Radiation Therapist - Oncology Services - Full Time

Radiation Therapist

Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shift

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center is a 444-bed hospital recognized for pairing clinical expertise with advanced medical technology to deliver exceptional care. Our facility also offers specialized services in bariatric surgery, robotic surgery, minimally invasive spine procedures, and advanced orthopedic care.

Fort Sanders Regional is part of Covenant Health, East Tennessee's largest nonprofit health system and a Becker's "Top 150 Places to Work in Healthcare." Covenant Health includes nine hospitals and nearly 150 service locations, offering employees a comprehensive benefits package with tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, certification bonuses, and leadership development programs.

The Radiation Therapist II is an experienced radiation therapist and provides accurate radiation treatment to patients as prescribed by the radiation oncologist while also developing a positive, trusting, caring, and professional relationship with patients and coworkers. Responsible to administer therapeutic radiation to pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients under the direct and indirect supervision of the radiation oncology team leaders including Lead Therapist, Supervisor/Manager/Director of Radiation Oncology, Medical Physics, and the Radiation Oncologist. Increased responsibilities including acting as primary therapist, independently completes or leads more complex tasks, shares insights, and trains new or less experienced RTs. Enhances departmental operations through consistently respectful and positive communication with coworkers, patients, patients' family members, and visitors. Works with radiation oncology team to identify, prepare, and construct equipment such as immobilization devices, treatment tools, and protection devices to achieve repeatable patient positioning per the radiation treatment plans.

When working as a team with another therapist, acts as a double check for safety and quality.

Positions patients for treatment (utilizing treatment devices when prescribed) with accuracy according to radiation oncologist's prescription.

Administers the prescribed doses of radiation defined in patient's treatment plan, to the specified target area of the patient's body using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards.

Performs all safety and quality checks on radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation. Effectively communicates treatment machine issues to radiation oncology leaders and the operating engineers.

Educates, prepares, and reassures patients and their families by answering questions, providing physical assistance, and reinforcing physician's advice regarding treatment reactions and post-treatment care.

Enters accurate patient data into equipment computer and set controls to operate and adjust radiation therapy delivery equipment and regulate dosage.

Observes and reassures patients during and after treatment and reports to physician any unusual reactions or concerns about changes in patient's status.

Troubleshoots problems with equipment, patient medical conditions, and patient satisfaction situations and escalates concerns that cannot be immediately corrected.

Maintains accurate and timely records per department/practice guidelines, including information as radiation dosages, elapsed days, equipment settings, appropriate charge capture, and patients' reactions.

Follows procedures to respond quickly and without immediate assistance in an emergency.

Communicates effectively in writing and speaking to convey information professionally and accurately.

Participates in maintaining neat, clean, and stocked treatment rooms and console area.

Works toward achieving department goals and objectives and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.

Trains and supervises Radiation Therapy students or newly hired radiation therapists.

Participates in radiation specific educational opportunities and training sessions to further professional growth and skills.

Acts as treatment room lead for SBRT Delivery.

Acts as treatment room lead for pediatric sedation treatment delivery.

Collaborates with medical physics and equipment / proton engineers to complete daily machine QA.

Completes patient specific QA as requested by Medical Physics.

Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Works toward achieving goals and objectives and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.

Minimum of two (2) years' experience as a Certified Radiation Therapist and demonstrated ability to complete tasks, meeting the required skills to promote into the Radiation Therapist II position is required.

Covenant Health