What is a Radiotherapist?

A radiation therapist, therapeutic radiographer, or radiotherapist is an allied health professional who works in the field of radiation oncology. Radiation therapists plan and administer radiation treatments to cancer patients in most Western countries.

Roles & Responsibilities

Radiation therapists use advanced computer systems to operate sophisticated radiation therapy equipment, such as linear accelerators. The therapist works closely with the radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and other members of the health care team. They effectively design and treat the course of radiation treatment, in addition to managing the patient’s well-being.

Radiation therapists primarily treat cancer,, although other disorders and conditions can be managed through the care of radiation therapists. After the radiation oncologist has consulted with the patient and a decision has been reached that the application of radiation will benefit the patient, it then becomes the radiation therapist’s responsibility to interpret the prescription and develop a treatment plan for treatment delivery.

The process of producing the final plan rests with a group of specialized radiation therapists called dosimetrists.

Since the course of radiation therapy can extend over several weeks, the radiation therapist is responsible for monitoring the condition of the patient and is required to assess if changes to the treatment plan are required. 

This is accomplished through patient re-positioning, dose calculations, or other specialized methods to compensate for the changes. The therapist is responsible for quality assurance of the radiation treatment. This involves acquiring and recording all parameters needed to deliver the treatment accurately. The therapist ensures that the treatment set-up is correctly administered. The therapist takes imaging studies of the targeted treatment area and reproduces the patient positioning and plan parameters daily.

The therapist is responsible for the accuracy of the treatment and uses his/her judgment to ensure quality concerning all aspects of treatment delivery. During radiation treatment, the patient will most likely develop certain side effects. In such situations, the therapists will communicate these side effects with the radiation oncologist, who may adjust treatment or give medications.

Facts about Radiotherapy

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Radiation Therapists

1. What is a radiation therapist?

A radiation therapist is a healthcare professional who works with cancer patients to deliver radiation treatments [1]. They’re part of a radiation oncology team that also includes radiation oncologists (doctors) and medical physicists [2].

2. What does a radiation therapist do?

• Uses advanced computer systems to operate radiation therapy machines like linear accelerators [2].
• Plans and delivers radiation treatments based on the prescription from the radiation oncologist [3].
• Monitors patients throughout treatment and adjusts the plan as needed [4].
• Ensures the quality and accuracy of radiation treatment delivery [5].
• Communicates patient side effects to the radiation oncologist [6].

3. What are some facts about radiotherapy treatments?

• Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to treat cancer [7].
• Treatments typically occur 5 days a week for a few minutes per session [8].
• A CT scan is used for treatment planning to precisely target the cancerous tumor [9].
• The dose of radiation is measured in gray (Gy) [10].
• Modern radiation therapy machines minimize side effects [11].
• Many patients can continue their daily routines during radiation treatment [12].
• The effects of radiation therapy may take weeks to be fully realized [13].

4. What are some additional things to know about radiation therapy?

• You won’t feel anything during the treatment session [12].
• You likely won’t be alone during treatment, although you may not see the staff directly [12].
• Radiation therapy is a targeted treatment, and you won’t radiate the environment [14].

5. Is radiation therapy right for everyone?

This FAQ is intended to provide general information. It’s important to talk to your doctor to see if radiation therapy is the right treatment for you [15].