Radiation Therapist

Description

Delivers radiation treatment as prescribed by a radiation oncologist, including simulation, patient setup, imaging, and accurate dose delivery. Performs dose calculations, chart checks, and routine quality assurance on treatment and simulation equipment to ensure safe, consistent, high-quality radiation therapy.

JOB SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

1. Performs radiation therapy procedures according to physician orders and departmental guidelines; determines and prepares setup within established parameters, calculates monitor units, and documents treatment information in the patient record.
2. Performs daily warm-up, start-up, and quality control checks on treatment and simulation equipment; performs patient-specific physics QA as assigned; reports equipment malfunction or adverse conditions to appropriate personnel.
3. Performs chart checks for accuracy and documentation at initial, weekly, post-treatment, and plan-change intervals.
4. Constructs and evaluates treatment aids, bolus material, and positioning and immobilization devices for suitability and accuracy.
5. Educates patients and families on the radiation therapy course, including appointments, skin care, treatment field care, and attire.
6. Assesses patient needs and treatment-related problems, recommends intervention, and acts in accordance with physician practice and departmental policy.
7. Schedules patients for daily treatments, on-treatment visits, and CT simulation, and coordinates with social work on transportation and travel needs.
8. Verifies insurance authorization is in place for the treatment course.
9. Evaluates accessories for damage and coordinates repair; communicates downtime and malfunctions to the engineering team; confirms with radiation therapy leadership and medical physics that equipment is safe for patient use following service.
10. During equipment downtime, coordinates continuity of treatment across sites, including patient rescheduling and transport of immobilization devices.
11. Supports the clinical and didactic education of radiation therapy and diagnostic imaging students.
12. Adheres to radiation safety standards, maintains treatment room readiness and supplies, and implements EMR and equipment updates into daily workflow.

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS : Subject to overtime and call back as required by the institution. May be required to travel to multiple CARTI Cancer Centers and Clinics.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY : N/A

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE and REGISTRATION:

1. Associate degree or higher.
2. Completion of a radiation therapy program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
3. Current Radiation Therapy Technologist (RRT) license issued by the Arkansas Department of Health. A temporary license is acceptable at hire; permanent licensure must be obtained before the temporary license expires.
4. Current registration in radiation therapy with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, ARRT (T). Registry-eligible candidates may be considered, with registration obtained before the Arkansas temporary license expires.
5. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

1. Skill and proficiency in the technical field of radiation therapy technology
2. Knowledge of institution and departmental policies and procedures, chart coding, scheduling, physicians' protocols (prerogatives), equipment operation, maintenance, safety and quality control guidelines as acquired through clinical rotation of all treatment areas (machines) for a period of six months to one and one-half years.

REASONING ABILITY:

1. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
2. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

1. Must interact and communicate both verbally and in written form.
2. Must interact and exchange information regarding patients with physicians and other departmental personnel, and outside agencies on a frequent basis while respecting the confidentiality of patient information.
3. Ability to use tact and diplomacy in making recommendations, reporting errors or problems, securing information or discussing patient treatments when dealing with physicians and therapists on a frequent basis.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
2. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
3. The employee frequently performs moderate lifting of patients, machine accessories, and patient devices/equipment.
4. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This position involves potential exposure to infectious diseases. Colleagues are offered appropriate vaccinations and safety training.

COMMENTS :

This description is intended to describe the essential job functions, the general supplemental functions and the essential requirements for the performance of the job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

SAFETY SENSITIVE

This position is a Safety Sensitive Position. The essential functions, physical demands, and mental competencies of this job require the employee maintain the ability to work in a constant state of alertness in a safe manner.