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Medical Physics Residency in Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine

Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCH) has developed a two-year Medical Physics Residency Program in Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine.  This is a structured program supervised by qualified medical physicists (CCPM/ABR certification) and expert scientists.  This is a program led by VCH in partnership with collaborators from the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) and the University of British Columbia.

Goals and Objectives

Mission Statement
The goal of the VCH Medical Physics Residency Program in Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine is to ensure residents entering clinical physics in these disciplines are equipped with the skills required to be successful as a team player and subject matter expert in Medical Imaging and/or Nuclear Medicine to contribute to the overall health of patients and staff.

Objectives
1. Understand and respect the different roles of Health Care Professionals in Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and the Hospital,
2. Understand the science and implications of quality control and radiation safety on health care outcomes as well as staff and patient well-being,
3.Support continuous learning and innovation to improve health care.

The program application has been submitted to the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Educational Programs (CAMPEP).  This is a two-year program structured training program based on the guidelines from AAPM Report 90 and will provide the clinical experience necessary to write obtain certification by the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine (CCPM) and the American Board of Radiology (ABR) certification exams in either Diagnostic Medical Physics or Nuclear Medical Physics.

Qualifications

Acceptance to the VCH Medical Physics Residency Program is competitive. Graduation from a CAMPEP accredited Graduate Medical Physics Degree or Certification is strongly suggested until VCH obtains CAMPEP accreditation.

To qualify for a residency position you must have/be:

  • Hold a Master’s or PhD (preferred) degree in Medical Physics, Physics, Engineering (with upper year physics courses) or related sciences,
  • Preference will be given to candidates who have graduated from a CAMPEP Accredited Program,
  • Able to legally work in Canada,
  • Able to drive in BC and have access to a personal vehicle,
  • Able to lift 50 pounds.

Candidates are expected to adhere to the professional code of ethics developed by the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine (CCPM).

What does the Residency Application process look like?

VCH will post vacancies on the Canadian Organization of Physicists in Medicine (COMP) career site.  It is the intention of VCH to participate in the AAPM residency matching program in future years.

  1. Residency position will be posted in April for an anticipated start date in July.
  2. Applicants must submit their CV with cover letter and copy of transcripts through careers.vch.ca (official transcripts are required upon successful application).
    a.  If more than 1 stream is offered (e.g. both Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine), the candidate must state which stream they are applying for. In this case multiple applications will be accepted as long as the cover letter and CV are directed to the position.
  3. The program steering committee reviews applications and shortlists candidates,
  4. Phone or Skype interviews will be scheduled with at least 2 members from the program steering committee,
  5. The successful new Resident will start in the first full week of July.

For more information or general inquiries, please contact the Vancouver Coastal Health HR.  Please do not contact program staff directly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is this program CAMPEP Accredited?
A: Submission for CAMPEP Accreditation is anticipated in early 2020.

Q: How many Residents have graduated from this program?
A: Since 2010, 5 physicist’s  have obtained certification through this program.

Q: How long is the program?
A: The program is 2 years, the minimum requirement for certification.

Q: When is the start date?
A: Residency starts in the first full week of July.

Q: Can I start in a different month?
A: It may be possible; however the start date has been selected so residents can obtain sufficient experience to write the American Board Exams. 2 years of minimum clinical experience is required for this.

Q: What does the program cover?
A: The program outline is found in this PDF.

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