Senior Radiation Therapist- Radiation Oncology- MSH- Full Time Days

The Senior Radiation Therapist is an experienced clinician who delivers safe, accurate, and compassionate radiation therapy while serving as the clinical lead for an assigned treatment unit or simulator. In addition to providing expert patient care, this role is responsible for coordinating daily clinical operations, performing advanced quality assurance activities, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of treatment documentation and record-and-verify systems, and promoting the efficient flow of patient care. The Senior Radiation Therapist serves as a mentor and resource for radiation therapists, students, and new employees, collaborating closely with physicians, physicists, dosimetrists, nursing, and department leadership to uphold the highest standards of patient safety and quality. This role may assume additional leadership responsibilities in the absence of management. 

Main Function
•    Administer radiation therapy treatments according to the Radiation Oncologist’s prescription under minimal supervision.
•    Keep accurate daily records of treatments administered.
•    Teaches radiation therapy students technical procedures 
•    Assist in the supervision of the staff radiation therapist
•    Demonstrates strong understanding of practical psychology, the physiology of cancer, and the emotional and physical responses of patients undergoing treatment.
•    Acts as Chief Therapist/Supervisor when needed
 

1.    Accurately sets-up patients for treatment
2.    Administers radiation treatments
3.    Maintains accurate daily treatment records
4.    Perform simple dose calculations by hand or by using computer software
5.    Checks the Radiation Oncologist’s prescription to determine any mathematical or technical errors.
6.    Performs safety checks on treatment machines/simulators and records data daily
7.    Verifies/Localizes treatment area using radiographic film or electronic medium and submits films to appropriate staff for further action
8.    Interprets beam films to determine accuracy and follows through with having films checked and approved by the appropriate Radiation Oncologist
9.    Understands the function of the equipment and is able to use it to its full potential.  Understands the use of wedges and compensating filters, appreciates the misuse or omission during treatment
10.    Understand all procedures and practices before proceeding with the patient set-up.  Contacts the appropriate staff if uncomfortable or unsure of procedure
11.    Detects treatment unit malfunctions and knows when safe limits of malfunction have been reached.  Reports malfunction to Supervisor, Chief Therapist and Physics
12.    Explains treatment procedure to patients, answer questions, and reassures patient in order to alleviate fears and/or apprehension. Tends to patient modesty
13.    Maintains visual and audible communication with the patient during treatment
14.    Reports any unusual or adverse patient reactions, as a result of radiation treatment, to the appropriate staff member
15.    Is responsible for instructing student radiation therapist
16.    Evaluates students at the end of their rotation
17.    Maintains an organized treatment room, stocked with supplies
18.    Schedules patient appointments when necessary.  Ensures that daily treatment schedule is accurate and maximizes therapist’s time
19.    Ensure that weekly chart checks are done
20.    Attends chart rounds, displays films and participates in discussion of patient treatment.  Attends in service and ad hoc training sessions
21.    Ensures that all charts for new patients are reviewed at chart rounds
22.    Orientates new employees on assigned treatment unit
23.    Ensures correctness of record and verify system
24.    Schedules in-patients daily on transport list
25.    Creates immobilization devices during simulator rotation.  Create/adjust shielding block as needed
26.    Keeps patients in waiting area informed of delays and any progress made in the resolution of the delays
27.    Assists Supervisor/Chief Therapist in establishing new and improved procedures and policies for improved patient care and better working environment
28.    Makes recommendation to Supervisor/Chief Therapist at the time of therapists’ performance appraisal
29.    Displays professional behavior at all times
30.    Performs other duties as assigned

• Graduate of an approved, two year, hospital-based certificate program, two year associate degree program, or four year baccalaureate degree program in Radiation Therapy

• ARRT registered or eligible for registration within the field of Radiation Therapy

• Three to five years of post-certification experience

• Simulation experience required

• Promotions are based on demonstrated competencies

• Name:    Certification from American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).    
  Issuing Agency: Current New York State Radiation Therapist License – New York State Department of Health
• BLS Certification    Issuing Agency: AHA
   

Collective bargaining unit: SEIU 1199-MSH