Radiation Therapist

Radiation Therapist

Margaret Mary Health –
Radiation Therapist

Precisely deliver prescribed radiation therapy according to the treatment plan and properly simulate patients utilizing positioning techniques and devices for both patient comfort and reproducibility. Computer skills are essential.

Location/Department:
Radiation Oncology; PRN – as needed.

None.

• Understands patient safety goals & actions taken.
• Uses 2 patient identifiers before giving treatments or medications & demonstrates process.
• Understands read back of verbal orders/critical lab values & can state process.
• Understands procedure to clarify physician orders.
• Uses standing orders when indicated.
• Accurately calls report to MD as warranted by condition; reports to other providers as needed.
• Reports sentinel events or adverse drug reactions or incidents as warranted.
• Reassesses patient in response to changes in condition after intervention as needed & documents in EHR.
• Communicates with & provides education to patients, caregivers, & family members in a timely manner (using respect & dignity when dealing with death & dying) & documents in EHR.
• Protects the patients’ rights to privacy & maintains all patient information in the strictest of confidence.
• Demonstrates a fundamental knowledge of cancer disease processes, complications, radiation treatments and side effects.
• Assesses patient each visit.
• Records information regarding patient & initiates proper intervention or physician notification.
• Assists physician during exam, if needed.
• Coordinates patient care under the direction of the Radiation Oncologist.
• Addresses patient phone calls relating to their radiation treatments &/or side effects (under the direction of the physician).
• Remains current with ARRT continuous education requirements.
• Reports pertinent patient information to the appropriate physician or team member.
• Maintains accurate & complete radiation treatment records as well as updating medication record in EHR.
• Maintains good communication between the physician, physicist & other radiation therapists necessary for correct treatment of patients.
• Prior to the patient’s first day of treatment, reviews treatment plan, prescription, set-up & ARIA information for clarity & correctness.
• Correctly positions patient for treatment on the linear accelerator & verifies treatment marks via port films.
• Reviews & signs calculations & verifies that prescription is being followed.
• Maintains skin markings in a clear & precise fashion, documenting any changes made throughout treatment.
• Notifies physician &/or physicist of any errors or discrepancies in treatment & prescription.
• Schedules patient treatment visits, new consults, & follow-up appointments.
• Positions patient on CT table using appropriate immobilization devices for reproducible set-up.
• Scans patient area for treatment documenting set-up & field center markings to dosimetrist/physicist.
• Explains the planning process to patient &/or family members so they can anticipate start date & time.
• Clearly & precisely marks patient’s skin.
• Explains basic treatment procedure & means of communication during treatment.
• Maintain visual &/or audible communication with patient during treatment.
• Provides patient with radiation information specific to area of treatment.
• Provide information regarding other resources for patients & family.
• Correctly executes morning warm-up of Tru Beam linear accelerator & CT scanner notifying appropriate service engineer when/if necessary.
• Maintains daily warm-up record, documenting water temperature, pressure & level, gas pressure & output via daily checker.
• Properly launches ARIA ensuring connectivity between LINAC and OSMS.
• Promptly notifies physicist when any machine parameters are out of range or limits.
• Notes inventory of supplies on a regular basis, notifying appropriate personnel when supply is low & needs ordered.
• Daily stocks treatment room & simulator.
• Daily gathers all dirty linen bins & deposits them in the soiled utility room.
• Performs other duties at the direction of the Radiation Oncologist or manager when necessary or as directed.
• Participates in & attends chart rounds reconciling any matters that are addressed.

• Strong customer service skills.
• Effectively communicates both verbal & written.
• Able to multi-task & prioritize.
• Able to use medical equipment, i.e. linear Accelerator, CT simulator, Block Cutter, vac-loc vacuum, mask water bath.
• Able to operate basic office equipment & hospital applications.

Entry level

Full-time

Health Care Provider