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Advanced Medical Physicist - Radiation Oncology, Full-Time, Days

Northwestern Medicine · Orland Park, IL · Full time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 15, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

How do you work with dosimetrists, therapists and physicians who all see the plan differently?

What they are checking: The multidisciplinary work the posting names first.

Tell me about a protocol or technical document you wrote that changed how the clinic worked.

What they are checking: The posting asks them to advance the practice, not only maintain it.

What would you want to change or introduce in the first year?

What they are checking: Whether they arrive with a view, which the posting's knowledge leader framing expects.

What would you do

You find a discrepancy in a plan the day treatment is due to start. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stop treatment, which is the only right answer and the hardest to act on.

How do you explain a physics constraint to a physician who wants something the plan cannot give?

What they are checking: Whether they can hold a technical line with a clinician kindly.

About the work

Walk me through commissioning a new linear accelerator.

What they are checking: Acceptance testing and commissioning, which the posting names and which is a defining competency.

How do you build a quality assurance programme for both machines and patients?

What they are checking: Whether they think in systems rather than individual checks.

Tell me about a complex treatment plan you worked on. What made it difficult?

What they are checking: Planning depth, described through a real case rather than in principle.

What is your experience with brachytherapy alongside external beam?

What they are checking: The posting names both, and many physicists are strong in only one.

How do you keep a clinic compliant across regulation and accreditation for treatment and detection equipment?

What they are checking: Regulatory ownership, which sits with the physicist and nobody else.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

The Advanced Med ical Physicist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. The Advanced Medical Physicist is knowledge leader within specialty medical physics role. Extensive background to independently operate within the specialty clinical program. Expertise required to advance the practice of the program with procedural development, quality and safety initiatives, and/or research and education. Responsibilities: • Responsible for all medical physics operations within a radiotherapy clinic. • Performs complex treatment planning, patient positioning support, and comprehensive machine and patient quality assurance. • Works collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team including physicians, nurses, therapists, and dosimetrists. • Develops specifications for external beam therapy, brachytherapy, simulations, and dosimetry measurements. • Ensures full regulatory and accreditation compliance for radiation treatment equipment and detection systems. • Conducts acceptance testing and commissioning of radiation therapy equipment, including data characterization and system evaluation. • Creates treatment protocols, procedural guidelines, and technical documents for clinical operations. • Oversees radiation safety practices, machine maintenance coordination, and technical aspects of radiation oncology programs. • Provides expert consultation to physicians regarding dosimetry and patient care. • Offers imaging guidance for simulation, treatment planning, and therapeutic radiation delivery. • Supervises medical physics assistants, medical physics residents, and dosimetrists. • Reviews and verifies computerized patient treatment plans for accuracy and clinical appropriateness. • Performs initial and weekly patient chart checks to ensure precision and adherence to standards. • Serves as the physics representative on quality assurance and process improvement committees. • Participates in research and development initiatives to advance clinical practice. • Documenting and maintaining full compliance of radiation therapy, simulation, and detection equipment with all regulatory, professional, and accreditation requirements. • Expert level of knowledge in acceptance testing, commissioning, and validation of radiation therapy equipment, including data characterization and evaluation of computer systems and algorithms. • Guides imaging processes to support simulation, treatment planning, and radiation delivery workflows. • Supervising and mentoring medical physics assistants, residents, and dosimetrists, promoting excellence and professional development. • Demonstrating in depth expertise within the chosen specialty, contributing to education, research, and advanced clinical initiatives. • Contributing to the development of standard operating procedures, clinical protocols, and multidisciplinary quality initiatives that drive departmental progress. • Participating actively in specialty specific committees and quality meetings. • Perform additional duties as assigned to support departmental goals and patient care excellence. Required : • ABR Board Certified Therapeutic Medical Physics • Illinois Emergency Management Registered Therapeutic Radiological Physicist Preferred: • PhD • 4-8 Years of Experience • Illinois Emergency Management Registered Diagnostic Imaging Specialist Additional Information Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information NorthwesternMedicine Career Page https://jobs.nm.org/benefits Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception : New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.

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