Radiation Therapist

Summit Health CityMD•Rye, NY

26d

About The Position

Great opportunity to work with state of the art radiation therapy equipment--Radixact Stellar! ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Maintain and prepare rooms, equipment, and materials for patient care as needed and as required by supervisor. Assesses treatment rooms to assure all equipment is operational and quality checks have been performed. Prepares treatment room and equipment for patients according to prescription regarding immobilization devices, field size, treatment distances, shielding devices, gantry and/or collimator angles, etc. Prepare and position patients for simulation and treatment Performs quality assurance procedures and reports any deficiencies to supervisor and/or physicist Performs quality assurance warm-up tests on treatment units and simulators; corrects minor faults and/or initiates corrective action following established protocols. Achieves precision patient alignment using imaging and external markings Implement and deliver accurately the prescribed planned course of radiation therapy utilizing megavoltage equipment, adhering to acceptable departmental, institutional, governmental, and professional standards. Reviews patients’ treatment plans and parameters as part of a “time out” and quality audit prior to the first treatment and daily checks patient ID, prescription, and dose to date prior to delivery of treatment. Explains procedures to patients and the means of communication during treatment and procedure in case of an emergency. Positions patients and modifies standard procedure to accommodate patients’ conditions. Reviews and verifies daily treatment time and/or monitor units and delivers prescribed dose while monitoring machine operation. Keep accurate records of the treatment of each patient Collaborates with radiation oncologists, medical physicists and medical dosimetrists to compensate for treatment inaccuracies; and reports deviations from the standard or planned treatment Maintains visual and/or audio communication with patient during treatment. Practices radiation protection for the patient, self, and others; applies radiation safety principles. Observe radiation safety and protection procedures Apply principles of ALARA to minimize exposure to patient, self and others Assesses and evaluates patients for unusual reactions and/or medical problems and reports conditions to a radiation oncology MA and/or a radiation oncologist. Recognizes emergency patient conditions and assists and/or initiates first aid and/or basic life support procedures when appropriate. Reinforces radiation oncologist’s and MA’s advice to patients regarding skin care, diets, general welfare and/or reactions to treatment/care. Ensures that physicians have obtained patient consent. Explains simulation procedure to patient and answers technical questions. Accurately applies skin markings on patients’ skin and instructs patients in proper care in preserving markings. Determines and adapts exposure factors for various patient conditions, equipment, accessories, and contrast media and obtains scans with minimum radiation exposure. Applies correct billing codes to procedures performed.

Requirements

Graduate of a Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) accredited program in Radiation Therapy or equivalent
Maintain certification and registration in Radiation Therapy by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
Pushing and pulling, taking frequency and weight into consideration.
Physical strength to lift heavy objects, carts, or items, taking frequency and weight into consideration.
Physical mobility, which includes movement from place to place on the job, taking distance and speed into account.
Physical agility, which includes ability to maneuver body while in place.
Dexterity of hands and fingers.
Balance is maintained during climbing, bending and/or reaching.
Endurance (e.g. continuous typing, prolonged standing/bending, walking).
Proven work experience as a Radiation Therapist using tomotherapy.
Superb technical skills.
Proficient in using medical imaging equipment.
Ability to think critically.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

Maintain and prepare rooms, equipment, and materials for patient care as needed and as required by supervisor.
Assess treatment rooms to assure all equipment is operational and quality checks have been performed.
Prepare treatment room and equipment for patients according to prescription regarding immobilization devices, field size, treatment distances, shielding devices, gantry and/or collimator angles, etc.
Prepare and position patients for simulation and treatment.
Perform quality assurance procedures and reports any deficiencies to supervisor and/or physicist.
Perform quality assurance warm-up tests on treatment units and simulators; corrects minor faults and/or initiates corrective action following established protocols.
Achieve precision patient alignment using imaging and external markings.
Implement and deliver accurately the prescribed planned course of radiation therapy utilizing megavotage equipment, adhering to acceptable departmental, institutional, governmental, and professional standards.
Review patients’ treatment plans and parameters as part of a “time out” and quality audit prior to the first treatment and daily checks patient ID, prescription, and dose to date prior to delivery of treatment.
Explain procedures to patients and the means of communication during treatment and procedure in case of an emergency.
Position patients and modifies standard procedure to accommodate patients’ conditions.
Review and verify daily treatment time and/or monitor units and delivers prescribed dose while monitoring machine operation.
Keep accurate records of the treatment of each patient.
Collaborate with radiation oncologists, medical physicists and medical dosimetrists to compensate for treatment inaccuracies; and reports deviations from the standard or planned treatment.
Maintain visual and/or audio communication with patient during treatment.
Practice radiation protection for the patient, self, and others; applies radiation safety principles.
Observe radiation safety and protection procedures.
Apply principles of ALARA to minimize exposure to patient, self and others.
Assess and evaluate patients for unusual reactions and/or medical problems and reports conditions to a radiation oncology MA and/or a radiation oncologist.
Recognize emergency patient conditions and assists and/or initiates first aid and/or basic life support procedures when appropriate.
Reinforce radiation oncologist’s and MA’s advice to patients regarding skin care, diets, general welfare and/or reactions to treatment/care.
Ensure that physicians have obtained patient consent.
Explain simulation procedure to patient and answers technical questions.
Accurately apply skin markings on patients’ skin and instructs patients in proper care in preserving markings.
Determine and adapt exposure factors for various patient conditions, equipment, accessories, and contrast media and obtains scans with minimum radiation exposure.
Apply correct billing codes to procedures performed.