Medical physicists work directly with the radiation oncologist in treatment planning and delivery, and oversee the work of the dosimetrist. They have doctorates or master's degrees and usually have one to two years of clinical physics training. They may be certified by the American Board of Radiology, or the American Board of Medical Physics. They maintain daily records and regularly check the treatment machines. They may be certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
Many states require that radiation therapy technologists be licensed.
Dosimetrist Dosimetrists carefully calculate the dose of radiation to make sure a tumor gets the correct amount. They develop a number of treatment plans that can best destroy the tumor while sparing the normal tissues. They work with the doctor and the medical physicist to choose the treatment plan. The Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board certifies dosimetrists. They also help with the examination of the patient, which might take place several times during treatment.