Radiation Medicine Therapist - Radiation Oncology
POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Chief Radiation Medicine Technologist and under the general supervision, delivers accurate dosages of radiation using up-to-date equipment and documents same in order to fulfill the prescription given by the physician and provide quality patient care.
Position: Radiation Medicine Therapist
Department: Radiation Oncology
Schedule: Part Time
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:
- Prepares and positions patients according to established procedure.
- Reviews patient treatment chart for prescription, treatment time and prescribed dose, and prepares treatment room and equipment according to procedure.
- Explains procedures to patients, to elicit their cooperation; reassures patients regarding treatment reactions, and advises on care of irradiated body areas.
- Prepares patients for treatment, moving patients from wheelchair or lifter to treatment table as needed.
- Positions patient, sets up equipment and adjusts and activities controls.
- Administers prescribed radiation therapy to patients according to established procedure.
- Places blocks and/or wedges as necessary.
- Monitors patient during treatments for movement using television screen and intercom system.
- Monitors overall condition of patient, checking for skin changes and discoloration, and discusses with patient his/her physical condition noting changes such as nausea, sore throat and the like and determining whether it is necessary to consult physician prior to treatment.
- Ensures that blood counts and port films are satisfactory and recorded weekly.
- Calculates surface dose, depth, cumulating, and total doses of radiation, in the absence of the Radiation Physicist.
- Assists Physicist in taking contours and measurements on the patient and assists in verifying the treatment plans.
- Documents treatment in patient chart according to prescribed practice.
- Records in patient’s chart exact dosage delivered and draws diagrams of patient’s treatment fields, and updates diagrams to reflect and document changes in original set-up as ordered by physicians.
- Cleans and maintains equipment.
- Performs related service duties such as keeping treatment room supplied with necessary supplies and general cleaning of work area.
- Inspects all equipment safety interlocks according to established procedure.
- Monitors equipment and reports malfunctions.
- Performs related clerical and technical duties such as filing and maintaining required records, scheduling appointments, maintaining adequate supplies in treatment rooms, attending patient care conferences.
- Keeps abreast of developments in trends and techniques of radiation therapy through appropriate technical journals and participation in educational programs and meetings.
- Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided.
- Fosters interpersonal relationships with patients, visitors, physicians and fellow employees in a courteous, professional and friendly manner.
- Maintains all designated hospital information confidential at all times.
- Utilizes hospital's Values as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the division's hospital mission.
- Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
- Performs other duties as needed.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION:
- Requires knowledge of Radiation Medicine generally acquired through completion of an Associate’s Degree or equivalent from an accredited institution.
EXPERIENCE:
- Requires knowledge of department policies and procedures, familiarity with equipment, and proper set-up of equipment normally acquired through three to six months on-the-job training.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
- Requires analytical ability to determine proper set-up of equipment and patient, calculate length of treatment and detect adverse reactions to treatments.
- Must have interpersonal skills sufficient to work with others and deal effectively with patients.
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