Radiation Therapist Job Description
Radiation Therapist Duties & Responsibilities
To write an effective radiation therapist job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included radiation therapist job description templates that you can modify and use.
Sample responsibilities for this position include:
Radiation Therapist Qualifications
Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.
Licensing or Certifications for Radiation Therapist
List any licenses or certifications required by the position: CPR, BLS, ARRT, RT
Education for Radiation Therapist
Typically a job would require a certain level of education.
Employers hiring for the radiation therapist job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Associate and Bachelor's Degree in Radiation Therapy, Technical, Technology, Radiation Oncology, Education, Associates, Graduate, Science, Continuing Education, Radiology
Skills for Radiation Therapist
Desired skills for radiation therapist include:
Desired experience for radiation therapist includes:
Radiation Therapist Examples
Radiation Therapist Job Description
- Rotate through simulator, accelerators, and HDR
- Observes symptoms/reactions to treatment and reports to RN and/or Radiation Oncologist
- State of Florida Radiologic Technologist (Radiation Therapy Technologist) license
- ARRT(T)Radiation Therapy certification required
- Contrast enhanced CT experience preferred
- Assuring the quality of treatment delivery through the complete and accurate documentation of treatment records
- Recognizing deviation from prescribed treatment delivery and reporting all deviations to the Chief Therapist and/or Physicist
- Observing patients for expected and unexpected reactions to treatments and communicating these to appropriate staff members
- Taking localization radiographs according to planned treatment delivery, under the direction of a radiation oncologist
- Assisting as needed in all treatment-related procedures
- Performing and documenting daily and weekly QA activity for assigned equipment
- Participating in programs to measure and improve the quality of care within the Department
- Experience using ARIA or IMPAC, Varian and CT simulation equipment preferred
- Annual CPR certification required
- Prepares the patient and delivers radiation treatments as directed by the Radiation Oncologist
- Provides the patient with on-going education from their simulation through the end of their treatment
Radiation Therapist Job Description
- Calculates required treatment times for optimum patient flow while accommodating the patient’s schedule as well
- Evaluates the course of the patient’s treatment and plans accordingly for any changes
- Blocks to be added at certain doses
- Comprehends the entire plan of treatment and reproduces complex setups
- Delivers treatment to patients receiving HDR radiation
- Takes localization films and portal images as directed by the Radiation Oncologist, and makes sure they are approved in a timely manner
- Utilizes the portal imaging system in conjunction with ARIA to obtain quality images
- Responsible for confirming that the patient’s chart, diagnostic studies and previous simulation films are available for the patient’s simulation
- Performs the simulation process for preparation of the treatment plan
- Completes consistency check prior to the first treatment
- Verifies the prescription to make sure it is complete, and that it is correct in ARIA
- Compares the templates from dosimetry against the MLC’s in the treatment room
- Compares the dose information in ARIA against the dose information on the dosimetry plans
- Verifies the correct energy, wedges, machine parameters and monitor units
- Personally reviews changes requested by the Radiation Oncologist
- Monitors the patient with audio/visual equipment during the treatment to observe any patient movement and notifies manger of any patient complaints
Radiation Therapist Job Description
- Analyzes problems when setups are not reproducing and takes appropriate corrective action
- Observes the patient for any side effects from the treatment, and adequate pain control, and refers them to the nurse and/or Radiation Oncologist, as appropriate
- Assesses patient lab results and notifies the Radiation Oncologist, if applicable
- Responds quickly and without immediate assistance in an emergency situation
- Identifies and properly amends any charting errors in accordance with hospital policy and department procedures
- Reviews patient charts to ensure ongoing quality assurance
- Coordinates in-house patient transportation
- Refer patients, as appropriate, to the Oncology Social Worker
- Makes efficient use of time and prepare properly to ensure efficient and timely workflow
- Performs daily warm-up and QA on the treatment machine and simulator
- Physics immediately if equipment malfunctions
- Participates in the on-call schedule at all sites
- Responsible for other duties, as requested
- Must possess knowledge of anatomical structures for localization
- Must possess the technical skills to accomplish the treatment plan proposed by the Radiation Oncologist
- Graduate of an AMA approved school of Radiation Therapy program
Radiation Therapist Job Description
- Minimum of at least one year of experience
- Must be a Registered Radiation Therapist (ARRT)
- Monitors and documents patient's condition, reports any adverse reactions
- Assesses patient's condition, age, size and other medical conditions to best determine if treatment can be performed within the prescribed plan
- Assists and monitors patient during treatment
- Operates specialized radiation therapy equipment
- Provides patient / significant other education and explanation of procedures being performed
- Establishes rapport and maintains patient relations
- Participates in maintaining neat, clean and stocked treatment rooms and console area
- Accurately delivers and records radiation therapy treatments under the direction of a radiation oncologist and chief radiation therapist
- Experience with radiation oncology specific electronic medical record record and verify
- Ability to perform duties while walking, standing, stooping, reaching and lifting
- Ability to lift materials weighing up to 35 lbs
- Ability to work the hours of operation - flexible
- Ability to float to other CCHS facilities when needed
- Associated Degree in Radiologic Technology and/or Radiation Therapy required
Radiation Therapist Job Description
- Provide accurate radiation treatment to patients as prescribed by the radiation oncologist while also developing positive, trusting, caring and professional relationships with patients
- Prepare and set up equipment to ensure immobilization, protection and precise treatment
- Observe the patient’s progress throughout the course of radiation treatment
- Perform simulations and deliver therapeutic ionizing radiation to the patient as prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist
- Assist the physician and fellow employees in providing optimum care and treatment to the patients
- Teach, supervise and evaluate the radiation therapy students with the lead therapist
- Delivers therapeutic doses of radiation and fulfills treatment plan on a day-to-day basis according to physician prescription through the use of a linear accelerator or high dose rate brachytherapy unit
- Marks ports, takes necessary measurements and documentation for treatment charts, and takes port films for review
- Accurately records and maintains electronic charting, treatment charts and records on a daily basis, including dose addition, prescription adjustments, port film documentation, diagrams, blocking, landmarks, and proper bill charges
- When working as a team with another therapist, acts as a double check
- Experience as a Radiation Therapist preferred
- Currently Registry or Registry eligible as a Radiation Therapist required
- Aria and Varian experience strongly preferred
- 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