Radiation Therapist

Overview

Johns Hopkins Intrastaff is the internal staffing agency for the Johns Hopkins Health System and partner hospitals, providing temporary support to a variety of the Johns Hopkins locations.

Our employees are the strength of our service. Intrastaff is unique because it's one of the very few agencies where a person has the benefit of being a temporary employee and also feels like a member of a large organization.

Working at Hopkins means joining a culturally diverse team that includes some of the best nurses, physicians and allied health professionals in the world.

Directly or indirectly, you'll have exposure to cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking medical research.

The Radiation Oncology Therapist prepares and applies ionizing radiation to the patient in accordance with the prescription and instruction of the Radiation Oncologist and under the general supervision of the Manager and Lead Therapist.

Operates all Radiation Oncology related equipment, i.e. CT simulator, linear accelerator, QA dosimeters, diode system, and various computer equipment.

Location : Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, DC is now hiring for Radiation Therapists.

Responsibilities

• Accurately delivers the prescribed planned course of radiation therapy according to departmental protocols and established practices and standards with minimum supervision.
• Verbally confirms patient identification and visually confirms patient's identification photograph. In-house patients identification is confirmed by inspection of wristband.
• Reads and reviews treatment chart prior to treatments to confirm diagnosis, area, energy, technique, daily dose, total dose and beam modifiers.
• Verbally explains treatment procedure to patient, what to expect during treatment and procedures to follow in the event of an emergency.
• Verbally reinforces Radiation Oncologist's advice to patients regarding radiation side effects.
• Prepares treatment room and necessary equipment according to the treatment chart set-up instructions. Follows treatment chart plan regarding field size, gantry angle, collimator angle, immobilization devices, beam modifiers, table and pedestal angles.
• Checks each patients set-up and position on treatment unit prior to third treatment sessions. Checks off and visually verifies localization port films have been reviewed by Radiation Oncologist prior to second treatment session.
• Downloads treatment data from record & verifies application and verify intended treatment fields.
• Delivers prescribed dose according to treatment plan and prescription.
• Maintains visual and oral communication via closed circuit T.V. and intercom system while patient is undergoing treatment.
• Maintains written radiation therapy treatment records in an accurate and legible manner.
• Performs radiographic port films once a week as indicated in the Radiation Oncology treatment chart.
• Administers oral, rectal, urethral and IV contrast media. Prepares and administers contrast media following manufacturers instructions and established department protocols.
• Visually monitors and visually observes any abnormal changes in patients color, respiration, heart rate and responsiveness.

Responds appropriately to emergency situations, administers first aid and / CPR as needed. Maintains emergency equipment in the room (to include 02, suction, sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, Benadryl, Adrenaline, Epinephrine 1 : 1 00 and 1 : 10,000) to ensure availability.

Interviews patients (in / out) for history pertaining to IV contrast administration. This history is to include unusual conditions / limitations and other pertinent information.

This history is to be recorded by writing on the patient's treatment chart and / or intravenous contrast consent form. Conveys information to Radiation Oncologist verbally and in writing as necessary.

• Provides radiation protection to patient, staff and self according to prescribed radiation safety standards.
• Prepares patients for various procedures according to established Radiation Oncology Department protocols.
• Visually reviews exposed port films for proper positioning, technique, identification and correct placement of right (R) and left (L) lead markers.
• Develops port films with an automatic processor.
• Completes all applicable paperwork with computerized hospital information system forms or a handwritten hard copy.
• Accurately sets-up and operates Diode System to verify radiation dosages. Records results and submits to Dosimetry for calculations.
• Accurately sets-up and operates QA dosimeter systems when performing morning linear accelerator warm-up. Knowledge of procedure to follow when data results are outside established tolerances.
• Maintains orderliness and cleanliness of Radiation Oncology Department. Cleans all treatment immobilization devices after each patient with hospital-approved disinfectant.

Keeps all related equipment off the floor and onto an elevated structure.

Assists radiation oncologist during simulation procedure by providing a means of localizing the tumor volume while identifying normal structures.

Produces a geometric set-up of external beam portals that can be reproduced at time of treatment. These functions will be performed under CT guidance and in combination with the treatment unit.

The CT simulator unit will be utilized to perform all tumor localizations (simulations). Knowledge of mathematical and geometrical components to properly ensure tumor localization is required.

Ability to operate various computerized equipment. Obtains informed consent and facial ID photograph. Accurately tattoos treatment field after simulation films are approved.

Obtains photographs of treatment setup fields in a manner that depicts a true representation of the patient set-up. Accurately describes patient setup position including immobilization devices.

Responds to changes in the work schedule as necessary and demonstrates flexibility and willingness to stay late and rotate shifts including weekends and holidays.

If available, responds to call when emergency patient treatment is required on evenings, weekends and / or holidays. Demonstrates willingness and ability to assist in other areas of the department when necessary.

Visually observes patient for unusual reactions or side effects. Reports to Radiation Oncologist and / or Nurse any side effect or reaction whether or not related to radiation treatment.

Reports any out-of-the-ordinary condition the patient may seem to exhibit which may call for an emergency situation.

Observes and follows all radiation safety measures for patients and personnel as set forth by the Radiation Oncology Department, Radiology department or Sibley Memorial Hospital.

This includes all policies, regulations or guidelines set forth by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (N.R.C.) and District of Columbia.

• Reports any supplies needed for day-to-day operation to the Manager or Lead Therapist.
• Reports any equipment malfunction or erratic operation to the Manager or Lead Therapist. Ability to initiate service calls to vendor and provide diagnostic information for proper service action.
• Always greets patients in a courteous and respectful manner; responds to patients with empathy and demonstrates good interpersonal skills in the interaction with others.

Handles telephone calls with courtesy, responds to information with accuracy and respects the confidentiality of patients and all medical information.

Always demonstrates respect for patient modesty and comfort.

• Personal habits, behavior and communication are appropriate to promote interaction necessary for departmental and interdepartmental efficiency and good guest / patients relations.
• Becomes flexible with work hours when the patient load becomes excessive. Able to rotate work shifts from early or late hours.
• Properly maintains billing procedures by accurately charging patient according to services rendered.
• Always adheres to hospital and department policies and procedures.

Physical Demands

• Able to lift, carry and handle a minimum of two 35x43 radiographic cassettes with a combined weight of 12 1bs. These cassettes are lifted to a maximum of 60" in height.
• Able to move or assist in transferring wheelchair and stretcher patients to / from Radiology table.
• Ability to transport patients to / from various department locations via stretcher / wheelchair. 4. Able to handle stress when attention is required to accomplish many functions of job at same time.

Qualifications

• ARRT certification required
• Registration with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
• CPR BLS certification required
• Working knowledge of all radiological equipment in the Radiation Oncology Department. Functional knowledge of, linear accelerators, CT simulator, computer equipment, printers, various radiation dosimeters, diode system, automatic film processors.

Johns Hopkins Health System and its affiliates are an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.