Radiation Therapist, Sr

Description

• Under the supervision of the Chief Radiation Therapist, the Radiation Therapist performs treatment and simulation procedures, as directed by the Radiation Oncologist.
• Perform radiation treatment and simulation procedures in accordance with the Radiation Oncologists instructions and departmental procedures.
• Provide thorough documentation of simulation set-up, and procedure information.
• Prepare and/or administer IV and oral contrast.
• Perform POCT testing for pregnancy, and in preparation for IV contrast administration.
• Prepare treatment room and equipment for patient according to the prescription and simulation, including placement of immobilization devices, setting of treatment devices, verifying parameters and any protection devices.
• Staff working in this role will coordinate activities of their assigned treatment unit; appointment scheduling, CRT coordination; emergency start; QA-CT; initial and weekly chart checks.
• Serve as subject matter expert (SME) for special procedures, treatment unit operations, and trouble shoot difficult set-ups.
• Monitor treatment unit schedule to maintain proper alignment of treatment appointment durations.
• Support department policies, quality improvement initiatives; implementation of new processes and workflows.
• Work with Chief and Lead to coordinate transfers between treatment machines during periods of operational break down or scheduling challenges.
• Explain procedure, including pre- and post-simulation or treatment.
• Answer questions and reassure patient before and after procedure.
• Transfer patient to treatment table with care for IV s and catheters.
• Check patient treatment plan and deliver prescribed dose.
• Maintain patient skin markings. Document treatment, in accordance with departmental protocols.
• Keep physician informed and adapt treatment per physician orders.
• Acquire and analyze digital radiograph of all treatment area(s).
• Observe radiation safety measures for patient and personnel.
• Perform patient positioning and immobilization device construction to promote set-up consistency for daily treatments.
• Operate CT simulation unit, and supporting equipment; Power injector, gating, model construction equipment.
• May assist in special procedures including HDR; Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Implants.
• Evaluate images for technical quality, and proper positioning.
• Perform initial set-up checks to facilitate daily set-up consistency, and confirm congruency between prescription, treatment site, treatment plan parameters, and other relevant information.
• Monitor patient visually and audibly during therapy procedure for any unusual reactions or events.
• Use judgment and inform physician if indicated by patient's condition, before proceeding with treatment.
• Report relevant information to designated supervisory personnel.
• Interface in a highly collaborative manner with all members of the patient's care team including: radiation oncologists, physicists, dosimetrists, nurses, social workers, administration and others.
• Schedule treatment appointments to optimize department efficiency and patient convenience.
• Report changes in patient's condition or inappropriate response to treatment to Radiation Oncologist or Nurse.
• Assist with orientation and training of new or transfer staff to ensure competence in the functionality of all therapy related equipment.
• Support training and oversight of radiation therapy students within the guidelines of the program and the department.
• Assist with the maintenance of department facilities, equipment, and supplies.
• Report maintenance and repair needs to supervisor.
• Maintain a clean and order work area.
• Participate in educational in-services, as appropriate.
• Participate in professional activities and organizations to maintain and expand knowledge of current trends, practices, and developments.
• Ensure procedure charges for are accurately recorded.
• Perform on-call duties to provide emergency treatments during non-clinic hours.
• Demonstrate continuous job related competencies on an annual basis as applicable.
• Participate in the evaluation of treatment devices.
• Maintain compliance with medical center and regulatory agency standards in regard to annual training, infection control, Radiation Protection guidelines, and credentialing requirements.
• Ensure adherence to patient safety standards.
• Complete daily QA process for CT scanner and Linear Accelerators.
• Record results and report suboptimal performance of these systems to the Medical Physicist and other designated personnel.
• Conduct new plan and therapist chart check quality assurance audits on charts of those patients starting and under treatment; ensure required set-up instructions are recorded and plan timeouts are completed.
• Support hospital and department Quality/safety event learning processes.
• Comply with established department policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety, environmental and infection control.
• Submit SAFE or RO-ILS reports as needed.
• Participate and support department QA and QI initiatives.
• Review treatment protocol criteria, to ensure adherence of treatment delivery to guidelines.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.
• Provide patient care and/or support activities appropriate to all ages served, primarily adults ages 18-65 or geriatric patients ages overage 65.
• May also include care for infant age 0-1 year, child ages 1-12 years or adolescent 13-17 years.

• Certificate or degree from an accredited Radiation Therapy Technology program.
• ARRT certification required.
• CPR training required.