Radiation Therapist

Major Responsibilities

Accountable for the accurate delivery of the prescribed dose of radiation for treatment of cancer

• Positions patients in accordance with setup instructions and ensures proper immobilization to accurately deliver the radiation dosage to the proper site.
• Assists physicians with the various procedures by making recommendations, suggestions with regard to technical limitations of equipment and/or patients and the ability to successfully administer therapy.
• Monitors and evaluates patient symptoms of clinical importance to determine when to withhold treatment and when to confer with physicians.
• Schedules patients for outpatient appointments.
• Participates in special treatment delivery options such as brachytherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery.
• Able to perform CT simulation techniques when assigned
• Provides instruction and supervision to students participating in clinical program.
• Monitors patient’s weight on a weekly basis and notifies registered nurse of significant changes.
• Promotes patient safety by reporting of issues through established channels and participating as requested in safety initiatives.
• Calculates treatment units according to prescription and parameters.
• Assesses treatment plans and setups and executes them
• Takes weekly verification films of all areas being treated.
  
  

Compliance with State and Accrediting Organization requirements in regard to radiation safety and protection, to protect patients and staff.

• Maintains licensure and demonstrates evidence of.
• Attends scheduled in-services to review safety practices.
• Maintains audio and visual contact with the patients at all times during the treatment.
• Wear appropriate monitoring device to detect personnel exposure.
  
  

Responsible for monitoring equipment operations and reporting of any malfunctions or peculiarities to ensure proper function prior to treatment of patients

• Monitors output of equipment and beam devices on a daily basis.
• Maintains a log of equipment malfunctions.
  
  

Documentation of all pertinent treatment data in the patient's radiation therapy records and obtains any needed information for its completion

• Enters charges into IMPAC computer system as procedures are performed.
• Completes daily documentation of each patient's treatment in computer/paper chart
• Monitors patient charts to ensure that blood counts and other tests are ordered and recorded
  
  

Stays abreast of new advances in the field o radiation therapy

• Reads professional literature as it relates to the field of radiation therapy.
• Attends professional society meetings, training courses and in-services to maintain knowledge and skills
  
  

Education/Experience Required: Graduate of an ARRT approved School of

Radiation Therapy Technology.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: Knowledge of a variety of treatment modalities.

Experience With Linear Accelerators, Simulators And Communication Skills.

CPR certification.

ARRT license, or ARRT registry eligible and required to obtain licensure within 6 months of hire date. The ARRT License within 6 months of hire is a condition of continued employment. Failure to meet this requirement will result in termination of employment.

Active license from the State of Illinois IEMA Division of Nuclear Safety.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

Ability to communicate with patients

Ability to lift heavy weight requirements according to DOL definitions

Ability to work under stressful conditions and situations

Ability to work safely with Radiation

• This position will need to recognize the needs and behaviors of a variety of age groups of patients treated, i.e., understand child growth and development, normal patterns of adolescent behavior and look for signs of normal aging; prior experience with various age groups is preferred.
  
  

If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015.

Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.