Radiation Therapist PRN

American Oncology Network•Fort Wayne, IN

7d•$37 - $61

About The Position

The Radiation Therapist (RTT) reports to the Radiation Therapy Lead and provides the technical portion of radiation therapy treatments in the Radiation Oncology department. The role delivers radiation treatments according to written prescriptions and treatment plans while following departmental procedures to ensure patient safety. Treatment delivery includes identifying and escorting patients, helping them onto the treatment table, positioning them, delivering radiation from the control room, and assisting them when exiting the treatment room. The RTT supports patients, visitors, medical staff, and coworkers with care and concern; accurately documents treatment records; recognizes and reports deviations from prescribed treatment; and communicates treatment-related procedures to patients and families while directing medical questions to appropriate personnel. The therapist observes and reports patient reactions, reinforces education and side-effect management, and reports non-compliance to medical or nursing staff. The RTT independently performs physician-requested simulations, documents acquired data, and enters treatment-related information into the EMR. Other duties include assisting with treatment-related procedures, transporting patients, reviewing charts, ordering supplies, recognizing standard imaging/ARGT and making necessary adjustments, completing daily and weekly QA checklists, reporting out-of-range findings, participating in quality-improvement programs, troubleshooting common quality issues, and capturing and verifying patient treatment charges. The position contributes to total-quality patient care as part of the radiation oncology treatment team. It requires effective communication, sound judgment, the ability to handle stressful situations and provide emotional support, and the ability to respond to emergencies with first aid, CPR, and patient care until a physician or nurse arrives. The RTT documents treatment setups, doses, and calculations; explains procedures and emergency communication to patients; reinforces guidance on skin care, mouth care, diet, and general welfare; and provides technical guidance to Radiation Therapist I in the absence of the Radiology Team Lead. The role also includes assessing treatment delivery and patient responsiveness, maintaining professional and regulatory standards, and complying with applicable laws and company and departmental policies.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited School of Radiation Therapy Technology.
At least five years of active experience as a Radiation Therapist.
Certification as a Registered Radiation Therapy Technologist by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
Current CPR/BLS certifications.
Fluency in English and excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and members of the radiation oncology team.
Ability to respond physically, intellectually, and emotionally to emergency situations.
Ability to handle stressful situations, make informed decisions, and provide emotional support to patients and families.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Radiation Therapy Technology or another related field.
Dual certification as a General Radiographer (ARRT) or CT Technologist.
Ability to communicate in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Deliver radiation treatments according to written prescriptions and treatment plans while following departmental safety procedures.
Identify and escort patients, assist them onto and off the treatment table, position them, and deliver radiation from the control room.
Provide caring and supportive service to patients, visitors, medical staff, and coworkers.
Document treatment records, setups, doses, and calculations completely, accurately, and legibly.
Recognize and report deviations from prescribed treatment delivery to the Radiation Therapy Lead and/or physician.
Explain treatment-related procedures to patients and families, refer medical questions to appropriate personnel, and explain communication and emergency procedures during treatment.
Observe patient reactions and communicate findings to appropriate staff; reinforce patient education and side-effect management information and report non-compliance.
Independently perform patient simulations at a physician's request, collect and document simulation data, and enter treatment-related data into the EMR.
Assist with treatment-related procedures, including transporting patients, reviewing charts, and ordering supplies.
Recognize standard imaging/ARGT and make necessary adjustments to support high-quality treatment.
Perform and document daily and weekly QA checklists; notify clinical team members and document findings outside normal operating ranges.
Participate in programs to measure and improve quality of care and use critical thinking to troubleshoot common quality issues.
Capture and verify patient treatment charges.
Respond to emergencies with first aid, CPR, and other patient care until a physician or nurse arrives.
Use good judgment about holding treatment pending consultation with the radiation oncologist.
Reinforce advice to patients about skin care, mouth care, diet, and general welfare.
Provide instructional direction or guidance to therapists under supervision on routine and complex tumor localization and treatment procedures.
Evaluate treatment delivery through quality assurance and quality control checks, monitor readings, identify equipment malfunctions, and take appropriate action.
Evaluate patients' physiological and psychological responses to treatment and provide effective patient education.
Maintain professional ethics and scope of practice and comply with applicable standards, policies, laws, and regulations regarding patient care, safety, billing, and collections.
Provide technical guidance to Radiation Therapist I in the absence of the Radiology Team Lead.