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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