Mienke Botha
Radiation Therapist (Senior)
Cape Town
Summary
To whom it may concern:
I am an accomplished, hardworking Radiation Therapist from Western Cape, who has served my duties at Grootte Schuur Hospital for the past 10 years. During this time of my career, I have had numerous roles and responsibilities on a rotational basis throughout the entire department. This includes treatment of patients on Linear Accelerators and Halcyon, quality assurance of patient treatment data, CT and Simulation for target delineation, as well as treatment planning on Eclipse TPS version 15.5. My dedication and passion to this career has showcased my ability to lead and perform under immense pressure, as I have been a unit manager on the treatment units, as well as at the CT.
I have always had an incredible passion for treatment planning, and made it evident during my career at GSH by investing my time to upskill myself with planning, even though I wasn't rotating through this section of the department. This resulted in me being chosen to be a permanent planner, when the need came, in January 2023 and could just step in without any training needed.
During my 10 years of experience, I have been planning for approximately 4 years in total (taking my rotations and stand-ins into account), gaining knowledge and experience from incredible individuals who are well known in radiotherapy, and have felt an overwhelming amount fulfillment in doing what I love, treatment planning.
Since I could remember as a student, my focus and attention was always drawn to treatment planning, and the excitement it brought me to think out of the box, as every patients needs are different. I have significant experience in 3DCRT and VMAT planning techniques (including SIB treatments), good experience in planning specialized cases such as Craniospinal (VMAT) and Total body Irradiation techniques, as well as some Stereotactic planning experience. I have minimal experience in IMRT, as our department doesn't make use of this technique, however, I am an incredibly fast learner, and in conjunction with my knowledge, insight, and attention to detail, I would be able to adapt to any planning techniques needed with precision.
I have been humbled to work with some of the best doctors and physicists in the field, learning from each other and working as a multidisciplinary team to deliver the best treatment to our patients. The teamwork aspect of radiotherapy is such an important part for me, because if one link is broken in the chain, it will affect all other departments. This motivates me to perform to my utmost best at all times, as my responsibility in this chain is incredibly important for my patients overall outcome.
I have also been humbled to be part of Varian's Access to Care training for many years. Since 2018 I have been able to share my planning knowledge with other countries, and seeing how they evolve from minimal experience, to incredible departments saving lives in their communities. I have assisted in access to care training (2D to 3D planning) from 2018 to 2020 and then again in 2022 and 2023 for more advanced techniques.
Apart from Access to care, I also teach students continuously throughout the year, helping to set them up for a successful career after graduation. Being part of a hospital such as Grootte Schuur, teaching has been a big part of my career, and I thoroughly enjoy playing a part in the upskill of not only students, but doctors and fellow collages on a daily basis.
Radiotherapy as a career has enriched me as an individual in more than one way. The pleasure of walking a path with a patient during their illness, and me being able to play a small part in their journey towards healing, is the key to a successful and positive outlook on radiotherapy as an occupation. I take pride in the fact that I am an organized and dependable individual, successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude, as well as being willing to take on added responsibilities, to ensure a successful outcome for patient treatment.
Since the start of my career as a RTT, my motto has been to treat every single one of my patients to the best of my ability, the way I would have wanted to be treated if I had to be in their shoes. Till this day, I still live by this vision.
I am humbled to be able to have shared a bit about myself and my experience with you, and hereby wish to apply for a position as a Centralized planning Radiotherapist at your institution. I trust that you will give my application favorable consideration.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Radiation Therapist
Western Cape, Department Of Health, South Africa
2015.05 - Current
- With the use of Eclipse Treatment Planning System (version 15.5), ensuring efficient planning of 3DCRT, Rapid Arc planning and specialized techniques such as Craniospinal, Total Body Irradiation, and Stereotactic radiosurgery according to the Oncologists specifications and intentions.
- Ensuring patient plans, accessories (bolus) and treatment sheets are executed with accuracy and in a timeous manner.
- Advise and assist with difficult plans and new techniques amongst fellow RTT's, oncologists, registrars, students and physicists.
- Ensure that routine Quality Assurance checks (Patient specific QA) are performed and bookings for planned patient are made using Aria.
- Assist in all other sections of the department, such as QA stations, CT, and treatment units when required.
- Perform graphic planning activities, with good communication, with doctors and staff, by conducting weekly meetings with the respective parties, and as a multidisciplinary team, to ensure the effective treatment for individual patients.
- Creating and Updating Standard operating procedures in planning as needed.
- Continuous training and support to junior staff, students and registrars.
- Checking of plans done by junior staff.
- Mentoring junior staff and rotational planning staff.
- Monitor and document patient progress throughout the course of their radiotherapy (i.e. if boost plans need to be done on new CT sets or weightloss has occurred during treatment), and making necessary adjustments to maintain optimal treatment effectiveness.
- Demonstrating exceptional problem-solving abilities when faced with unexpected challenges or complications during the treatment planning of patients.
- Participate in continuing education opportunities to stay current on best practices within the field of radiation therapy.
- Assist in maintaining departmental accreditation by adhering to regulatory standards for quality assurance and documentation processes.
Locum Radiation Therapist
Western Cape, Department Of Health, South Africa
2015.01 - 2015.04
- Same as Community Service
Community Service Radiation Therapist
Western Cape, Department Of Health, South Africa
2014.01 - 2014.12
- Operated sophisticated radiation therapy equipment with precision, ensuring proper calibration and functionality before each use.
- Monitored and documented patient progress throughout the course of their therapy, making necessary adjustments to maintain optimal treatment effectiveness.
- Conducted routine maintenance checks on linear accelerators and other equipment, identifying issues early on to prevent delays in patient care.
- Assisted in maintaining departmental accreditation by adhering to regulatory standards for quality assurance and documentation processes.
- Coordinated closely with medical physicists regarding dosimetry calculations, ensuring appropriate dose distributions for each individual patient''s needs.
- Implemented innovative techniques that increased the accuracy of radiation delivery while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
- Maintained detailed patient records, ensuring accuracy and completeness for future reference by healthcare professionals involved in the patient''s care.
- Developed strong working relationships with referring physicians and other medical professionals, facilitating collaboration and enhancing overall quality of care for cancer patients.
- Demonstrated exceptional problem-solving abilities when faced with unexpected challenges or complications during treatment sessions.
- Educated patients about their treatment plan, side effects, and self-care strategies, reducing anxiety and promoting adherence to recommended practices.
- Provided emotional support to patients and their families, helping them cope with the challenges of undergoing radiation therapy.
- Enhanced patient comfort and safety during treatment sessions by properly positioning them and ensuring immobilization devices were in place.
- Maintained strict compliance with safety protocols to minimize risk of exposure to ionizing radiation for both patients and staff members.
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to develop customized, effective treatment plans for individual patients.
- Improved patient outcomes by consistently delivering accurate radiation treatments as prescribed by the oncologist.
- Reduced wait times for radiation therapy appointments through efficient scheduling and time management skills.
- Positioned patients for treatment with accuracy according to prescription.
- Administered radiation therapy in prescribed doses and to designated anatomy to directly affect target areas.
- Operated and adjusted radiation therapy equipment in alignment with physician orders and manufacturer recommendations to meet specific patient needs.
- Observed patients during treatment to monitor for any adverse treatment reactions and offered quick emergency response to address concerns.
- Monitored operation of radiation therapy equipment to verify continuous functionality, identified faults and escalated repair needs for quick attention and resolution.
- Educated, prepared and reassured patients and families by answering questions, providing physical assistance and reinforcing physicians' advice regarding treatment reactions or post-treatment care.
- Followed physician instructions and prescription data when preparing patients for and administering treatments.
Education
Bachelors of Technology - Radiography: Therapy
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Cape Town, South Africa 2001.04 -
National Diploma - Radiography: Therapy
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Cape Town, South Africa 2001.04 -
High School Diploma -
Tygerberg High School
Cape Town 2001.04 -
Skills
Great Treatment Planning abilities
Great Knowledge about Medical Imaging
Good Teamwork and Collaboration
Efficient in Problem-Solving
Good Time Management
Good at Multitasking
Excellent Communication
Swift Decision-Making ability
Self Motivated
Adaptable and Flexible
Great Attention to Detail
Fast Learner
Reliable
Professional
Good Anatomical knowledge
Additional Information
- Gender: Female
- Address: 238 The Vineyard Complex
Pinot Blanc Road
Burgundy Estate
7441
- Place of Birth: Cape Town
- Date of Birth: 21 April 1992
- ID number: 9204210201082
- Marital Status: Engaged
- Dependants: 0
Languages
Afrikaans
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
References
Ms T.Nel (Planning Manager)
Groote Schuur Hospital
021 404 4310
Email: Tracy.Nel@westerncape.gov.za
Brendon Smith (Medical Physicist)
Grootte Schuur Hospital
021 404 6180
083 397 8634
Email: brendon.smith@uct.ac.za
Mrs.T Naiker (Radiation Oncologist)
Grootte Schuur Hospital
021 404 4270
Email: thuran.naiker@uct.ac.za
Timeline
Radiation Therapist
Western Cape, Department Of Health, South Africa
2015.05 - Current
Locum Radiation Therapist
Western Cape, Department Of Health, South Africa
2015.01 - 2015.04
Community Service Radiation Therapist
Western Cape, Department Of Health, South Africa
2014.01 - 2014.12
Bachelors of Technology - Radiography: Therapy
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
2001.04 -
National Diploma - Radiography: Therapy
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
2001.04 -
High School Diploma -
Tygerberg High School
2001.04 -
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