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Radiation Oncology Nurses
The
radiation oncology nurses are registered nurses who work closely with
the radiation oncologist and other staff to coordinate your care. The
nurse will provide you with written and oral information concerning
your diagnosis, treatment and self care measures to manage potential
side effects of treatment. In addition, the nurse will be available
to answer questions or concerns regarding your treatment and its side
effects both during and after completion of your treatment.
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Radiation Therapists
 Registered radiation therapists are people who have undergone special
training in the operation of the linear accelerator used to deliver
radiation treatments. They actually deliver the daily radiation
treatments that are prescribed by the doctor. The therapists are also
responsible for scheduling your treatment appointments. If you have a
question regarding your treatment time or need a different appointment
time, the therapists will assist you. At times, there may be
radiation therapy students working along with the registered
therapists. They are training to become registered radiation
therapists.
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Dosimetrists
 Dosimetrists are responsible for assisting the radiation oncologist in
planning your treatment through the use of computers, CAT scans,
special x-rays films and body measurements. The radiation oncologist
gives the dosimetrist guidelines for the dose to be delivered. The
dosimetrist then works within these guidelines to optimize the size,
shape and arrangement of the area that will receive the radiation
therapy. The goal of the dosimetrist is to design a combination of
fields which adequately treat the area of disease while avoiding areas
of sensitive normal tissue. The dosimetrist also calculates the dose
being delivered to your body and assists the medical physicist in
quality assurance.
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Medical physicists
Medical
physicists are specialists in the measurement and delivery of
radiation. They are responsible for the overall safety and accuracy
of the treatment machines and the computers used to calculate your
treatment. They check your treatment chart weekly to make sure your
treatment is accurate. At times, they may be called on to assist the
dosimetrist in planning your treatment.
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Clerical staff
Our
clerical staff is here to greet you and to assist you with your
scheduling needs. They obtain your medical records and prepare the
paperwork for your initial visit. They will collect your insurance
information on your initial visit and on subsequent follow-up visits.
They may ask you to complete paperwork to register you as a patient in
the department.
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