Radiation Therapist part-time / Dana-Farber Cancer Center

Job Description Summary

Under the direction of the Chief Radiation Therapist and Lead Therapist, the Senior Radiation Therapist is responsible for the line management within an assigned area.

Job Description

Essential Functions

1. Responsible for daily patient care and education.

a. Appropriately involves the patient and their family in care and care decisions.
b. Maintains and demonstrates respect for patient confidentiality and modesty.
c. Explains the treatment procedure.
d. Arranges daily radiation treatment schedule.
e. Monitors patient’s physical and physiological response and reactions to treatment and refer patient for appropriate management as needed.

2. Assists the Lead Radiation Therapist in the efficient operation of the assigned clinical treatment or simulation area.

a. Confirms and reviews status of new patient and cone down information in a timely manner.
b. Reviews schedule to confirm: number of patients, imaging, and new patient starts.
c. Assists in organizing team during equipment failures and notifies patients as well as all functional areas of the department.

3. Works with the Lead and Chief Radiation Therapist to develop new techniques or resolve clinical problems.

a. Assists in resolving difficult set-ups and in the instruction of staff members and students in this area.
b. Must strive for continuous improvement and standardization of techniques.

4. Assists with the triage of emergent cases, negotiates scheduling of patients with other departmental patient care team members.

5. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to perform all aspects of treatment.
a. May be asked to participate in and demonstrate knowledge in one or more specialty areas and programs, including but not limited to: all aspects of simulation, Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT), Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), Total Body Irradiation (TBI), HDR, and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT).

6. Possesses knowledge of all scheduling, treatment, image review, and billing procedures involving the electronic medical record (EMR) system.

7. Responsible for the safe and accurate utilization of all aspects of the EMR and Record and Verify system.
a. Demonstrates the ability to instruct and assist others in the proper use of the system.

8. Utilizes the Quality Assurance (QA) program to encompass all aspects of treatment, treatment delivery and quality patient care.
a. Accurately documents treatment variances and inconsistencies using the appropriate tools.
b. Practices the QA program of each treatment unit and assists with the instruction of new staff members and students as part of orientation.
c. Utilizes correct procedure checklist as necessary for each procedure.
d. Accurately documents all treatment delivery information in the EMR.
e. Participates in and appropriately documents the Time Out procedure for every treatment.

9. Demonstrates appropriate knowledge of the principles of growth and development from all life stages, ranging from infancy to geriatric. In addition, s/he must possess the ability to assess patient relative data as deemed pertinent to age-specific needs and provide care as described in the department’s policy and procedure manual.

10. Demonstrates an understanding of the patient functional mobility assessment tool and mobilizes patients using appropriate mechanical assistive devices, such as ceiling lifts and lateral transfer devices, during the provision of patient care.

11. Assists with the instruction and orientation of new Radiation Therapists, students and other staff members who are unfamiliar with the department or specific procedures.
a. Conducts a guided tour of the department.
b. Introduces new staff to department personnel.
c. Orients new staff to departmental policies and procedures.

12. Maintains and demonstrates cooperation and responsiveness to all departmental staff members.
a. Models appropriate professional behavior, such as, but not limited to: courtesy, respect, constructive assertiveness, effective listening.
b. Effectively utilizes professional problem solving and negotiation skills to manage conflict.

13. Assume Lead responsibilities in the absence of the Lead Radiation Therapist, when requested.

a. Assists the Chief and Lead Radiation Therapist to insure coverage for meeting attendance and administrative duties.

14. Attends regularly scheduled Therapist staff meetings.

15. Attends regularly scheduled continuing educational activities.

a. Actively seeks management focused and career growth educational opportunities.

16. Maintains active membership in professional organizations.

a. Participates in professional activates by attending meetings, serving on committees or task forces, writing and/or presenting scientific papers.

17. Participates in the clinical instruction and evaluation of the Radiation Therapy Technology students assigned to the area.

18. May elect to be a member of the on-call team.

19. Works flexible shifts as directed by the Chief and Lead Radiation Therapists, depending on patient volume and departmental needs.

a. Coverage may be necessary on weekends and holidays in certain circumstances.
b. Adapts to contingency plans, which are in response to variables which influence workload and/or schedule.

20. Rotates to other treatment areas as directed by the Chief and Lead Radiation Therapist.
 

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Education - Preferred

Must be a graduate of an accredited educational program, or equivalent.  Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Must hold active certification by the ARRT and have a valid Massachusetts license in Radiation Therapy.

Minimum Work Experience

Required:  Minimum of three (3) years of continuous clinical experience.

Required Licenses / Registrations

ARRT (T) -  American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (Radiation Therapy)
RT (T) - Radiation Therapy MA Licensure

Required Classes/Skills -

BLS - Basic Life Support

Required additional Knowledge, and Abilities

1. Proficient technical knowledge and skill set. This includes but is not limited to demonstrating efficient knowledge of all equipment, tools and procedures specific to assigned area. This also includes demonstrating the ability to effectively troubleshoot issues as they arise.

2. Proficient in the use of Radiation Oncology IS systems and software, including but not inclusive nor limited to: ARIA, BICS, LMR, OncPro, PowerChart, ExacTrac & BrainLab, Elipse.

3. Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with physicians, management, staff, patients, and their families.

4. Effective communication (both oral and written) and organizational skills.

5. Demonstrate strong customer service skills, including the ability to use appropriate judgment, independent thinking and creativity when resolving issues and conflict.

6. Demonstrate initiative and the ability to work independently.

7. Demonstrate the ability to effectively handle challenging situations and to balance and shift multiple priorities.

8. Demonstrates the ability to handle sensitive and confidential patient information.