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FAQ

How many residency slots are available?

The Radiation Oncology Clinical Medical Physics Residency Program’s capacity is 8. Our current cycle is as follows for the PGY1s starting on the associated dates:

  • 7/1/2018: 3 residents
  • 7/1/2019: 4 residents
  • 7/1/2020: 4 residents
  • 7/1/2021: 4 residents
  • 7/1/2022: 4 residents
  • 7/1/2023: 4 residents
Are rotations done at hospitals outside of the department?

We do not have external rotations.

Is there a mentoring program for residents?

Yes, residents are matched with mentors when they begin their clinical training.

How accessible is faculty for questions/support?

Our faculty are highly invested in education, so they’re available to help!

What are the salary and benefits?

Visit our salary and benefits page. 

How often is feedback provided to residents?

Formal feedback is given to residents on a monthly and quarterly basis. Residents participate in monthly oral exams and quarterly rotations, both of which are formally assessed. Informal feedback regarding clinical service is ongoing.

What’s the balance between education and service?

As a clinical training program, we believe the most valuable education occurs during clinical service. However, the program recognizes the need for education by other means such as lectures and academic activities. The program strives to achieve a healthy balance between all aspects of education after receiving feedback from residents and faculty members.

What are some of the highlights in your program?

We offer many unique training opportunities, including brachytherapy and pediatric cases; training on the GammaPod breast system—one of only two in the country; the CyberKnife and Gamma Knife Icon (framed and frameless) treatment platforms; and SBRT and VMAT total body irradiation programs. We also offer MR-LINAC and Ethos adaptive training, as well as phase I-III clinical trial design and protocol writing.

What percent of residents complete the program?

100%

Are research opportunities available to residents? Is it optional or required?

We are, foremost, a clinical training program. Residents are required to participate in clinical improvement projects that are a form of research. Basic research also abounds in the department and residents are encouraged to participate but basic research is not formally a requirement of the program.

What teaching responsibilities are expected of residents?

Residents are required to give a minimum of six lectures during their time in the program. Many different lecture categories are acceptable including lectures to physicists, therapists, physicians, and junior residents. Presentations at professional meetings are also acceptable.

What is a general call schedule?

Medical physics residents share on-call duties with a rotating schedule. On average, residents will be on call one week out of every eight weeks.

What is a typical rotation schedule?

The program consists of eight quarterly rotations that every resident must complete. The sequence in which rotations are completed varies between residents. All rotations are described in our self-study.

Does your program include training for proton therapy?

Training for proton therapy is included in our residency program. All residents are required to complete a rotation in proton therapy, including an oral examination, and funds are available for residents to participate in a proton symposium at a proton facility.

What type of reimbursement for books and educational supplies is offered?

Each resident has a $2,000 discretionary fund per year to be used for professional development, including books and educational supplies.

What is the patient population like?

We provide comprehensive cancer care to a wide variety of patients in both outpatient and inpatient settings. We serve patients from a large safety net hospital (Parkland), as well as patients at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital (CUH) and coverage of Children’s Health.

What types of practices do your residents go into after graduation?

Visit our alumni page for information. 

For additional information, please reach out to Kiera Smith via kiera.smith@UTSouthwestern.edu.