This document describes the position of Staff Radiation Therapist at the Wellington Blood & Cancer Centre. The role involves providing radiation treatment services including simulation, planning, and treatment delivery, as well as patient assessment, education and care. The radiation therapist is responsible for working accurately according to treatment prescriptions and quality standards. In addition to direct patient care duties, the role includes assisting with training and development of other staff, and continuing professional development activities.

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POSITION DESCRIPTION
POSITION: Staff Radiation Therapist
SERVICE: Wellington Blood & Cancer Centre
RESPONSIBLE TO: Team Leader-Radiation Therapist
Our Mission:
Together, Improve the Health and Independence of the People of the District
Our Vision
Better Health and Independence for People, Families, and Communities
Our Values:
Innovation
Action
A focus on People and Patients
Living the Treaty
Professionalism through Leadership, Honesty, Integrity and Collaboration
Excellence through Effectiveness and Efficiency
Context
Organisational perspective
The Capital and Coast District Health Board (CCDHB) covers a region extending
from Wellington to Otaki. It comprises key delivery arms in primary, secondary and
tertiary health. Hospital and Health Services (HHS) is primarily responsible for the
hospital and health services delivered via a new Wellington Regional Hospital
(opened in March 2009); a secondary and community facility at Kenepuru; a
Forensic, Rehabilitation and Intellectual Disability Hospital at Ratonga Rua-o-
Porirua; and Kapiti Community Hospital. The total operating budget for the provider
arm is approximately $570M.

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There is an ongoing change programme begun in 2008 to resolve HHS performance
with a target of achieving performance in the top five District Health Boards and a
break even operating result.
We are focused on improving the health of our local people, families and
communities – and reducing inequalities within our population. To support this we will
ensure:
integrated delivery of services backed by sound infrastructure
financial and clinical viability of services, facilities and support
a “culture” that supports health improvement and addresses disability needs
locally and across our region
the development of clinical leadership
regional collaboration
Priorities in the current year for HHS are:
Workforce – being an employer of choice, and developing research and
education within the organisation
Primary, secondary and regional and national collaboration
Focus on infrastructure to support clinical work
Clinical Governance
Continuing devolution of authority
Wellington Blood and Cancer Centre, Wellington Hospital
The Wellington Blood & Cancer Centre (WBCC) incorporates the three main non-
surgical oncological specialities of medical oncology, radiation oncology and clinical
haematology, which are fully integrated with treatment facilities centralised within this
unit to provide a regional and supra-regional service. Close liaison is maintained with
the Cancer Society, Haemophilia Society, Community care providers and the two
local hospices.
Ambulatory Care forms the main thrust of the WBCC’s service and comprises
approximately 70% of our work. Outpatient services include: diagnosis and staging,
assessment and symptom management, treatment followup, administration of
radiation therapy and chemotherapy, support and education of patients and relatives.
Outreach consultation services are provided at Kenepuru, Hutt Valley Health,
Masterton and Wairau hospitals.
The Wellington Blood & Cancer Centre provides a range of acute inpatient
assessment and treatment services, including a 24 hour/seven days direct acute
admission facility to the ward. The majority of work involves diagnosis and
management of critical symptoms. Bone marrow transplantation is also carried out
within the Centre.
The Radiation Treatment Service has a complement of modern equipment that
includes thre high energy linear accelerators, a superficial xray unit, HDR
Brachytherapy, wide bore CT scanner, 3D treatment planning system, access to MRI
and a fully networked radiation treatment patient management system. Along with
quality patient care the Wellington Blood & Cancer Centre provides training for
radiation therapy students and participates in clinical trials/research.

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PURPOSE
Radiation Therapists (RTs) work as part of the multidisciplinary team within the
Wellington Blood & Cancer Centre to provide an effective and efficient treatment
service to patients undergoing radiation treatment. Radiation Therapists are
responsible for the accurate simulation, planning, and delivery of radiation treatment
as well as patient assessment and education. Patient care, quality management &
clinical education are important aspects of the RT’s role. There is also the
requirement to contribute to the development of the service, practice and other
members of the team by showing leadership and initiative, participating in
training/inservice programmes and the oncall/shift roster.
RELATIONSHIPS
Internal: Reports to Supervisor Radiation Therapist
Radiation Therapy team:-
Radiation Therapists
Student Radiation Therapists
Medical staff
Medical Physics and Technical staff
Administration Staff
All other WBCC Personnel
Other Health Professionals/Services
External: Patients, Families/Significant Others
Cancer Society
University of Otago Dept of Radiation Therapy
QUALIFICATIONS
Qualification recognised by and registered with the New Zealand Medical
Radiation Technologists Board in radiation therapy scope of practice.
Holder of a New Zealand Annual Practising Certificate for Radiation
Therapy.
EXPERIENCE
Relevant experience with linear accelerators, superficial xray units, simulators
&/or CT and 3D treatment planning systems.
Evidence of continued professional development in radiation therapy.
Experience in supervising & teaching students and/or new graduate radiation
therapists.
Preferable experience in mould room techniques & brachytherapy.
Experience of clinical practice development projects would be an advantage.

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SKILLS
Ability to provide appropriate and effective radiation planning & treatment
service for patients
Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
Demonstrated caring and empathetic attitude to patients and relatives.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team as well as
independently.
Demonstrated ability to assess the needs of patients receiving radiation
treatment & provide care/education to patients & their significant others.
Proven ability to identify problems and formulate solutions.
Consistently professional approach to work in behaviour/appearance and
willingness to maintain high standards of professional competency.
Ability to develop and build sustainable relationships with a diverse range of
people within a multi-disciplinary setting.
Ability to exercise initiative and sound judgement when making decisions
Ability to adapt work practices in response to a changing environment
Intermediate to advanced level of computer skills.
Self motivated and able to work both independently and within a team
environment
Ability to adhere to & contribute to the development of quality assurance
systems
Understanding of and adherence to CCDHB’s aims and objectives

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ACCOUNTABILITIES
Accountabilities Performance Indicators
Provision of a pre-treatment &
radiation treatment service.
Simulation, planning, mould room &
treatment procedures are performed
effectively & efficiently to provide
optimum health outcomes for the patient.
Pre-treatment & radiation treatment
procedures accomplished accurately &
according to the treatment prescription,
WBCC policies, NRL Codes of Practice &
MRTB registration requirements.
All details are accurately recorded on
Planning & Treatment Sheets, statistics
collection forms, images, in Aria & other
documentation both hardcopy &
electronic.
All patient treatment calculations,
plan & treatment checks, & treatment
deliveries are correctly documented and
signed by the appropriate Radiation
Therapist.
The treatment prescription is signed by
the medical practitioner before treatment
is commenced.
Beam modification and patient
immobilisation devices are produced
accurately and efficiently according to the
prescribed specifications.
Practice decisions are supported by the
use of experiential and theoretical
knowledge.
All discrepancies are recorded &
reported to Supervisor Radiation
Therapist in relevant area.
Under takes activities that support the
efficient functioning of the radiation
therapy team as directed by the Team
Leader-Radiation Therapists.
Care
The patient receives care that contributes
to optimum health outcomes.
All procedures are clearly explained to
patients and appropriate referrals are
made when necessary.
All patient medical problems are reported
to the Supervisor Radiation Therapist or
responsible medical practitioner.
All Oncology and ancillary appointments
or tests are made when requested.

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All relevant instructions for special
patient care during treatment are fully
explained to patients and relatives.
Correct information is given to patients
regarding subsequent appointments.
Provide care that is socio-culturally
appropriate & complies with patient’s
codes of rights.
Professional Practice & Education
Assists Team Leader to monitor
standards of professional practice and
promote and support the professional
development of staff.
Maintains Annual Practising Certificate &
complies with the conditions for its
renewal.
Actively supports the development of
other radiation therapists & the practice
of radiation therapy by involvement in
clinical trials, research/development
activities & maintaining an awareness of
current trends.
Assists with Orientation of new staff.
Maintains core competencies including:
CPR, manual handling and oncall
service.
Ensures continuing personal professional
development and training activities
including attendance at relevant CPD
events & presentation of papers.
Student Radiation Therapists are
adequately supervised and receive
theoretical and practical tuition in
simulator, planning, mould room &
treatment procedures.
Acts as a professional role model
demonstrating effective problem solving,
conflict management, decision making
and priority setting techniques.
Is an active participant in radiation
therapy team meetings.
Continuous Quality Improvement
Actively contribute to Continuous Quality
Improvement activities within the service.
Identifies improvement opportunities and
notifies the manager of these.
Participates in the service’s quality
improvement activities.

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Provides good patient/client service and
is responsive to patient/client requests or
complaints.
Complies with standards and works to
improve patient/client satisfaction.
Risk Minimisation
Actively contributes to risk minimisation
activities within the service.
Identifies risks and notifies the manager
of these.
Participates in the service’s risk
minimisation activities.
Complies with C&C DHB Reportable
Events policy and other policies and
procedures.
Participates in audits.
Health and Safety
Complies with responsibilities under the
Health & Safety in Employment Act 1992
Has read and understood health and
safety policy and procedures.
Actively supports and complies with
health and safety policy and procedures.
Uses protective clothing and equipment.
Actively participates in the hazard
management and identification process.
Proactively reports and remedies any
unsafe work condition, accident or injury.
COMPETENCIES
Commitment to Health and Independence Improvement Goals
Is committed to the values and goals of C&C DHB.
Is committed to continuous learning and performance development.
Encourages the development of all team members.
Teamwork
Develops and maintains positive relationships and works in partnership with other
team members.
Develops rapport and builds networks of constructive working relationships with
key people.
Effectively uses team dynamics and individual operating styles to build team
processes and strengths.

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Shares knowledge and works cohesively with the team.
Innovation
Is innovative in the development of business initiatives and projects.
Is proactive and motivated and responds positively to new challenges and
opportunities.
Develops new and/or more effective work processes and systems through lateral
thinking and creativity.
Work Approach
Is results focussed and committed to making a difference.
Plan and organise own workload, allocating time to priority issues, meeting
deadlines and coping with the unexpected.
Adjusts work style and approach to fit in with requirements.
Focuses on quality improvement and customer satisfaction.
Perseveres with tasks and achieves objectives despite obstacles.
Communication
Listens with a preparedness to understand.
Is confident and appropriately assertive in dealing with others.
Deals effectively with conflict.
Partnership with Maori
Understands the Principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how these apply within the
context of health service provision.
Applies the notion of partnership and participation with Maori within the workplace
and the wider community.
Promotes and participates in targeted Maori health initiatives by which Maori
health gains can be achieved.
Implements strategies that are responsive to the health needs of Maori.
C&C DHB may change the position description with the agreement of the position
holder as the needs of the business change.