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.
• Visualize 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.
• Aids 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 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.
• 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.

Work Organization and Coordination

• Schedules time effectively by assigning priorities to daily and weekly activities.
• Avoids crisis through systematic planning and follow through.
• Maintains efficient work flow by making timely requests to others and responding quickly to requests.
• Transports patients safely and as comfortably as possible in and out of the treatment room.

Problem Solving

• Recognizes problems, potential problems and reports them promptly to supervisor.
• Takes corrective action immediately when appropriate and uses resources available to provide assistance in resolving problems.
• Recommends alternative solutions when possible.

Information Exchange

• Presents information, explains procedures and various routines clearly and explicitly to ensure understanding.
• Listens carefully to others in order to respond appropriately answer questions or obtain needed information.
• Maintains confidentiality in communications as appropriate and in accordance with hospital policy.

Independence/Tenacity

• Works without close supervision and originates ideas or activities that effectively influence events or positively impacts goal achievement.
• Keeps supervisor and peers informed as appropriate and necessary.
• Setseks for advice and information in situation outside personal expertise, as required.
• Actively explores circumstances that interfere with goal attainment and makes appropriate recommendations as required.
• Pursues goals until they are achieved or their attainment in no longer reasonable.