Radiation Therapist

Kaweah Health•Visalia, CA

6d•$53 - $80

About The Position

The Radiation Therapist operates and performs radiation therapies, applying expert knowledge of each therapy unit and the ability to carry out radiation therapy treatments. The role includes preparing for, executing, and completing procedures in the radiation therapy environment, including reviewing orders, applying basic and advanced treatment and setup parameters, following radiation safety and regulatory requirements, responding sensitively to patients’ clinical needs, and providing excellent patient care. The therapist operates a linear accelerator and simulator, performs patient setup and treatment procedures, communicates with patients and the radiation oncology team, and completes quality assurance and chart-review activities. Additional work may include hand calculations, fabrication of immobilization and shielding devices, and assisting with brachytherapy procedures.

Requirements

Certified Radiologic Technologist (CRT) license in Therapeutic Radiologic Technology.
BLS certification.
Knowledge of radiation safety and regulatory compliance.
Ability to operate radiation therapy equipment and perform treatment setup and procedures.
Ability to provide patient-centered care, communicate effectively, and maintain patient privacy and confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

ARRT certification.
Completion of an AMA-approved program in Radiation Therapy Technology.
Two years of experience as a Radiation Therapy Technologist.

Responsibilities

Explain treatment procedures and communication methods to patients, including what to do in an emergency.
Maintain visual and audible communication with patients during treatment.
Schedule patients to make effective use of treatment-machine time and coordinate inpatient scheduling with hospital floors and other healthcare personnel.
Perform machine warm-up and operate the linear accelerator to deliver prescribed treatment while monitoring the patient and equipment.
Follow established procedures for portal imaging, TLD measurements, and patient simulation.
Perform quality assurance activities on the treatment machine and simulator, and complete chart checks according to department policy.
Communicate patient needs to physicians, nurses, and other members of the radiation oncology team.
Demonstrate empathy and maintain patient dignity, privacy, identity, and confidentiality, including awareness of HIPAA requirements.
Accurately enter patient charges.
Maintain cleanliness of equipment, treatment rooms, simulation rooms, consoles, and workstations.
Refer equipment problems to the field service engineer and seek assistance when needed to provide quality patient care.
Complete the Radiation Therapist Quality Checklist, including verification of consent, patient and treatment-field photographs, prescription and treatment site/side; review electronic charts for agreement between prescription and treatment plan, dose and fractionation discrepancies, setup reproducibility, and optimized code capture; and position patients to reproduce simulator setups.
Perform hand calculations.
Fabricate immobilization devices, bolus, and customized shielding blocks.
Assist with the HDR program by operating an ultrasound machine for prostate implant volume studies and participate in other brachytherapy procedures.
Participate in Quality Improvement studies and attend staff and technical meetings.
Provide care and services appropriate to the population served, considering patients’ and families’ cultural, linguistic, spiritual, gender, and age-specific needs, and communicate effectively as reflected in the Plan for Provision of Care.
Perform other duties as assigned.