Radiation Therapist

With a legacy that spans over 150 years, Bon Secours is a network that is dedicated to providing excellent care through exceptional people. At every level, everyone on our teams have embraced the call to provide compassionate care. Here, you can work with others who share common values, and use your skills to help extend care to all of our communities.

Primary Function/General Purpose of Position

The primary responsibility of this position is to administer prescribed external beam radiation therapy treatments under the direction of the oncologist and supervision of the department manager. Has latitude for independent judgment, using ingenuity and initiative. Demonstrates attitudes and behaviors in interacting with others that are courteous, polite, concerned, friendly and respectful, resulting in favorable patient, physician and staff perceptions of the Bon Secours Cancer Institute and its employees.

Employment Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Graduate of an accredited school of radiation oncology.
• Registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Radiation Therapy, or board eligible (expected to pass ARRT certification exam within 3 months of hire).
• ARRT certification is to be maintained during tenure of employment by completing continuing education as required by the ARRT
• Requires proficiency in performing relatively complex technical work normally acquired during clinical experience.
• Maintain state license as required by the Department of Health

Essential Job Functions

Daily Operations

• Operates a variety of radiation therapy equipment, providing protection in accordance with prescribed safety standards. Immediately reports any malfunctions, necessary adjustments or repairs. Initiates repair process when indicated.
• Correctly interprets the Physician prescription, Diagnosis, and Treatment Chart. For the initial treatment uses the treatment plan record to verify treatment setup and accuracy.
• Ensures there is a documented time out before every treatment to verify patient identification by 2 sources.
• Maintains constant visual and sound communications with patient during treatment.
• Performs daily warm up and QA on the linear accelerators and CT simulator, as instructed and per policy, keeping accurate records of machine readings and faults. Immediately reports any malfunctions.
• Ensures the treatment room is set up correctly and ready for patient treatment to affect optimal patient flow.
• Maintains room cleanliness in accordance with Bon Secours infection prevention and control policies and ensures that room is stocked with all needed supplies. Ensures that the control room is neat and clean with no visible clutter.
• Explains all aspects of their treatments and scheduled procedures and establishes good communication with the patient.
• Reinforces advice and instructions given to patients and/or the patient's families during treatments as prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist or nurse.
• Organizes and accurately schedules daily treatments, CT simulations, and other procedures (as needed) for patients, making every effort to accommodate their time constraints and travel problems.
• Handles patients and their families with a high degree of professional ethics, care, tact, courtesy, patience and safety. Exhibits confidence to ease patient fears related to treatment and all radiation oncology procedures.
• Follows infection prevention policies and procedures.
• Participates in the on-call process according to departmental policies and procedures.

Documentation and Billing

• Locates or obtains necessary consent forms for treatment and student participation.
• Maintains department and hospital records on patients in accordance with established standards.
• Follows policy for end of treatment visits and new starts.
• Ensures prior auth has been obtained and billing has approved patient to start prior to treating the patient. Bills patient correctly based on the procedure performed.
• Completes any necessary documentation on treatments, simulations, and procedures to validate billing and ensure treatment accuracy with setup.
• Checks charts weekly to ensure accuracy and completion of records.

Treatment and Procedures

• Administers prescribed external beam radiation therapy treatments.
• Checks the patient daily for reactions and complications regarding treatments.
• Maintains an awareness of the patients' physical and emotional condition recognizes and reports adverse signs and takes necessary action.
• Obtains and evaluates patients’ treatment field localization procedures as indicated per physician prescription and/or departmental policy and procedures. Makes the necessary changes per physician’s recommendations.
• Practices sterile techniques and prevents cross contamination of contagious diseases when appropriate.

Simulation

• Reviews all necessary information in EMR needed for simulation, including but not limited to CTP, Physician consult, etc.
• Ensures that items requested in the physician’s CTP are available for the procedure prior to the appointment.
• Communicates with all appropriate staff needed for the procedure i.e., physics, nursing, and physician, prior to beginning the appointment.
• Accurately prepares patient treatment setup instructions.
• Performs fabrication of immobilization devices as needed.
• Completes all documentation in a timely manner.

Other Job Functions

• Prioritizes achieving positive outcomes for patient safety and patient satisfaction within all clinical and nonclinical functions and responsibilities.
• Adheres to Bon Secours and radiation oncology specific policies, and procedures.
• May assist the physician with medical examinations when appropriate.
• Directs or supervises the activities of students assigned for clinical education when applicable.

• Maintains BLS certification and performs CPR as needed in emergency situations.

• Participates in continuing education as required by professional certifications.
• Attends staff meetings, chart rounds and in services as appropriate.
• Demonstrates attitudes and/or behaviors in interacting with others that are courteous, polite, concerned, friendly and respectful, resulting in favorable patient, physician and staff perceptions of the Bon Secours Cancer Institute and its employees.
• Assists and supports other departments when needed.

• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.

• Any other function for the efficiency and effectiveness of patient care within legal limitations. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age, specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the departmental policies and procedures.

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Many of our opportunities reward* your hard work with:
Comprehensive, affordable medical, dental and vision plans
Prescription drug coverage
Flexible spending accounts
Life insurance w/AD&D
Employer contributions to retirement savings plan when eligible
Paid time off
Educational Assistance
And much more

• Benefits offerings vary according to employment status

All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you'd like to view a copy of the affirmative action plan or policy statement for Mercy Health – Youngstown, Ohio or Bon Secours – Franklin, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; and Emporia, Virginia, which are Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employers, please email recruitment@mercy.com. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact The Talent Acquisition Team at recruitment@mercy.com