Radiation Medicine Therapist - Radiation Oncology

Boston Medical Center (BMC) is more than a hospital. It´s a network of support and care that touches the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in need each year. It is the largest and busiest provider of trauma and emergency services in New England. Emphasizing community-based care, BMC is committed to providing consistently excellent and accessible health services to all—and is the largest safety-net hospital in New England. The hospital is also the primary teaching affiliate of the nationally ranked Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and a founding partner of Boston HealthNet – an integrated health care delivery systems that includes many community health centers. Join BMC today and help us achieve our Vision 2030 which is a long-term goal to make Boston the healthiest urban population in the world.

Position: Radiation Medicine Therapist

Department: Radiation Oncology

Schedule: Full Time, Day

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Chief Radiation Medicine Technologist and under the general supervision, delivers accurate dosages of radiation using up-to-date equipment and documents same in order to fulfill the prescription given by the physician and provide quality patient care.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Prepares and positions patients according to established procedure.

• Reviews patient treatment chart for prescription, treatment time and prescribed dose, and prepares treatment room and equipment according to procedure.

• Explains procedures to patients, to elicit their cooperation; reassures patients regarding treatment reactions, and advises on care of irradiated body areas.

• Prepares patients for treatment, moving patients from wheelchair or lifter to treatment table as needed.

• Positions patient, set up equipment and adjusts and activities controls.

• Administers prescribed radiation therapy to patients according to established procedure.

• Places blocks and/or wedges as necessary.

• Administers radiation therapy to patients, operating radiation machines to provide proper dosage as prescribed.

• Monitors patient during treatments for movement using television screen and intercom system.

• Monitors overall condition of patient, checking for skin changes and discoloration, and discusses with patient his/her physical condition noting changes such as nausea, sore throat and the like and determining whether it is necessary to consult physician prior to treatment.

• Ensures that blood counts and port films are satisfactory and recorded weekly.

• Calculates surface dose, depth, cumulating, and total doses of radiation, in the absence of the Radiation Physicist.

• Assists Physicist in taking contours and measurements on the patient and assists in verifying the treatment plans.

• Documents treatment in patient chart according to prescribed practice.

• Records in patient’s chart exact dosage delivered and draws diagrams of patient’s treatment fields, and updates diagrams to reflect and document changes in original set-up as ordered by physicians.

• Cleans and maintains equipment.

• Performs related service duties such as keeping treatment room supplied with necessary supplies and general cleaning of work area.

• Inspects all equipment safety interlocks according to established procedure.

• Monitors equipment and reporting malfunctions.

• Performs related clerical and technical duties such as filing and maintaining required records, scheduling appointments, maintaining adequate supplies in treatment rooms, attending patient care conferences.

• Keeps abreast of developments in trends and techniques of radiation therapy through appropriate technical journals and participation in educational programs and meetings.

• Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided.

• Fosters interpersonal relationships with patients, visitor, physicians and fellow employees in a courteous, professional and friendly manner.

• Maintains all designated hospital information confidential at all times.

• Utilizes hospital's Values as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the division's hospital mission.

• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

• Performs other duties as needed

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Requires knowledge of Radiation Medicine generally acquired through completion of an Associate’s Degree or equivalent from an accredited institution.

EXPERIENCE:

• Requires knowledge of department policies and procedures, familiarity with equipment, and proper set-up of equipment normally acquired through three to six months on-the-job training.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Requires analytical ability to determine proper set-up of equipment and patient, calculate length of treatment and detect adverse reactions to treatments.

• Must have interpersonal skills sufficient to work with others and deal effectively with patients.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans