Dosimetry Certificate (CDC)

In the last few years changes in radiation therapy have radically changed the practice of Medical Dosimetry. Dosimetry now demands an expanded skill set to meet the requirements of new technology and diagnostic techniques, including Respiratory Gating, Tomotherapy and PET-CT.

The Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists (COMP) has reviewed and endorsed the Dosimetry courses and Certificate program.

Purpose of the Program

The Dosimetry Certificate (CDC) is intended to provide a mechanism for radiation therapists (RTTs) to demonstrate knowledge and competence in the field of Dosimetry, to promote standards of excellence within this clinical area, and to identify those who have met a nationally recognized standard in the practice of Dosimetry.

Program Overview

Please note that changes have been made to the CDC program. Generally, please note that registration into a course that is applicable to a certificate program does not register you for the certificate program. It is the candidate’s responsibility to register and pay for the certificate program after the prerequisites are met (this allows you access to the clinical logbook) and to be aware of this certificate program’s policies and procedures as per the program handbook. In the event of a discrepancy, the information in the program handbook will apply.

A passing mark of 75% or higher on the pre-requisite exam is required for registration. Enrollment into the certificate (which allows access to and review of the clinical component) will only be made available to eligible candidates who completed the exam with the minimum exam grade. A separate fee applies to the certificate registration. Candidates must register individually for any outstanding didactic courses.

The following is an overview of the Dosimetry Certificate program.  For detailed information, download the Program Handbook.

There are three components of the CDC (Dosimetry Certificate) program — didactic, clinical* and research proposal*.

*The clinical and research proposal components are only available to candidates registered in the certificate program (i.e. register for the “CDC”).

Remember: All competencies in the SCC must be completed *after* your registration into the certificate program.

Internationally educated medical radiation technologists (IEMRTs)

Documentation required from IEMRTs* (please submit this via email):

• Notarized copy of diploma /degree/certificate from entry-level education program.
• Original letter from entry-level education program verifying length of program to include both didactic and clinical components.
• IEMRT Attestation Letter

*Required documentation not received within 30 days of program registration will result in a program cancellation/partial refund.
CAMRT strongly recommends candidates obtain required documentation prior to program registration and send via email within the required timeframe.
Candidates may only begin working on the Summary of Clinical Competence upon approval of received documentation from CAMRT.

Clinical Advisor

The clinical component requires the candidate to identify a clinical advisor. The clinical advisor must:

• be a dosimetrist with a current CDC designation or a qualified clinical medical physicist working in the appropriate discipline
• have five years’ experience in either dosimetry/medical physics
• not be currently registered in the Dosimetry program
• identify others delegated to assess the candidate and ensure they are credentialed and competent in their practice
• perform the assessment on the candidate for all procedures/associated competencies or delegate the assessment to another credentialed staff
• attest to overall competency of the candidate by signing at the end of each module

Documentation requirements for Clinical Advisors outside of Canada*:

The following must be submitted via email at the time of application** into the program:

• A notarized copy of the clinical advisor’s credentials (degree, diploma, or certificate)
• A letter from the clinical advisor’s employer verifying that the chosen clinical advisor has a minimum of 5 years’ experience in dosimetry/medical physics.

*If your clinical environment does not include a dosimetrist with a current CDC designation or a qualified clinical medical physicist working in the appropriate discipline, please contact dosimetry@camrt.ca for further direction.
**Required documentation not received within 30 days of program registration will result in a program cancellation/partial refund. CAMRT strongly recommends candidates obtain required documentation prior to program registration via email within the required timeframe.
Candidates may only begin working on the Summary of Clinical Competence upon approval of received documentation from CAMRT.

Timeframes

Candidates of the CDC program must complete both the didactic and clinical components within a five-year time frame. This timeframe begins on the date of successful completion of Dosimetry 2 however the Summary of Clinical Competence can only be worked on upon receipt of a signed Verification of Status as a Practicing RTT form by CAMRT. Forms not received within 30 days of program registration will result in a program cancellation/partial refund (see Cancellations and Refunds).

Candidates may only begin working on the Summary of Clinical Competence upon approval of received documentation from CAMRT.

Credential

As of January 2016, the CAMRT has changed the credential given by the CAMRT for completion of the Dosimetry Certificate. The credential for this program has changed from CDS to CDC and stands for the ‘Canadian Dosimetry Certificate”.

Candidates who successfully complete the didactic, clinical & research components as per the CDC program requirements receive a Dosimetry Certificate and can use the credential CDC.

The Committee strongly advocates for continued competence through continuing professional development.

Certificate Program Handbook

The Dosimetry Certificate Program Handbook

For more information on this Certificate Program: specialtycertificates@camrt.ca.

Have Clinical Questions? dosimetry@camrt.ca