SENIOR RADIATION THERAPIST

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Chief and Lead Radiation Therapists, the Senior Radiation Therapist is primarily responsible for delivering high doses of ionizing radiation as prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist. The Senior Radiation Therapist performs complex radiation therapy duties characterized by a greater degree of work independence and less common radiation treatments; delivers planned courses of radiation therapy; maintains accurate records; verifies records and treatments; applies principles of radiation protection; regulates radioactive material; provides special procedures; provides quality assurance support. The proficiency is achieved by various rotations on most treatment units, plus adequate clinical exposure to both the Brigham and Dana Farber departments.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Patient Care

1. Responsible for daily patient care and education.

* Appropriately involves the patient and their family in care and care decisions.

* Maintains and demonstrates respect for patient confidentiality and modesty.

* Explains all treatment and imaging procedures.

* Arranges daily radiation treatment schedule.

* Attentive to patient needs and concerns by continuous monitoring of the patient's physical and physiological response and reactions to treatment and refer patient for appropriate management as needed.

2. Administers radiation therapy treatment accurately and safely, following departmental policy and procedure.

3. Positions and immobilizes patients according to the treatment plan and effectively evaluates images according to standard guidelines and assists in solving set-up issues.

4. Demonstrates the ability to care for acute Inpatients.

5. Demonstrates the ability to care for pediatric patients, including pediatric patients requiring anesthesia.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills

1. Rotates to other treatment areas as directed by the Chief and Lead Radiation Therapists and demonstrates the knowledge and ability to maintain skills in one or more specialty areas and programs, including but not limited to:

a. Procedures

o Align RT, including tattoo-less workflows

o Stereotactic CNS

o Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

o Cardiac SBRT

o Total Marrow Lymph Irradiation (TMLI)

o Adaptive Radiotherapy, including contouring

o Craniospinal Radiotherapy

o Extremity/Sarcoma Radiotherapy

b. Specialty Rotations, will include these additional responsibilities

o Simulation

o Brachytherapy

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

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

4. May be required to participate on the on-call team.

5. Other duties as assigned.

Administrative

1. Assists the Lead Radiation Therapist in the efficient operation of the assigned clinical area.

2. Strives for continuous improvements and technique standardization.

3. Works with the Lead and Chief Radiation Therapist to develop new techniques and assist with emerging technology projects

4. Assists with the triage of emergent cases and demonstrates the ability to negotiate the scheduling of emergent cases with other care team members.

5. Possesses in-depth knowledge and demonstrates ability to accurately perform all new start QA measures, weekly chart checks, patient scheduling, treatment delivery, image review, and billing procedures involving the electronic medical record (EMR) system.

6. Utilizes the Quality Assurance (QA) program to encompass all aspects of treatment, treatment delivery and quality patient care.

7. Assists with orientation, teaching, and instructing new staff, students, visitors, and other staff members who are unfamiliar with the department or specific procedures.

8. Attends regularly scheduled Therapist staff meetings.

9. Attends regularly scheduled continuing educational activities.

10. Other duties as assigned.

General Duties

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

2. May be required to travel to network satellite clinics as directed by the Chief Radiation Therapist.

3. Maintains and demonstrates cooperation and responsiveness to all departmental staff members.

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

5. Maintains active membership in professional organizations.

6. Other duties as assigned.

STAFF RADIATION THERAPIST

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Chief and Lead Radiation Therapists, the Staff Radiation Therapist will demonstrate essential skills of treatment modalities and protocols to accurately set-up and administer daily radiotherapy treatments. The Staff Radiation Therapist communicates effectively with patients, families, medical staff, and healthcare team.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Patient Care

1. Responsible for daily patient care and education.

2. Administers radiation therapy treatment accurately and safely, following departmental policy and procedure.

3. Positions and immobilizes patients according to the treatment plan and effectively evaluates images according to standard guidelines and assists in solving set-up issues.

4. Demonstrates the ability to care for acute Inpatients.

5. Demonstrates the ability to care for pediatric patients, including pediatric patients requiring anesthesia.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills

1. Rotates to other treatment areas as directed by the Chief and Lead Radiation Therapists. May be required to demonstrate basic knowledge and skills in one or more specialty areas and programs, including but not limited to:

a. Procedures

o Align RT, including tattooless workflows

o Stereotactic CNS

o Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

o Cardiac SBRT

o Total Marrow Lymph Irradiation (TMLI)

o Adaptive Radiotherapy, including contouring

o Craniospinal Radiotherapy

o Extremity/Sarcoma Radiotherapy

b. Specialty Rotations, will include these additional responsibilities

o Simulation

o Brachytherapy

2. Understands the function of all equipment, accessories, treatment policies, procedures, and protocols and applies knowledge appropriately.

3. Participates in some clinical instruction and evaluation of the Radiation Therapy students.

4. Other duties as assigned.

Administrative

1. Performs daily QA measures to ensure proficient operation of all imaging and treatment equipment.

2. Performs daily shutdown procedures.

3. Participate in and appropriately documents the Time Out procedure for all treatments delivery information.

4. Responsible for the safe and accurate access and use of all aspects of the EMR and Record and Verify systems.

5. Possesses knowledge of all patient scheduling and billing procedures.

6. Demonstrates ability to accurately perform all required New Start chart checks, Cone Down chart checks, and weekly chart checks.

7. Assists the Lead Radiation Therapist to develop new techniques and assist with emerging technology projects.

8. Participates in and appropriately documents the Time Out procedure for every treatment procedure.

9. Utilizes the Quality Assurance (QA) program to encompass all aspects of treatment, treatment delivery, and quality patient care.

10. Other duties as assigned.

General Duties

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

12. May be required to travel to network satellite clinics as directed by the Chief Radiation Therapist.

13. Maintains and demonstrates cooperation and responsiveness to all departmental staff members.

14. Attends regularly scheduled Therapist staff meetings.

15. Attends regularly scheduled continuing education activities.

16. Maintains active membership in professional organizations.

17. Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES

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

2. Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal professional relationships with physicians, management, peers, patients, and their families.

3. Must convey a positive attitude and present a professional appearance.

4. Must have effective communication (both oral and written) skills sufficient to resolve conflicts, and relay information concisely to staff, patients, and other hospital personnel.

5. Must have sufficient organizational skills.

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

7. Demonstrate initiative and the ability to work independently.

8. Demonstrate the ability and flexibility to effectively handle challenging and stressful situations and to balance and shift multiple priorities.

9. Must have the ability to adapt to frequent interruptions and shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.

10. Must have interpersonal skills sufficient to interact effectively with patients who may be under physical and/or emotional stress.

11. Must have to ability to handle sensitive and confidential patient information.

12. Must be proficient in the use of the Radiation Oncology Information Systems and software and Hospital Information Systems that integrate with the Department of Radiation Oncology, including, but not limited to: ARIA, EPIC, ExacTrac, Eclipse, Align RT, Ethos.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

Required

* Valid Massachusetts State License in Radiation Therapy

* Valid ARRT certification in Radiation Therapy

* Valid BLS certification

EDUCATION

Required: High school + Certificate in Radiation Therapy required or Associate Degree in Radiation therapy

Preferred: BS in Radiation Therapy

EXPERIENCE - SENIOR RADIATION THERAPIST ONLY

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

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Must be prepared to work overtime, holidays and weekends, as needed.

2. Must be prepared to work and excel in a stressful, complex, and demanding team environment with varying workload, necessitating varying working hours.

3. Works with ionizing radiation, radioactive isotopes, MR, computers, cancer patients, both adults and children, and their families.

4. Exposure to human waste and disease.

5. Physical demands include but not limited to:

* Lifting and repositioning patients, using mechanical assistive devices.

* Lifting and positioning immobilization devices and beam modifying devices.

* Continuous standing.

6. Subject to frequent stressful situations.

BWH is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.