RADIATION THERAPIST (TR/PRN)

The Radiation Therapist at Riverside Healthcare's Cancer Treatment Center, plays a crucial role in the treatment of cancer patients by administering radiation therapy as prescribed by a radiation oncologist. The therapist ensures that each patient receives safe and accurate treatment, providing care that is both compassionate and technically proficient. This position involves working as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver the highest standard of care and contributing to positive patient outcomes through meticulous attention to detail and patient-focused care.

Essential Duties

• Radiation Treatment Administration: Accurately deliver prescribed radiation therapy to patients using state-of-the-art equipment, ensuring precise targeting of treatment areas while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
• Patient Positioning: Position patients correctly for treatment based on the treatment plan, using immobilization devices as necessary to ensure accuracy and reproducibility of treatment sessions.
• Immobilization Device Fabrication: Fabricate individualized immobilization devices to ensure patient comfort and the structural integrity of each device. Assist in the fabrication of other custom devices as directed by the physician, physicist, or dosimetrist.
• CT Simulation: Perform CT simulations by scanning patients at the appropriate levels, transferring and reconstructing images as required, transferring and coordinating to the Gammex laser system, and marking isocenters.
• Equipment Operation: Operate and maintain radiation therapy equipment, including linear accelerators, ensuring proper function and safety. Performs quality assurance and warm-up procedures on all ancillary equipment. 
• Patient Monitoring: Observe patients during treatment for any unusual reactions or side effects, providing immediate care if necessary and reporting any issues to the radiation oncologist.
• Patient Education: Educate patients and their families about the radiation therapy process, addressing any concerns and providing guidance on managing side effects.
• Treatment Planning Collaboration: Work closely with radiation oncologists, dosimetrists, and other healthcare professionals to assist in the planning and modification of treatment plans based on patient responses and clinical needs.
• Quality Assurance: Perform regular quality assurance checks on equipment and treatment plans to ensure accuracy and compliance with safety standards.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and detailed records of patient treatments, including daily treatment logs and any changes to treatment plans.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure clinic compliance with DNV and Commission on Cancer (COC) regulations and maintain accurate documentation of all required clinical patient information during the rooming process. 
• Adhere to AIDET format and standards. Acknowledge and greet all customers timely with a professional and friendly demeanor.
• Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Non-essential Duties

• Training and Development: Participate in ongoing professional development and training programs to stay current with best practices and advancements in radiation therapy and techniques.
• Community Outreach: Engage in community health initiatives and outreach programs as assigned to promote wellness and preventive care.
• Patient Support: Establish a compassionate environment by providing emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, families, and friends.
• Medication Management: Maintain and administer medications accurately, including sample logging in EMR and medication room management, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
• Health Outcomes: Measure health outcomes against patient care goals and standards, making necessary adjustments to care plans to ensure optimal results.

Preferred Experience

• Strong critical thinking skills. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, with a patient-centered approach to care. 
• Proficiency in using medical equipment and EHR software.
• Compassionate, detail-oriented, and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. 
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high standards of care.

Required Licensure/Education

• Associate's Degree in Radiation Therapy from an accredited program required 
• Current and valid Radiologic Technologist license in the state of Illinois.
• American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Our Commitment to You:

Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and nationally rated employee well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more so your journey at and away from work is remarkable. Our Total Rewards package includes: 

Compensation

•              Base compensation within the positions pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
•              Premium pay such as shift differential, on-call
•              Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits - .5 to 1.0 FTE

•              Paid Time Off programs
•              Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
•              Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
•              Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
•              Educational Assistance Program

Benefits - .001 to .49 FTE:

•              Paid Leave Hours accrued as you work

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: Film processing developer and fixer, cerrobend lead alloy, correction fluid
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Average to minimal exposure. Risk reduced by using universal precautions, effective observation, and communication
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Average to minimal exposure. Risk reduced by using universal precautions, effective observation, and communication

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Needed for presentation/training, telephone communication, facilitate meetings. Communication with co-workers and patients.
• Vision: Needed to visually monitor patients during daily radiation treatments and simulations, read memos, read treatment prescriptions, patient set-up instructions, and literature.
• Smell: Needed to detect electrical equipment malfunctions, smoke, and patient odors (I.e. infections, poor hygiene).
• Hearing: Needed for effective daily communication with patients and families seen and treated in department, effective communication with attending physician. e.g. verbal orders, detecting malfunctioning equipment, hearing fire alarms and codes..
• Touch: Needed to write chart documentation, feel tumor parameters, position patients, do computer entry, filing.

Activity/Lifting Requirements

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 20%
• Twist: 0%
• Stand: 10%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 48%
• Kneel: 0%
• Lift: 10%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 0%
• Climb: 0%
• Bend: 2%
• Reach above shoulders: 10%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 35 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 50 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 75 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 100 lbs: Occasionally
• Over 100 lbs: Occasionally

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):

• Lift and carry custom blocks from Mold Room to Treatment room and place into the block cabinet. 
• Lift custom blocks from block cabinet and carry to linear accelerator and place above head into block receptacle. 
• Assist patients who are weak or infirm from wheelchair to treatment couch.
• Assist with lifting/pushing/pulling patients from gurney to treatment couch using smooth moving board and sheets. 
• Carry x-ray jackets and patients' charts.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 15-60
• Twist: 0
• Stand: 15-60
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 10
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 2
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 1
• Climb: 0
• Bend: 1
• Reach above shoulders: 1

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated): 

• Simple grasp up to 15 lbs. 
• Normal weight: often
• Pushing &pulling Normal weight: 50-200#
• Fine Manipulation: Turning pages in charts, weight varies with thickness of chart. Entering treatment data into computer systems using keyboard and mouse.

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control:

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards

• Environmental Factors (Time Spent):
• • Inside hours: 8
  • Outside hours : 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere: Fumes, Dust
• Special Hazards: Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Radiation: Linear accelerator, simulator, orthovoltage: large moving equipment that can be dangerous to patient and operator if not properly used and proper safety measures practiced. Mold room drill press. Film processing chemicals.
• Protective Clothing Required: Mold room: apron, heavy gloves, protective eyewear, treatment/simulation/orthovoltage: lab jacket.