Essential Functions
Please read the following statements identifying the Essential Functions. The radiation therapist must have sufficient strength and motor coordination required for the performance of the essential functions of a work day.
- Concentrate for extended periods of time.
- Focus on a task for an extended period of time.
- Learn and retain new information.
- Apply theoretical concepts underlying the clinical practice of radiation oncology.
- Perform manipulative skills such as positioning patients and equipment.
- Program and operate equipment by setting control panel, using a keyboard, manipulating dials, button, knobs, switches, and levers.
- Input data into the paper and/or electronic treatment record.
- Detect changes in environmental odor, temperature, and color.
- Stand, walk, crouch, stoop, bend, balance, twist at neck and waist, and reach/grasp above shoulders, in front of body, to sides of body, and below knees.
- Push and pull objects in excess of forty (40) pounds routinely. Includes, but not limited to film holder, patient support assembly, accessory equipment, wheelchairs and stretchers.
- Lift 10-40 pounds unassisted to approximately six (6) feet from the floor and to a height of six (6) feet. Objects lifted include but are not limited to blocks, patients, film cassettes, patient films/charts, electron cones, accessory devices, and positioning aids.
- Be independently mobile within a building and between buildings.
- Show sufficient balance to protect and assist patient(s).
- Push wheel chairs and stretcher from waiting areas to treatment, simulation, and nursing rooms
- Transport, reposition, move, and assist in moving a dependent patient from a stretcher or wheelchair onto a table.
- Demonstrate strength, agility, and flexibility to manipulate and position a patient.
- Have endurance and attention to actively engage in 8 hours of patient treatment each day, 5 days a week.
- Demonstrate fine motor coordination/dexterity to be able to grasp, handle, hold, cut, push, pull, and feel.
- Work in confined spaces such as assisting patients in a bathroom or working in an office with several people.
- Have full use of hands, wrists, shoulders, and work standing on feet 80% of the time.
- Perform CPR.
- Apply personal protective equipment.
- Assess the patient’s condition by asking questions, listening to responses, observing condition and behavior.
- Read typewritten, handwritten, and computer information.
- Visually evaluation simulation and portal images.
- Visually monitor patient via TV camera/monitor.
- Distinguish colors and opacity.
- Depth perception in judging distances and spatial relationships.
- Distinguish sounds and voices over background noise.
- Hear patient communications over auditory monitoring system.
- Hear patient and coworker in a darkened treatment/simulation room.
- Audibly communicate with clarity in person to exchange accurate information on a one-to-one basis, in a small group, large classroom setting, or large group.
- Communicate effectively in written and spoken English.
- Detect, interpret, and appropriately respond to verbal and non-verbal communication, acoustically generated signals (call bells, monitors, phones, alarms).
- Use therapeutic communication: attending, clarifying, coaching, and facilitating, and using and responding to nonverbal communication.
- Communicate effectively, efficiently and appropriately with peers, faculty, supervisors, other professionals, patients, and their significant others.
- Demonstrate sufficient observational skills to collect data on patient performance, and assure patient safety during treatment activities.
- Gather, analyze and correctly interpret information.
- Work within clinical environments, which involve exposure to persons with physical & mental disabilities; and to pain, grief, death, stress, communicable diseases, blood and body fluids, toxic substances, noxious odors and irritating particles.
- Work with a diverse patient population including persons of various ages, ethnic, racial, religious, alternative lifestyle, and socioeconomic backgrounds without prejudice or repulsion.
- Conduct oneself in accordance with professional ethics.
- Exhibit teamwork skills and a spirit of cooperation and respect for peers, faculty, supervisors and other professionals, patients and their significant others.
- Work around others and alone.
- Modify behavior/performance in the classroom or the clinic after feedback from the instructor or clinical supervisor.
- Show problem-solving ability sufficient to organize and complete multiple tasks accurately and within assigned periods.
- Independently initiate routine job tasks.
- Respond independently, effectively and quickly to an emergency.
- Demonstrate competency in clinical judgment and safety precautions.
- Maintain poise and flexibility in stressful or changing conditions.
- Deal with abstract and concrete variables, define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
- Interpret instructions furnished in oral, written, diagrammatic or schedule form.
- Carry out detailed, simple to complex written or oral instructions.
- Comprehend medical records, documents, evaluations, manuals, journals, instructions in use and maintenance of equipment, safety rules, and procedures.
- Interact compassionately and effectively with the sick or injured.
- Function safely, effectively and calmly in stressful situations.
- Prioritize multiple tasks.
- Maintain personal hygiene consistent with tasks.
- Display ethical/conduct standards consistent with standards of the profession.
Once accepted into the program, candidates may be exposed to:
- Blood, body fluids, and infectious disease.
- Potentially hazardous ionizing radiation and radioactive materials.
- Electrical hazards.
- Moderate noise from mechanical equipment.
- Other hazardous materials, toxic substances, and irritating particles.
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Benton Hall, Room 107
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621
Phone & Email
Ph: 785.670.2170
allied-health@washburn.edu
