We are offering a $15K Sign-On Incentive for external hires!

Reporting directly to the Chief Radiation Therapist, the Lead Radiation Therapist serves in a dual capacity encompassing both supervisory oversight and clinical patient care responsibilities. The role encompasses primary accountability for maintaining rigorous quality control standards in radiotherapy treatment protocols, while providing strategic direction in the professional development, orientation, and supervision of both Senior and Staff Radiation Therapists within the Department of Radiation Oncology. Core responsibilities include the formulation and implementation of unit-specific programs and quality patient care.

The position encompasses three primary domains: clinical oversight, administrative governance, and general operational management. The role shall advance the Department of Radiation Oncology's mission and objectives through exemplary leadership, strategic management practices, and the cultivation of professional excellence among the Radiation Therapy personnel.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Leads, trains, and supervises radiation therapy team in delivering accurate and safe radiotherapy treatments at assigned department.
• Monitors and validates proper patient positioning and immobilization techniques according to treatment plans.
• Oversees daily patient care protocols and ensures team maintains highest standards of patient education.
• Guides staff in appropriate patient and family engagement, maintaining patient confidentiality and dignity.
• Directs team in monitoring patients' physical and psychological responses to treatment, establishing protocols for appropriate referrals when needed.
• Ensures compliance with departmental policies and procedures for safe radiation therapy administration.
• Oversees proper use of mechanical assistive devices and ensure team adherence to safety protocols.
• Implements and maintains age-specific patient care standards, ensuring team compliance with departmental policies.
• Serves as primary clinical instructor for Radiation Therapy students, providing leadership in teaching core competencies.
• Oversees and validates all quality assurance measures, including New Start and Cone Down chart checks, weekly documentation reviews, scheduling protocols, treatment procedures, and billing processes.
• Facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration to address and resolve clinical challenges.

Simulation Procedures:

• Ensures team proficiency in explaining simulation procedures, including proper communication about permanent tattoo placement.
• Supervises and validates proper operation of essential equipment and software, including CT scanner, Treatment planning software (Eclipse), LAP Lasers, and IV contrast Power injectors.
• Oversees creation and documentation of immobilization devices and bolus applications, ensuring accuracy and completeness of setup instructions.
• Provides mentorship and guidance to departmental Radiation Therapists, ensuring comprehensive understanding of simulation procedures to maintain treatment quality.
• Directs IV contrast program implementation, including oversight of Patient Screening and Peripheral IV placement protocols.
• Supervises Oral Contrast administration procedures.
• Coordinates scheduling operations and ensures efficient appointment management.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Oversees and ensures efficient daily operations of assigned clinical treatment and simulation areas.
• Directs Senior and Staff Radiation Therapists' activities to maximize equipment utilization, personnel efficiency, and maintain the highest standards of treatment delivery.
• Monitors and maintains the integrity of the electronic medical record (EMR) and Record and Verify system, ensuring precise documentation of all treatment delivery information.
• Orchestrates emergency case management, coordinates on-call activities, and facilitates patient scheduling in collaboration with care team members.
• Leads team response during equipment failures while maintaining clear communication with patients and departmental staff.
• Enforces Quality Assurance (QA) protocols on assigned units, ensuring staff compliance and excellence in all aspects of treatment delivery and patient care.
• Collaborates with leadership team to create, update, and implement policies and procedures for treatment, simulation, new programs, and personnel management.
• Supports the Chief Radiation Therapist in monitoring therapist competencies, including specialized machine techniques, departmental protocols, and emerging practices.
• Drives continuous improvement initiatives and standardization of treatment techniques across the department. Leads orientation programs and provide instruction for new staff, students, visitors, and team members requiring additional training in departmental procedures.
• Partners with the Chief Radiation Therapist to maintain optimal staffing levels and provide direct coverage as needed.
• Facilitates clinical assignments, instruction, and evaluation of Radiation Therapy students in partnership with the Clinical Radiation Therapy Program Director.
• Participates in departmental meetings as required.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for the direct supervision of Senior and Staff Radiation Therapists, and Radiation Therapy students assigned to area.
• Under the direction of the Chief Radiation Therapist, the Lead Radiation Therapist may have the authority to discipline staff as needed.
• The number of FTEs will vary depending on the assigned area.
• Assumes Chief Radiation Therapist responsibilities in the absence of Chief.

• High School + Certificate in radiation Therapy or associate?s degree in Radiation Therapy required; bachelor?s degree preferred.
• Valid Massachusetts State License in Radiation Therapy required.
• Valid ARRT certification required.
• Valid BLS certification within 60 days of hire date.
• Minimum of four (4) years of continuous clinical experience required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Demonstrated competencies for all procedures performed within assigned treatment and/or simulation areas, including but not limited to 3D, IMRT, Align RT and tattoo less workflows, stereotactic related procedures, Adaptive Radiotherapy and contouring, Craniospinal Radiotherapy, Pediatrics, Total Body Irradiation.
• Demonstrated ability to care for patients, including acute inpatients, pediatric patients, and pediatric patients requiring anesthesia.
• Demonstrated ability to perform all aspects of both treatment and simulation.
• Understands the function of all equipment and software, accessories, treatment policies, procedures, and protocols and applies knowledge appropriately. Including but not limited to CT scanner and software, Treatment planning software (Eclipse), LAP Lasers, IV contract Power Injectors.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of growth and development from all life stages, ranging from infancy to geriatric. Able to assess patient relative data as deemed pertinent to age-specific needs and provide care as described in the department?s policy and procedure manual.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the patient functional mobility assessment tool and mobilizes patients using appropriate mechanical assistive devices, such as ceiling lifts and lateral transfer devices, during the provision of patient care.
• Possesses an advanced knowledge base and ability to accurately perform and teach all policy, procedure, and QA measures including New Start and Cone Down chart checks, weekly chart checks, scheduling, treatment procedures, image review guidelines, and billing procedures.
• Advanced knowledge of and ability to accurately perform and teach all policy, procedure, and QA measures including New Start and Cone Down chart checks, weekly chart checks, scheduling, treatment procedures, image review guidelines, and billing procedures.
• Advanced proficiency in patient scheduling systems and revenue cycle management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate?s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

$64.30/hr - $72.94/hr 

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong.  As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff.  Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

EEOC Poster