Radiation Therapists deliver care to the patient in the therapeutic setting and are
responsible for the simulation and administration of a prescribed course of radiation
therapy. This is done with the knowledge and skills to accurately administer high-energy
radiation for therapeutic purposes. Radiation Therapists assume direct responsibility
for the well-being of the patient preparatory to, during and following simulation
and the delivery of daily treatment.
Students must meet all technical standards and have the ability to demonstrate competency/perform
all procedures independently, consistently, and effectively, with or without accommodation.
In keeping with its mission and goals, and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act, the program promotes an environment of respect and support for persons with disabilities
and will make reasonable accommodations for students. In accordance with the Americans
with Disabilities Act, a student/applicant with a documented disability must submit
a written request for reasonable accommodation. Accommodations that compromise patient
care, or that fundamentally alter the nature of the program or activity, are not considered
to be reasonable.
General Tasks
Retrieve and dispatch patients within the department
Verify patient identification and information prior to performing tasks
Assist with fabrication of immobilization and beam modification devices
Assist with simulation procedures and collection of necessary treatment planning data
Assist with patient positioning, imaging and treatment delivery
Assist with data input, management and retrieval within the electronic medical record
Assist with patient education and assessment
Provide for the patient’s physical safety and well-being while in the department
Assist with equipment quality assurance procedures
Receive and schedule patients; file and assist with clerical work
Provide basic life support services, when needed
Secure and assist with advanced life support services, where indicated
Communication Abilities & Personal Characteristics
Possess communication ability sufficient for interaction with patients, family, faculty,
staff, physicians and other healthcare professionals in completion of tasks in both
verbal and written form
Possess ability to read and comprehend technical and professional materials and to
follow oral and written instruction
Possess ability to clearly and concisely convey instructions and assess comprehension
Possess ability to recognize and respond appropriately to non-verbal cues
Possess interpersonal ability sufficient to interact effectively and sensitively with
individuals, families, and groups from a variety of socioeconomic, cultural, emotional,
racial, religious, and intellectual backgrounds
Possess ability to establish rapport with patients, families and healthcare professionals
Be honest, ethical, responsible, and forthright about errors or uncertainty
Understand and apply departmental and nationally recognized rules and regulations
for patient privacy, safety and radiation protection
Mental & Emotional Abilities
Demonstrate critical thinking sufficient for sound judgment, sufficient problem solving
skills to perform duties in a timely manner
Organize and prioritize responsibilities
Identify cause-effect relationships and make decisions
Manage time and systemize actions to complete tasks
Collect, organize, and analyze data and images
Recognize potentially hazardous materials, equipment, and situations and proceed safely
Adapt to working with unpleasant odors
Demonstrate mental stamina working under stressful and emotional conditions
Demonstrate emotional stability, maturity, gentleness, empathy, and compassion
Physical Abilities
Physical ability sufficient to endure 8-10 hours of walking and standing on your feet,
routinely walk, bend, push, pull, lift, stoop, kneel, squat, balance and maneuver
in small places; maneuver heavy equipment; lift 20 pounds over your head; lift, carry
and balance items weighing up to 50 pounds individually or additional weight with
assistance, possess a full range of body motion; coordination and muscular control,
ability to reach and operate overhead equipment
Gross and fine motor skills sufficient to safely manipulate and operate equipment
and computer keyboards, fabricate immobilization and beam modification devices
Visual acuity sufficient to work in dim lighting and distinguish colors, ability to
monitor patients via closed circuit camera, ability to view computer monitors for
extended periods
Hearing sufficient to adequately perceive and interpret audio signals from equipment
and alarms, perceive and respond to instructions without distraction or hesitation
in a noisy work environment, perceive and respond to patient questions or comments
face-to-face or via intercom
Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment, to observe and monitor patient
responses, to perform palpation functions, to perform therapeutic interventions, to
manipulate and position patients, and to interact in clinical, lab, and classroom
environments
Olfactory senses sufficient to smell or detect smoke, chemicals, and electrical hazards
