Radiation Therapist

Patient Care and Education

• Explains radiation procedures thoroughly to the patient and reinforces physician’s directives to the patient regarding reaction to treatments and their care.
• Verifies patient information including name, DOB, and photo to ensure the correct patient is treated.
• Transfers patient safely to treatment couch giving special care to catheters, IV’s, etc.
• Provides for patients' physical needs during their stay in the department to ensure continued support and maintenance of radiation safety measures.
• Provides emotional support and general information to patients when appropriate, following departmental guidelines for confidentiality.
• Escalates concerns to interdepartmental staff (RN, MD, etc.) when deemed necessary.
• Visualizes and evaluates the condition of the treatment area to determine special precautions are required, reporting alarm conditions, e.g., moist desquamation, skin breakdown, sore throat, etc. to appropriate personnel.
• Observes patients' mental health status and attitude for any changes and report to appropriate personnel.

Procedure Preparation/Patient Preparation

• Prepares room and equipment for patient treatment according to prescription and special instructions regarding immobilization devices, field size, treatment distance, shielding, etc.
• Ensures room is sufficiently stocked with supplies at the end of the day.
• Reports to appropriate personnel when supplies are low.

Procedure Execution

• Aides in patient undressing, assuring that appropriate area is covered with patient gown.
• Attaches restraining, protective diagnostic and/or monitoring devices properly to the patient prior to treatment.
• Positions patients according to instructions, using devices needed to ensure accurate delivery of treatment.
• Checks and initials therapy chart for prescription with staff MD’s signature, and signed consent form.
• Checks therapy chart for physics approval.
• Performs simulation procedures following techniques and guidelines used in the department.
• Follows departmental procedure for monitoring patient dosimetry for TLDs.
• Follows departmental policy for treating TBI, TSE, SBRT patients.

Machine and Equipment Operations

• Operates machinery correctly, following all safety rules.
• Dismantles, cleans, and stores equipment according to departmental standards and procedures.
• Manages film treatment fields every 5 – 7 treatments.
• Evaluates and discusses with the physician any changes to be made in treatment fields.
• Maintains equipment during operation to ensure it is properly functioning.
• Stores and/or disposes of contaminated or expired material according to departmental procedures.
• Performs safety inspections and/or tests as required to ensure safety standards are met.
• Checks treatment room supplies to assure their proper status for emergency situations.
• Recognizes when a situation is critical, requires immediate attention, and calls the nurse and/or physician.
• Initiates correct calls or contacts appropriate resources needed to provide or obtain emergency services according to departmental procedures.
• Provides emergency assistance as required and/or directed by the appropriate authority or emergency team leader.
• Schedules treatments effectively, minimizing delays but allowing sufficient time for contingencies.
• Assigns scheduling priorities according to the patient condition or timing of the request.
• Communicates schedules or rescheduling to patients and appropriate personnel promptly.
• Maintains and checks daily billing and reviews the accuracy of the information for official daily reports.
• Accurately documents in patient’s radiation therapy chart daily treatment given.
• Documents details of decisions and actions with accuracy for future reference.
• Takes photographs of patients' treatment set up where applicable (e.g., electron setups).
• Administers IV contrast as prescribed by the physician in accordance with the policies, procedures, and competencies established for CT Simulation.
• Pours electron blocks as needed.