Radiation Therapist

Job Description

Job Summary:

• Delivers therapeutic radiation in accordance with the prescription and instructions provided by the Radiation Oncologist.
• Checks the prescription to ensure accuracy of dosage and to eliminate errors.
• Takes and interprets port-images to determine accuracy; ensures image is reviewed and approved by a Radiation Oncologist.
• Prepares treatment room and equipment for patient including immobilization devices, field parameters and beam shaping.
• Explains procedures and setup patients for treatment.
• Observes and reports changes in patient’s condition to the Radiation Oncologist or radiation therapy nurse.
• Records treatment administered in patients’ charts and record/verify system.
• Performs chart check and report any discrepancy.
• Performs daily QA and safety check as required by the regulations.
• Maintains equipment in safe and good working condition.
• Reports defects or deficiencies for adjustment and repair to the chief technologist and/or medical physicist.
• Maintains work area in a clean and orderly condition.
• Stock and replenish supplies as needed.
• Performs other related duties

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Accurately sets-up patients for treatment.
• Administers radiation treatments.
• Maintains accurate daily treatment records.
• Perform simple dose calculations using computer software.
• Checks the Radiation Oncologist’s prescription to determine any mathematical or technical errors.
• Performs safety checks on treatment machines/simulators and records data daily.
• Verifies/Localizes treatment area using radiographic film or electronic medium and submits films to appropriate staff for further action.
• Interprets beam films to determine accuracy and follows through with having films checked and approved by the appropriate Radiation Oncologist.
• Understands the function of the equipment and is able to use it to its full potential.
• Understands the use of wedges and compensating filters, appreciates the misuse or omission during treatment.
• Understand all procedures and practices before proceeding with the patient set-up. Contacts the appropriate staff if uncomfortable or unsure of procedure.
• Detects treatment unit malfunctions and knows when safe limits of malfunction have been reached.
• Reports malfunction to Senior Therapist, Chief Therapist and Physics.
• Explains treatment procedure to patients, answer questions, and reassures patient in order to alleviate fears and/or apprehension.
• Tends to patient modesty.
• Maintains visual and audible communication with the patient during treatment.
• Reports any unusual or adverse patient reactions, as a result of radiation treatment, to the appropriate staff member.
• Is responsible for instructing student radiation therapist.
• Assists Senior Therapist in the evaluation of students at the end of their rotation.
• Maintains an organized treatment room, stocked with supplies.
• Assist Senior Therapist with chart checks and scheduling as needed.
• Attends chart rounds, displays films and participates in discussion of patient treatment.
• Attends in service and ad hoc training sessions.
• Creates immobilization devices during simulator rotation.
• Create/adjust shielding block as needed.
• Keeps patients in waiting area informed of delays and any progress made in the resolution of the delays.
• Displays professional behavior at all times.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience:

• Graduate of AMA approved school in radiation therapy.
• Experience on Varian TrueBeam technology & EMR.
• One year experience in clinical therapeutic radiation therapy.

Schedule Hours Per Week: 40.00
Schedule Hours Per Day: 8.00
Schedule Days Per Week: 5.00