Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist

Job Title

This vacancy will remain open until filled. The incumbent will be expected to give oversight, training and encouragement to lower grade therapists. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Schedules treatments in a manner as to optimize accelerator times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases. This requires the ability to prioritize scheduled patients as well as the ability to accommodate the emergency patient who may need immediate simulation and treatment.
• Performs quality control of the treatment machines by taking recorded readings every morning prior to patient treatments using the dosimetry verification and record system for each energy level. Obtaining machine check for rotational therapy and electronic dynamic wedge verification. Performs daily imaging procedures to ensure correct operations. Alerts appropriate staff as necessary if parameters fall outside the recommendations.
• Identifies individual patient by the required identification methods set forth by hospital policy and departmental procedures before simulation and each daily radiation treatment is delivered.
• Ability to determine the appropriate timely sequence for patient studies and any special orders required.
• Verifies patient consent prior to initiating CT simulation.
• Prepares required contrast materials that are to be used for treatment simulations. Ensures proper use and administration of the contrast materials to avoid the risk of patient morbidity and mortality, therefore it is essential that the therapist has a thorough understanding of contrast material usage.
• Must be alert to patient's condition and other disorders. Reactions on the part of the patient require immediate attention so that harm does not come to the patient.
• Properly operates CT simulator, provides reproducible patient treatment position sets-ups. That can be accurately used for daily treatments on the Linear Accelerator.
• After CT scan is acquired and isocenter or reference point is obtained, the therapist will provide set-up DDR's for use in treatment planning and transfer the data set to the dosimetry treatment planning system.
• Verifies patient's treatment area daily in the treatment machine vault.
• Performs simulation verification before prescribed treatment. Accurately reproduces initial (simulation set-up, with proper patient positioning, immobilizing devices, to ensure proper alignment and quality treatment.
• Obtains isocenter verification, treatment field verification of conformal blocking, with multi-leaf collimator, or cerro-bend blocking.
• Obtains isocenter verification as needed by the use to cone bean CT and or the use of the on-board imaging system.
• Verifies correct multi-leaf collimation and electronic dynamic wedges.
• Delivers prescribed mode of treatment in accordance with prescribed radiation prescription. This included conventional, 3-D conformal, electron delivery, IMRT treatment delivery, IGRT treatment delivery, and Rapid Arc treatment delivery.
• Practices radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patients, staff, and self, in compliance with department and VA radiation safety procedures to maintain occupational exposures "as low as reasonable achievable" (ALARA). This is achieved by the use of lead-lined treatment room walls, cornered doorways, distance management, and conscientious accident-free beam-on times.
• Assists patients to and from the treatment room, as well as in transferring on and off the treatment table as necessary. Utilizing all patient transfer aids.
• The ability to work as a contributing and cooperative part of the radiation oncology team, communicating and interacting with all team members in a tactful, respectful and professional manner. Thus contributing to the effective operations of the workplace and continued development of a collaborative working relationship with all colleagues.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm

Telework: Not Available.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 50862-F.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.