KAYLA LUCOSTIC
UPMC Washingtown Hospital
Uniontown
12
years of professional experience
Experienced Dosimetrist with 13 years of patient care as a Radiation Therapist and 7 years of management experience as a Lead Radiation Therapist. Successfully operated as the sole dosimetrist in a dual-staffed site, overseeing all clinical operations, complex planning, leadership meetings, peer review, and day to day workflow. Adapted to many transitions in processes within the clinic over a short time period. Maintained workflows, met tight deadlines, and avoided any major planning errors. Demonstrated taking on many responsibilities with minimal supervision from the beginning of my career. Eager to learn new techniques, including SBRT and proton planning that I currently do not have access to plan. I can take constructive criticism very well and see it as a positive way to learn and better my skills. I continue to learn and grow and seek a team that I can grow with and will give me the chance for collaboration.
Work History
Medical Dosimetrist
2 Years- Nearly 3 years of full-time dosimetry clinical experience using ARIA and Eclipse treatment planning system with a hybrid clinical schedule.
- Onsite clinical experience starting in May 2023 prior to graduation
- Experience with Eclipse and ARIA applications.
- Experience/proficient in treatment planning with 2D/3D, IMRT and VMAT techniques including EZfluence application and rapid plan models.
- Gained remote work experience managing tasks independently and efficiently.
- Led department as sole dosimetrist post-graduation, ensuring seamless clinical operations and patient care.
- Managed all clinical operations as sole dosimetrist on site for one year, providing comprehensive dosimetry services.
- Sole dosimetrist on site for 1yr and managed all clinical operations
- Strong clinical judgment, autonomy, and leadership
- Onboarded new dosimetrists and serve as a contact to help others within the network.
- Strong clinical judgement, autonomy, and leadership
- Excellent communication with physicians, physicists, therapists to ensure accurate patient treatment & information is exchanged.
- Experience/proficient in treatment planning with 2D/3D, IMRT and VMAT techniques including EZFluence application and RapidPlan models.
- Experience with clinical trial protocols and treatment planning pertaining to specific goals.
- Proficient with working independent and efficient with time management.
- Demonstrated excellent communication skills with healthcare teams for patient care. with physicians, physicists, therapists to ensure accurate patient treatment & information is exchanged.
- Proficient with working independently and efficiently with time management.
- Equipment: Varian Accelerator Clinac IX with OBI, Varian TrueBeam, & GE LightSpeed Plus CT scanner
- Completed the collection of patient data and other imaging modalities to define critical structures. Generated 3D and IMRT photon dose calculations and isodose distributions following the physician written directive. Evaluated and prepare treatment plans as well as communicate information to the radiation therapists and physicists. Assisted in simulation with immobilization devices and bolus placement.
Medical Dosimetrist
2 Years- Selected as one of two candidates for competitive medical dosimetrist trainee internship, gaining full-time clinical training in May 2023 while completing bachelor's degree in medical dosimetry alongside experienced dosimetrists.
- Goals: To work with a clinical team and produce optimal treatment plans using techniques such as 3D, IMRT, VMAT, DIBH, and motion study plans.
- Clinical rotations during training include:
- Washington Hospital Radiation Oncology- contouring experience, 3D planning, image registrations, acquiring images from hospital systems, and general workflows of the dosimetrist.
- St. Margaret’s Hospital - focus in IMRT, VMAT, and SBRT planning. I dedicated time in CT simulation with respiratory gating, DIBH breast simulations, and SBRT simulations using the BodyFIX positioning system.
- UPMC Uniontown Cancer Center- focus in 3D and IMRT planning, clinical electron planning, clinical 2D treatment setups, shadowing PET/CT procedures on site. I also worked alongside physics for linac and CT QA procedures.
- Magee Women’s Hospital Radiation Oncology- focus in brachytherapy treatment planning using vaginal cylinder placement, Syed template applicators, and tandem and ring/ovoid applicators. I completed MRI fusions with CT planning scans for female pelvis brachytherapy procedures.
- HDR brachytherapy afterloader using Iridium-192 for treatment was observed. During this rotation I worked closely with and heavily focused on the physics areas of study. I also focused heavily on breast planning with 3D, IMRT, APBI, 3 field planning, electron photon match planning. HALCYON SBRT and IMRT treatment planning techniques were also covered.
Lead Radiation Therapist
8 Years- Management experience in a lead therapist position over the past 8 years to oversee the daily operations and quality improvement needs of the department.
- Accurate delivery of radiation treatments including state of the art IMRT, 3D techniques, IGRT, and DIBH techniques.
- Effectively communicate with dosimetrists, physicists and physicians in coordination & quality of patient care.
- QUALITY IMPROVEMENT project leader & oversight committee 10+ years in clinical setting.
- ACRO accreditation, DEP inspections, supply inventory, building site safety, regional meetings, emergency equipment monitoring, coordinate care with chemotherapy offices, and lead monthly staff meetings.
- Varian Accelerator Clinac IX with OBI Siemens SOMATOM Emotion 6 CT Scanner
Education
Bachelor of Science - Medical Dosimetry
Bachelor of Arts - Medical Imaging, Business Management
Associate in Science - Radiation Therapy Technology
Skills
IMRT planning
Treatment planning software
Patient safety practices
Contouring
Varian Eclipse
Computer software proficiency
Clinical trial protocols
Radiation safety protocols
Critical thinking
High plan volume with physician satisfaction
Clinical workflow management
Strong communication over Teams/Zoom
Timeline
Medical Dosimetrist
08.2024 - CurrentRead More
Medical Dosimetrist
UPMC Washingtown Hospital
08.2024 - CurrentRead More
Lead Radiation Therapist
UPMC Cancer Centers
01.2015 - 01.2023Read More
Community College of Allegheny County
Associate in Science from Radiation Therapy Technology
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La Roche University
Bachelor of Arts from Medical Imaging, Business Management
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John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences
Bachelor of Science from Medical Dosimetry
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