The two-year Therapeutic Medical Physics Residency at Houston Methodist is a CAMPEP accredited residency program in radiation oncology medical physics, sponsored by the Department of Radiation Oncology. It started in July 2015 and to date, the program has successfully recruited and enrolled one resident per year. The program consists of a first year (junior) and a second year (senior) resident.

Residents must have a MS or PhD degree in medical physics from a CAMPEP accredited medical physics graduate program or show proof of a completed CAMPEP accredited alternative pathway by the start of the residency (AAPM Report NO. 197S).

Program Goals

The two major goals of the program are to provide a broad based in-depth training which will allow the graduate to integrate successfully into a clinical system, thus assuring the continued quality of medical care received by the radiation oncology patient; and to prepare the graduate for certification by the ABR in the specialty of Therapeutic Radiological Physics.

Program Objectives

Clinical Experience

The resident shall participate in routine clinical operations serving in either the role of a dosimetrist or physicist. The resident will be required to interact with physicians as well as technical staff and is expected to manage the patient's treatment beginning with the simulation and ending with the treatment.

Radiation Dosimetry for Patient Care

In order to accurately calculate the patient dose in a clinical environment, the resident must be able to incorporate all the uncertainties associated with the process, including simulation, machine delivery variations, and limitations of dose calculation algorithms in the treatment planning computers. Residents will:

• Receive instructions regarding the protocols for defining organs that require delineation in treatment planning systems.
• Receive instructions for the proper fusing of CT, MR, PET and other image data sets used in treatment planning.
• Assist in CT-simulation procedures to develop skills in immobilization and image data transfer to treatment planning systems.
• Demonstrate the ability to independently run clinically acceptable standard patient treatment plans using department treatment planning systems.
• Demonstrate the ability to independently run clinically acceptable segmented patient treatment plans using department treatment planning systems.
• Demonstrate the ability to independently run clinically acceptable inverse patient treatment plans with fixed-fields using department treatment planning systems.
• Demonstrate the ability to independently run clinically acceptable inverse patient treatment plans with VMAT using department treatment planning systems.
• Demonstrate the ability to independently run both LDR and HDR brachytherapy planning.
• Develop understanding of all the algorithms utilized in department treatment planning systems

Radiation Dosimetry for Radiation Protection of Staff, Patients and General Public

In order to provide protection from radiation to both the general public as well as the radiation worker, one must possess knowledge of basic radiation biology and the state and federal limits for radiation exposure. Legally required documentation includes demonstration that radiation-producing machines are calibrated according to recognized protocols from scientific agencies and that measured radiation in the working environment meets governmental standards. To achieve this, residents are expected to:

• Perform “second check” review of all types of treatment plans before first treatment
• Perform quality assurance (QA) of machines based on departmental protocols
• Perform QA of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) plans
• Perform shielding design for a therapy machine vault
• Measure radiation doses in rooms housing patients implanted with radioactive material
• Read the relevant American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group (TG) reports detailed in the appropriate rotation objectives.
• Read the assigned Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) rules and regulations
• Give presentations on a regular basis over various TG reports or clinical projects for which they are responsible

Research Experience

The resident will be expected to participate in a clinical research project that results in either a poster presentation or an oral presentation at a meeting organized outside of the hospital system during their time at Houston Methodist.

Preparation for Board Exams

In addition to the clinical competency expected of the resident in order to successfully complete certification by the ABR, the resident will be subjected to oral exams similar in setting and scope of the ABR Part III Exam by the physics faculty after each quarter in the areas of physics they have been exposed to during that time.

Professionalism

Residents are expected to demonstrate a commitment to professional responsibilities. They shall:

• Show respect and compassion to others, including patient confidentiality
• Demonstrate integrity during interactions with others
• Follow appropriate dress codes
• Expand technical skills in response to demands of patient care

Interpersonal and Communication Abilities

Residents must acquire and demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in an effective exchange of information and collaboration with physicians and departmental technical staff. Residents are expected to:

• Accurately implement physician’s prescriptions for treatment plans
• Explain variances in plans to the physician
• Accurately communicate instructions to the dosimetrists and therapists
• Deliver a departmental seminar on radiation safety
• Implement verbal or written instructions from physics faculty
• Explain technical issues to patients and families

Facilities

The Medical Physics Residency will take place at the various hospitals within the Houston Methodist system. Currently there are eight facilities where the resident will work over the course of their two years in the program.

Houston Methodist Hospital

The flagship hospital of Houston Methodist, located in the Texas Medical Center

Dunn Tower, 6565 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030
Annex, 1130 Earle St., Houston, TX 77030

• 8 ABR-certified physicists
• 3 ABR-certified radiation oncologists
• Radiation oncology residents rotate from the University of Texas Medical Branch over half of the calendar year

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

16655 Southwest Frwy., Sugar Land, TX 77479

• 2 full-time ABR certified physicists
• 1 full-time ABR certified radiation oncologist

Houston Methodist West Hospital

18500 Katy Frwy., Suite 120, Houston, TX 77094

• 1 full-time ABR certified physicist
• 1 full-time ABR certified radiation oncologist

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital

13802 Centerfield Dr., #185, Houston, TX 77070

• 1 full-time ABR certified physicist
• 1 full-time ABR certified radiation oncologists

Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital

17201 I-45, The Woodlands, TX 77385

• 1 full-time ABR certified physicist
• 1 full-time ABR certified radiation oncologists

Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital

4401 Garth Rd., Baytown, TX 77521

• 1 full-time ABR certified physicist
• 1 full-time ABR certified radiation oncologist

Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital

18300 Houston Methodist Dr., Nassau Bay, TX 77058

• 1 full-time ABR certified physicist
• 1 full-time ABR certified radiation oncologist

About Houston Methodist

Houston Methodist is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers. The health system consists of seven hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the Texas Medical Center, six community hospitals and one long-term acute care hospital throughout the Greater Houston metropolitan area. Houston Methodist also includes a research institute, international patient services, freestanding emergency care centers and outpatient facilities. Houston Methodist employs more than 25,000 people and experiences more than 1.3 million outpatient visits and 126,000 admissions in 2020.

About Houston Methodist Hospital

Houston Methodist Hospital is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 hospital in Texas, one of America’s “Best Hospitals” the last 20 years and has made the publication’s distinguished Honor Roll in multiple years. Houston Methodist's primary academic affiliate is the top-ranked Weill Cornell Medicine. Houston Methodist also has affiliations with Texas A&M and the University of Houston.

Program Statistics

Residents must have a MS or PhD degree in medical physics from a CAMPEP-accredited medical physics graduate program, or show proof of a completed CAMPEP-accredited alternative pathway by the start of the residency (AAPM Report NO. 197S).

The residency program participates in the AAPM MedPhys Match Program (NMS Code: 19911). Applicants must register with MedPhys Match and apply through the AAPM Medical Physics Residency Application Program (MP-RAP). Applications should include:

• A cover letter
• CV
• Official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate work
• Three letters of recommendation

Successful candidates possess the ability to work well in a strong team environment and have excellent communication skills. Residents receive a competitive salary and benefits package as well. For details on institutional policies see GME Policies and for other items of interest see For Residents & Fellows.

Responsibility

Houston Methodist is committed to improving the health of our patients, employees, and communities around us. As a health care provider, it’s our responsibility to promote a healthier environment for our employees.

• Drug and Tobacco Screening- Job seekers will be tested for nicotine and drug usage during the post-offer physical. If a job seeker tests positive for nicotine use, including nicotine gum and patches, the offer will be rescinded, and individuals will be given the opportunity to participate in a free Houston Methodist-provided tobacco cessation program. Job seekers wishing to reapply after testing positive for nicotine may do so 90 days after the date the initial offer was rescinded. If the job seeker tests positive for drug use, the offer will be rescinded. Job seekers wishing to reapply after the drug screening is positive may do so one year after the date the initial offer was rescinded.
• Background Check - Prior to employment start date, job seekers must complete a criminal background check.