Under the direction of a Radiation Oncologist and general supervision of a Medical Physicist, produces external beam treatment plan (with alternatives) for radiation therapy patients by use of a treatment planning computer.

Major Responsibilities:

• Production of acceptable treatment plans for radiation oncology patients.
  • Supervise the radiation therapists in implementation of the selected treatment plan (correct use of bolus, immobilization, compensation filters, wedges and field arrangement).
  • Check and verify that information in the computerized verification system is correct and complies with the intended treatment course.
  • Assist simulator technologist with difficult patient set ups.
  • Do treatment plans using the computer which fulfill the needs of the radiation oncologist. Ensure treatment plans minimally meet but ideally exceed physician dosimetric parameters.
  • Consult with the radiation oncologist in the selection of the best plan.
  • Contour normal tissue structures. Treatment targets are to be defined by the physician only.
  • Review treatment parameters with physician in order for plan approval. Bring to physician attention and note any parameters that fall outside of expected treatment guidelines.
  • Import and register any diagnostic CT, MR or PET images when appropriate.
• Construction or ordering of custom shielding blocks, design multileaf settings, and assist in the construction and planning of filters, wedges and other beam modifying devices.
  • Acquire needed information from physicians to produce required shielding blocks and bolus. Maintain the block cutting area in a neat and orderly condition. Produce compensation filters as required from patient information acquired from contours, CTs, port films or other means. Design multileaf treatment ports using the multileaf computer work statation that provide correct blocking as indicated on patient films by the physician.
• Quality assurance checks on the treatment course of radiation onclogy patients.
  • Import patient treatment plans into EMR and second check all parameters in field definition. Create imaging and setup fields when appropriate.
  • Enter planned SSDs for setup and treatment fields.
  • Verify all necessary patient documentation related to treatment planning is complete.
  • Create patient verification plans for phantom-based quality assurance.
  • Verify that the information in the computerized verification system is correct and follows the intended treatment course for each patient. Inform physicists of unusual errors or messages in computer outputs and plans.
  • Actively participate in weekly chart rounds.
• Participate in continuous process improvement meetings and projects
  • Attend and actively participate in process improvement meetings
  • Attend and actively participate in radiation oncology department meetings
  • Attend and actively participate in medical physics meetings
  • Collaborate with staff on process improvement projects
• Travel to and support of multiple radiation oncology departments.
  • Travel to multiple Advocate radiation oncology departments when needed.
  • Provide remote treatment planning support when needed.
• Maintain daily billing for billable physics services.
  • Enter billable charges for services performed in the billing computer system.
  • Keep track of billable services for dosimetry and treatment planning.
  • Keep current on yearly changes in billing.
• Participate in the instruction of students, therapists, and other healthcare professionals on the correct methods of calculation and the meaning of the treatment plans.
  • Instruct students in how to do treatment plans on the computer systems.
  • Discuss with them the reasons for specific treatment arrangements of beams and beam modifiers.
  • Instruct the students in the limitations of the treatment machines as far as the available beam angles, clearance distances, critical structures, and other factors that must be taken into account when planning a method to deliver the needed dose.
  • Instruct students in the proper methods for calculating the number of monitor units to set the machines to in order to deliver the required dose as determined from the computer generated isodose plans.

Education/Experience Required:

• Radiation Therapy training certificate or Associates degree in Radiation Therapy. Minimum of 2-3 year experience as radiation therapist OR B.S. Degree in Physical Science with on the job training in dosimetry under the supervision of a medical physicist or experienced dosimetrist.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Ability to use treatment planning computer. Familiarity with Windows and spreadsheet and wordprocessing software. Ability to learn other computer programs. Familiarity with various radiation measuring devices such as electrometers, ion chambers and TLDs. Ability to use simple hand tools
• Registered by American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT)

Physicial Requirements and Working Conditions:

• This position requires medium lifting (Lifting up to 20 to 50 pounds occassionally and/or 10 to 25 pounds frequently and up to 10 pounds constantly). Person must follow safety precautions in use of linear accelerators. Radiation Safety precautions must be followed per IEMA regulations and Hospital policies
• If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.