Medical Physics

BC Cancer's Medical Physics Residency Program is a two-year, structured training program. Qualified clinical medical physicists supervise and mentor residents throughout the program.

​Applications open each October. For details about how to apply and  program requirements, see the 'Admission' tab.

Goal and objectives

The goal of ​the BC Cancer Medical Physics Residency Program is to prepare graduates of medical physics graduate programs for safe, skilled and independent clinical practice in radiation therapy physics. 

The program has been accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Educational Programs (CAMPEP) since 2011. It follows national training guidelines outlined in AAPM Report 90. 

During the program, residents build the knowledge, awareness, and clinical and technical skills needed to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary health care team. Training includes rotations in all major areas of clinical practice, such as:

  • Treatment planning
  • Brachytherapy
  • Quality assurance
  • Radiation protection
  • Radiation biology
  • Medical imaging
  • Commissioning and support of radiotherapy equipment
The program provides the minimum clinical experience required to apply for the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine membership examination. Residents may need to compelte additional study alongside the program to fully prepare for this exam.

Residents can also expand their learning through the graduate medical physics programs at:

Training locations

BC Cancer is a province-wide cancer care organization with six treatment centres located in Abbotsford, Fraser Valley, Kelowna, Prince George, Vancouver and Victoria. All centres except Prince George participate in the residency program.

Residents may train at any participating centre. All sites follow a shared curriculum and standard evaluation process. A core committee, with representatives from each centre, oversees and coordinates the residency program across the province. 

Program structure

The program's training curriculum includes the following key components:

1. Clinical training rotations

Residents complete hands-on clinical rotations that cover:

  • An introduction to the radiation therapy process
  • Quality assurance and equipment commissioning
  • External beam treatment planning, including a case study series in partnership with the BC Cancer Radiation Oncology Program
  • Brachytherapy
  • Radiation protection and radiation biology
  • Imaging in radiation therapy
  • Special radiation therapy techniques

2. Clinical conferences and seminars

​Residents attend clinical conferences and seminars to support learning and professional development.

3. Teaching opportunities

​Residents take part in teaching activities as part of their training.

4. Professional education

​The program includes education on the professional and ethical aspects of medical physics.

5. Routine clinical practice

​Residents participate in day-to-day clinical tasks to build real-world experience. 

6. Clinical development project

​Residents compelte a clinical development project to apply and strengthen their skills.

Admission

Admission and application process

Admission to the BC Cancer Medical Physics Residency Program is competitive. Applicants must have graduated from a CAMPEP-accredited graduate or certificate program in medical physics. A PhDs is preferred.

Applicants are expected to follow the professional code of ethics set by the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine (CCPM). Strong teamwork and communication skills are essential.

In line with Canadian employment and immigration requirements, BC Cancer gives preference to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. However, all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

How to apply

BC Cancer participates in the MedPhys Match National Matching Program, so allapplicants must register with MedPhys Match.

Residency positions are posted each year on the MedPhys Match website under 'BC Cancer Medical Physics Residency Program'. Postings usually appear late in the year (before December 1) for positions starting the following July. 

Applications​ must be submitted to BC Cancer by January 5​, 2026.

Details about available positions, locations and application steps are usually posted on the COMP careers website.

Application steps

  1. Register with the MedPhys Match Program https://natmatch.com/medphys/.
  2. Submit your application directly to the BC Cancer Medical Physics Residency Program at medphysresidency@bccancer.bc.ca.
    1. BC Cancer does not use the NMS application service.
  3. If more than one position is available, clearly state which position or positions you are applying for. You may apply to more than one.

For questions, contact medphysresidency@bccancer.bc.ca.

Financial support

Residents are hired as full-time BC Cancer employees. This includes benefits and reimbursement for approved professional and travel expenses related to training.

Program graduate information

Below are past statistics showing the number of applicants, accepted residents, graduates, certifications and employment outcomes.

Graduating year20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
Applicants43474435222350+50+50+50+50+
Accepted65432223212
Graduated43222223212
Certified-2112122212
Clinical employment43212223212
Academic empl​oyment---1-------

This information highlights application trends and career outcomes for graduates of the BC Cancer Medical Physics Residency Program.
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