Radiation Therapist

Supports and assists the Radiotherapy Department in all aspects of its workflow from referral, Computed Tomography (CT) simulation, and treatment delivery to follow-up. Rotates through all areas in the department including pre-treatment and treatment areas as required, such as localisation, treatment delivery and patient management and care. Adheres to these tasks according to established departmental practises and standards. Participates in any on-call services, both on weekdays and weekends.

Responsibilities

Quality and Accuracy:

• Confirms the identity of the patient before performing a Computed Tomography (CT) scan or delivering treatment.
• Confirms the location of the site to be treated.
• Executes mould room work such as making electron cut-outs and bolus, taking into account safe working practices.
• Recognizes and assesses treatment discrepancies and takes appropriate actions to determine whether treatment can proceed, or further action is required.
• Reviews any deviations from the protocol and take appropriate action.
• Escalate issues to the Radiation Oncologist or Manager as appropriate.
• Maintains Quality Assurance (QA) procedures for treatment plans – such as weekly chart checks, morning QA procedures, treatment reviewed and treatment approval checks.
• Investigates and solves patient clinical issues.
• Adapts and implements new treatment techniques.
• Recognizes situations where you need to seek advice/support from appropriate sources and respond appropriately (e.g. where the competency required exceeds your level of competence or where there is reason for concern about the patient’s suitability for the prescribed treatment).

Quantity and Organizational Skills:

• Uses all relevant aspects of Aria Oncology Information System (ARIA) in a paperless environment.
• Transfers images from CT scanner to Eclipse.
• Locates and provides accurate permanent record of the radiotherapy treatment given.
• Collates relevant patient data and patient treatment-related data and checks for validity, consistency and completeness.
• Checks the validity and relevance of the treatment prescription against defined departmental protocols. This includes paying particular attention to dose-related elements such as those that appear to be outside normal values.
• Transfers data according to departmental protocols (e.g. able to record all relevant CT information in ARIA).
• Uses ARIA to generate reports that are already built into the system.
• Demonstrates awareness of hospital policies regarding maintaining confidential records.
• Adheres to departmental and hospital policies and procedures.
• Makes suggestions/implements process improvements in daily work.
• Participates in the implementation and improvement of the department’s Quality System by assisting in reviewing and evaluating departmental policies and procedures.
• Responds to incidents and errors by following hospital incident reporting policies.
• Participates and supports clinical research and audits to enhance service improvement.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of clinical, technical and radiotherapy developments to promote awareness and ensure best practices are implemented and maintained.
• Maintains an up-to-date continuous professional development log.
• Complies with health and safety procedures, including infection control.>
• Identifies and manages potential and actual risks to the quality and safety of practice. This also includes maintaining a safe working environment, by ensuring all areas are safe and clean to use.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Radiation Therapy/Radiotherapy
• Current/Valid Dubai Health Authority (DHA) License

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience as a Radiotherapy Radiographer .
• Knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, pathology and medical terminology.
• Knowledge of radiation safety and safe handling of radiation sources and radiation equipment.
• Knowledge of other institutions' radiotherapy policies and procedures providing similar services.
• Skills in the Linear accelerator, High Dose Rate (HDR) machine, Computed Tomography (CT) simulator, patient schedule, equipment maintenance, the report of equipment failures, and daily quality assessment (QA).
• Skills in hand-eye coordination, to include physically capable of handling equipment.
• Ability to adapt and implement new treatment techniques.
• Ability to empathise with the needs of the patient through good communication, patient daily assessment, patient monitoring and patient care.
• Ability to speak and write in English fluently.