Radiation Therapy

Objectives

To accomplish the RTT Program goals, the students must accomplish the following objectives:

• written and oral communication
• written records of treatment administered
• mathematical calculation of treatment times and radiation doses
• knowledge of topographical and cross-sectional anatomy in localization of anatomical structures and treatment sites
• knowledge of principles of radiation physics applied in the practice of radiation therapy technology
• ability to operate radiation producing equipment in all phases of treatment set-up and delivery
• deliver a course of radiation therapy following the physician's prescription and the planned method of delivery
• interpretation of isodose summations and treatment plans prepared by hand or by computer for the set-up of the patient and the delivery of the treatment prescription utilization of treatment accessories in the delivery of a planned treatment
• verification of correctness of delivery and provision of consistent daily treatment set-up recognition of and corrective action taken for errors in calculation and/or delivery of a course of treatment
• production and utilization of immobilization and beam directional devices assisting in the use of common radionuclide sources for brachytherapy utilization of information from and assisting in the performance of machine calibration and quality assurance testing
• detection of malfunctioning equipment and acting to insure the safety of patients and personnel
• utilization of procedures for protection from sources of radiation exposure providing basic patient nursing care and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation
• providing psychological support and interacting daily with the patient under treatment awareness of patterns of physical and emotional stress exhibited by cancer patients recognition of the patient's clinical progress, symptoms of disease progression, the complications and side-effects of a treatment course and initiation of the processes of consultation with the physician responsible for their care
• use of proper body mechanics in guiding and/or assisting the patient to move to and from the standing position, wheelchair, or cart to the treatment table in a safe manner assisting the program of continuing patient care or follow-up
• interacting in a professional manner with other health care personnel involved in the treatment of the patient