Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB)

Authors: Bret, Ashley, Nick, Rachel, Jenn, Eyob, Kevin, Adam, Amanuel, Becky

Mission Statement

“The mission of the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board is to steer the advancement of the Medical Dosimetry profession by establishing certification and continuing education standards to enhance quality patient care.”1

Goals of Organization1:

• Elevate standards and advance the cause of medical dosimetry by encouraging its study and improving its practice
• Determine the certification eligibility of medical dosimetrists and conduct examinations to test the cognitive capability of candidates
• Grant and issue certificates to successful candidates and offer a registry service to CMDs
• Recognize the continuing knowledge and skills of medical dosimetrists

Organization Benefits

The MDCB organization has provided several benefits to the medical dosimetry community. These benefits include:

• Creating an examination to maintain credibility, demonstrate a specialty level expertise and recognize the profession as a clinical specialty.2
  • This examination was created to verify that individuals of this field meet required expectations to practice medical dosimetry. In addition, this exam was designed as public protection due to the seriousness of conditions treated by medical dosimetrists.
• Providing opportunities to maintain current certification.2
  • Upon passing of the examination, certified medical dosimetrists gain membership with the MDCB.
  • To maintain certification, dosimetrists must pay an annual fee and attend 50 hours of educational activities authorized by the MDCB over a span of 5 years.

Committees:

There are five committees that exist within the medical dosimetrist certification board (MDCB).3 Each of these committees consist of experts in their respective areas and help provide organization. Most of the committees actions are self-explanatory from their names which are listed below.

• Test Development Committee
  • The duties of this committee are primarily to refine the test questions written by selected writers. They continue to update the board questions and provide reviews on what information should be included in each years' exam.
• Eligibility Committee
  • The main responsibility of this committee is to review the credentials of new certification applicants. They will be the ultimate determinate on whether or not applicants have met all of the necessary requirements.
• Bylaws and Ethics Committee
  • The goal of this committee is to continuously update the bylaws of the entire MDCB. In addition, the committee also reviews all ethical cases by using the standards they had previously laid out.
• Maintenance of Certification
  • This is the largest and most wide spread group of the MDCB committees. They deal with all of the continuing education credentials that medical dosimetrists must continue to perform. They are responsible for assigning the credit value for any educational meetings or offerings that are provided to professionals.
• Finance
  • This committee focuses on all financial aspects of the organization. While the treasurer is still in place, this committee helps to assist in any matters that need extra attention.

Does the organization provide any benefits to students?4

• Academic College courses can be used for continuing education credits as long as they have something that relates to medical dosimetry.
• This includes courses in “math, physics, anatomy, physiology, computer science, biology, chemistry” and anything else that can relate to dosimetry.
• Each course is worth 5 credits and you can use a maximum of 15 continuing education credits per cycle.
• In order to receive the credit you have to have passed the course with a grade of C or better.
• Also as a student, once you are a member of the MDCB you can log in and use the “Continuing Education Center”.

Routes of Eligibility for Board Certification Exam:

Three Attempt Rule: All exam candidates will be subject to a three-attempt rule. If a candidate fails the exam on the third attempt they will not be eligible for the exam for two calendar years. Applicants applying after the two-year waiting period must apply as a new candidate and must meet the current requirements.

There are currently two routes of eligibility:
Route 1

• Applicant graduated from a Medical Dosimetry JRCERT accredited program of at least 12 months.

Route 2

• Applicant must hold an active registration with ARRT or a foreign equivalent OR a Bachelors degree in a related field. Graduation from outside the U.S. or Canada will require foreign equivalency evaluation from either The Foundation for International Services, Inc. or the International Education Research Foundation.5 Foreign documentation from any other organization will not be valid.

• Completed at least 36 months clinical dosimetry under the direct supervision of a certified medical dosimetrist or medical physicist. (Equivalence of 5,460 hours)

• Completed 24 CE credits during 36-month clinical experience. Proof of completion must display the MDCB course reference number.5

In 2015, Route 1 and Route 2 applicants will be required to have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree.

In 2017, there will be one standard for all applicants.5 Requirements include candidates to have a Bachelor’s Degree AND
Have graduated from a recognized dosimetry program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on education in Radiologic Technology or foreign equivalent. 5

Why is MDCB board certification exam important?

The importance of MDCB certification exam is to:

• test the cognitive capability of medical dosimetry candidates,
• establish important credibility of dosimetry profession and influence the academic quality of medical dosimetry,
• assess the level of education and work qualifications of a medical dosimetry professional,
• shape the scope of practice for medical dosimetrist professionals and the care they provide,
• examine the continuing knowledge of medical dosimetrists,
• impact the quality of health care delivery in oncology departments,
• acquire high accuracy and precision to fulfill the job responsibilities,
• increase patient care and patient safety standards,
• enable dosimetrists become high quality and essential role players in the cancer treatment planning process. 6

History of the Board Exam:

• MDCB Incorporated in 19887
• The MDCB is comprised of 12 Board of Directors. There are 6 CMDs (Certified Medical Dosimetrist), 2 Medical Physicists, 2 Radiation Oncologists, 1 Testing Person, and 1 Community at large person. (All Volunteers)
• First test given in 1988
• Test was given annually (Now twice annually)
• Test was given in written format but recently changed to computer based testing format in 2011
• Test has a total of 155 questions and has potential for increase. Allowed time for completion is 3 hours and 50 minutes8
• The Board of Directors meets 3 times a year to discuss examinations, questions, and results. (January, March, and August)
• Passing rate for the last 5 years is around 57%

Future Exam Goals:

• More testing sites
• Receive results right after exam
• Stop exam when you have answered enough correct answers to pass
• More exams given throughout the year
• Better exam security
• Effective 2015: Candidates will be required to have a minimum of Bachelor’s Degree9
• Effective 2017: Candidate will be required to have Bachelor’s Degree and have graduated from a formal dosimetry program accredited by JRCERT

What are the ways you can become involved in the organization?

As a member of the MDCB, you have a number of opportunities to get involved in the organization.

• Item Writing
  • The MDCB is currently looking for members of the radiation oncology community to assist in expanding the MDCB exam by developing new test questions. They have an application on the MDCB website for anyone who might be interested in participating.
• Continuing Education
  • The MDCB requires that all members obtain CE credits, and members are encouraged to attend MDCB approved classes and seminars.
• Board of Directors
  • Joining the Board of Directors is a great way to get heavily involved in the organization. In order to be a candidate, you must satisfy the following criteria:10
    • Must be a CMD for a minimum of 5 years
    • Should have a minimum of a BS degree
    • Should have served in various societies (AAMD, ASRT etc)
    • Should be an examiner in any board
    • Should have some academic profile in teaching, question writing, professional development, publications, etc.
    • Should be a current practicing dosimetrist

What comes after becoming a certified medical dosimetrist?

All certified medical dosimetrists (CMDs) are required to:

• Renew their credentials annually11,12
  • Certification is valid for only one year
  • There is a 30 days of grace period after deadline with penalty
  • Failure to pay renewal fee will result in losing CMD credential
  • Regaining credential will require taking the MDCB certification exam again
• Maintain appropriate number of continuing education (CE)11,12
  • 50 credits of MDCB approved CE are required with in 5 year renewal cycle
  • These activities may include courses, lectures, seminars, academic college courses, formal presentations, publishing articles, directed readings, application training courses, certification exams, and journal editing
  • New CMDs can start gathering CE credits in January after the exam is taken
  • Temporarily disabled CMDs can request for temporary disabled status by writing to MDCB maintenance of certification and complete an appeal form to maintain their certification (further information on disabled CMD policy can be found in MDCB’s website)
  • CMDs nearing the expiration of CE completions will be notified and warned ahead of time by MDCB
  • Failure to complete CE will result in losing CMD credential
  • Regaining credential will require taking the MDCB certification exam again
• Abide by the MDCB ethical standards11,12
  • CMDs who violate these ethical standards can lose their certification
  • CMDs who has been revoked has the right to appeal within 45 days of the revocation process
  • All appeals must be addressed directly to the president of MDCB
• Update personal contact information regularly11,12
  • All letters, packets, and notifications are sent directly to the contact information provided to MDCB
  • All CMDs are required to update their contact information including phone numbers, emails, and mailing addresses as needed
  • New certificants who haven’t notified MDCB on their address change can request for new certificants packet with a replacement fee of $25
  • Failure to update contact information will obstruct means of communication with MDCB

Suggestion for Improvements:

Some suggestions for improvements for the MDCB website as well as for the medical dosimetry profession:

• A search bar may be a helpful tool to use while navigating through the website.
• When preparing to take the MDCB exam, it would be a great guide if there was a resource link in regards to practice exams.
• It would be helpful if the MDCB would accept more of the ARRT continuing education credits. Many of the modalities such as MRI, CT, and PET scan, are incorporated in medical dosimetry.

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References
1. About MDCB. Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board. http://www.MDCB.org/about/mission.htm. Accessed January 23, 2013.
2. Certification Handbook 2011.Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB). www.mdcb.org/examinfo/ExamHandbook%20_%20Final.pdf. 2011. Accessed January 28, 2013.
3. About MDCT/Committees. Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board. http://www.mdcb.org/about/committees.htm. Accessed January 26, 2013.
4. Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board. Maintenance of Certification Committee. http://www.mdcb.org/about/maintenance_of_certification.htm. Accessed January 27, 2013.
5. About MDCB. Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board. http://www.mdcb.org/examinfo/eligibility.htm. Accessed January 28, 2013.
6. Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board. Mission Statement. Available at:http://www.mdcb.org/about/mission.htm. Accessed January 26, 2013
7. Adams R. MDCB Examination: A History. [PowerPoint]. UNC School of Medicine: Department of Radiation Oncology. Accessed January 27, 2013.
8. Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board. Certification Handbook 2013. http://www.mdcb.org/examinfo/exam_handbook.pdf. Accessed January 27, 2013
9. About MDCB. Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board. http://www.mdcb.org/examinfo/eligibility.htm. Accessed January 27, 2013.
10. About MDCB. Medical Dosimetry Certification Board. http://www.mdcb.org/about/boardofdir.htm Accessed January 27, 2013.
11. About MDCB/Maintenance of Certification. Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board. http://www.mdcb.org/about/maintenance_of_certification.htm. Accessed January 26, 2013
12. Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board. Certification Handbook 2013. http://www.mdcb.org/examinfo/exam_handbook.pdf. Accessed January 26, 2013