The Medical Dosimetrist is a member of the radiation oncology team who has specific knowledge and clinical understanding of radiation treatment machines, equipment and radioactive sources. The Medical Dosimetrist is the expert in designing and generating dose distributions and calculations for a prescribed course of radiation therapy. A Medical Dosimetrist works with computer software and multiple imaging modalities to plan a three dimensional treatment to be delivered by a team of certified Radiation Therapists.
Bellevue College’s Radiation & Imaging Sciences (RAIS), Bachelor of Applied Science degree (BAS) Medical Dosimetry concentration is designed for ARRT certified Radiation Therapists who want to advance their knowledge and skills within this specialty and prepare for the MDCB (Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board) certification examination. Bellevue College offers the only Medical Dosimetry program within Washington State.
Program Details
The Medical Dosimetry program is a full-time program beginning fall quarter of evenly numbered academic years. Next class will start fall quarter 2024.
The Medical Dosimetry program is designed for individuals who are ARRT certified Radiation Therapists and want to become Certified Medical Dosimetrists.
The Medical Dosimetry program is 7 quarters or 22 months in length and is designed for the working professional. The required didactic courses are online. Synchronous lectures are typically scheduled in the evening between 6-9 pm PST. The clinical portion is 2-3 days per week beginning the second quarter.
The program is aligned with the American Association of Medical Dosimetrists (AAMD) curriculum and prepares candidates for Medical Dosimetry Certification Board (MDCB eligibility and employment.
Medical Dosimetry Paths and Requirements
Depending on your educational background and interest, two paths are available for Radiation Therapists who want to prepare for the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) examination. Program length is the same for both the BAS degree or certificate.
The curriculum incorporates discipline-based, general education and elective courses built on progressive rigor and sophistication. The program receives ongoing review and guidance from its accrediting body (JRCERT) to maintain currency. Required core courses provide the technical knowledge and foundational skills to your success as medical dosimetrist.
Radiation & Imaging Sciences BAS Medical Dosimetry
This track is designed for certified radiation therapists who do not currently have a Bachelor’s degree. The degree includes 185 credits, 50 of those from national certification and 37 from prerequisite/co-requisite work. The other 98 credits are 300-400 level classes in the Radiation and Imaging Sciences and Healthcare Management and Leadership programs, as well as general education courses in economics, communications, and ethics.
Certificate of Achievement, Medical Dosimetry
The Medical Dosimetry certificate track is designed for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree and who are ARRT certified Radiation Therapists who want to become Certified Medical Dosimetrists. The certificate includes 83 credits and 7 credits from prerequisite work. The credits are 300-400 level classes in the Radiation and Imaging Sciences Program.
Clinical Practicum
Admitted students within Washington State are provided clinical internship sites. Non-resident applicants who expect to participate in their clinical internship in another state must provide proof of a clinical preceptor and internship site. Students must be available 24-hours per week to participate in clinical internship.
If you are a prospective student from out of state and would like to have your clinic be a part of our Medical Dosimetry program, the requirements are:
- The institution must be accredited.
- Your preceptor must be a Certified Medical Dosimetrist (CMD) or Medical Physicist.
- A treatment planning workstation must be available to the student 3 days per week.
Find out more about clinical obligations …
Federal regulations require academic institutions to disclose to prospective students certain information about the institution’s Gainful Employment (GE) Programs, and about students who enrolled in those programs eligible for Title IV funding that lead to gainful employment in a recognized occupation.
Information on Gainful Employment Disclosure for this program is available at:
Public licensing disclosure
The Bellevue College Medical Dosimetry Program curriculum is designed to meet the educational requirements for national certification that is required for employment in the United States. The Medical Dosimetry Certification Board is the agency responsible for individual certification.
The state of Washington does not require any additional licensure. The Medical Dosimetry Program has not determined whether licensure is required in any other state. While there are no state licensing requirements for dosimetrist specifically, they may be required to obtain a state license as a radiologic technician or nuclear medicine technologist.
Direct disclosures are provided on an individual basis to students located outside the state of Washington. Documentation of direct disclosures are made available upon request to the Department of Education.
More information for Out of State students can be found at: bellevuecollege.edu/elearning/start/out-of-state/