Patient Preparation By Radiation Therapists

Radiation therapy is useful in many medical tests. Radiation therapy is mainly used for the treatment of cancer. It is the technique of projecting high energy x-rays on the cancer cells to eliminate them. Radiation therapist is a part of medical oncology team who does the radiation therapy on the given patient.

Patient preparation by radiation therapists is an important part of therapy process. The therapist handles the machine and the patient too. Radiation therapist’s work starts once the specialist decides that the patient has to undergo radiation therapy as a part of treatment.

First step of patient preparation by radiation therapists is to make patient emotionally prepared for the radiation therapy. Therapist and oncologist prepares patient for the therapy. Patient has given a brief idea about the steps of the therapy and what is going to happen with him within and after the treatment.

Radiation therapist gives the dates to the patient as referred by the radiation oncologist. Therapists explain to the family members of patient about the time required for the process and appointment. Radiation therapists inform the staff about the therapy so that they make the proper arrangement of the equipments. This is a part of patient preparation by radiation therapist.

Radiation therapist use machine called linear accelerators to apply radiation therapy to patients. The major job of therapists involves projecting high energy x-rays on the targeted cancer cells through external beam therapy. These rays collide with human tissue producing highly energized ions to eliminate cancerous tumors.

Therapist takes care to manage exact position of patient to receive the radiations on the tumor cells. Therapist adjusts the machine accordingly. Radiation therapist develops the treatment plan with the help of radiation oncologist and dosimetrist. He explains the plan to the patient and then answers the queries of the patients.

Radiation treatment can take 10 to 30 minutes once in a day as in 5 days of week that it may take for 2 to 9 weeks. Thus instructions are given to the patient.

During the treatment phase, the radiation therapist monitors the patient’s physical condition in such a way that best results will come out of the test and no side effects will be there on the patient’s body. Therapists maintain detailed records of the patient’s treatments.