Staff Radiation Therapist

Advocate Health Care; Oak Lawn (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health Care is seeking a professional for a role involving the accurate delivery of radiation for cancer treatment. The incumbent will be responsible for positioning patients, monitoring symptoms, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

The ideal candidate will have graduated from an ARRT-approved school and must be equipped with knowledge of treatment modalities, communication skills, and hold an ARRT license within six months of hire.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of cancer treatment modalities required.
• Experience with equipment related to radiation therapy is essential.
• CPR certification and ARRT license or eligibility needed.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for the delivery of radiation for cancer treatment.
• Positions patients accurately for treatment.
• Monitors patient symptoms and safety during procedures.

Skills

Knowledge of a variety of treatment modalities

Experience with Linear Accelerators

Communication skills

CPR certification

ARRT license or ARRT registry eligibility

Education

Graduate of an ARRT-approved School of Radiation Therapy Technology

Job description

Major Responsibilities

Accountable for the accurate delivery of the prescribed dose of radiation for treatment of cancer.

• Positions patients in accordance with setup instructions and ensures proper immobilization to accurately deliver the radiation dosage to the proper site.
• Assists physicians with the various procedures by making recommendations and suggestions regarding technical limitations of equipment and/or patients and the ability to successfully administer therapy.
• Monitors and evaluates patient symptoms of clinical importance to determine when to withhold treatment and when to confer with physicians.
• Participates in special treatment delivery options such as brachytherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery.
• Able to perform CT simulation techniques when assigned.
• Provides instruction and supervision to students participating in the clinical program.
• Monitors patient’s weight on a weekly basis and notifies the registered nurse of significant changes.
• Promotes patient safety by reporting issues through established channels and participating as requested in safety initiatives.
• Calculates treatment units according to prescription and parameters.
• Assesses treatment plans and setups and executes them.
• Takes weekly verification films of all areas being treated.
• Schedules patients for outpatient appointments.

Compliance and Regulatory Requirements

• Maintains licensure and demonstrates evidence of compliance.
• Attends scheduled in-services to review safety practices.
• Maintains audio and visual contact with patients at all times during treatment.
• Wears appropriate monitoring devices to detect personnel exposure.

Equipment Operations and Maintenance

• Monitors output of equipment and beam devices on a daily basis.
• Maintains a log of equipment malfunctions.

Documentation and Records Management

• Enters charges into the IMPAC computer system as procedures are performed.
• Completes daily documentation of each patient’s treatment in computer and paper charts.
• Monitors patient charts to ensure that blood counts and other tests are ordered and recorded.

Professional Development

• Reads professional literature as it relates to the field of radiation therapy.
• Attends professional society meetings, training courses and in-services to maintain knowledge and skills.

Education / Experience Required

Graduate of an ARRT-approved School of Radiation Therapy Technology.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Knowledge of a variety of treatment modalities.
• Experience with Linear Accelerators, Simulators, and communication skills.
• CPR certification.
• ARRT license or ARRT registry eligibility and required to obtain licensure within 6 months of hire date.
• Active license from the State of Illinois IEMA Division of Nuclear Safety.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Ability to communicate with patients.
• Ability to lift heavy weight requirements according to DOL definitions.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions and situations.
• Ability to work safely with radiation.
• Recognize needs and behaviors of a variety of age groups of patients treated; prior experience with various age groups is preferred.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance; for lifts over 35 pounds, patient handling equipment and at least one other associate are expected to be used when available.

General Note

To clarify, this job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the incumbent. The incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.