Lead Radiation Therapist

Lead Radiation Therapist

The Lead Radiation Therapist is a professional therapist who shares in the management of the department, accepting responsibility and authority in direct collaboration with the Radiation Oncology Manager. The Lead Radiation Therapist will assume responsibility for specific activities related to maintaining the overall quality control of treatments, and the orientation, education and supervision of Staff Radiation Therapists in the Department of Radiation Oncology. Specific responsibilities include development of department programs and assisting in the development of departmental policies and procedures. The Lead Radiation Therapist will assist in promoting the philosophy and goals of the Department of Radiation Oncology through leadership, management and the professional development of the radiation therapy staff.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

• Graduate of a formal radiation therapy technology program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
• Licensed by the WV Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners.
• Board Certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Radiation Therapy.
• Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.
• West Virginia state criminal background check required, and Federal, if applicable, for DHHR BMS regulated area.

Experience:

• Five (5) years of clinical experience as a radiation therapist.

Preferred Qualifications

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

• Bachelor's Degree in healthcare field.

Experience:

• Seven (7) years of experience as a radiation therapist.
• Knowledge of Varian linear accelerators (Clinac iX, Trilogy, TrueBeam) and ARIA Oncology Information System
• Previous experience in a leadership role or senior radiation therapist within a radiation oncology department.

Core Duties and Responsibilities: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

• Administers external radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiation oncologist to affect curative or palliative treatment of disease as required.
• Performs simulations and localization according to established protocols and produces usable images for the planning and verifying of treatment procedures as required.
• Coordinates the activities of the Staff Radiation Therapists to ensure quality treatment delivery and maximum utilization of both equipment and personnel.
• Leads the therapist team in developing new techniques or resolving clinical problems.
• Manages the triage of emergent cases, coordinates all on-call activities with the on-call therapist, and negotiates scheduling of patients with other departmental patient care team members.
• Train and mentor students in the WVU Radiation Therapy Technology Program. Provide feedback and assessments as required.
• Responsible for the safe and accurate utilization of all aspects of the electronic medical record (EMR) and Record and Verification system. Perform functions as EMR Super User.
• Possesses and in-depth knowledge of all scheduling, treatment, image review, and billing procedures involving the EMR.
• Manages the therapists during equipment failures and notifies patients as well as all department staff of equipment status.
• Attends and participates in departmental meetings and activities to support process improvement and team building.
• Coordinate and lead Radiation Therapist huddles and meetings, on a continual and ongoing basis.
• As directed by the Department Manager, demonstrates the ability to work with other departmental staff, including, but not limited to physicians, nurses, physicists, and office staff to efficiently problem solve and implement solutions around treatment planning/delivery problems.
• Works with Department Manager to develop, document and execute comprehensive orientation plans for new radiation oncology staff.
• Coordinates with the Radiation Therapy Technology Program Director the clinical assignment, instruction and evaluation of radiation therapy students.
• Provide input into Radiation Therapist annual performance evaluations and goal setting.
• Assists the Department Manager in the recruitment and interview process of potential new staff candidates.
• Assists the Department Manager in assessing, ordering, and evaluating equipment and supplies for the department.
• Demonstrates appropriate level of knowledge and technical aspects of the position, maintaining professional and technical competencies as required by the organization and/or the accreditation and licensing bodies.
• Develops and monitors Radiation Therapists performance; provides input into employee Action Plan, leading up to and including disciplinary action.
• Schedules patients for simulation and treatment procedures, often coordinating with other department schedules and patient appointments.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Differentiate various shades of gray as depicted on a black and white television monitor or photograph.
• Ability to stand and walk for up to 8 hours a day.
• Lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds of weight; carry up to 20 pounds of weight.
• Ability to see details at close range (near vision).

Working Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to work and excel in a complex and demanding environment with varying workload, necessitating varying work hours.
• Works with ionizing radiation, computers, cancer patients (both adults and children) and their families.
• Physical demands include, but are not limited to, lifting and repositioning patients, immobilization devices and beam modifying devices.

Skills and Abilities:

• Proficient technical knowledge and skill set. This includes, but is not limited to demonstrating efficient knowledge of all equipment, tools and procedures specific to CT/Simulation and treatment delivery. This also includes demonstrating the ability to troubleshoot issues as they arise.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with physicians, management, staff, patients, and their families.
• Assist in the recruitment, evaluation, and development of department staff.
• Ability to manage multiple assigned areas and various projects.
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations and to balance and shift multiple priorities.
• Effective communication (both oral and written) and effective organizational skills.
• Demonstrates strong customer service skills, including the ability to use appropriate judgment, independent thinking and creativity when resolving problems.
• Ability to identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Ability to motivate develop, and direct people as they work; identifying the best person for the job.
• Ability to communicate information, both verbally and in written form, so that others will understand.
• Ability to innovate and implement new procedures and technical programs in coordination with physics, leadership, and providers.
• Demonstrates the skills and abilities necessary to lead a team of professionals, while providing continuous feedback and growth opportunities for those under their leadership.