Physics Assistant, Radiation Oncology - BC Cancer - Abbotsford

Physics Assistant, Radiation Oncology

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.

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.
• Awareness of and commitment to learning and understanding the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight Report (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), and other related reports.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have: Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities impacting indigenous communities and familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety and anti-racism and accompanying reports (BC DRIPA, TRC, etc.).

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.

Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time (Until July 1, 2025)
Wage: $40.75 to $50.87 per hour
Work Location: 32900 Marshall Road, Abbotsford BC V2S 0C2  
Hours of Work: Monday-Friday; 0700-1500, 0730-1530, 0800-1600, 0830-1630 or as operationally required
Requisition Number: 177446E

What we do

BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia.

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

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 – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA and BC Cancer are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments’ unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey—one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of January 3, 2025. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.