About This Role
This role supports the Department of Radiology/Oncology Services at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) on a DHA JPC Contract. The Radiation Therapist will provide services in strict compliance with standing orders and protocols set forth by the MTF and IAW JC guidelines, ensuring the physical and emotional comfort of patients undergoing radiation therapy.
Responsibilities
- Receive patients and explain the procedure to be performed, answering relevant questions
- Provide for the physical and emotional comfort of the patient, alleviating fear and insecurity
- 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 the 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
- Properly work a digital camera/laptop computer
- Print out documentation of face photos and treatment sites
- Utilize collimator, equipment locks, mechanical tables, Kodak film, screen systems
- 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
- Be responsible for the safe and effective operation of equipment used in patient care and contributing to a safe working environment
- Practice safe 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
