PRN Rad Therapist

Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System; Doylestown (Bucks County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Prepaid tuition assistance

Job summary

Penn Medicine in Bucks County, PA, seeks a Radiation Therapist who will work with clinical physicists, dosimetrists and therapists to ensure accurate, safe daily radiation treatments. The role includes CT simulation exposure, patient preparation, treatment delivery, and collaboration to uphold radiation safety and patient care standards.

Responsibilities include patient education, verifying patient information, preparing treatment rooms, positioning patients, operating equipment safely, and

Qualifications

• Certificate of Completion from Approved Radiation Therapy Technology Program (Required)
• Capable of operating equipment and software required to deliver radiation treatment and patient care.
• Bachelor’s Degree (Preferred)
• Familiarity with the process required for CT Simulation, PET CT & MRI (Preferred)
• Computer literate, with working knowledge of the Aria system and related software (Preferred)

Responsibilities

• Explain radiation procedures to patients and reinforce physician directives.
• Prepare room and equipment for patient treatment.
• Position patients and attach monitoring devices for treatment.
• Operate treatment machinery safely and maintain equipment.
• Document daily treatment and verify therapy charts and approvals.

Skills

Computer software skills and knowledge

Education

Certificate of Completion from Approved Radiation Therapy Technology Program

Bachelor’s Degree (Preferred)

Tools

Aria

IX

Halcyon

TruBeam

Protons

portal imaging

OBI

gating

Epic

Outlook

Job description

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Radiation Manager Supervisor or Therapy Lead, the Radiation Therapist works with clinical physicists, dosimetrists and other therapists as part of a treatment team. Staff therapists are proficient in many departmental functions, primarily the accurate and safe delivery of daily radiation treatments. Proficiency is achieved by various rotations on all treatment units, plus adequate exposure to CT simulation.

Accountabilities

Patient Care and Education

Explains radiation procedures thoroughly to the patient and reinforces physician’s directives regarding reactions to treatments and their care. Verifies patient information including name, DOB, and photo to ensure the correct patient is treated. Transfers patient safely to the treatment couch giving special care to catheters, IVs, etc. Provides for patients’ physical needs during their stay in the department to ensure continued support and maintenance of radiation safety measures. Provides emotional support and general information to patients when appropriate, following departmental confidentiality guidelines. Escalates concerns to interdepartmental staff (RN, MD, etc.) when deemed necessary. Visualizes and evaluates the condition of the treatment area to determine special precautions required, reporting alarm conditions (e.g., moist desquamation, skin breakdown, sore throat) to appropriate personnel. Observes patients’ mental health status and attitude for any changes and reports to appropriate personnel.

Procedure Preparation / Patient Preparation

Prepares room and equipment for patient treatment according to prescription and special instructions regarding immobilization devices, field size, treatment distance, shielding, etc. Ensures room is sufficiently stocked with supplies at the end of the day. Reports to appropriate personnel when supplies are low.

Procedure Execution

Ensures proper and current forms are reviewed and signed by patient and physician. Aides in patient undressing, assuring that appropriate areas are covered with patient gown. Attaches restraining, protective diagnostic and/or monitoring devices properly to the patient prior to treatment. Positions patients according to instructions, using devices needed to ensure accurate delivery of treatment. Checks and initials therapy chart for prescription with staff MD’s signature, and signed consent form. Checks therapy chart for physics approval. Performs simulation procedures following techniques and guidelines used in the department. Follows departmental procedure for monitoring patient dosimetry for TLDs. Follows departmental policy for treating TBI, TSE, SBRT patients.

Machine and Equipment Operations

Operates machinery correctly, following all safety rules. Dismantles, cleans, and stores equipment according to departmental standards and procedures. Manages film treatment fields every 5–7 treatments. Evaluates and discusses with the physician any changes to be made in treatment fields. Monitors equipment during operation to ensure it is properly functioning. Stores and/or disposes of contaminated or expired material according to departmental procedures. Performs safety inspections and/or tests as required to ensure safety standards are met. Checks treatment room supplies to assure their proper status for emergency situations. Recognizes when a situation is critical, requires immediate attention, and calls the nurse and/or physician. Initiates correct calls or contacts appropriate resources needed to provide or obtain emergency services according to departmental procedures. Provides emergency assistance as required and/or directed by the appropriate authority or emergency team leader. Schedules treatments effectively, minimizing delays but allowing sufficient time for contingencies. Assigns scheduling priorities according to the patient condition or timing of the request. Communicates schedules or rescheduling to patients and appropriate personnel promptly. Maintains and checks daily billing and reviews the accuracy of the information for official daily reports. Accurately documents in patient’s radiation therapy chart daily treatment given. Documents details of decisions and actions with accuracy for future reference. Takes photographs of patients’ treatment setup where applicable (e.g., electron setups). Administers IV contrast as prescribed by the physician in accordance with the policies, procedures, and competencies established for CT Simulation. Pours electron blocks as needed.

Work Organization and Coordination

Schedules time effectively by assigning priorities to daily and weekly activities. Avoids crisis through systematic planning and follow through. Develops and maintains contacts with others to effectively plan and coordinate interrelated activities. Maintains efficient workflow by making timely requests to others and responding quickly to requests. Transports patients safely and as comfortably as possible in and out of the treatment room.

Problem Solving

Recognizes problems, potential problems and reports them promptly to supervisor. Takes corrective action immediately when appropriate and uses resources available to provide assistance in resolving problems. Recommends alternative solutions when possible.

Information Exchange

Presents information, explains procedures and various routines clearly and explicitly to ensure understanding. Listens carefully to others in order to respond appropriately, answer questions or obtain needed information. Maintains confidentiality in communications as appropriate and in accordance with hospital policy.

Independence / Tenacity

Works without close supervision and originates ideas or activities that effectively influence events or positively impact goal achievement. Keeps supervisor and peers informed as appropriate and necessary. Seeks advice and information in situations outside personal expertise, as required. Actively explores circumstances that interfere with goal attainment and makes appropriate recommendations as required. Pursues goals until they are achieved or their attainment is no longer reasonable.

Credentials

• Amer Registry Radiologic Tech, ARRT (Required)
• Valid State Radiation Therapy License required (NJ)
• CPR Certification (Required)

Education or Equivalent Experience

• Certificate of Completion from Approved Radiation Therapy Technology Program (Required)
• Capable of operating equipment and software required to deliver radiation treatment and patient care. Example: Aria, IX, Halcyon, TruBeam, Protons, portal imaging, OBI, gating (Required)
• Bachelor’s Degree (Preferred)
• Familiarity with the process required for CT Simulation, PET CT & MRI (Preferred)
• Computer literate, with working knowledge of the various systems used within our department such as: Epic, Outlook and Med view, knowledge and competent operation of the Aria computer system (Preferred)

Skills and Abilities

• Computer software skills and knowledge

Benefits

Our employee benefits programs help us get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Penn Medicine employees are actively engaged and committed to our mission. Together we will continue to make medical advances that help people live longer, healthier lives.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.