Radiation Therapy Program Essential Functions

• 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.