Radiation Therapist

Description

Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines.

Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work?

Entity: HUP

Department:
Radiation Oncology

Location:

Penn Medicine Valley Forge, 1001 Chesterbrook Blvd

Hours:
Part-Time

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Radiation Manager Supervisor or Therapy Lead, the Radiation Therapist works with the clinical physicists, dosimetrist and other therapists as part of a treatment team. Staff therapists are proficient in many departmental functions, primarily the accurate and safe delivery of daily radiation treatments. Proficiency is achieved by various rotations on all treatment units, plus adequate exposure to CT simulation.

Accountabilities:

• Patient Care and
  
  Education:
  
  Explains radiation procedures thoroughly to the patient and reinforces physician’s directives to the patient regarding reaction to treatments and their care. Verifies patient information including name, DOB, and photo to ensure the correct patient is treated. Transfers patient safely to treatment couch giving special care to catheters, IV’s, etc. Provides for patients' physical needs during their stay in the department to ensure continued support and maintenance of radiation safety measures.
  
  Provides emotional support and general information to patients when appropriate, following departmental guidelines for confidentiality. Escalates concerns to interdepartmental staff (RN, MD, etc.) when deemed necessary. Visualize and evaluates the condition of the treatment area to determine special precautions are required, reporting alarm conditions, e.g., moist desquamation, skin breakdown, sore throat, etc. to appropriate personnel. Observes patients' mental health status and attitude for any changes and report to appropriate personnel.
• Procedure Preparation/Patient Preparation:
  Prepares room and equipment for patient treatment according to prescription and special instructions regarding immobilization devices, field size, treatment distance, shielding, etc. Ensures room is sufficiently stocked with supplies at the end of the day. Reports to appropriate personnel when supplies are low.
• Procedure Execution:
  Ensures proper and current forms are reviewed and signed by patient and physician. Aides in patient undressing, assuring that appropriate area is covered with patient gown. Attaches restraining, protective diagnostic and/or monitoring devices properly to the patient prior to treatment. Positions patients according to instructions, using devices needed to ensure accurate delivery of treatment. Checks and initials therapy chart for prescription with staff MD’s signature, and signed consent form.
  
  Checks therapy chart for physics approval. Performs simulation procedures following techniques and guidelines used in the department. Follows departmental procedure for monitoring patient dosimetry for TLDs. Follows departmental policy for treating TBI, TSE, SBRT patients.
• Machine and Equipment Operations:
  Operates machinery correctly, following all safety rules. Dismantles, cleans, and stores equipment according to departmental standards and procedures. Manages film treatment fields every 5 – 7 treatments. Evaluates and discuss with the physician any changes to be made in treatment fields. Monitors equipment during operation to ensure it is properly functioning. Stores and/or disposes of contaminated or expired material according to departmental procedures.
  
  Performs safety inspections and/or tests as required to ensure safety standards are met. Checks treatment room supplies to assure their proper status for emergency situations. Recognizes when a situation is critical, requires immediate attention, and calls the nurse and/or physician. Initiates correct…