Radiation Therapist _Keesler AFB, Mississippi

JOB DUTIES

RADIATION THERAPIST. Contractor personnel shall perform all aspects of radiation therapy delivery and assist in administrative functions within the Radiation Oncology Clinic, as needed. Accountable to the Chief of Radiation Oncology, the Contractor personnel shall:

Contractor personnel shall ensure all radiation therapy procedures are performed IAW established protocols and only upon the order of a person lawfully authorized to prescribe radiation therapy. Confer with Radiation Oncologist and physicist to establish requirements of nonstandard treatment and determine factors, such as positioning and blocking to satisfy those requirements. Contractor personnel shall refer any ambiguous procedures or requisitions to the Chief of Radiation Oncology and Medical Physicist.

​​​​​​​Assemble and review patient information in preparation for simulation. Document information, create patient charts, and coordinate treatment time with other staff. Check prescriptions, diagnosis, charts, and patient identification. Secure x-ray, lab reports, and patient coding/billing information as needed.

​​​​​​​Provide a supportive and caring environment for patients undergoing radiation treatment, showing empathy to patient and family, and representing the department with a pleasant, professional behavior. Explain procedure, means of communication during treatment, and procedures to follow if emergency arises during treatment to patient. Respect

the patient’s right to refuse treatment. If the patient does not want the procedure performed, the patient’s wish shall be respected and the incident shall be brought to the attention of the respective Radiation Oncologist.

​​​​​​​Receive patients, explain treatment procedures, position patients, obtain patient contours, and confer with the Radiation Oncologist and Dosimetrist regarding the volumes to be treated. Simulate treatment, mark patient’s skin, and prepare specialized, tailor-made accessories; such as bolus, blocks, immobilization devices, and compensating filters.

​​​​​​​Oversee treatment and evaluate overall daily treatment operations. Ensure the correct position and alignment of fields, as simulated, and that all treatments are delivered as prescribed by Radiation Oncologist.

​​​​​​​Perform computerized tomography (CT) simulation for all patients. Check operating parameters of radiation therapy simulators, treatment system, and linear accelerators to ensure compatibility of simulation setup and treatment machine setup. Ensure all simulation documentation is properly completed and filed. Assist Dosimetrist during patient setup to record radiation therapy treatment parameters in treatment charts.

​​​​​​​Prepare room and necessary equipment for patient treatment/CT simulation. Transfer patient safely to treatment/simulation couch. Maintain both visual and audio contact with the patient at all times during treatment. If either the television camera system or intercom system is not working, the patient shall not be treated.

​​​​​​​Obtain kV x-rays and CBCT images of patient setups for documentation and QC purposes, as prescribed. Review images with the Radiation Oncologist and make corrections deemed necessary by the physician.

​​​​​​​Perform daily, weekly, and monthly checks of the simulator and safety equipment (i.e., eye wash station), as required. Under the supervision of Dosimetrist and/or medical physicist perform daily QC checks of simulation and radiation therapy equipment and maintain QC records. Document and report any problems/discrepancies to Medical Physicist or Chief of Radiation Oncology, as applicable.

​​​​​​​Prepare and use treatment aids (molds, blocks, tissue compensating devices, bolus, etc.). Assist in tumor localization, dosimetry, procedures, follow-up, and other clinical examinations of patients.

​​​​​​​Assist in an emergency treatment of patients and with pre-treatment monitor unit calculations in emergent setting, as needed.

​​​​​​​Provide ongoing education and reinforcement to patients regarding side effects and technical aspects of radiation therapy. Observe patient for unusual reactions and events, reporting observations to the Radiation Oncologist. Bring irregularities or difficulties during treatment immediately to the attention of Medical Physicist or Radiation

Oncologist, as appropriate.

​​​​​​​Document delivered treatment clearly, according to departmental procedures. Maintain records of daily treatment and other records as required in Record & Verify Computer System ARIA. Communicate information regarding treatment to other therapists. Review and recommend prescriptions for planned modifications and anticipate activity related to such.

​​​​​​​Maintain QC of patient records by reviewing charts on a regular basis to verify that all QC procedures and documentation are correct. Participate in other QC activities or programs as assigned by the medical physicist or physician.

​​​​​​​Ensure the treatment machine is operated IAW the manufacturer’s guidance, all applicable laws, Radiation Oncology Clinic and medical group guidance, and any additional directions provided by medical physicist. Observe radiation safety measures for patients and staff. Report problems with the treatment machines directly to Medical Physicist and Chief of Radiation Oncology, the service support engineer (if applicable), Medical Equipment Repair Center (MERC) (if applicable), and assist in documenting and ensuring resolution of the problem.

​​​​​​​Maintain the mold lab, linear accelerator vault, control console, and simulator room; ensuring all needed equipment and supplies are on hand and in compliance with the MDGIs.

​​​​​​​Secure and maintain required supplies. Requisition of material will be accomplished through the assigned Property Custodian of the Radiation Oncology Clinic.

​​​​​​​Orient new staff to procedures for simulation and treatment machines.

​​​​​​​Maintain orderliness and cleanliness of Radiation Oncology Clinic. Assist with other duties, including administrative duties within clinic, as needed.

​​​​​​​Maintain familiarity with and observe all Federal, State, Department of Defense (DoD), AF, MTF, and departmental regulations and requirements applicable to the services to be performed under this contract.

​​​​​​​Check charts of patients under treatment for completeness and accuracy. Attend planning conferences, chart rounds, and other required departmental and hospital meetings.

​​​​​​​Will comply with the wear, use, and maintenance of all required personal protective equipment (to include, but not limited to respiratory protection) as required to perform normal duties, as identified by Bioenvironmental Engineering occupational health surveillance.