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.

GET IN TOUCH WITH Department of Allied Health

Allied Health Department
School of Applied Studies, Room 201
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621

Phone & Email
785.670.2170
allied-health@washburn.edu

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