Position overview
As a Senior Radiation Therapist, you will be integral to delivering high-quality radiation therapy to patients. This role requires an ongoing commitment to patient well-being, exceptional technical skills, and the ability to lead and inspire a small team. Your duties will encompass planning, implementing, and evaluating radiation therapy procedures to ensure the highest standards of patient care and safety. You will ensure all treatments are delivered accurately and safely, adhering to established protocols and standards. You will mentor and supervise other Radiation Therapists, fostering their professional development and maintaining a positive team dynamic. By keeping up with the latest advancements in radiation therapy, you will also contribute to integrating new techniques and technologies into practice.
Key Responsibilities
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.
Under limited direction of the Director and Deputy Director of Radiation Therapy you will coordinate, lead and supervise the day-to-day operations in a designated functional unit in Radiation Oncology and discharge associated administrative and clinical duties to ensure the safe, effective and efficient operation of the area.
- Provide hands-on, high-quality patient focused radiation therapy services in all major areas of radiation therapy practice.
- Supervise and lead staff and students in the designated area; and act as a clinical resource person and clinical mentor for skills development within the designated team.
- Collaborate with Radiation Therapy Management, Medical, Nursing and Allied Health professionals to ensure a positive patient experience through effective operational management of the designated functional unit.
- Assist the Director/Deputy Director Radiation Therapist(s) in the development of policies and procedures; ensure implementation of policies and procedures in the designated area.
- Ensure that Quality Assurance/Quality Control and Radiation Protection requirements are met in the designated area.
- Be responsible for continuing education of self; participate in research and quality improvement activities as appropriate.
- Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.
Competencies
Specific competencies include but are not limited to the following:
- Adhere to ethical standards and legal requirements, demonstrating professionalism in all aspects of practice.
- Demonstrate higher level of contemporary Radiation Therapy knowledge and practice.
- Apply critical thinking and expert clinical judgement across all the professional domains.
- Assume responsibility for professional leadership for an area or section within the unit.
- Effective communication and collaboration with patients, families, and healthcare teams to ensure optimal care.
- Application of evidence-based practices and engagement in continuous professional development to enhance skills and knowledge.
- Implement and maintain radiation safety protocols to protect patients, staff, and the public.
- Develop and execute precise treatment plans, ensuring accurate and safe delivery of radiation therapy.
- Participate in quality assurance programs and strive for continuous improvement in clinical practices.
Qualifications
Specific qualifications and experience include, but is not limited to, the following.
Essential
- A recognised tertiary qualification in Radiation Therapy.
- Unconditional registration as a Radiation Therapy Practitioner with the AHPRA Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia.
- ACT Radiation Council Licence to operate radiation emitting apparatus used for Radiation Therapy purposes.
Desirable
- Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
Experience
Specific experience includes, but is not limited to, the following.
Essential
- A minimum of 5 years postgraduate clinical experience.
Desirable
- Experience using Varian software and/or hardware
- Experience in ARIA Oncology Information Management System
- Experience supervising small teams
- Evidence of completion of quality improvement project(s) that have contributed to improved clinical practice
- Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks.
Prior to commencement
Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:
- Undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.
- Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.
- Comply with CHS credentialing and scope of clinical practice requirements for allied health professionals.
Important information
All employees are required to:
- Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
- Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.
- Comply with all relevant clinical and/or competency standards.
- Be available for weekend and/or after-hours work.
CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.
What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)
These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience.
- Extensive experience and substantial knowledge in all areas of modern radiotherapy, including an awareness of emerging contemporary techniques and technology.
- Supervisory and organisational ability in radiotherapy, working both as hands on practitioner and supervisor to ensure the safe, effective, and efficient operation of a designated area.
- Evidence of assisting in the operational management of the radiation therapy service and the strategic development of technology and techniques.
- Ability and commitment to take responsibility for continuing education of self in the field of radiotherapy and to provide guidance/instructions and training for other radiation therapists.
- Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful and kind.
Work environment description
The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.
| Administrative | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Telephone use | Occasionally |
| General computer use | Frequently |
| Extensive keying/data entry | Frequently |
| Graphical/analytical based | Frequently |
| Sitting at a desk | Frequently |
| Standing for long periods | Occasionally |
| Psychosocial demands | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Distressed People e.g. Emergency or grief situations | Occasionally |
| Aggressive & Uncooperative People e.g. drug / alcohol, dementia, mental illness | Occasionally |
| Unpredictable People e.g. Dementia, mental illness, head injuries | Occasionally |
| Restraining e.g. involvement in physical containment of clients/consumers | Never |
| Exposure to Distressing Situations e.g. Child abuse, viewing dead / mutilated bodies; verbal abuse; domestic violence; suicide | Never |
| Physical demands | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Distance walking (large buildings or inter-building transit) | Never |
| Working outdoors | Never |
| Manual handling | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Lifting 0 - 9kg | Occasionally |
| Lifting 10 - 15kg | Occasionally |
| Lifting 16kg+ | Occasionally |
| Climbing | Never |
| Running | Never |
| Reaching | Frequently |
| Kneeling | Occasionally |
| Foot and leg movement | Never |
| Hand, arm and grasping movements | Frequently |
| Bending/squatting | Occasionally |
| Bend/Lean Forward from Waist/Trunk twisting | Occasionally |
| Push/pull | Frequently |
| Sequential repetitive movements in a short amount of time | Frequently |
| Travel | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Frequent travel – multiple work sites | Never |
| Frequent travel – driving | Never |
| Specific hazards | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Working at heights | Never |
| Exposure to extreme temperatures | Never |
| Operation of heavy machinery e.g. forklift | Never |
| Confined spaces | Never |
| Excessive noise | Never |
| Low lighting | Frequently |
| Handling of dangerous goods/equipment e.g. gases; liquids; biological. | Occasionally |
| Slippery or uneven surfaces | Never |
Directorate: Canberra Health Services
Division: Cancer and Ambulatory Support
Business Unit: Radiation Therapy Team
Position number: P71966
Position title: Senior Radiation Therapist
Classification: Radiation Therapist Grade 4.1
Location: The Canberra Hospital, Garran ACT
Reporting relationships: Direct Manager: Deputy Director Radiation Therapy
Manager +1: Deputy Director Radiation Therapy
Canberra Health Services (CHS) is focussed on the delivery of high quality, effective, person-centred care. We provide acute, sub-acute, primary and community‐based health services, to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surrounding regions. More information can be found on the CHS website.
Our Vision: creating exceptional health care together
Our Role: to be a health service that is trusted by our community
Our Values: Reliable, Progressive, Respectful and Kind