Radiation Therapist

The radiation therapist is responsible for providing safe and accurate radiation treatment to patients with compassion. A radiation therapist recognizes patient conditions essential for the successful completion of simulation and treatment, communicates information among team members, and fosters a collegial working environment.

Job Relationships

Reports to the Operations Manager, works directly with Radiation Oncologists, Physicists, & Lead Therapist

Principal Responsibilities

• Receive, relay and document verbal, written and electronic orders in the patient's radiation oncology record.
• Corroborate a patient's clinical history with procedure and ensuring information is documented and available for sure by a licensed practitioner and verifies informed consent for applicable procedure.
• Accurately explain simulation/treatment procedures to patients/family prior to beginning procedure.
• Perform planning CT scans and apply ionizing radiation to patients in accordance with the prescription and instruction of the provider.
• Construct/prepare immobilization, beam directional and beam modification devices.
• Deliver radiation therapy treatments as prescribed by a radiation oncologist.
• Participate in brachytherapy and other procedures as needed.
• Evaluate images for technical quality and ensuring proper identification is recorded.
• Report all equipment issues to the Radiation Physicist, Operations Manager or Lead Therapist. Communicate all information concerning equipment issues to the service engineers.
• Use imaging technologies for the explicit purpose of simulation, treatment planning and treatment delivery as prescribed by a radiation oncologist.
• Detect and report significant changes in patients' conditions and determining when to withhold treatment until the radiation oncologist is consulted.
• Perform Quality Assurance tests that are required by the physicians and physicists.
• Submit charges on each patient for treatments delivered.
• Apply the principles of patient safety during all aspects of patient care.
• Comply with the Springfield Clinic incident reporting policy and procedures.
• Adhere to all OSHA and Springfield Clinic training & accomplishments as required per policy.
• Provide excellent customer service and adhere to Springfield Clinic's Code of Conduct and Ethics Standards.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

• Minimum Education:
  
  High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Graduate of Committee of Allied Health Education and Accreditation accredited education program on Radiologic Technology/Radiation Therapy Program.

Licenses/Certificates

• Must maintain current registration with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists in Radiation Therapy.
• Must maintain active accreditation in Radiography with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Division of Nuclear Safety.
• CPR per American Heart Association guidelines required within 30 days of hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of human anatomy, human physiology, pathology and medical terminology, comprehension of oncology, radio biology, radiation physics, radiation oncology techniques, radiation safety and the psychosocial aspects of cancer are required.
• Demonstrate accurate manipulation/knowledge of accelerator, treatment table, gantry, hand pendants, electron cones, console, wedge placement, emergency stops, intercom, TV cameras, laser accuracy, etc.
• Competency with simulator, simulates radiation treatment fields according to Radiation Oncologist.
• Competency with linear accelerators, radiation oncology record and verify systems, portal vision, on board imaging for treatment delivery and CT scanners for simulation.
• Demonstrate solid understanding of the equipment operation and attached components.

Working Environment

• Will be exposed to fumes from cleaning agents or x-ray film processor chemicals, in limited areas.
• Will be exposed to conditions including exposure to blood and body fluids, tissue, contagious diseases and/or potentially hazardous materials.
• Occasionally heavy lifting required.

PHI/Privacy Level

HIPAA2