Radiation Therapist

Advocate Health

8d•$41 - $62

About The Position

The Radiation Therapist is accountable for accurately delivering prescribed radiation doses for cancer treatment. The role positions and immobilizes patients according to setup instructions, assesses and executes treatment plans and setups, calculates treatment units, and performs weekly verification imaging. The therapist assists physicians with treatment procedures and technical considerations, monitors patient symptoms and weight, and participates in specialized treatments such as brachytherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery. CT simulation may be performed when assigned. The position also schedules outpatient appointments and provides instruction and supervision to students in the clinical program. The therapist ensures compliance with radiation safety and protection requirements, maintains patient audio and visual contact during treatment, wears appropriate exposure-monitoring devices, and attends safety in-services. The role monitors equipment output and operation, documents malfunctions, and records pertinent treatment information and charges in patient records and the IMPAC computer system. The therapist also monitors charts to ensure required blood counts and tests are ordered and recorded, and maintains professional knowledge through literature, meetings, training, and in-services. This is a full-time position in the Radiation Oncology department at Advocate Christ Medical Center, with a 40-hour workweek and day-shift schedule. Occasional weekend-day work is noted. The role requires patient communication, safe work with radiation, and the ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance; patient-handling equipment and another associate are expected for heavier or otherwise difficult patient lifts when available. The therapist must be able to work under stressful conditions and recognize the needs and behaviors of patients across age groups.

Requirements

Graduate of an ARRT-approved School of Radiation Therapy Technology.
Knowledge of a variety of treatment modalities.
Experience with linear accelerators and simulators.
Communication skills.
CPR certification.
ARRT license, or eligibility for the ARRT registry with a requirement to obtain licensure within six months of hire; obtaining the license within six months is a condition of continued employment.
Active license from the State of Illinois IEMA Division of Nuclear Safety.
Ability to communicate with patients.
Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance; for patient lifts over 35 pounds or when a patient cannot assist, patient-handling equipment and another associate are expected when available.
Ability to work under stressful conditions and situations.
Ability to work safely with radiation.
Ability to recognize the needs and behaviors of patients across age groups, including child growth and development, adolescent behavior, and signs of normal aging.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience with various age groups of patients is preferred.

Responsibilities

Calculate treatment units according to prescriptions and treatment parameters.
Assess treatment plans and setups and execute them.
Position and immobilize patients according to setup instructions to deliver radiation to the correct site.
Take weekly verification films of all areas being treated.
Assist physicians with procedures and advise on technical limitations of equipment or patient-related considerations.
Monitor and evaluate clinically important patient symptoms and consult physicians or withhold treatment when appropriate.
Schedule outpatient appointments.
Participate in specialized treatment delivery, including brachytherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery.
Perform CT simulation techniques when assigned.
Provide instruction and supervision to students in the clinical program.
Monitor patients’ weight weekly and notify the registered nurse of significant changes.
Promote patient safety by reporting issues through established channels and participating in safety initiatives.
Follow radiation safety and protection requirements to protect patients and staff; maintain audio and visual contact with patients during treatment and wear an appropriate personnel exposure-monitoring device.
Attend scheduled in-services to review safety practices and maintain required licensure.
Monitor equipment output and beam devices daily, report malfunctions or unusual operation, and maintain a log of malfunctions.
Document pertinent treatment data in patient radiation therapy records, enter charges into the IMPAC computer system, and complete daily treatment documentation in computer or paper charts.
Monitor patient charts to ensure blood counts and other tests are ordered and recorded.
Keep current with advances in radiation therapy through professional literature, society meetings, training courses, and in-services.