Radiation Therapy Service Technologist

Job Summary:

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.The Radiation Therapy Service Technologist performs a variety of duties related to the maintenance, repair, troubleshooting and testing on a variety of radiation therapy and radiation safety equipment, including their operating systems, to ensure the accuracy of machines and minimize machine downtime. The Radiation Therapy Service Technologist participates in the training and assessment of RTST Trainees and compiles education material from a variety of sources for use by all RTSTs as required.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1.Maintains, services, troubleshoots and tests radiation therapy equipment such as linear accelerators, cobalt units, low energy x-ray units, simulators, remote afterloading devices, and related ancillary systems under the direction of the Medical Physics Leader through performing duties such as:
•Assessing and reporting to the Medical Physics Leader or designate, any information regarding the ability of treatment machines (or lack thereof) to function within manufacturers' specifications and/or as required by the Agency.
•Replacing and/or repairing components such as but not limited to: power supplies, circuit boards, relays, motors, ionization chambers, electron gun filaments, RF components, high tension components.
•Performing RF Tuning, beam steering, beam energy adjustments.
•Handling activated components in the linear accelerator head and disassembling equipment for decommissioning.
•Establishing and maintaining high vacuum conditions in accelerating waveguides.
•Collaborating with Medical Physicists to repair and maintain related electronic equipment, such as dosimeters, electrometers and beam scanners, which includes assessing their performance and verifying calibration.
•Second sourcing mechanical and electrical components.
•Conducting appropriate quality control and safety checks.
•Maintaining low dose rate remote afterloading units.
2.Participates in the training of RTST Trainees by performing tasks such as providing day to day work direction, demonstrating troubleshooting and repair procedures, facilitating job shadowing, and providing technical advice.
3.Participates in the assessment of RTST Trainees by providing input and feedback to Medical Physics Leaders regarding the progress of Trainees
4.Maintains related records by documenting information regarding maintenance, service, parts, calibration, tests and modifications performed.
5.Compiles educational material and resources such as vendor supplied/purchased operational manual, vendor tips and techniques, and professional best practices and for internal use and delivers inservices to RTSTs and Trainees as refreshers or in relation to new technology training.
6.Participates as a member of the care team through performing duties such as functioning as a technical resource on equipment operation for other staff such as radiation therapists, nurses, oncologists and physicists.
7.Provides orientation on correct operating procedures to new staff including physics students, as assigned.
8.Contributes to the radiation therapy service by performing such duties as designing, constructing and testing electronic accessories relevant to the radiation therapy process.
9.Participates in emergency servicing of radiation therapy equipment, as assigned by the Medical Physics Leader.
10.Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience
•Diploma from a recognized training program in Biomedical Engineering or Electronics Technology.
•Minimum three (3) years of experience servicing radiation therapy equipment including completion of manufacturers' training for radiation therapy equipment OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience acceptable to the Agency.
•Successful completion of manufacturer’s training courses with at least one course successfully completed at the advanced level.
Skills and Abilities
•Demonstrated understanding of Radiation Therapy equipment advanced level theory.
•Demonstrated ability to work with others including RTSTs and manufacturer service engineers.
•Demonstrated proficiency in operating the full range of Radiation Therapy equipment.
•Demonstrated proficiency in diagnosing, repairing and performing preventative maintenance on the full range of Radiation Therapy equipment.
•Demonstrated ability to work independently during treatment day in the absence of other RTSTs.
•Demonstrated ability to recognize personal limitations and only perform tasks that are within their abilities and experience.
•Demonstrated understanding of the operation of dual energy linear accelerators and all components, CT simulators and all components.
•Demonstrated knowledge of safety issues associated with high voltage and ionising radiation.
•Demonstrated expertise with networked computer systems at the hardware level as well as with all related software, including embedded or proprietary. systems.
•Ability to interface different clinical devices to the computer networks.
•Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of physics as they are applied to radiation therapy equipment.
•Demonstrated technical knowledge of methods of radiation production and radiation measurement.
•Ability to work independently and make decisions under pressure.
•Ability to demonstrate techniques to co-workers and students.
•Ability to communicate effectively with others, verbally and in writing.
•Physical ability to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position.
•Leadership skills.