What Is a Radiation Oncologist?

The Radiation Oncology Team Includes:

Medical Physicist

A medical physicist commissions and checks the performance of our radiation through daily quality assurance metrics and ensures that the staff and public near the treatment center are not exposed to accidental radiation. They work closely with radiation oncologists on treatment planning and delivery of the radiation, to ensure safe and accurate treatments. Medical physicists oversee the work performed by dosimetrists.

They Research, develop and evaluate new techniques, and direct training and quality control programs for both the equipment and procedures. Medical physicists oversee safety testing on the equipment to ensure that it is working correctly.

Typically, medical physicists have earned a master’s degree or doctorate along with two years of training in clinical physics. They hold certifications by either the American Board of Medical Physics or the American Board of Radiology.

Radiation Therapist

Radiation therapists administer daily radiation treatments under the direction of a radiation oncologist.

They are specially trained and certified technicians who work with directly patients. An important part of their job is to position the patient on the treatment table according to the exact specifications on the treatment plan ordered by the radiation oncologist. Once positioned using lasers to approximate the treatment plan, additional image guidance is employed by the therapists to dial in the target to millimeter accuracy. This helps to ensure that the patient receives the radiation in the exact area that requires treatment and protects them from unnecessary radiation exposure.

They have completed and educational program and are certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and are licensed by the State of Arizona.

Dosimetrist

Dosimetrists work with radiation oncologists and the medical physicists to create individual treatment plans for each patient.

They can be thought of like pharmacists who, instead of measuring and preparing drugs, measure and prepare the computerized radiation plan. Using treatment planning software, they calculate the specific dose of radiation that can be tolerated based on where the tumor is located, while sparing normal tissues. Their work is overseen by the medical physicist, and the treating physician.

Dosimetrists start as radiation therapists but have additional, intensive training. They are certified by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board.