• Delivers accurately the prescribed course of radiation therapy as prescribed.
• Checks for completion of dose prescription and signed consent form. Treatment will not be initiated until the above are completed.
• Explains procedures to patients; communicated openly with patient during treatment.
• Maintains awareness of procedures to follow in the event of an emergency during patient treatment.
• Reinforces signs and samples of reactions to treatment and care.
• Prepares the treatment room and equipment for each patient according to the prescription approved by the Radiation Oncologist (immobilization devices, field size, treatment distances, lead protection devices, etc.).
• Transfers patients safely to the treatment table, giving special care to catheters, IV drips, etc.
• Checks daily treatment time and delivers prescribed dose.
• Maintains visual and audio communication with the patient during treatment.
• Maintains patient markings.
• Takes photographs of all patients and their ports; documents these photographs with correct patient information (name, date, area treated); and places photographs in patient?s treatment chart.
• Observes patients for unusual reactions and reports them to the Radiation Oncologist
• Assists patients as necessary in entering or leaving the facility, entering or leaving the treatment room, dressing or undressing, or with other mobility needs.
• Observes radiation safety measures for patients and team members.
• Accurately maintains patients? treatment charts and therapeutic dosages as prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist.
• Assists in tumor localization procedures and ensures that all localization films and portal verification films are reviewed by the Radiation Oncologist on a routine basis to ensure proper positioning and treatment.
• Implements any field or dosage changes prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist.
• Fabricates treatment devices, including lead shielding blocks as prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist.
• Assists in dosimetry procedures, including taking contours and other procedures as necessary.
• Performs simulation procedures, including proper positioning of patient and machinery, taking and developing diagnostic films of treatment fields, and filing films properly.
• Ensures that the Radiation Oncologist has approved each treatment film before initiating treatment.
• Maintains a clean and orderly workstation.
• Schedules patient treatment appointment times and simulation appointment times.
• Initiates machine start-up procedures at the proper time to be ready to treat patients at their appointment.
• Rotates on-call and weekend duty as specified by department policy and schedule.
• Notifies the Radiation Oncologist of any patient complication, patient complaint, treatment termination.
• Reports any treatment errors immediately to the Physicist and the Radiation Oncologist.
• Adheres to all departmental policies and procedures.
• Secures and maintains supplies in the treatment room.
• Checks beam directional devices, protective devices, heavy and dangerous equipment, and keeps records under the supervision of the Physicist.
• Reports malfunctioning equipment to the Radiation Oncologist
• Attends departmental meetings.
• Ensures proper documentation of procedures in the patient?s chart and in accordance with billing procedures.
• Maintains state and other required licensures.
• Participates in and documents Quality assurance management (i.e. weekly SSD checks and Diode readings), according to the departmental policy and procedures, under the direction of the Physicist.
• Maintains and uses IMPC for patient treatment, simulation or CT treatment planning schedule.
• Utilizes personal protective equipment (PPD) per standards.
• Demonstrates ability to assess a situation, consider alternatives and choose an appropriate course of action.
• Modifies care of the adult and geriatric by performing assessment slowly recognizing the patient?s need for time to answer questions, asking clear, precise questions and listening carefully while recognizing the patient may not want to share information openly, speaking distinctly and slowly when teaching patient, instructing about one item at a time, recognizing possible reluctance to ask questions by repeating information often and asking for clarification/verification, involving patient in decision making and control of pain, assisting patients to plan for anticipated body changes, helping patient concentrate on successes in life, assisting, when appropriate, in reminiscing about events, ensuring patient warmth due to decreased heat regulation, providing patient needed time for decision making, verbal expression, and activities requiring movement, encouraging visiting from family and/or significant others, empathizing with patient about losses, (hearing, eyesight, death of a loved one), promoting independence, and encouraging patient to maintain peer group interactions.
• All to be done under the supervision of a licensed Radiation Therapist or Radiation Oncologist.

Education

Preferred:

    High School

    Associate in Applied Sciences

Licenses & Certifications

Required:

    L-Student Extern

    C-ARRT - RT T ARRT

    L-Radiography RRT

Preferred:

    C-BLS

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About CHRISTUS Health

CHRISTUS HEALTH is an international Catholic, faith-based, not-for-profit health system comprised of almost more than 600 services and facilities, including more than 60 hospitals and long-term care facilities, 350 clinics and outpatient centers, and dozens of other health ministries and ventures. CHRISTUS operates in 6 U.S. states, Colombia, Chile and 6 states in Mexico. To support our health care ministry, CHRISTUS Health employs approximately 45,000 Associates and has more than 15,000 physicians on medical staffs who provide care and support for patients. CHRISTUS Health is listed among the top ten largest Catholic health systems in the United States.

Connections working at CHRISTUS Health

https://careers.apha.org/jobs/20794195/student-extern-graduate-radiation-therapist-482003