Medical Physics Residency Program Overview
The residency program in medical physics opened in 2007. Previously, physicists were trained on the job informally. Establishment of the medical physics residency program formalized the training, leading to our program gaining CAMPEP-accreditation in 2016.
Curriculum
The curriculum is comprised of 14 rotations having durations as short as two weeks and as long as 3.5 months. The first and last rotations are not clinical. In the first rotation residents go through orientation and mandatory training required by the University and Banner Healthcare. They also complete professional learning modules covering ethics and leadership. In the final rotation, the resident is prepared for graduation, the program director performs a complete review of the resident’s training and the resident provides a complete review of the residency program.
Clinical Rotation Objectives
Each rotation is comprised of clinical procedures. The objectives of the clinical rotations are for residents to learn to perform the tasks necessary to implement the clinical procedures and understand the scientific rationale for them. Residents learn the theoretical basis and scientific rationale for the clinical procedures addressed in the rotation by studying the appropriate documents. Residents receive hands on training to perform the tasks associated with the clinical procedures. Residents are then required to independently complete the tasks, demonstrating their abilities. The order and durations are provided in the table below.
Clinical Rotations
Admissions Requirements
Residents entering the medical physics residency program shall have a strong foundation in basic physics. This shall be demonstrated either by an undergraduate or graduate degree in physics, or by a degree in an engineering discipline or another of the physical sciences and with coursework that is the equivalent of a minor in physics (i.e., one that includes at least three upper-level undergraduate physics courses that would be required for a physics major).
In addition, residents must either have graduated from a CAMPEP-accredited graduate program, or possess a PhD in physics or related discipline and have completed a CAMPEP-accredited certificate program.
Admissions Process
Announcement: We will NOT participate in the MP-RAP match system for 2022.
We participated in the inaugural AAPM Medical Physics Matching Program in 2015 and continued through 2021. We plan to resume our participation in the program for medical physics resident recruitment in the future.
Employment Information (classification, salary, financial support, benefits):
Title: Physics Resident
Department: Radiation Oncology
Compensation: $55,000.00 salary at 1.0 full time equivalency (FTE)
Full Time Equivalency (FTE): 1.0
Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Exempt
Benefits: This position is eligible for benefits, including health and dental plans. To learn more about eligibility, deadlines, and the plans the University offers, please visit https://hr.arizona.edu/, in particular, “Prospective Employees” link.
Retirement Plans: This position is eligible to participate in a retirement plan. To learn more about eligibility, deadlines, and the plans the University offers, please visit https://hr.arizona.edu/, in particular, “Prospective Employees” link.
Conditions of Service: This is a University Staff position covered under Arizona Board of Regents policy, 6-510 and the University Staff Manual. Residents are considered an “at will employee” whose employment may be terminated at any time for any reason that is not illegal.
Employment Policies and Procedures:
The University of Arizona staff manual contains the policies and procedures for employees https://policy.arizona.edu/university-staff-manual , including university staff separation from employment policy https://policy.arizona.edu/employment-human-resources/university-staff-s.... The University of Arizona is committed to its employees and their success. The Performance Management Guidelines ( https://policy.arizona.edu/performance-management-guidelines ) detail the options available to supervisors to provide employees with an opportunity to improve performance and meet standards of conduct. The residency program has a process benefiting residents, including counseling and mentoring, so that they may pass their required learning metrics and achieve their clinical competencies. Additionally, university employees have the right to due process to dispute separation decisions https://policy.arizona.edu/disputes-related-separation-employment .
I-9 & Employment Screening Process: An offer of employment and continued employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion and successful outcome of the University’s pre-employment screening process. The screening process includes, but is not limited to the University’s application, validation of references and credentials, and background check. The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986 requires that all hires produce documents that authorize your eligibility to work in the United States. As required by law, The University of Arizona will verify all hires’ legal status using E-Verify, the federal online verification system. Misrepresentation of your qualifications may be ground for offer withdrawal or employment dismissal.
Required University Training: The University requires all new hires complete the following trainings within 30 days of hire: Preventing Discrimination and Harassment, Title IX for Employees, Arizona Public Service Orientation, and Security Awareness.
Travel: Residents who have an abstract accepted for the AAPM or ASTRO meeting receive a stipend to support their attendance at the meeting.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE PROGRAM AND FUTURE OPENINGS WITHIN THE PROGRAM, PLEASE CONTACT:
Russel J. Hamilton, PhD, DABMP
Professor
Department of Radiation Oncology
Banner University Medicine North, Bldg 2
3838 N Campbell Ave
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 694-4489