Radiation Therapist

Overview:

St. Lukes Health-Memorial paves the way for quality innovative health care in East Texas and provides more than a quarter of a million patient services each year. With hospitals in Lufkin Livingston and San Augustine St. Lukes Health-Memorial provides millions of dollars in charity care and community support each year.

*Sign-On Bonus $10,000

Under the direction of the Medical Director, Medical Physicist and Radiation Oncologist, the Radiation Therapist operates radiation therapy equipment in order to simulate and/or treat patients for disease. Provides patient orientation, explanation, and pre and post diagnostic care to completion of treatment. Performs therapy inclusive of positioning patient, calibration of equipment, and documentation of findings; assists patients as needed. Maintains patient safety through attention to detail, equipment safety checks, adherence to department policies, regulatory guidelines, and with effective communication with medical staff, peers, and patients. Provides emergency care, notifying appropriate personnel and ensures quality and patient safety is maintained. Displays professional, safe conduct in all interactions. Maintains positive working relationships with staff, other departments, physicians and peers. Displays conduct in support of St. Luke's Health Memorial Mission & Vision.

Position Responsbilities:

• Performs patient's simulations under direction of physician, which includes patient alignment, portal marking and chart documentation. .
• Supply data for and assist in fabrication and/or designs patient immobilization and treatment devices, such as vaculocks, bolus and aquaplast masks.
• Assists in dosimetry procedures, including obtaining patient parameters.
• Educates patients regarding simulation, treatment procedures and possible reactions (as directed by physician/nurse/physicist/dosimetrist).
• Observes patient for treatment reactions and reports reactions to physician/nurse.
• Assists in emergency procedures as necessary.
• Delivers a prescribed planned course of radiation therapy, which includes review of prescription, diagnosis medical record and patient identification.
• Prepares room and equipment for patient treatments including set-up of immobilization devices, field size treatment distance, shielding devices, etc.
• Monitors patient and equipment during treatment and/or simulation reporting any unusual circumstances,such as patient movement, equipment malfunction, etc.
• Completes daily quality checks on treatment and simulator equipment; maintains accurate documentation of quality checks. Documents and reports all variances and initiates proper follow-up.
• Coordinates patient simulator/treatment schedules.
• Participates in the clinical education of radiation therapy students.
• Ensures that patient orientation, patient preparation (including starting IV's and drawing labs as necessary), and patient teaching is provided prior, during and following the test completion.
• Provides information to the patient ensuring that the patient is aware of the therapy involvement
• Obtains necessary written consent and understanding for any specific procedures.
• Obtains and documents patient history according to specific departmental procedural protocols.
• Responsible for monitoring and recording radiation dose levels.
• Completes documentation and records for accurate billing daily; communicates when corrections are needed.
• Supports department-based goals and contributes to the success of the organization; serves as preceptor, mentor and resource to less experienced staff.
• Provides the requesting physician with preliminary findings based on criteria established for each procedure/treatment.
• Maintains proficiency in ancillary areas of department, i.e., radiology, front desk, patient transport and provides support when needed.
• Performs duties in accordance with that of St. Luke's Health Memorial policies and procedures, and regulatory guidelines.
• Rotates weekend/call responsibilities in a professional and accountable fashion if applicable.
• Performs other related duties as requested or assigned

Education and Experience Required:

• Graduate of a Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) accredited Program in Radiation Therapy or a suitable equivalent.
• One (1) year related work experience.

Preferred: Two (2) years of experience in discipline.

Licensure / Certification Required:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through an approved American Heart Association (AHA) program.
• Licensed as Medical Radiologic Technologist (MRT) with Texas Medical Board (TMB).
• Registered in Radiation Therapy R.T.(R)(T) through American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Requires knowledge of simulation and radiation therapy equipment.
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Critical thinking skills
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of dosimetry, simulation and radiation treatment equipment.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and ICD-10 coding.
• Analytical skills necessary to accurately interpret diagnoses and assess, interpret, and analyze data from medical records. Some knowledge of statistical research methods.
• Demonstrates visual, auditory and sensory acuity when performing tasks.
• Superior professional skill and judgment obtained from hands-on patient care experience.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills required for medical record documentation and prescription management.
• Ability to use office equipment and automated systems/applications/software at an acceptable level of proficiency and speed.
• High degree of proficiency with computers and printers including treatment planning systems.
• Demonstrated skills in organization, time management, attention-to-detail, prioritization, and multi-tasking.
• Able to concentrate for long periods and work independently.
• Ability to work remotely if requested.

Disclosure Statement:
The above statements reflect the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job as identified, and shall not be considered a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in position.