Ambulatory Technician Residency Program: A Key Component in Safe Patient Delivery

Area of Science:

• Oncology Nursing
• Healthcare Workforce Development
• Allied Health Professions

Background:

• Nurses in radiation oncology services faced challenges delegating responsibilities to radiation oncology ambulatory technicians (ROATs) due to inconsistent onboarding processes.
• Lack of standardized training led to concerns regarding safe delegation and scope of practice adherence for ROATs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement a standardized ROAT residency program to enhance role understanding and scope of practice adherence.
• To improve nursing support and overall workflow within the radiation oncology service.
• To evaluate the impact of the standardized program on staff morale and job satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• Development and implementation of a structured ROAT residency program.
• Focus on standardized onboarding, role definition, and scope of practice education.
• Post-intervention surveys and feedback collection from nursing staff and ROATs.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements reported in workflow efficiency and staff morale among nurses and ROATs.
• Positive feedback received regarding the program's effectiveness in clarifying roles and responsibilities.
• Enhanced confidence in safe delegation of ROAT responsibilities by nursing staff.

Conclusions:

• A standardized ROAT residency program is effective in improving role understanding, scope of practice, and interprofessional support.
• The program positively impacts workflow, morale, and job satisfaction in radiation oncology settings.
• Successful implementation supports plans for expansion to other cancer center services.