Radiation Therapist

Job Title: Radiation Therapist Under the supervision of the Vistant Program Manager, the Radiation Therapist will be responsible for supporting the mission of the Department of Radiology/Oncology Services at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) on DHA JPC Contract. The Radiation Therapist will provide the following services and in strict compliance with standing orders and protocols set forth by the MTF, and IAW JC guidelines to include, but will not necessarily be limited to the following: Essential Job Responsibilities • Receive patients and explain to the patient the procedure to be performed and answer relevant questions. • Provide for the physical and emotional comfort of the patient. Alleviate fear and insecurity in the patients. • Instruct patients on the importance of maintaining a constantly correct position. • Based on the treatment plan, set appropriate treatment operating parameters on the linear accelerator (e.g. field sizes, monitor units, table positions, distance, etc.). • Prior to initial treatment, check the patient's position and port film and confirm that the patient has completed and signed the consent form in the treatment chart. • Set up patients and perform necessary adjustments to patient position as appropriate. • Recognize physical symptoms resulting from radiation therapy and bring those symptoms to the attention of the Radiation Oncologist as necessary. • Observe equipment for proper operation. Detect equipment malfunctions, report malfunctions to therapy physicist, and know the safe limits of equipment operation. • Deliver a planned course of radiation therapy (i.e. 3D Treatment). • Verify the prescription (written directive) against the treatment plan and the treatment form. Verify treatment monitor units (Time) have been calculated properly and the treatment form documentation is correct (entries check). • Ensure information in the Record and Verify system is correct for each patient (i.e. monitor units, wedges, blocks, etc.) Maintain daily records and document technical details of the treatment administered. Understand treatment methods and protocols. Be able to properly work a digital camera/lap top computer. Print out documentation of face photos and treatment sites. • Shall utilize collimator, equipment locks, mechanical tables, Kodak film, screen systems and possess knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage and genetic change, effects of radiation on living organisms and the effects of x-ray technical factors on patients and operator exposure. • Responsible for the safe and effective operation of equipment used in patient care and contributing to a safe working environment. This shall include safe practices of emergency procedures, proper handling of hazardous materials and maintaining physical security. Utilize knowledge and skills of the following in performance of procedures under this contract; the effect of accumulated radiation dose on living organisms such as genetic and somatic damage; Anatomy and physiology to include location, appearance, and function of all major and minor organ systems susceptible to damage from exposure to ionizing radiation; • Theoretical principles, function, warm up, quality assurance and operating limitations of the equipment in use; Abnormalities and/or changes in the patient's systems and organs caused by medical and surgical procedures (e.g. Chemotherapy or surgery); Difficult and complex therapeutic procedures and adapt standard procedures to patients whose physical condition may be aggravated by normal treatment parameters; Dosimetry principles and radiation physics concepts to include, technical math (e.g. patient dose calculations, field gap calculations, precise measurement for computation of irregular field dose calculations); First aid, nursing practices and the ability to monitor patient's vital signs for adverse reactions to treatment; Normal clinical laboratory values and the interpretation of the same in conjunction with radiation treatment; Simulate a prescribed course of treatment as required in support of treatment planning and dose determination; be familiar with the clinical treatment requirements for the use of Multi leaf Collimation, Dynamic Wedging, and Intensity Modulation; • Competent in block fabrication/MLC van configuration; Perform procedures to include, but not limited to the following: • Treatment Units: - Varian Trilogy, Varian Truebeam, with Exactrac. Tomotherapy HiART, and Respiratory Gating hardware. - GammaMed HDR system. • Information Systems: - Varian's ARIA record/verify and patient management system. - Treatment Simulation Systems: - PET/ CT Sim- Phillips Gemini large bore. Experience • Must possess knowledge in radiation therapy technology. • Acquired experience, which has provided some familiarity with medical care, anatomy, physiology, radiation therapy procedures and therapy equipment. • Must be familiar with technique charts, routine and all therapy treatment methods, state-of-the-art simulators, and linear accelerators. • Shall have experience delivering or supervising CONTRACT HCPs of the delivery of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and/or Stereotactic Radiosurgery treatments. Minimal acceptable experience will consist of meeting at least one of the following criteria: • Each therapist must have spent a minimum of twelve (12) consecutive months within the last five (5) years personally delivering an average of eight (8) IMRT treatments per day. • Each therapist must have spent a minimum of twelve (12) consecutive months within the last five (5) years personally delivering an average of three (3) SRS treatments per month. Education • Degree/Education: Have successfully completed a program of formal education as recommended by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiation Therapy Technologist, which has been approved by the Committee on Allied Health Education and accreditation (CAHEA). The program of formal education should be twenty-four (24) months in length or equivalent (Associate Degree). • Certifications in addition to Basic Life Support • Licensure/Registration: Shall possess a current American Registry of Radiologic Therapy Technologist certification in the United States. • Possession of a current card for certification in Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is also required. Required Skills • Shall be able to read, write, speak and understand English well enough to effectively communicate with all patients and other health care providers. • Shall be knowledgeable of equipment and supply terminology and skill sufficient to identify and use necessary equipment and supplies properly and to communicate proper use with nurses, medical staff, patients, and family members. • Shall be sufficiently skilled to teach patients proper self-care and to motivate patients and family members to continue the procedures for promoting rapid healing. • Shall be knowledgeable and possess skills necessary to provide care appropriate to any age-related needs of the patients. The Radiation Therapist shall demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development appropriate to the appropriate patient population served: Infants, Children, Adolescent, Adults, and Geriatric (>65). Assess, coordinate, facilitate, deliver and evaluate care for infant to geriatric patients using the nursing process. • Assess, coordinate, facilitate, deliver and evaluate care for infant to geriatric patients. • Knowledge of a wide range of medical disorders/conditions, diagnostic studies and treatments related to prevention, and detection of illnesses in adults, is desirable. • The Radiation Therapist will be knowledgeable in professional care theories, principles, practices, and procedures to perform duties • Knowledge of computer operations and proficiency in the use of basic word processing, data entry and automated medical records • Ability to thrive in a fast paced and changing growth environment. • Customer Service driven towards all external and internal customers. • Unwavering professional integrity and the ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive company/employee information. Security Clearance Requirements • As required by contract • Be a U.S citizen. Place of Performance • Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD Travel Requirements • Limited to no travel required Salary Range • $92,000 to $122,000