MAIN FUNCTION:
Operate under the direction of the Imaging Services Director, and Manager. For clinical direction the Medical Director of Radiation Therapy will have direct influence over the tasks performed. The Radiation Therapists will perform treatment planning exams, as well as Therapeutic treatments on identified patient populations. The Therapists will work closely with Dosimetry, Medical Physics, and the Treating Radiation Oncologists.
All Therapists will be responsible to identify the correct patient for treatment, evaluate the physician order for accuracy, pertinent clinical information, perform a complete, accurate, quality Radiation treatments, and communicate clear and concisely. It should be known that the patient population whom the exam is performed on may vary from neonate to geriatric. The therapist at times based on patient workload volume may be required to adjust shifts to match the demand of the volume. The Therapist will at all times be responsible for maintaining a HIPPA compliance, safe environment for each patient, and always keep the best interest of the patient as a primary core value to the patients they serve.
RESPONSIBLE TO: All Imaging Services Employees will report to the Director of Imaging Services, as well as the Manager of Imaging Services
MUST HAVE REQUIREMENTS:
- Excellent intrapersonal skills
- Maintained BLS certification (Must be maintained while in the position)
- Therapists are required to be registered by:
- American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (Radiation Therapy Section)
- ODH License will be needed
- Proven clinical and didactic capabilities
- Maintain required Continuing Education credits to hold current registration organization membership
- No written disciplinary action within the last 12 months
PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES:
- Basic Computers skills with ability to navigation of various Radiation Therapy Specific systems
- 3 years previous experience in the field of Medical Imaging
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Employees in this position may be:
- Exposed to blood, body fluids and/or airborne pathogens, and are required to wear protective barriers.
- Employees in this position must be able to push, pull, lift, carry, turn, crouch, and bend as necessary to complete radiology exam tasks.
- Employees may be expected to work weekends or possibly take call
- Subject to STHR (Short Term Hours Reduction) according to policy
- Practice ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) with regards to delivery of treatment including accuracy of treatment field alignment.
POSITION EXPECTATIONS:
All expectations detailed below are considered ADA (American Disabilities Act) Essential.
Teamwork
- Embraces teamwork (As a radiation therapist, you’ll be part of an interdisciplinary team of oncologists, medical physicists, and oncology nurses.)
- Accepts and responds to change productively, while maintaining a positive attitude
- Demonstrates appropriate work place behavior and competence within job duties
- Demonstrates basic conflict resolution skills
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Communication
- Maintains awareness of verbal / non-verbal communication in interactions with staff, other departments, physicians, patients and families
- Maintains patient confidentiality in all communication interactions: written, verbal, electronic and digital
- Collaborates and communicates effectively with all members of the health care team
- Demonstrates basic ability to initiate and manage crucial conversations
- Utilizes AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Expectations, Thank You) strategies to foster positive communication
- Demonstrates acceptance of supervisory authority, guidance, and instruction. Follows appropriate chain of command.
- Participates in team collaboration
- Reports patient observations and specific problems appropriately
Operations
- Adheres to the Mission, Vision and Values
- Work habits are consistently adjusted to accommodate multiple responsibilities and are prioritized and completed in an independent and timely manner. Effectively utilizes time management and organizational skills
- Safely transports patients via wheelchair, beds, carts throughout facility
- Maintain patient observation to identify needs, safety issues, or fall risk
- Uses Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and follow infection control guidelines and safety precautions
- Accurately documents examination specific information in Hospital Information System, Therapy System proprietary documentation, and addition areas as needed
- Demonstrate reasonable and rational judgment in decision making
- Assist with flow of department:
- Other duties as assigned by unit leadership may include but are not limited to the following:
- Enter correct charges and treatments based on treatment plan
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- Answers phone promptly and courteously. Relays pertinent information in timely manner.
Customer Service
- Displays positive attitude. Treats others with honesty and respect. Speaks positively in all customer interactions internal and external.
- Follow the eight Standards of Excellence knowing that customers include families, physicians, and coworkers.
- Use AIDET(Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, Thank you) to:
- Optimize the patient’s experience by reducing the patient and family’s anxiety and increasing the patient’s compliance
- Develop positive relationships with other departments to foster patient satisfaction.
- Use face to face resolutions (crucial conversations) to intervene with patients or staff in situations where customer needs have not been met to determine a positive, mutually agreeable resolution.
Staff Development / Personal Growth
- In conjunction with the Department Management team:
- Function as a preceptor, seeking learning opportunities for new employee. Interact with Department Manager, and staff to evaluate new employee progress towards goals, identifying additional needs.
- Demonstrates professional growth by attending continuing education opportunities, participating in committees/unit projects and ongoing educational activities.
- Demonstrates initiative and responsibility to develop personal, leadership, and professional goals
- Accept feedback as opportunity for growth
- Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of new policies and treatments, practices, changes in practice, and initiatives. Obtains this knowledge via staff meeting attendance, reading of communication, required hospital education, discussion with departmental leadership and peers.
- Maintain additional training
- HealthStream training appropriate to organizational requirements
- Have annual competencies specific to equipment and exam
Performance Improvement
- Identify processes to be improved and communicate to management team. Assists in data collection as directed.
- Participates on at least one (annually) team, project and/or committee: unit, departmental, or hospital based.
- Develop and maintain awareness of TCJ (The Joint Commission), CMS (Centers for Medicare Services) and other required quality and safety measure
Specific Requirements:
Position: Radiation Therapy Lead Therapist
Position Summary
The Lead Therapist provides leadership within the Radiation Therapy Department. The Lead Therapist is responsible for maintaining and managing the machine schedule, including calling patients to schedule and confirm appointments. The Lead Therapist ensures appropriate staffing coverage throughout the day. The Lead Therapist serves as the primary contact person for other faculty and staff members of the department when questions about the assigned area arise. The Lead Therapist also performs all of the duties of a Radiation Therapist.
Duties and Responsibilities
PERFORMS RADIATION THERAPY PROCEDURES AND TREATMENT PLANS
- Performs radiation therapy and radiographic procedures involving the application of X-rays and radioactive substances to patients; responsible for handling and executing the most complex radiation therapy procedures, treatment plans and issues.
- Leads less experience staff in the preparation and administration of radiation treatment plans to patients utilizing x-ray, linear acceleration, and other specialized equipment.
- Delivers accurately the prescribed planned course of radiation therapy to patients, answers patient questions and explains procedures.
- Observes the patient for any unusual reactions or events.
- Implements and maintains established radiation oncology center and medical center policy and procedures, and objectives, as well as quality assurance, safety, environmental, and Infection control policies.
- Record treatment information into chart; maintains complete electronic chart documentation including recording SSDs, set-up photos, and miscellaneous patient information relating to the patients treatment.
- Selects proper radiation therapy parameters on individual patient basis, safely operates equipment in accordance with radiation therapy guidelines by the state and national organizations.
- Assists in supervision of technical radiation therapy services for maintenance of prescribed standards
- Performs machine warm-up and daily output checks
- Provides general care to patients so that basic medical & comfort needs are satisfied; reacts in emergency situations to initiate immediate & appropriate treatment.
- Properly screens patients for appropriate clinical information; provides information to patient/family regarding imaging procedures.
- Has the authority to accept verbal orders from Licensed Practitioners for radiation therapy procedures, following hospital policy.
- Accesses patient information and lab values in the Hospital information systems.
- Maintains inventory of supplies and stocks areas with appropriate supplies.
- May perform other departmental functions within the scope of practice, as assigned
ASSISTS WITH MANAGEMENT OF THE ASSIGNED SPECIALTY AREA
- Solves problems as they arise.
- Provides leadership to staff therapists for implementation of new techniques.
- Works closely with physicians, physics, dosimetry, etc. to ensure patient appointments are coordinated appropriately on the schedule of all involved with the care of the patient.
- Manages the schedule of the other therapists working in the assigned specialty area to ensure adequate coverage throughout the day.
- Works closely with the Director of Imaging to meet the needs of the department.
- Shares professional/technical expertise with and orients new employees.
- May assist in the development and implementation of policies, standards and procedures.
PERFORMS QUALITY ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES
- Initiates corrective actions & documents such, in conjunction with Clinical Engineering, and maintains equipment is in proper working order.
- Provides Quality Assurance for NPSG, and departmental, and hospital outlined QA measures.
- Provides assessment on competencies for all staff in the facility as it relates to job functions, including clinical secretaries, radiation therapists, and physicians.
- Provides orientation for technical, clerical and physicians, and documents appropriately.
- Leads and directs technical services to provide optimum patient services.
- Oversees the maintenance of supply inventory and stocking of areas as appropriate.
- Critiques final radiation therapy treatment plans and images for quality and prepares images for interpretation.
Position: Radiation Therapy Staff Therapist
Position Summary
The Radiation Therapist performs radiation therapy and imaging procedures involving the application of X-rays and radioactive substances to patients for stimulation and treatment for malignancies and pain. Responsible for the accurate delivery of prescribed planned course of Radiation Therapy to patients in the Division of Radiation Oncology. Assist in treatment planning and maintenance of prescribed standards. Reinforces advice and monitors patients for unusual reactions and events. Observes Radiation Safety measures for patients and personnel and assist in student teaching and supervision. In addition, the position provides patient education and performs quality assessment activities for the division, under the direction of the Imaging Manager.
Duties and Responsibilities
PERFORMS RADIATION THERAPY PROCEDURES AND TREATMENT PLANS
- Performs radiation therapy and radiographic procedures involving the application of X-rays and radioactive substances to patients; responsible for handling and executing the most complex radiation therapy procedures, treatment plans and issues.
- Leads less experience staff in the preparation and administration of radiation treatment plans to patients utilizing x-ray, cobalt, cesium, linear acceleration and other specialized equipment.
- Delivers accurately the prescribed planned course of radiation therapy to patients, answers patient questions and explains procedures.
- Observes the patient for any unusual reactions or events.
- Implements and maintains established radiation oncology center and medical center policy and procedures, and objectives, as well as quality assurance, safety, environmental, and Infection control policies.
- Record treatment information into chart; maintains complete electronic chart documentation including recording SSDs, set-up photos, and miscellaneous patient information relating to the patients treatment.
- Selects proper radiation therapy parameters on individual patient basis, safely operates equipment in accordance with radiation therapy guidelines by the state and national organizations.
- Assists in supervision of technical radiation therapy services for maintenance of prescribed standards
- Performs machine warm-up and daily output checks
- Provides general care to patients so that basic medical & comfort needs are satisfied; reacts in emergency situations to initiate immediate & appropriate treatment.
- Properly screens patients for appropriate clinical information; provides information to patient/family regarding imaging procedures.
- Has the authority to accept verbal orders from Licensed Practitioners for radiation therapy procedures, following hospital policy.
- Completes necessary documentation & record keeping in Radiology Information System (RIS) and PACs, on images, consultation forms, maintaining patient confidentiality, and performs other clerical functions as assigned.
- Accesses patient information and lab values in the Hospital information systems.
- Maintains inventory of supplies and stocks areas with appropriate supplies.
- May perform other departmental functions within the scope of practice, as assigned
PERFORMS QUALITY ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES
- Initiates corrective actions & documents such, in conjunction with Clinical Engineering, and maintains equipment is in proper working order.
- Provides Quality Assurance for NPSG, and departmental, and hospital outlined QA measures.
- Provides assessment on competencies for all staff in the facility as it relates to job functions, including clinical secretaries, radiation therapists, and physicians.
- Provides orientation for technical, clerical, physicians, and documents appropriately.
- Leads and directs technical services to provide optimum patient services.
- Oversees the maintenance of supply inventory and stocking of areas as appropriate.
- Critiques final radiation therapy treatment plans and images for quality and prepares images for interpretation.
