The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist. The Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist will function in Radiation Oncology Service.

Duties

The Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist is a registered Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist with major duties including: Identify individual patient by the required identification methods set forth by hospital policy before simulation or radiation treatment is delivered. Verify patient consent and treatment area. Properly operate CT simulator with supervision, provides reproducible patient treatment position sets-ups that can be accurately used for daily treatments on the Linear Accelerator. Prepare contrast materials that are to be used for treatment simulations. Recognize abnormalities in lab work and notify the radiation oncologist/nurse. Utilize skill when requesting the appropriate procedural codes, accessing correct patient data, matching soft copy images correctly prior to sending through to treatment planning system. Confer with radiation oncologist to determine requirements/protocols for site specific simulations or those on protocol. Perform reconstructions of CT studies when requested, when part of a standard procedure, or when required for protocol review. Maintain records and files of exams performed on patients. This includes the maintenance of patient logbooks registration and editing of patient exams in the computerized information system. Responsible to explain exams to competent patients so that patients understand what is to be done as well as what hazards, if any, are possible. Provide custom patient immobilization devices as requested. Indicate on patient's skin with tattoos and or markings necessary needed to locate treatment area. Fabricate and verify cast molds or electron cut-outs made from cerro-bend and used for radiation treatments. Properly operate a linear accelerator. Perform simulation verification before prescribed treatment. Accurately reproduce initial simulation set-up, with proper patient positioning, immobilizing devices, to ensure proper alignment and quality treatment. Obtain iso-center verification, treatment field verification of conformal blocking, with multi-leaf collimator, or cerro-bend blocking. Employ any necessary accessory beam restriction devices, i.e., wedges, bolus, collimator angles, or cerro-bend blocks for fields to be treated. IMRT treatment delivery, IGRT and respiratory gating procedures Maintain patient records and files. Follows HIPAA guidelines regarding patient information. Routinely take filmless port/verification/ daily localization imaging on patients under radiation treatment, to maintain record of treatment accuracy in accordance to departmental procedures, verifies any changes in accordance with the physicians request. Promptly record in patient's electronic treatment chart any change in treatment, i.e., change in patients SSD reading, change in field measurements, adjustments to position of treatment field, or patients treatment status if not treated, in order to make corrections in the treatment calendar, calculations or prescription if needed. Practices radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patients, staff, and self, in compliance with department and VA radiation safety procedures to maintain occupational exposures "as low as reasonable achievable" (ALARA). This is achieved by the use of lead-lined treatment room walls, cornered doorways, distance management, and conscientious accident-free beam-on times. Assist patients to and from the treatment room, as well as in transferring on and off of the treatment table as necessary. Maintain adequate supplies in the department. Notify physics staff of equipment issues and follows instruction. Determine the appropriate timely sequence for patient studies and any special orders required. Continually keep current with new developments in the field of radiation therapy and being able to utilize the new technologies available. Provide the patients with accurate and compassionate treatment. Ability to coordinate scheduling of simulation, planning and treatment procedures. Schedule treatments in a manner as to optimize accelerator times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases. This requires the ability to prioritize scheduled patients as well as the ability to accommodate the emergency patient who may need immediate simulation and treatment. Perform quality control of the treatment machines by taking recorded readings every morning prior to patient treatments using the dosimetry verification and record system for each energy level. Obtain weekly machine check for rotational therapy and electronic dynamic wedge verification. Provide feedback to supervisor on the technical aspects of work Analyze data collected for ongoing departmental quality and improvement process Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a program in therapeutic radiologic technology, evidenced by a certificate or an associate's or higher degree accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology or other accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the subsequent completion of a 12-month ED accrediting body-approved program in therapeutic radiologic technology. Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R. Part 75. They must have successfully completed an educational program meeting or exceeding the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the ED, and be radiation therapists certified by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (T). Certification: All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (ARRT (T)). Loss of Certification. Once certified, a TRT who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, the candidate must possess the following experience: GS-10: Must possess one year of experience at the GS-10 level or equivalent as an ARRT Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (TRT) providing services in specialized areas of therapeutic radiologic technology and/or general therapeutic radiologic technology services. Employees at this level are fully functional as an Advanced TRT and are able to carry out their assigned tasks independently. Applicants must also demonstrate the following experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-10) that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level: Independently performing machine warm up procedures and interpreting output levels compared with established thresholds adhering to the principles of radiation safety and all aspects of quality assurance. Independently perform patient chart reviews using an electronic medical record and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems. Independently perform all basic and complex CT simulations, including independently operating the CT equipment, following directives, designing custom immobilization for reproducible set-ups, obtaining optimal imaging, completing accurate data transfer for treatment planning and providing accurate and precise patient documentation. Utilize a Linac's On Board Imaging system to interpret complex images. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Provide technical oversight, assure compliance with standard operating procedures, distribute work assignments to lower level radiation therapists and provide input for performance appraisals and competencies. Effectively communication of all aspects of patient care with the radiation oncology team to include facilitating all essential communication to the Chief Radiation Therapist or leadership regarding clinical and operational issues. Independently deliver, mentor and provide oversight to lower level TRTs with basic and complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator, as prescribed by the radiation oncologist. Instruct and train TRTs on the Record and Verify System (or other similar treatment delivery systems), newly acquired equipment, devices and products within the service. Resolve informal employee disputes and concerns using problem solving skills. Develop local policies and standard operating procedures. Perform lead responsibilities such facilitating quality improvement activities, conducting in-service and staff meetings, conducting other departmental meetings as requested Skill in facilitating chart rounds. References: VA Handbook 5005/137 Part II Appendix G26 Physical Requirements: Must pass pre-employment examination and designate drug testing portion. Work requires long periods of standing and walking and some bending. Must be able to push, pull and lift over 40 pounds.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System 10701 East Boulevard Cleveland, OH 44106 US
• Name: Robert Braholli
• Phone: 216-791-2300
• Email: [email protected]