Overview
The Oncology section of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in North Grafton, MA provides comprehensive treatment for cancer patients from the entire New England area and beyond. The service interacts daily with other specialists in the hospital to coordinate the best care for pets.
Some of the perks of working here include a CE allowance, a beautiful New England campus with an on-campus café, generous benefits including vacation and personal day allocation with the university observing all major holidays. Central Massachusetts has easy access to mountains and beaches; outdoor activities are plentiful. Public transportation is available on the Grafton campus to downtown Boston, a city with many cultural events and a busy international airport. Public schools in Massachusetts are among the best in the nation. Professional sports, arts, and music, and medical care are top notch, and economic opportunity in the region is excellent.
We are seeking a full-time radiation therapist to join our current veterinary oncology team. Under the supervision of our veterinary radiation oncologist, the incumbent delivers photon and/or electron radiation therapy, performs CT simulations and analyzes pre-treatment imaging according to the prescription and instructions of the radiation oncologist. Experience with dosimetry (contouring and inverse planning) is preferred but not required. Training is available for those without prior experience. We are seeking an individual who contributes positively to the efficient and safe delivery of patient care. A willingness to teach oncology residents and veterinary technicians in the delivery of radiation therapy is also a must. Available equipment includes a Varian iX linear accelerator (6 MV photons, 6-21 MeV electrons) with RapidArc technology, a 120 leaf multileaf collimator and on-board imaging, including cone beam CT, ARIA Record & Verify system, and Varian Eclipse treatment planning system. Experience with some combination of these systems is preferred. Weekly medical physics support is also contracted. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
What You'll Do
As a Veterinary Radiation Therapist you will be responsible for:
Treatment Delivery:
- Accurately deliver cone-beam computed tomography-guided radiation treatment to patients according to the prescription provided by the radiation oncologist.
- Accurately document radiation treatment delivery and all technical parameters
- Monitor patients for unusual reactions: document (pictures) and report occurrences to the radiation oncologist
- Add daily charges for delivered radiation treatments
CT Simulation:
- Perform patient setup for CT Simulation scans
- Record patient setup notes during CT Simulations
Treatment Planning:
- Import/Export CT (DICOM) images into Eclipse
- Contouring normal organs in Eclipse using CT scan images. Training is available for those without prior experience.
- Willingness to learn inverse planning
- Adding patient setup notes and setup pictures to the treatment planning system
Quality Assurance:
- Perform daily quality assurance checks on linear accelerators
- Review charts at the initiation of treatment, when treatment plans are changed, and throughout the course of therapy for completeness and order
- Perform patient-specific quality assurance prior to treatment delivery
Other Duties:
- Contribute positively to the efficient delivery of treatments
- Work with the clients to establish a schedule that will allow the treatment program to proceed as smoothly as possible
- Maintain equipment and orderliness of the treatment area
- Participate in the clinical instruction of veterinary oncology trainees and veterinary radiation therapy technicians
- Contact and coordinate repair and/or maintenance of linear accelerator and record and verify systems with our service providers
- Interact with our medical physicists as needed
What We're Looking For
Basic Requirements:
- Graduate of an ARRT approved program in radiation therapy technology
- State of Massachusetts Radiation Therapy license or ability to obtain one
- Minimum 1+ year(s) of experience is preferred
- Experience with modern and advanced radiation therapy techniques
- Experience with state-of-the-art treatment delivery systems
- Excellent interpersonal skills and positive attitude
- Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. with or without accommodation
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in a veterinary environment is also preferred, but not required
- Desire to cross train to assist Veterinary Technicians with handling of veterinary patients, patient restraint and assisting with anesthetic inductions
Pay Range
Minimum $38.70, Midpoint $46.05, Maximum $53.40
Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.
