Introduction to Radiation Therapy Technology
What is Radiation Therapy?
The cancerous cell is considered to be an outlaw cell. It is characterized by abnormalities in the division and replication phase of the cell cycle. The result of this uncontrollable division is a lump, termed a malignant tumor or mass.
Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer and is prescribed in more than half of all cancer cases. It works on the premise that cancerous cells are more sensitive than normal cells to the damaging effects of radiation. Radiation therapy uses high energy X-rays, gamma rays, electron beams, or other ionizing radiation to produce biologic changes in the DNA of such a cell. Altering the DNA in this way causes cell death at the time of division, potentially eliminating the malignancy. Many people become free of cancer after receiving radiation treatment alone or in combination with surgery, chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy. It is the radiation therapist who targets the area to be treated and delivers the radiation dose to the patient.
Today, radiation therapy is one of the most technically advanced modalities for the treatment of cancer. Conformal therapy using Multileaf Collimation, Image Guided Radiation, Intensity Modulation and Respiratory Gating direct the treatment beam to the tumor while sparing the surrounding healthy area. Although some normal cells may be affected by radiation, this is temporary with most recovering fully from the effects of the treatment.
Who Becomes a Radiation Therapist?
Radiation therapists are involved in all aspects of care of the cancer patient. A high level of skill is required to serve the emotional as well as the physical needs of the patient, since many are seriously ill and under stress. In addition to maintaining pleasant, positive relationships with their patients, radiation therapists must be able to interact effectively with physicians and with the therapy team.
Students accepted into the Radiation Therapy Program come from many different backgrounds and are motivated by many different factors. A few of the personality traits that lead to success in the program are:
The desire to combine a traditional academic education with technical skills that are in high demand.
Commitment and dedication to a rigorous one year training program.
Inherent personality attributes of compassion and empathy that may be cultivated and displayed when interacting with patients, their family and their friends.
What the Radiation Therapist Does:
- Administer radiation therapy as prescribed by the physician.
- Display professional conduct essential to the well being of the radiation oncology patient.
- Maintain accurate and detailed treatment chart documentation.
- Utilize treatment accessories to accurately reproduce the radiation treatment.
- Adhere to radiation safety procedure protocol.
- Safely and effectively operate a variety of computerized simulation and treatment machines.
- Adhere to the Radiation Therapist Code of Ethics.
- Perform mathematical calculations fundamental to basic dosimetry.
- Perform machine safety checks, know safe limits of equipment operations, and report abnormalities or inconsistencies to the proper authority.
- Construct immobilization devices and employ custom blocking techniques that are conducive to conformal radiation therapy.
- Utilize sophisticated imaging equipment for precise tumor localization.
- Work closely with the radiation Oncologist and the therapy team in the preparation of a treatment plan that is customized to the patient’s needs.
Where the Radiation Therapist works:
Simulation – The initial step in developing an effective treatment plan takes place on the simulator. The simulator is used to define and map out the area to be treated. Though this machine emulates the workings of the treatment machine, it does not have the capability to deliver a radiation therapy treatment. The purpose of the simulator is to take regular X-rays with the patient in the treatment position to verify the exact location of the disease and define the treatment parameters. Immobilization devices are constructed and used to assure accuracy and reproducibility during treatment. Measurements of the patient’s body are recorded and used to aid treatment planning.
Treatment Planning and Dosimetry – The information that is acquired in the simulation is transferred to treatment planning where the patient is not present. Although the radiation therapist may be involved in some phases of treatment planning, the majority of the work is done by a medical dosimetrist. The dosimetrist specializes in performing complex mathematical calculations and multiple correlations to find the best combination of beam angles, field size, beam energy and distance. Computers are used to design a specialized treatment plan for each individual.
Treatment Delivery – When the treatment plan is complete, the patient is scheduled to start their customized course of treatment. Radiation treatments are usually scheduled five days a week, Monday to Friday, for two to eight weeks. Although the treatment machine may be delivering radiation for only a few minutes, each treatment may take from ten to twenty minutes from the time that the patient walks into the treatment room until they leave. The radiation therapist delivers the daily radiation therapy treatment to the patient by:
Preparing the patient for treatment – reviewing the procedure, answering questions and offering assistance.
Positions the patient as specified in the treatment plan.
Operates the radiation therapy equipment.
Verifies that the treatment plan reflects the prescription and instruction as written by the physician.
Implements treatment plans that have been prescribed by the physician.
Provides supportive care to patients, their family and friends.
Monitor the patient during treatment.
Maintain accurate, complete chart documentation.
Document any machine irregularity or malfunction and notify the proper authority in such an event.
Practice radiation safety principles.
Radiation Therapy Code of Ethics
The Radiation Therapist Code of Ethics as published by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists states:
1. The radiation therapist advances the principal objective of the profession to provide services to humanity with full respect for the dignity of mankind.
2. The radiation therapist delivers patient care and service unrestricted by concerns of personal attributes or the nature of the disease or illness, and without discrimination on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion or socioeconomic status.
3. The radiation therapist assesses situations; exercises care, discretion and judgment; assumes responsibility for professional decisions and acts in the best interest of the patient.
4. The radiation therapist adheres to the tenets and domains of the scope of practice for radiation therapists.
5. The radiation therapist actively engages in lifelong learning to maintain, improve and enhance professional competence and knowledge.
Related Career Titles:
Simulation Therapist
Chief Therapist / Manager
Medical Dosimetrist
Medical Physicist
Educator / Instructor
Oncology Administrator
Application and Sales Specialist
Top Areas of Employment:
Hospitals
Physician Offices
Cancer Treatment Centers
Outpatient Care Centers
State and National Accreditation Agencies
Research Institutions
Educational Institutions
Equipment Vendors
Necessary Attributes:
Technical aptitude
Critical thinking and problem solving skills
Attention to detail
Standing and walking for long periods of time
Work as a team member
Manual dexterity
Patient care and education
Accuracy in record keeping
Ergonomics
Good communication skills
Flexibility
Based on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of radiation therapists is projected to grow 27 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster than average for all occupations. The growing elderly population is expected to cause an increase in the number of people needing treatment. In addition, as radiation technology becomes safer and more effective, it will be prescribed more often. These factors combined with the retirement of current therapists will result in an increase in demand for radiation therapists. Rapid growth is expected in all practice settings with most radiation therapists working in cancer treatment clinics and hospitals. Some of these are research hospitals dedicated specifically to the care and treatment of the cancer patient. With a strong commitment from the medical community for early detection and early cure, and with evolutionary advancements in technology, future prospects for this career choice are above average.
The information on this pageis maintained by the Radiation Therapy Technology Program Coordinator, Carol Chovanec. |