At Houston Methodist, the Lead Radiation Therapist position is responsible for oversight of all technical aspects of treatment delivery and adherence to professional competency requirements within the Department. In addition to performing as a Radiation Therapist, this position may provide the first level of leadership support to team members. The Lead Radiation Therapist position provides guidance and support with equipment or services routinely performed by the department where time and critical needs are required to meet clinical needs. Duties for this position are varied and may include many of the following: organize work review time cards for accuracy, conduct quality assurance audits, develop and implement quality improvement activities, train and mentor staff, provide input on staff performance and development needs, lead and regularly perform special projects, collect/analyze/report on data, prepare reports on performance and metrics, and other responsibilities of a similar nature and level.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Independently and expertly serves as the department primary resource for staff ensuring optimal department services and outcomes. Collaborates with management by actively communicating and reporting pertinent information and data in a comprehensive manner

• Participates in the selection, training, education, development and evaluation of the Radiation Therapist. Interfaces with department staff to provide feedback to management on team member's performance

• Fosters a positive and constructive teaching environment by engaging coworkers with learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with business objectives. Provides basic direction and consultation to lower level therapists and students in regard to correct practices and procedures in Radiation Oncology

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Organizes the work flow, pro-actively problem-solves, anticipates needs, manages multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision

• Serves as liaison between team members, management and physicians, resolving routine matters for the shift and modality. Assists physicians during procedures.

• Proactively assesses, identifies and responds to the needs of the patient for adjustment or intervention to optimize patient care, image quality and patient experience. Provides accurate explanations and instructions to patients and family members at an appropriate level utilizing verbal and non-verbal skills, terminology and language

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists with implementation and education of department-based safety initiatives, standards of practice and protocols. Develops skills of team members and continually assists with improving skills, performance and outcomes.

• Follows safety standards and conducts all imaging procedures accordingly. Maintains proper sterile techniques for procedures, regularly practices aseptic techniques, and ensures compliance with radiation safety and infection control procedures. Complies with job role, department and hospital safety standards, practices and policies.

• Identifies opportunities for corrective action and process improvement providing recommendations, and contributes to meeting department and hospital targets for quality and safety. Reports ¿near misses¿ and inputs errors promptly into appropriate hospital patient safety reporting system to improve processes and identify trends. Provides feedback to management on team member performance and conduct. Conducts quality audits on equipment, processes, outcomes and team member performance. Documents, develops and evaluates processes and procedures

• Coordinate and perform delivery of patient treatments, ensuring compliance with patient care standards and established policies and procedures

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists management with meeting financial goals through efficient scheduling and use of department resources.

• Ensures Therapy-related billing/charging activities and supports charge export, charge auditing, and procedure charging education activities as directed.

• Provides accurate and complete documentation of patient procedures. Participates in the budgeting process for capital and minor equipment. Reconciliation of invoices

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Fosters a positive and constructive teaching environment by engaging students and co-workers (Therapist and Senior Therapist) in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with business objectives. Actively leads and supports special projects and department initiatives and seeks opportunities to expand learning with a focus on continual development.

• Maintains and increases knowledge regarding new techniques and radiation oncology program development

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Five years as a licensed Radiologic Technologist Therapist R.T.(T). May consider HM employee with four years experience as a Radiation Therapist who demonstrates leadership abilities

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• CMRT - Certified Medical Radiologic Technologist - State Licensure -- through the Texas Medical Board OR
• CMRT-Temp - Certified Medical Radiologic Technologist - Temporary State Licensure AND
• ARRT-THR - Radiologic Technologist - Radiation Therapy (ARRT) AND
• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Ability to use all information systems to analyze proper clinical treatment delivery, charting and charge capture and able to demonstrate ability to train others as well.

• Intermediate computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook Email and Outlook Calendar.

• Ability to work independently; capable of handling challenging / difficult procedures and patient care situations. Demonstrates sound judgment and executes superior clinical skills.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform Yes
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist West Hospital is committed to leading medicine in West Houston, Katy and surrounding communities by delivering the Houston Methodist standard of exceptional safety, quality, personalized service and innovation. The growing campus offers more than 200 beds, 19 operating rooms and over 1,500 employees, with access to the most innovative medical and surgical care available, including robotic and minimally invasive surgery, full-spectrum heart care, state-of-the-art imaging, cancer care, labor and delivery with a level II neonatal ICU, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, outpatient rehabilitation and 24/7 emergency services.