Radiation Therapist

New graduates encouraged to apply! Sign-on bonus and relocation may be available.

The Registered Radiation Therapist provides daily care of cancer patients, including accurate interpretation and delivery of radiation treatments, in accordance with the prescription and instruction of the radiation oncologist. The Radiation Therapist performs simulations and provides clinical instruction for radiation therapy students. In addition, the Radiation Therapist will be required during Brachytherapy procedures, on-call, and treatment scheduling. The Radiation Therapist must be able to assist in treatment planning procedures including tumor localization and dosimetry; triage sick patients to nursing for evaluation; and to perform daily quality assurance protocols. The Radiation Therapist may be required to work mandatory overtime and shift work.

Responsibilities and Duties

Reviews prescriptions, diagnosis, chart, and patient identification, for each patient receiving treatment.

Schedules patients for appointments provides education for pre-and-post treatment.

Prepares treatment room and equipment for patient according to the prescription, immobilization devices, field sizes, treatment devices, distance, lead (Pb) protection devices, etc.

Ensures collaboration with physicist and dosimetrist occurs at initiation of each treatment.

Acts as liaison with supportive care physicians, nurses, and social workers.

Ensures communication remains open with doctors, therapists, RN’s and dosimetrists.

Takes and checks images of all treated areas, process and file.

Transfers patients to treatment couch, ensuring awareness of I.V.s and other equipment.

Maintains visual and audible contact with patient during treatments to monitor for unusual reactions or events. Reports to the designated personnel and assists in emergency treatment when necessary.

Maintains patient markings, changing only according to physician direction.

Reinforces recommendations given to the patient by the physician, dietitian, etc., concerning reaction to treatment and care of the radiated area (dressing, hygiene, etc.), prevention or treatment of generalized and local side effects. Changes dressings as necessary.

Ensures radiation safety measures and protocol are observed at all times.

Checks charges daily for accurate billing and documents treatment doses accurately.

Treats patients using the original electronic chart at all times.

Checks name and date of birth along with treatment area and records in the daily timeout.

Ensures proper set-up in CT for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and 3-D patients. Creates proper immobilization devices for 2-D, 3-D, and IMRT patients.

Documents proper set-up instructions and all pertinent information for dosimetry calculations in charts.

Updates simulation manual as required.

Reviews documents and cuts and prepares blocks for next day simulations.

Education

Completion of an accredited program in Radiation Therapy required.

Certification & Licensure

Registration through American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is required.

BLS Certification (Basic Life Support) - American Heart ‘Healthcare Provider’ (HCP) - AHA approved is required. New hires must have American Heart Association (AHA) appropriate certification prior to completion of orientation.

Qualifications

Analytical ability to set up equipment properly, and position and align patients and equipment to very close tolerances and recreate such positions on a daily basis required.

Interpersonal skills necessary to explain therapy and treatment programs to patients to allay apprehensions and elicit their cooperation required.

Strong skills to effectively communication with physicians/staff/physicist required.

Ability to communicate with and provide care for adolescent, adult and geriatric patients required.