POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION DETAILS: TITLE: SPECIALIST RADIATION THERAPIST PROFESSION: RADIATION THERAPY REPORTS TO: Clinical Team Leaders Treatment/Pre Treatment/Educator LOCATION: Auckland District Health Board AUTHORISED BY: Executive Director Allied Health, Scientific & Technical DATE: June 2016 PURPOSE OF POSITION: The Specialist Radiation Therapist is an Allied Health professional providing specialist knowledge to ensure that patients receive high quality evidence-based Radiation Therapy treatment in the Radiation Therapy Service. They will work within the Radiation Therapy department to utilise the latest Radiation Therapy technologies and techniques to optimise both patient care and outcomes, while maintaining efficiency and safety of the service. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES: SPECIALIST CLINICAL PRACTICE Maintain clinical competence and act as a specialist resource for staff and students in a designated area of Radiation Therapy Leads and models effective communication strategies to ensure multidisciplinary collaboration Work towards achieving role specific KPI s as per addendum Develop and update KPI s on an annual basis as part of a performance review process, in order to adapt to the needs of the service LEADERSHIP Provide leadership and expertise for their area of specialty by co-ordinating staff and creating partnerships to achieve clinical and service goals Ensure the performance of their area of specialty is in line with the unit s operational business plan and ensure that any resource implications are highlighted to the appropriate Team Leader Responsible for providing specialist knowledge, skills and expertise in a specific clinical area, in a manner consistent with the unit s vision and values Assist in the workload distribution applicable to work area/specialty Communicate any operational performance requirements that fall within area of responsibility to the appropriate staff individually or collectively to ensure work practices are carried out safely Demonstrate skilled teaching/coaching of students, staff and other healthcare professionals QUALITY IMPROVEMENT Develop and maintain high quality service delivery in line with operational and strategic direction Contribute to quality improvement activities for the continuous provision of service standards Utilise existing quality structures to identify and resolve clinical and risk management issues Welcome Haere Mai Respect Manaaki Together Tūhono Aim High Angamua Page 1
Monitors clinical outcomes/ indicators specific to area of specialty Leads /contributes to projects/focus groups as agreed with/delegated by Line Manager RESEARCH, LEARNING AND AUDIT: Participates in clinical audit and research activity that enhances the clinical implementation of evidence-based practice relevant to the area of specialty Maintains knowledge of current trends, research and development within the field of Radiation Therapy Authorities: This position has the delegated authority as per the Policy manual. Direct Reports (if applicable): Budget Accountability (if applicable): N/A N/A Relationships: External Internal Committees/Groups Families/whanau and caregivers Radiation Unit Manager (RUM) All appropriate support groups/committees Health providers outside ADHB Professional Leader Radiation Therapist Other Healthcare facilities/providers Clinical Team Leaders Treatment/Education/Pre Treatment/Physics RT Senior Management Group Senior and Specialist Radiation Therapists Staff Radiation Therapists Clinical Tutors and students Medical Staff Physics Team Radiation Oncology Nursing Team Radiation Therapy Admin and Clerical Team Interdisciplinary support personnel Welcome Haere Mai Respect Manaaki Together Tūhono Aim High Angamua Page 2
PERSON SPECIFICATION Education & Qualifications Essential Desired Professional Recognised tertiary qualification in Radiation Therapy MRTB Registration and Annual Practising Certificate in the scope of Radiation Therapy No conditions on scope of practice Member of NZIMRT or equivalent professional body Specific Clinical Competencies Knowledge and understanding of the Radiation Therapy environment and the interrelated fields of Planning, Simulation and Treatment Knowledge of contemporary issues in Radiation Therapy Ability to participate in focus groups, staff training and education Work Experience Minimum 4 years experience in relevant clinical environment Excellent self-management and organisational skills Ability to use appropriate software and technological applications Professional Development Member of MRTB approved CPD programme Relevant clinical post graduate Master s degree or equivalent Experience in project management Welcome Haere Mai Respect Manaaki Together Tūhono Aim High Angamua Page 3
CRITICAL COMPETENCIES Competency Description LEADERSHIP/INNOVATION Embraces change and considers wider team and plans appropriately Proposes solutions and works with Team and Team Leaders to provide solutions for work place needs Communicates any operational performance requirements that fall within area of responsibility to the appropriate people Follows and adheres to department guidelines Undertakes and assists with development/projects/research to evolve best practice Demonstrates a high degree of technical skills Displays exemplary clinical judgement Acts decisively and appropriately Has exemplary time management skills Demonstrates core patient skills e.g. manual handling, infection control COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Uses appropriate methods to provide clear and precise communication Demonstrates active listening Gives appropriate and timely feedback Manages competing and fluctuating demands and follows through Encourages and supports all staff Is courteous and considerate towards all staff Displays sensitivity towards patients/whanau/support people Demonstrates situational awareness Role models effective stress management LEARNING AND Acts as a resource for staff in their areas of specialty PROFESSIONAL Identifies and implements quality improvements in their DEVELOPMENT designated work area and across the service as required Updates relevant protocols to reflect current best practice in their area of expertise Participates in student education, coaching and feedback Ensures own professional development and encourages others Reflects on extent of own competency and communicates when requiring up skilling in a timely manner PROFESSIONALISM Demonstrates a patient and customer service focus Demonstrates professional accountability for their work and behaviour Is solution orientated Supports evidence based practice Takes initiative to make improvements Contributes to quality improvement opportunities Adheres to rostered schedule, is punctual and timely, utilises time effectively Welcome Haere Mai Respect Manaaki Together Tūhono Aim High Angamua Page 4
TEAMWORK Proactively supports teams and demonstrates teamwork within the service Actively leads decision making processes and ensures team participation Works in partnership with seniors/specialists in the department Performs role as part of the wider team Draws on the team for advice and best practice principles Operates efficiently within the team Works to meet the operational business requirements VALUE DIVERSITY Demonstrates ADHB values; Welcome, Respect, Togetherness, Aim High Understands the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi Ensures equal access for all patients, whanau and support people Respects others as individuals Appreciates insights and ideas of individuals Gives appropriate responses in clinical settings with staff, students and patients/whanau/support people ADDENDUM The position specific KPIs form part of the Key Accountabilities of the role. These KPI s are to be reviewed annually as part of the performance review process. As part of the performance review process these KPI s can be updated according to the needs of the service, in consultation with the position holder. POSITION SPECIFIC KPI S Support and facilitate the implementation of adaptive planning across the service Actively involved in research, collaboration, development of supporting documentation and sharing of adaptive planning concepts across all work areas in conjunction with CTL s, seniors, specialists and other RT staff Implement and provide clinical leadership to an adaptive planning focus group Active involvement in clinical trials with an adaptive planning focus Participate in national and international collaboration for research and development in adaptive planning Display willingness to develop knowledge (personal and departmental) around adaptive planning Welcome Haere Mai Respect Manaaki Together Tūhono Aim High Angamua Page 5
WORKING FOR ADHB EXPECTATIONS OF EMPLOYEES CITIZENSHIP All employees are expected to contribute to the innovation and improvement of Auckland District Health Board as an organisation. This means: Using resources responsibly Models ADHB values in all interactions Maintaining standards of ethical behaviour and practice Meeting ADHB s performance standards Participating in organisation development and performance improvement initiatives Helping to develop and maintain Maori capability in ADHB, including developing our understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and ways in which it applies in our work Raising and addressing issues of concern promptly THE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP We have a shared responsibility for maintaining good employer/employee relationships. This means: Acting to ensure a safe and healthy working environment at all times Focusing our best efforts on achieving ADHB s objectives A performance agreement will be reached between the employee and their direct manager and/or professional leader containing specific expectations. CONSUMER/CUSTOMER/STAKEHOLDER COMMITMENT All employees are responsible for striving to continuously improve service quality and performance. This means: Taking the initiative to meet the needs of the consumer/customer/stakeholder Addressing our obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi Involving the consumer/customer/stakeholder in defining expectations around the nature of the services to be delivered and the timeframe Keeping the consumer/stakeholder informed of progress Following through on actions and queries Following up with the consumer/customer/stakeholder on their satisfaction with the services PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT As the business of ADHB develops, the responsibilities and functions of positions may change. expected to contribute and adapt to change by: All staff are Undertaking professional development Applying skills to a number of long and short term projects across different parts of the organisation Undertaking such development opportunities as ADHB may reasonably require Welcome Haere Mai Respect Manaaki Together Tūhono Aim High Angamua Page 6