Radiation Therapist

Now offering sign-on bonuses up to $15,000 based on experience.

Summary:

The primary purpose of the Radiation Therapist position is to function in a specialized area of radiation therapy in the role of direct patient care provider in the Department of Radiation Oncology. The scope of position is defined by New Mexico Environment Department's Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Program, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists Practice Standards of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, and the Standards of Care for Radiation Therapy Services for the Department of Radiation Oncology.

Required: Must be a graduate of a JRCERT accredited program in radiation therapy or a suitable equivalent.

Required: Certified and registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists in Radiation Therapy. Must be certified and licensed by the New Mexico Environment Department's Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Program within 30 days of hire.

Medical Radiologic Technologist.

Education Essential:

• Associate Degree

Credentials Essential:

• NM Radiography Tech

Responsibilities:

Administers safe and accurate radiation therapy treatment.

Clinical Practice Management:

• Ensures accurate treatment delivery and data capture, the radiation therapist demonstrates sound clinical judgment and adheres to accurate treatment and simulation delivery.
• Gathers necessary set-up aids and prepares room and equipment for patient.
• Demonstrates necessary manual dexterity and psychomotor skills to operate and manipulate the mechanical motions of complex radiation-emitting treatment units. Works under stress and pressure.
• Adapts without difficulty to changes in work schedule or assigned area as departmental patient load dictates.
• Visually monitors patient for unusual reaction and events and reports same to radiation oncologist throughout the course of radiation therapy.
• Explains treatment procedure to the patient as it is performed communicating in a clear, concise voice; answers patient's and family's questions and defers those not within his/her competence to the radiation oncologist. Verbally reinforces radiation oncologist's advice to patient regarding reactions to treatment and their care. Recognizes patient's needs and responds to them appropriately. Refers patient to other allied health specialists, such as a social workers, dietitians and nursing.

Performs and maintains Quality Assurance activities.

Quality Assurance Management:

• Complies with departmental quality assurance practices.
• Visually ascertains that consent forms for radiation therapy are in the treatment record and have been signed by the patient before administering the treatment.
• Monitors and maintains daily treatment records and machine QA, inclusive of but not limited to the following: adheres to portal image review/approval guidelines as required by the department makes adjustments in field placement as needed.
• Verbally notifies physics or engineering if measurements do not fall into accepted parameters. Visually recognizes and reports erratic operation of equipment to supervisor, engineering staff and/or Administrative Director for Therapy Services.
• Checks prescription, set-up instructions, new start procedures, and patient information in the record and verify system, etc. Reviews the records for any discrepancies between the prescription, treatment plan, and amendments.
• Attends planning clinic as assigned.
• Performs, monitors, and maintains mandatory quality control activities and documentation.

Maintains Competency Management

Competency Management:

• Ensures that appropriate clinical skills are learned and maintained to support treatment and simulation delivery, the radiation therapist demonstrates and adheres to:
• Maintenance of departmentally identified base competencies inclusive of performing calculations.
• Accurate documentation and maintenance of competency assessment criteria.
• Facilitates learning consistent with expectations of documented competency level by attending lectures, seminars, and in-services to stay abreast of new techniques and to comply with licensure and competency requirements.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills and professional behaviors (soft skills) and participation in competency assessments.
• Consistently works within the scope of practice and competency level outlined in Natural Progression Plan.

Participates in clinical instruction/evaluation

Education and Training Management:

• Demonstrates practice related learning, share knowledge and skills learned to students and peers.
• Participates in departmental/institutional learning initiatives and in-services.
• Orients and teaches new students/therapists rotating to treatment unit.

Adhere to departmental guidelines and institutional policies

• Adheres to department policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Completes internal variance forms for any error and forwards it to the supervisor for follow up within 24 hours.
• Consistently adheres to all departmental policies concerning radiation therapy treatment, attendance, and dress code.
• Adheres to Kronos Procedures, effective time management.
• Utilizes resources and controls resources through careful management of supplies and equipment.
• Effectively uses the experience and abilities of other staff members.
• Willing to take instruction, discipline, correction, and guidance.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm and shows initiative to begin, complete and improve all actions required to accomplish job.

Other duties as assigned.

• Safe and effective use of linear accelerator for basic radiation treatments, as well as treat a heterotopic site from beginning to end
• Mastery of daily Quality Assurance of Linear Accelerator, Active Breathing Coordinator and iGuide system.
• Able to complete an in-depth chart check of new patients.
• Able to fabricate an electron block