All trainees entering the Radiation Oncology Physics Residency program are required to satisfy the CAMPEP standards for program admission. That is, individuals must have acquired a strong foundation in basic physics as demonstrated by an undergraduate or graduate degree in physics or a degree in engineering, mathematics or other related science and the equivalent of a minor in physics (as defined by at least three upper-level undergraduate physics courses). Furthermore, individuals must have either
- An MS or Ph.D. from a CAMPEP-accredited Medical Physics graduate program, or
- A Ph.D. in physics or a related discipline and completed a CAMPEP-accredited certificate program.
The physics residency education program lasts for two years, with the training calendar starting on Jan. 1 or July 1 of each year at the discretion of the Residency Program Director.
This year we are not participating in the Med Phys Match. Residency candidates will apply for the program through the AAPM career website and required to submit:
- A completed residency application form
- A cover letter that contains a personal statement describing career goals and interest in medical physics
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Three letters of recommendations
- Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts constitute a complete application
At the closing deadline, all applications will be reviewed for completeness by the residency coordinator. The members of the Medical Physics Residency Steering Committee (MPRSC) will review and grade all applications. A special meeting will be held after the review of applications to discuss the average score for each candidate and a final ranking will be generated. From the final list, the top 15 candidates will be chosen and are invited to participate in a brief phone interview.
Top candidates selected by the MPRAC vote will be invited to come for onsite interviews at their own expense. Each candidate will be interviewed by a majority (more than 2/3) of the MPRSC members including at least one radiation oncologist during the onsite interview. The candidates will spend approximately 6-8 hours on site, receive a tour of the department, give a short presentation on their research, and meet with the Program Director, faculty physicists and staff dosimetrists.
Resident candidates will be evaluated based on their academic background, interpersonal and communication skills, the potential for clinical aptitude, previous experiences, and past research productivity. MPRSC members will score each candidate in these areas and submit an evaluation form for each interviewee to the program coordinator. The final selection of a successful candidate will be based on an overall ranking of candidates.
Benefits
The following funding levels are in effect for physics residents:
- 1st-year Physics Resident: $60,000
- 2nd-year Physics Resident: $61,800
Residents are funded up to $1,500 in the first year and $3,500 in the second year for books and travel.
In addition to direct compensation, physics residents are afforded benefits consistent with other hospital employees including medical and dental insurance, paid vacation, and sick leave benefits (20 days), five paid meeting and/or interview days in their second year, paid holidays, parental leave and disability insurance.
