancer patients, providing manual patient dose calculation and computer verification.
  • Survey and complete paperwork on all brachytherapy cases.
  • Help establish, and grow the SRS program.
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Dosimetrist example responsibilities.

  • Manage flow and daily operation of the treatment linac.
  • Focuse on developing radiation therapy treatment plans for cancer patients.
  • Train in Brainlab's iPlan; using it for SBRT with the VERO SBRT Linac.
  • Single dose and full dose TBI calculation.
  • Have planned HDR at other locations, no HDR at current offices.
  • Use MOSAIQ to transfer treatment set up information between simulation and treatment computers.
  • Show more

Medical dosimetrist vs dosimetrist skills

Common medical dosimetrist skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Dosimetry, 10%
  • Oncology, 8%
  • Radiation Therapy, 7%
  • Eclipse, 5%
  • PET, 5%
Common dosimetrist skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • Radiation Therapy, 10%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • PET, 6%
  • IMRT, 4%
  • Patient Treatment, 4%

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