Registered Radiation Therapist - First Shift

Overview

The Registered Radiation Therapist provides daily care of cancer patients, including accurate interpretation and delivery of radiation treatments, in accordance with the prescription and instruction of the radiation oncologist. The Radiation Therapist performs simulations and provides clinical instruction for radiation therapy students. The Radiation Therapist may be required during Brachytherapy procedures, on-call, and treatment scheduling. The Therapist must be able to assist in treatment planning procedures including tumor localization and dosimetry;

triage sick patients to nursing for evaluation; and to perform daily quality assurance protocols. The Radiation Therapist may be required to work mandatory overtime and shift work.

• Reviews prescriptions, diagnosis, chart, and patient identification for each patient receiving treatment.
• Schedules patients for appointments and provides education for pre- and post-treatment.
• Prepares treatment room and equipment for patient according to the prescription, immobilization devices, field sizes, treatment devices, distance, lead (Pb) protection devices, etc.
• Ensures collaboration with physicist and dosimetrist at the initiation of each treatment.
• Acts as liaison with supportive care physicians, nurses, and social workers.
• Maintains open communication with doctors, therapists, RNs, and dosimetrists.
• Takes and checks images of all treated areas, processes and files them.
• Transfers patients to the treatment couch, ensuring awareness of I.V.s and other equipment.
• Maintains visual and audible contact with the patient during treatments to monitor for unusual reactions or events; reports to designated personnel and assists in emergency treatment when necessary.
• Maintains patient markings, changing only according to physician direction.
• Reinforces recommendations given to the patient by the physician, dietitian, etc., concerning reaction to treatment and care of the radiated area; changes dressings as necessary.
• Ensures radiation safety measures and protocol are observed at all times.
• Checks charges daily for accurate billing and documents treatment doses accurately.
• Treats patients using the original electronic chart at all times.
• Checks name and date of birth along with treatment area and records in the daily timeout.
• Ensures proper setup in CT for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and 3-D patients; creates proper immobilization devices for 2-D, 3-D, and IMRT patients.
• Documents proper setup instructions and all pertinent information for dosimetry calculations in charts.
• Updates simulation manual as required.
• Reviews documents and cuts and prepares blocks for next day simulations.

Completion of an accredited program in Radiation Therapy required.

Registration through American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is required.

BLS Certification (Basic Life Support) - American Heart ‘Healthcare Provider’ (HCP) - AHA approved is required. New hires must have American Heart Association (AHA) appropriate certification prior to completion of orientation.

Analytical ability to set up equipment properly, and position and align patients and equipment to very close tolerances and recreate such positions on a daily basis is required. Interpersonal skills necessary to explain therapy and treatment programs to patients to allay apprehensions and elicit their cooperation are required.

Strong Skills To Effectively Communication With Physicians/staff/physicist are required. Ability to communicate with and provide care for adolescent, adult and geriatric patients is required.

• Performance Standards in accordance with VH mission statement required.
• Machine warm-up required within 6 months of hire.
• Ability to run simulation alone optional.
• Lead HDR optional.
• Lead Stereotactic procedures optional.

At Valley Health, we believe everyone is a caregiver, and our goal is to create an environment where our caregivers thrive physically, financially, and emotionally. In addition to a competitive salary, our most popular benefits for full-time employees include:

• A Zero-Deductible Health Plan
• Dental and vision insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Tuition Assistance
• Retirement Savings Match
• A Robust Employee Assistance Program to help with many aspects of emotional wellbeing
• Membership to Healthy U:
  An Incentive-Based Wellness Program

Valley Health also offers a health savings account & flexible spending account for childcare, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and professional development. In addition, several perks come with working for the largest employer in the region, such as discounts to on-campus dining, and more.

To see the full scale of what we offer, visit