Radiation Therapist

The responsibility of the Radiation Therapist at MD Anderson Cancer Center is to administer safe and accurate radiation therapy treatment.

This position will be located at the Main Campus of MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Texas Medical Center.

KEY FUNCTIONS

Clinical Practice Management:

• Ensures accurate treatment delivery and data capture, the radiation therapist demonstrates sound clinical judgment and adheres to accurate treatment and simulation delivery.
• Gathers necessary set-up aids and prepares room and equipment for patient.
• Consistently works at a speed that supports treatment/simulation unit scheduling.
• Maintains appropriate treatment and simulation records and data. Sets appropriate treatment unit parameters
• Demonstrates necessary manual dexterity and psychomotor skills to operate and manipulate the mechanical motions of complex radiation-emitting treatment units. Works under stress and pressure.
• Adapts without difficulty to changes in work schedule or assigned area as departmental patient load dictates.
• Visually monitors patient for unusual reaction and events and reports same to radiation oncologist throughout the course of radiation therapy
• Explains treatment procedure to the patient as it is performed communicating in a clear, concise voice; answers patient's and family's questions and defers those not within his/her competence to the radiation oncologist.
• Verbally reinforces radiation oncologist's advice to patient regarding reactions to treatment and their care.
• Recognizes patient's needs and responds to them appropriately.
• Refers patient to other allied health specialists, such as a social workers, dietitians and nursing.

Performs and maintains Quality Assurance activities.

• Complies with departmental quality assurance practices.
• Visually ascertains that consent forms for radiation therapy are in the treatment record and have been signed by the patient before administering the treatment.
• Monitors and maintains daily treatment records and machine QA, inclusive of but not limited to the following: adheres to portal image review/approval guidelines as required by the department makes adjustments in field placement as needed.
• Verbally notifies physics or engineering if measurements do not fall into accepted parameters. Visually recognizes and reports erratic operation of equipment to supervisor, engineering staff and/or Administrative Director for Therapy Services.
• Checks prescription, set-up instructions, new start procedures, and patient information in the record and verify system, etc. Reviews the records for any discrepancies between the prescription, treatment plan, and amendments.
• Attends planning clinic as assigned.
• Performs, monitors, and maintains mandatory quality control activities and documentation.

Maintains Competency Management

• Ensures that appropriate clinical skills are learned and maintained to support treatment and simulation delivery, the radiation therapist demonstrates and adheres to:
• Maintenance of departmentally identified base competencies inclusive of performing calculations.
• Accurate documentation and maintenance of competency assessment criteria.
• Facilitates learning consistent with expectations of documented competency level by attending lectures, seminars, and in-services to stay abreast of new techniques and to comply with licensure and competency requirements.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills and professional behaviors (soft skills) and participation in competency assessments.
• Consistently works within the scope of practice and competency level.

Participates in clinical instruction/evaluation, education and training management:

• Actively participates in practitioner/students education and assessment.
• Demonstrates practice related learning, share knowledge and skills learned to students and peers.
• Participates in departmental/institutional learning initiatives and in-services.
• Orients and teaches new students/therapists rotating to treatment unit.
• Participates in the monthly evaluations on the students, assessing cognitive, affective and psychomotor objectives.

Adhere to departmental guidelines and institutional policies

• Adheres to department policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Completes internal variance forms for any error and forwards it to the supervisor for follow up within 24 hours.
• Consistently adheres to all departmental policies concerning radiation therapy treatment, attendance, and dress code.
• Adheres to Kronos Procedures, uses effective time management.
• Utilizes resources and controls resources through careful management of supplies and equipment.
• Effectively uses the experience and abilities of other staff members.
• Willing to take instruction, discipline, correction, and guidance.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm and shows initiative to begin, complete and improve all actions required to accomplish job.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Required: Graduate of a Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) accredited program in Radiation Therapy or a suitable equivalent.

License/Certification

All of the following are required:

• Certification and registration in Radiation Therapy by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
• Medical Radiologic Technologist license by the Texas Medical Board (TMB).

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html