What are the responsibilities and job description for the Radiation Therapist position at Valley Health?
New and upcoming graduates encouraged to apply!
Sign-on bonus and relocation assistance may be available
.
The Registered Radiation Therapist provides daily care of cancer patients, including accurate interpretation and delivery of radiation treatments, in accordance with the prescription and instruction of the radiation oncologist. The Radiation Therapist performs simulations and provides clinical instruction for radiation therapy students. In addition, the Radiation Therapist will be required during Brachytherapy procedures, on-call, and treatment scheduling. The Radiation Therapist must be able to assist in treatment planning procedures including tumor localization and dosimetry; triage sick patients to nursing for evaluation; and to perform daily quality assurance protocols. The Radiation Therapist may be required to work mandatory overtime and shift wor
k.
Responsibilities and Dut
ies
Reviews prescriptions, diagnosis, chart, and patient identification, for each patient receiving treatm
ent.
Schedules patients for appointments provides education for pre-and-post treat
ment.
Prepares treatment room and equipment for patient according to the prescription, immobilization devices, field sizes, treatment devices, distance, lead (Pb) protection devices
, etc.
Ensures collaboration with physicist and dosimetrist occurs at initiation of each tre
atment.
Acts as liaison with supportive care physicians, nurses, and social
workers.
Ensures communication remains open with doctors, therapists, RN’s and dosi
metrists.
Takes and checks images of all treated areas, process
and file.
Transfers patients to treatment couch, ensuring awareness of I.V.s and other
equipment.
Maintains visual and audible contact with patient during treatments to monitor for unusual reactions or events. Reports to the designated personnel and assists in emergency treatment whe
n necessary.
Maintains patient markings, changing only according to physici
an direction.
Reinforces recommendations given to the patient by the physician, dietitian, etc., concerning reaction to treatment and care of the radiated area (dressing, hygiene, etc.), prevention or treatment of generalized and local side effects. Changes dressings
as necessary.
Ensures radiation safety measures and protocol are observe
d at all times.
Checks charges daily for accurate billing and documents treatment d
oses accurately.
Treats patients using the original electronic ch
art at all times.
Checks name and date of birth along with treatment area and records in
the daily timeout.
Ensures proper set-up in CT for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and 3-D patients. Creates proper immobilization devices for 2-D, 3-D,
and IMRT patients.
Documents proper set-up instructions and all pertinent information for dosimetry cal
culations in charts.
Updates simulatio
n manual as required.
Reviews documents and cuts and prepares blocks for
next day
simulations.
EducationCompletion of an accredited program in Radi
ation Therapy required.
Certi
fication & LicensureRegistration through American Registry of Radiologic Technolog
ists (ARRT) is required.
BLS Certification (Basic Life Support) - American Heart ‘Healthcare Provider’ (HCP) - AHA approved is required. New hires must have American Heart Association (AHA) appropriate certification prior to c
ompletion of o
rientation.
QualificationsAnalytical ability to set up equipment properly, and position and align patients and equipment to very close tolerances and recreate such positions
on a daily basis required.
Interpersonal skills necessary to explain therapy and treatment programs to patients to allay apprehensions and elicit
their cooperation required.
Strong skills to effectively communication with physicia
ns/staff/physicist required.
Ability to communicate with and provide care for adolescent, adult and
geriatric patients required.
Qualifications for Re
- gistered Radiation Therapist IPerformance Standards in accordance with
- VH mission statement required.Machine warm-up req
- uired within 6 months of hire.Ability to
- run simulation alo
- ne optional.Lead HDR optional.Lead Ste