Job Description:
Job Title: Radiation Therapist
General Summary
Under general supervision, administers ionizing radiation therapy treatments to patients as prescribed by a physician in a detailed treatment plan, following established standards and practices.
Principal Responsibilities and Tasks
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Deliver prescribed and planned courses of radiation therapy to patients in accordance with physician instructions and departmental procedures.
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Verify prescription, diagnosis, chart, patient identification, and other relevant information. Schedule patients, explain procedures, answer questions, and reassure patients before treatment.
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Collaborate with physicists, planning/mold technicians, supportive care physicians, nurses, and social workers to implement therapy plans.
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Prepare treatment room and equipment, including immobilization devices, field size, treatment parameters, and protective devices.
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Safely transfer patients to treatment tables while managing IVs and catheters. Monitor patients visually and/or audibly during treatment. Document treatments and adjust therapy per physicians orders.
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Perform imaging of treated areas, process, and file films. Ensure compliance with radiation safety measures.
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Accurately record patient charges and perform weekly billing audits.
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Monitor patients for unusual reactions or events, withholding treatment if necessary and reporting significant findings. Assist in emergencies as needed.
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Reinforce physician, dietitian, and care team recommendations regarding treatment reactions, care of radiated areas, and side effect management. Change dressings when necessary.
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Comply with departmental policies, safety standards, quality assurance, environmental, and infection control practices.
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Assist in maintaining facilities, equipment, and supplies; report maintenance and repair needs.
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Prepare and calibrate beam therapy equipment, check protective devices, and report irregular operations.
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Support orientation, training, and supervision of technical staff to ensure equipment competence.
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Maintain required records, reports, and statistics.
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Assist in training radiation therapy students.
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Attend in-service meetings and other required sessions.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
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Graduation from an AMA-approved program in Radiation Therapy Technology or Radiologic Technology required.
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Registration as a Radiation Therapy Technologist by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) required.
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State licensure in Radiation Therapy Technology required.
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Associate of Science degree in Radiation Therapy Technology preferred.
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One year of clinical practice in radiation therapy preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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Knowledge of radiation therapy, radiologic technology, routine nursing procedures, radiation safety, dosimetry, mathematics/physics, anatomy, and physiology.
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Ability to operate radiation therapy equipment including linear accelerators, cobalt treatment units, simulators, block cutting equipment, and related technology.
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Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact with patients and healthcare staff.
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Ability to provide age-appropriate, population-specific care and assess patient needs across the lifespan.