Radiation Therapist

Position Summary:

The Radiation Therapist delivers professional radiation therapy services, including executing daily radiation therapy treatments, scheduling patients, simulation of patients, maintaining accurate patient treatment records and participating in the quality assurance/quality control activities of the center. The Radiation Therapist works in collaboration with the oncology services team of Cancer Treatment Center patients and their families.

Experience: Minimum of one year experience as a licensed therapist desired.

Requirements: ARRT Certification required

Essential Functions:

• Performs daily set up and delivery of approved courses of radiotherapy in a timely and accurate manner.
• Assumes care for physical and psychological needs of patients during treatment delivery.
• Observes clinical progress of patients and reports signs of complications according to policy and procedure.
• Performs simulations on new treatment areas to define exact parameters as prescribed by Radiation Oncology using professional knowledge and skills for optimum treatment.
• Perform basic nursing skills according to policy and procedure.
• Assist physician in patient follow‐ups, weekly check‐ups and initial consultation.
• Scheduling of daily treatments, transportation provided by STC, treatment planning exams and other diagnostic procedures
• Provides dosimetry services in conjunction with the medical physicist.
• Accurately obtains weekly portal films and provides accurate identification/documentation.
• Uses film processor.
• Responsible for preparing and presentation of treatment chart.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times, and is considerate and understanding of individual's privacy concerns.
• Prepares treatment devices and blocks, and assist with patient transport to treatment equipment as necessary.
• Assists patients and families in gaining access to appropriate CTS and community services.
• Makes referrals to physicians, oncology team, nurses, community health agencies or other professional staff as needed.
• Participates in the identification, data collection and review of quality assurance activities of the center.
• Applies principles of basic radiation physics, radiation interactions and radiation protection to all activities involving staff and patients.
• Performs quality control function for the center, including appropriate measurement, documentation and reporting of findings.
• Detects and reports equipment malfunctions, while ensuring patient safety and timely repair of equipment
• Contacts service provider to initiate repair of equipment within time frame to lest compromise patient treatment and safety.
• Provides input for equipment and supply purchase decisions.
• Performs inventory control, inventory documentation and purchase of supplies for assigned area as appropriate.
• Assists in the maintenance of patient records as required, including the requisitioning, retrieving and filing of charts and other files.
• Maintains accurate patient records, all documentation is according to prescribed policy and procedure, complete and legible.
• Helps ensure correct patient billing and maintaining accurate billing records.
• Verification of 800's (audits/summary of patient charges), performed with fellow therapist and/or oncology nurse.
• Responsible for general cleaning and upkeep of center, in particular, radiation work area.
• Willingly answers telephones and directs calls appropriately.
• Therapists clarifies, if needed, physician prescribed course, prior to treatments.
• Assumes responsibility for continuing education relevant to personal and professional learning needs.
• Takes part in public and professional education and cancer prevention and screening programs as appropriate.
• Participates in CTS specialty committees and staff meetings.
• Participates in the quality improvement activities of CTS.
• Demonstrates professional image, attitude and behaviors consistent with the philosophy of CTS as well as the radiation therapy profession.
• Performs accurate dose calculations and assists they physics staff with chart checks as needed by policy and procedure.
• Responsible for attending all annual education programs as required by the position.
• Immobilizes patient as necessary according to prescribed policy and procedure.
• Utilizes beam directional devices according to policy and procedure.
• Operates therapeutic equipment according to policy and procedure.
• Operates simulator and radiographic imaging equipment according to policy and procedure.
• Utilizes wedge and compensation filters, as applicable.
• Performs and documents daily, weekly, monthly, semi‐annual and annual quality checks in accordance with policy and procedure and regulations.
• Transport patients to and from Radiation therapy as needed.
• Practices aseptic techniques as needed according to policy and procedure.
• Perform tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues, including the use of appropriate personal protective equipment and standard precautions.
• Manipulation of patient and equipment requires some physical effort and strain, pushing, lifting ‐ special requirements.

Other Duties:

• Demonstrates age specific competencies as per department standards.
• Maintains good inter‐ and intra‐departmental relationships, interacts effectively with all customers both internal and external.
• Strives to conduct self in manner that positively reflects on organization.
• Maintains current knowledge of and adheres to all departmental and organizational policies and procedures.
• Employee supports and remains knowledgeable concerning the organization's and department's compliance efforts to promote conformance with federal, state and private health
• Utilizes time to departments best advantage and in a manner involving the coordination of tasks that helps achieve high quality work and services and maximize productivity and efficiency.
• Exhibits initiative in performing all duties, regularly assists co‐workers, consistently strives to be a productive member of the department and the organization.
• Consistently demonstrates good judgment, ability to assess situations, consider alternatives, and select appropriate course of action.
• Consults supervisor as appropriate.
• Fully supports and utilizes the organization's Continuous Quality Improvement process ‐ participates in activities as established and agreed to, identifying problems and working toward resolution.
• Maintains desired attendance level, arrives on time at start of scheduled shift and returns promptly after breaks and lunch periods.
• Demonstrates clinical and technical competencies as per department standards
• Attends annual update and review education session and departmental meetings.
• Complies with requirement for annual physical assessment within appropriate time‐frame.

Salary: $62.92/hr flat per diem rate

Joining the Guthrie team allows you to become a part of a tradition of excellence in health care. In all areas and at all levels of Guthrie, you'll find staff members who have committed themselves to serving the community.

The Guthrie Clinic is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Guthrie Clinic is a non-profit, integrated, practicing physician-led organization in the Twin Tiers of New York and Pennsylvania. Our multi-specialty group practice of more than 500 physicians and 302 advanced practice providers offers 47 specialties through a regional office network providing primary and specialty care in 22 communities. Guthrie Medical Education Programs include General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Anesthesiology and Orthopedic Surgery Residency, as well as Cardiovascular, Gastroenterology and Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship programs. Guthrie is also a clinical campus for the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.