Radiation Therapist - Radiation Oncology Physician's Clinic - PT+20

Memorial Hospital at Gulfport•Gulfport, MS

108d

About The Position

To deliver ionizing radiation to the patient that is compliant with the radiation therapy plan and instructions of the Radiation Oncologist while under the general supervision of the Chief Therapist.

Requirements

Education: Associate's Degree Graduate of an accredited school of Radiation Therapy
Licensure: Mississippi State Radiation Therapy license as well as a current registration with the American Registry of Radiological Technologists with a specialty as a Radiation Therapist or eligible to take the registry of Radiation Therapy

Nice To Haves

Education: Bachelor's Degree Graduate of an accredited school
Experience: One (1) year of previous experience as a Radiation Therapist in a Radiation Oncology Department.

Responsibilities

Maintains and prepares 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.
Performs quality assurance procedures and reports any deficiencies to chief and/or physicist
Troubleshoots and corrects minor machine faults and/or notifies service providers and supervisor to initiate corrective action as guided by established protocols
Assists in checking treatment rooms for outdates and in stocking the room with appropriate equipment
Implements and delivers 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 as well as the means of communication during treatment and procedures in case of an emergency
Maintains patient field markings
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
Maintains visual and/or audio communication with patient during treatment
Obtains required electronic portal images during prescribed course of treatment according to department standards. These images could include but are not limited to MVCT, KVCT, KV portal image, MV portal image, and MRI image
Practices radiation protection for the patient, self and others; applies radiation safety principles
Assesses and evaluates patients for unusual reactions and/or medical problems and reports conditions to the supervisor, a radiation oncology nurse 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 nurse’s advice to patients regarding skin care, diets, general welfare and/or reactions to treatment/care
Responsible for following department guidelines and treating an emergent patient in Unplanned Treatment Mode when necessary late in the day or on the weekend
Responsible for treating critical care patients, patients under anesthesia, or patients with a cardiology device such as a pacemaker
Performs routine and complex tumor localization procedures if required by supervisor using a CT
Ensures that physicians have obtained patient consent
Explains simulation/CT procedure to patient and answers technical questions
Accurately applies skin markings on patients’ skin and instructs patient in proper care in preserving markings
Accurately positions patient: lying straight and/or in correct treatment position
Determines and adapts exposure factors for various patient conditions, equipment, accessories, and contrast media and obtains diagnostic scans with minimum radiation exposure
Demonstrates knowledge of computed tomography instrumentation including, selecting appropriate menu options, performing quality assurance tests and archiving
Prepares and administers proper contrast agents under the direction of a physician and correctly labels all syringes and containers
Fabricates selects and uses appropriate immobilization devices using safe practice techniques
Performs routine tumor localization procedures and interprets simulation requests
Takes required electronic images
Correlates cross-sectional anatomy with other anatomical presentations
Properly stores final CT images
Records all pertinent information electronically using simulation software and in patients’ treatment charts
Evaluates radiographic images for appropriate positioning and image quality
Provides basic patient education in relationship to skin care, diet, parking and daily radiation therapy routine
Use vaginal markers, rectal markers, or wire scars when indicated by the physician order
Performs patient related and clerical function in the ambulatory setting
Answers telephones, checks patients into clinic, makes appointments for patients, prepares charts
Maintains orderliness and cleanliness of radiation therapy department
Applies correct billing codes to procedures performed
Assists billing specialist when needed to audit charts for accuracy of documentation and billing codes used for charge entry
Schedule patients for daily treatments, new starts, boosts and finishes
Communicates client/patient/family needs to appropriate health care provider
Communicates to appropriate team member and/or patient information necessary to safely and accurately treat each patient
Reports significant events to appropriate team member
Participates in weekly chart rounds
Participates as a member of the team to achieve business goals, clinical/quality outcomes and customer satisfaction
Participates on committees/ councils as requested/required
Communicates operational issues clearly and effectively within the team and outside the team as appropriate
Safeguards confidential information
Participates in performance improvement activities
Regular and timely attendance is required for this position