RADIATION THERAPISTS and RADIATION THERAPY TECHNICIANS

All treatments administered at the Moncrief Radiation Oncology Center are directed by physicians who are specialists in treating cancer of the different disease sites.  The complex process of delivering radiation treatment uses a wide range of medical technology.  The process culminates in the actual delivery of the treatment on a computerized radiation delivery machine.  These machines are very complicated to operate correctly in order to provide both effective and safe radiation delivery.  It is the primary responsibility of the radiation therapists and radiation therapy technology assistants to operate these machines according to the prescription of the radiation oncology physician.

The treatment process will begin with simulation on either a fluoroscopic simulator or a computed tomography (CT) simulator.  A virtual, or simulated, plan is generated and the patient is marked either on their skin or on a custom plastic mask.  Once the treatment plan is completed, the patient is ready to begin their treatment.

The radiation therapists are responsible for setting up the patient utilizing laser technology and specific immobilization devices to ensure treatment accuracy.  Treatments typically last 15 to 30 minutes.  While not in the room for the radiation delivery, the radiation therapists continuously monitor the patient using audio and visual equipment.  Films, called port imaging, are taken periodically to ensure the quality and accuracy of  the treatment.  Patients should understand that port imaging is not designed to assess effectiveness of therapy but rather to insure proper alignment of the radiation beams.