"Radiation Therapist"

Job Description - Part 1

Basic Job Description:

Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiologist according to established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel; preparing equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices; and maintaining records, reports, and files. May assist in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.

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Duties / Tasks	Activities	Skills	Abilities	Knowledge / Experience

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Job Duties and Tasks for: "Radiation Therapist"

1) Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body parts, using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards.

2) Position patients for treatment with accuracy according to prescription.

3) Enter data into computer and set controls to operate and adjust equipment and regulate dosage.

4) Follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others.

5) Maintain records, reports and files as required, including such information as radiation dosages, equipment settings and patients' reactions.

6) Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification.

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7) Conduct most treatment sessions independently, in accordance with the long-term treatment plan and under the general direction of the patient's physician.

8) Check radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation.

9) Observe and reassure patients during treatment and report unusual reactions to physician or turn equipment off if unexpected adverse reactions occur.

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10) Check for side effects such as skin irritation, nausea and hair loss to assess patients' reaction to treatment.

11) Educate, prepare and reassure patients and their families by answering questions, providing physical assistance, and reinforcing physicians' advice regarding treatment reactions and post-treatment care.

12) Calculate actual treatment dosages delivered during each session.

13) Prepare and construct equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices.

14) Photograph treated area of patient and process film.

15) Help physicians, radiation oncologists and clinical physicists to prepare physical and technical aspects of radiation treatment plans, using information about patient condition and anatomy.

16) Train and supervise student or subordinate radiotherapy technologists.

17) Act as liaison with physicist and supportive care personnel.

18) Provide assistance to other health-care personnel during dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.

19) Implement appropriate follow-up care plans.

20) Store, sterilize, or prepare the special applicators containing the radioactive substance implanted by the physician.

21) Assist in the preparation of sealed radioactive materials, such as cobalt, radium, cesium and isotopes, for use in radiation treatments.