Radiation Therapist, Palo Alto

Stanford Health Care•Palo Alto, CA

3d•$67 - $88•Onsite

About The Position

Radiation Therapists serve patient populations including Adults, Pediatrics, Veterans, and BMT amongst others. Our Allied Health team members serve on the front lines with opportunities to treat local, national, and international patients. Administer innovative treatment, such as total skin and total body therapy utilizing advanced machines like ViewRay, RefleXion, Cyberknife, IORT, Varian True Beam with Vision RT, and soon Proton Therapy System. Participate in clinical trials in partnership with the Stanford School of Medicine to be at the forefront of new treatments and methods of treating cancer. Radiation Therapists are skilled, state- licensed technologists that provide radiation therapy as prescribed by a Radiologist or Oncologist, according to established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel; preparing equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices; and maintaining records, reports, and files. May assist in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization. Radiation Therapists are skilled, trained and state-licensed technologists that use radiation for cancer treatment that may come from (1) a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy) or (2) from radioactive material placed in the body near tumor cells (internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy). This job description covers all classifications for RTTs within the organization. All RTTs must meet all elements of the Essential Functions, Qualifications, and Supervision. There is a voluntary Career Ladder for RTTs who are interested in promotions for expertise and contributions to the institution as well as the profession. Promotion is determined based on the Radiation Therapist Career Ladder document. LEVEL I: Entry level, LEVEL II: Meets Career Ladder criteria for RTT II, LEVEL III: Meets Career Ladder criteria for RTT III, LEVEL IV: Meets Career Ladder Criteria for RTT IV Determined based on technical proficiency and years of experience. Delivers treatment to patients and/or performs patient simulations according to written prescriptions, treatment plans, and orders provided by the Radiation Oncologist. Explains treatment procedures to patient and/or family. Refers medical questions to appropriate personnel. Provides safety in patient care through the consistent practice of department protocols, policies and procedures for treatment administration. Recognizes deviations from prescribed treatment delivery and reports all deviations to the Operations Manager. Uses CICARE principles and techniques to provide explanations for treatment-related procedures. Responds effectively to patient concerns. Observes patients for expected and unexpected reactions to treatments and communicates this to appropriate staff members. Reinforces patient education/side-effect management information and indicates non-compliance to medical/nursing staff. Assures the quality of treatment delivery through the complete and accurate documentation of treatment records. Displays a thorough understanding of radiation oncology billing and coding. Reviews treatment/ simulation documentation and billing on a daily basis for accuracy and completeness and works closely with radiation oncology coders. Maintains an atmosphere of caring, concern and support for patients and their families, visitors, medical staff and co-workers on a consistent basis. Maintains a safe and orderly patient treatment room. Assesses potential problems or difficulties with a set-up. Checks safety controls and devices in the treatment room daily and reports problems to the Manager-Radiation Therapy. Performs warm up and calibration checks of equipment, as necessary. Performs other related and incidental duties as needed or assigned.

Requirements

State-licensed technologists
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
ARRT-RTT
CA-RTT
Knowledge of principles, practices and procedures involved in the operation of modern radiation therapy equipment and systems including simulation, imaging, and treatment procedures
Knowledge of the human anatomy and proper positioning of the patient to provide treatment as prescribed
Knowledge of principles and methods to ensure safety and quality control
Knowledge of training, coaching and mentoring techniques
Knowledge of scheduling and billing procedures
Ability to consistently demonstrate a high level of clinical reasoning and knowledge in the assessment and treatment of patients
Ability to direct, lead, coach, and instruct Radiation Therapists and support staff as well as plan, assign and review work performed by them
Ability to keep abreast with current developments in clinical practice
Ability to assume responsibility for department projects and initiatives, such as safety, training, continuing education, performance and quality improvement
Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with others

Nice To Haves

Voluntary Career Ladder for RTTs who are interested in promotions for expertise and contributions to the institution as well as the profession.

Responsibilities

Treat local, national, and international patients.
Administer innovative treatment, such as total skin and total body therapy utilizing advanced machines like ViewRay, RefleXion, Cyberknife, IORT, Varian True Beam with Vision RT, and soon Proton Therapy System.
Participate in clinical trials in partnership with the Stanford School of Medicine to be at the forefront of new treatments and methods of treating cancer.
Delivers treatment to patients and/or performs patient simulations according to written prescriptions, treatment plans, and orders provided by the Radiation Oncologist.
Explains treatment procedures to patient and/or family.
Refers medical questions to appropriate personnel.
Provides safety in patient care through the consistent practice of department protocols, policies and procedures for treatment administration.
Recognizes deviations from prescribed treatment delivery and reports all deviations to the Operations Manager.
Uses CICARE principles and techniques to provide explanations for treatment-related procedures.
Responds effectively to patient concerns.
Observes patients for expected and unexpected reactions to treatments and communicates this to appropriate staff members.
Reinforces patient education/side-effect management information and indicates non-compliance to medical/nursing staff.
Assures the quality of treatment delivery through the complete and accurate documentation of treatment records.
Displays a thorough understanding of radiation oncology billing and coding.
Reviews treatment/ simulation documentation and billing on a daily basis for accuracy and completeness and works closely with radiation oncology coders.
Maintains an atmosphere of caring, concern and support for patients and their families, visitors, medical staff and co-workers on a consistent basis.
Maintains a safe and orderly patient treatment room.
Assesses potential problems or difficulties with a set-up.
Checks safety controls and devices in the treatment room daily and reports problems to the Manager-Radiation Therapy.
Performs warm up and calibration checks of equipment, as necessary.
Performs other related and incidental duties as needed or assigned.