Position Open for Brachytherapy Rad Safety Technician

["Joseph P. Ring" <joseph_ring@harvard.edu>]

Position:  Radiation Safety Technician for brachytherapy
                 procedures.

Location:  Joint Center for Radiation Therapy (JCRT) at Harvard Medical School

Reports to: Director of Physics at the JCRT

Requirements:  Proper training in the use of radioactive sources, and
regulatory issues.
                          The applicant does not need to have extensive
experience, 
                           training of specific hospital procedures will be
given on site. 
                           This is a patient oriented activity, and the
applicant must be prepared 
                           to work irregular hours depending on hospital
and patient needs.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Assist the Radiation Oncologists with all brachytherapy implants and/or
any other procedures requiring radioactive subtances performed at the JCRT
affiliated hospitals. These duties include:
(a). Collect pertinent information on each brachytherapy patient and
consequent implant or procedure;
(b). Prepare for sterilization implant kits to Radiation Oncologist
specifications;
(c). Assure isotope inventory is up-to-date and, if necessary, order
specific radioactive material;
(d). Assist the Radiation Oncologist in the operating room with I-125 seeds
in suture and Au-198 seeds procedures, etc...;
(e). Assist the Radiation Oncologist in the placement and removal of
radioactive sources in the patient's room;

B. Perform radiation safety function associated with all brachytherapy
implants or procedures. These duties include:
(a). Transportation of radioactive sources to the various JCRT affiliated
hospital, in particular the Brigham and Womens Hospital, according to State
and DOT regulations;
(b). Inventory of radioactive sources prior to and after treatment;
(c). Prepare room if patient will be treated with unsealed radioactive source;
(d). Conduct patient room and adjacent area surveys;
(e). Instruct nursing personnel regarding radiation safety precautions for
implant patients;
(f). Instruct implant patients and visitors regarding radiation safety
precautions;
(g). Survey room after removal of radioactive sealed sources but prior to
patient discharge;
(h). Survey and decontaminate room if patient was treated with unsealed
radioactive sources. 

C. Perform audits of JCRT treatment facilities. These duties include:
(a). On-site source inventories;
(b). Ambient dose surveys;
(c). Instruments operational checks;
(d)  Calibrate survey instruments;
(e). Leak testing of brachytherapy sources;

Contact :
Goran Svensson, Ph.D.
Director of Physics
Joint Center for Radiation Therapy
Carl J Shapiro Building
330 Brookline Avenue
Boston, MA 02215

Phone:  (617) 667-9570
 FAX    (617) 667-9599
E-mail  gsvensson@jcrt.harvard.edu


Joseph P. Ring
Harvard University
46 Oxford Street
Cambridge, MA 02138-1995
Tel 617 495-8795
FAX 617 495-0593
Email Joseph_ring@harvard.edu