Radiation Therapist I, Palo Alto

Radiation Therapist

Stanford is a destination for complex cases using state of the art technology and advanced treatment. At Stanford Health Care, we see our allied health practitioners as critical contributors to our pioneering services. Working at the heart of medicine, we invite you to bring your very best to our team. Whether you're a Radiation Therapist, Physicist Assistant, Dosimetrist, Patient Admin Specialist, or one of dozens of other specialties, there's a place for your talents here.

Changing the Future of the Radiation Therapy: Radiation Therapists serve patient populations including Adults, Pediatrics, Veterans, and BMT amongst others. Our Allied Health team members serve on the front lines with opportunities to:

• Treat local, national, and international patients.
• Administer innovative treatment, such as total skin and total body therapy utilizing advanced machines like ViewRay, RefleXion, Cyberknife, IORT, Varian True Beam with Vision RT, and soon Proton Therapy System.
• Participate in clinical trials in partnership with the Stanford School of Medicine to be at the forefront of new treatments and methods of treating cancer.
• Research based facilities within an academic university medical center.

Be Part of a Tight Knit Team: Our departments foster a close-knit, collaborative, and supportive culture to deliver top-tier care to our patients and we take pride in the quality of work shaping the healing process for patients and their families. The Radiation Therapy team values professionalism, patient-centric care, and mutually support both within and outside their roles.

Opportunities to Grow: Allied Health professionals in Radiation Therapy have access to:

• Working in Radiation Therapy at Stanford Health Care involves utilizing a diverse range of cutting-edge treatment machines, such as the RefleXion system, which is a PET image-based machine, ViewRay, and MRI imaging treatment device, Cyberknife, Intraoperative Radiation Therapy, Brachytherapy, and soon-to-come Proton System.
• Advanced knowledge through ongoing onsite and webinar trainings.
• Explore opportunities in dosimetry, education, research, and leadership.
• Participate in quality committees and process improvement projects to establish standards of best practice.

A Brief Overview

Radiation Therapists are skilled, state-licensed technologists that provide radiation therapy as prescribed by a Radiologist or Oncologist, according to established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel; preparing equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices; and maintaining records, reports, and files. May assist in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.

This job description covers all classifications for RTTs within the organization. All RTTs must meet all elements of the Essential Functions, Qualifications, and Supervision. There is a voluntary Career Ladder for RTTs who are interested in promotions for expertise and contributions to the institution as well as the profession. Promotion is determined based on the Radiation Therapist Career Ladder document.

LEVEL I: Entry level

LEVEL II: Meets Career Ladder criteria for RTT II

LEVEL III: Meets Career Ladder criteria for RTT III

LEVEL IV: Meets Career Ladder Criteria for RTT IV

*Determined based on technical proficiency and years of experience

What you will do

• Delivers treatment to patients and/or performs patient simulations according to written prescriptions, treatment plans, and orders provided by the Radiation Oncologist. Explains treatment procedures to patient and/or family. Refers medical questions to appropriate personnel. Provides safety in patient care through the consistent practice of department protocols, policies and procedures for treatment administration. Recognizes deviations from prescribed treatment delivery and reports all deviations to the Operations Manager.
• Uses C*I*CARE principles and techniques to provide explanations for treatment-related procedures. Responds effectively to patient concerns. Observes patients for expected and unexpected reactions to treatments and communicates this to appropriate staff members. Reinforces patient education/side-effect management information and indicates non-compliance to medical/nursing staff.
• Assures the quality of treatment delivery through the complete and accurate documentation of treatment records.
• Displays a thorough understanding of radiation oncology billing and coding. Reviews treatment/ simulation documentation and billing on a daily basis for accuracy and completeness and works closely with radiation oncology coders.
• Maintains an atmosphere of caring, concern and support for patients and their families, visitors, medical staff and co-workers on a consistent basis.
• Maintains a safe and orderly patient treatment room. Assesses potential problems or difficulties with a set-up. Checks safety controls and devices in the treatment room daily and reports problems to the Manager-Radiation Therapy. Performs warm up and calibration checks of equipment, as necessary.
• Performs other related and incidental duties as needed or assigned.

Education Qualifications

• Requirement met by License/Certification requirement

Experience Qualifications

• Requirement met by License/Certification requirement

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of principles, practices and procedures involved in the operation of modern radiation therapy equipment and systems including simulation, imaging, and treatment procedures
• Knowledge of the human anatomy and proper positioning of the patient to provide treatment as prescribed
• Knowledge of principles and methods to ensure safety and quality control
• Knowledge of training, coaching and mentoring techniques
• Knowledge of scheduling and billing procedures
• Ability to consistently demonstrate a high level of clinical reasoning and knowledge in the assessment and treatment of patients
• Ability to direct, lead, coach, and instruct Radiation Therapists and support staff as well as plan, assign and review work performed by them
• Ability to keep abreast with current developments in clinical practice
• Ability to assume responsibility for department projects and initiatives, such as safety, training, continuing education, performance and quality improvement
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with others

Licenses and Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
• ARRT-RTT
• CA-RTT

These principles apply to ALL employees:

• SHC Commitment to Providing an Exceptional Patient & Family Experience Stanford Health Care sets a high standard for delivering value and an exceptional experience for our patients and families. Candidates for employment and existing employees must adopt and execute C-I-CARE standards for all of patients, families and towards each other. C-I-CARE is the foundation of Stanford's patient-experience and represents a framework for patient-centered interactions. Simply put, we do what it takes to enable and empower patients and families to focus on health, healing and recovery. You will do this by executing against our three experience pillars, from the patient and family's perspective:
  • Know Me: Anticipate my needs and status to deliver effective care
  • Show Me the Way: Guide and prompt my actions to arrive at better outcomes and better health
  • Coordinate for Me: Own the complexity of my care through coordination

Equal Opportunity Employer Stanford Health Care (SHC) strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all of its policies and practices, including the area of employment. Accordingly, SHC does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity and/or expression, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability, or the perception of any of the above. People of all genders, members of all racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with criminal convictions will be considered after an individualized assessment of the conviction and the job requirements.

Base Pay Scale: Generally starting at $66.52 - $88.14 per hour

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. This pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage.