Division of Radiological Physics

The Division of Radiological physics is staffed with physicists who have training, experience and knowledge about radiation safety, radiation dosimetry, radiology imaging equipment, QC testing procedures, mathematical analysis of data, regulatory compliance issues, and radiation biology.  The staff must be Board certified by the ABR or ABMP and licensed in New York State as “Medical Physicist - Diagnostic Radiological”.  The primary duty of physics staff is to support clinical operation of the Radiology Department.  These functions include the performance of thorough QC evaluations of all radiology imaging equipment on at least a twice a year basis and other required regulatory testing on a more frequent basis. 

The physicists interact with regulatory agencies before, during and following annual inspections.  The physicists are also assist in obtaining and maintaining ACR Accreditation of all CT, MRI, mammography and ultrasound equipment and maintaining their required  CME’s in assorted medical physics topics.  The physicists maintain equipment and QC records for regulatory and administrative purposes.  The physicists must maintain the operation and calibration of their own test instrumentation.  The physicists are also involved in the teaching Radiological Physics to the  Radiology Residents and Columbia University Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics graduate students and training necessary for staff radiologists and technologists.  The physicists oversee radiation safety operations and dosimetry in the Radiology Department.  The physicists evaluate new technology and assess and compare new imaging equipment that is being considered for purchase.   They perform Acceptance Testing on all new imaging equipment in adherence to regulatory codes. They perform radiation shielding determinations, evaluations and Protection Surveys.  They assist the Bio-medical Engineer service personal in analyzing and resolving clinical problems with the equipment.  They do patient and staff dosimetry, and consult with patients and staff who have specific radiation dose issues.  They do radiation dose assessments for research proposal being submitted to the IRB.   In addition they support clinical research projects with which the radiologists are involved.   The physicists are expected to give presentation at national professional meetings and submit journal articles for publications.  The physicists are suppose to enhance the reputation of Columbia University and the Medical Center by involvement with professional organizations and activities such as being ACR Accreditation program reviewers and holding offices in the various organizations.