dosimetric planning
The planning and measurement of radiation amounts according to ICRU terminology.
Radiation therapists are responsible for the accurate delivery of radiotherapy to cancer patients and, as part of the multidisciplinary team, for elements of treatment preparation and patient care. This encompasses the safe and accurate delivery of the radiation dose prescribed and the clinical care and support of the patient throughout the treatment preparation, treatment delivery and immediate post treatment phases.
Competences and skills
62 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 20 competences
Occupation specific
5 competencesimmunotherapy
The type of therapy used to treat cancer by increasing the body's immune system's ability to fight it.
influence of adjuvant treatment on radiotherapy
The influence of adjuvant treatment such as surgery and chemotherapy on radiotherapy dose prescription, timing of radiotherapy and post radiotherapy complications.
oncologic hormone therapy
The type of therapy used in treating cancer that stops the hormonal growth and effects of the cancer.
side effects of radiotherapy treatment
The side effects and responses that patients can have after undergoing radiotherapy treatments.
Sector-specific
5 competencesmedical contrast agents
Substances used in medical imaging techniques to reinforce the visibility of certain features in organs or cells.
medical oncology
The characteristics, development, diagnosis and treatment of tumors and cancer in human organisms.
pharmaceutical products
The offered pharmaceutical products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
radiobiology
The way ionising radiation interacts with a living organism, how it can be used to treat various cancers and its effects.
radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Cross-sector
10 competencesfirst aid
The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.
health care legislation
The patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.
health care occupation-specific ethics
The moral standards and procedures, ethical questions and obligations specific to occupations in a health care setting such as respect for human dignity, self-determination, informed consent and patient confidentiality.
human anatomy
The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.
human physiology
The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.
hygiene in a health care setting
The procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipment used and infection control methods.
medical terminology
The meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.
psychological treatment measures
The psychological treatment measures for persons of all ages and groups, with the aim of improving treatment skills and the provisions of trans-cultural and gender aspects.
radiation physics in healthcare
The radiation physics related to conventional radiology, CT, MRI, ultrasound, diagnostic nuclear medicine and their principles such as areas of application, indications, contraindications, limitations and radiation hazards.
radiation protection
The measures and procedures used to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.
green
Essential skills and competences 33 competences
Occupation specific
3 competencesadminister radiation treatment
Determine appropriate radiation dosage in cooperation with medical physicists and doctors, determining which body area is to be treated, in order to treat tumors or forms of cancer and minimising damage to surrounding tissues/organs.
perform radiation treatments
Apply radiation treatments to the affected area of the patient. Use a wide range of equipment and techniques.
prepare examination room for radiation treatment
Anticipate and prepare the examination room with equipment and supplies required for radiation treatment.
Sector-specific
21 competencesadhere to organisational code of ethics
Adhere to organisational European and regional specific standards and code of ethics, understanding the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and apply this awareness.
adhere to the ALARA principle
Apply the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle during image acquisition in radiation therapy.
advocate for healthcare users' needs
Promote patient and family needs in different settings such as inpatient, outpatient, at home, and in the community.
comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice
Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.
conduct cancer screening tests
Undertake screening test at an early stage, before cancer symptoms appear, taking physical exams, laboratory tests, imaging procedures and genetic tests.
conduct radiotherapy computer planning
Produce a three-dimensional plan of the distribution of radiation across the anatomical area to be treated.
digital
conduct video telemetry
Record brainwaves for several days, combined with video images from a camera, in order to help decide if epilepsy surgery is feasible.
digital
contribute to continuity of health care
Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.
delineate organs at risk
Delineate organs at risk of toxicity in patients according to international consensus guidelines.
determine medical images' diagnostic suitability
Appraise the medical images to make sure that they are clear. Determine if they are suitable for further use or if new images need to be taken. Analyse the images for their suitability in treatment planning.
formulate a treatment plan
Formulate a treatment plan and evaluation (analysis) based on collected data following assessment using a clinical reasoning process.
interpret medical images
Analyse medical images in order to diagnose illnesses and injuries.
perform image guidance in radiation therapy
Perform image guidance in accordance with the protocol to improve the precision and accuracy of the delivery of the radiation treatment.
perform pre-treatment imaging
Perform the optimal pre-treatment imaging for the individual cancer site.
perform transcranial magnetic stimulation
Perform non-invasive electromagnetic stimulation of the brain using a rapidly changing magnetic field, in order to cause activity in specific or general parts of the brain and study the brain`s functioning and interconnections.
perform virtual simulation
Perform all the steps of a virtual simulation, including the correct positioning and immobilisation of the patient, acquisition of the necessary images and recording reference points and other marks.
digital
post-process medical images
Perform post-processing on medical images, or develop X-ray films, checking processed images to determine if further care is necessary.
prepare patients for imaging procedures
Instruct patients prior to their exposure to imaging equipment, correctly positioning the patient and imaging equipment to obtain the best image of the area being examined.
provide anti-cancer medical treatment
Determine the cancer treatment appropriate for the patient, considering chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and targeted therapy such as immunotherapy.
provide pre-treatment information
Explain treatment options and possibilities, informing the patients in order to help them make well-balanced decisions.
select immobilisation device for radiation therapy
Select and construct the most appropriate immobilisation device for the individual patient.
Cross-sector
9 competencesapply radiation protection procedures
Inspect rules related to ionising radiation and ensure these abide by the Medical Exposure Directive (MED).
communicate in healthcare
Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.
comply with legislation related to health care
Comply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.
deal with emergency care situations
Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.
ensure compliance with radiation protection regulations
Make sure the company and the employees implement the legal and operational measures established to guarantee protection against radiation.
interact with healthcare users
Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.
manage healthcare users' data
Keep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, written and electronic) are treated confidentially.
provide psychological support to patients
Provide accurate psychological and emotional support to anxious, vulnerable and confused healthcare users related to the treatment undergone.
respond to changing situations in health care
Cope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.
Optional knowledge 1 competence
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
1 competenceelectroencephalography
The situations where electroencephalography or EEG is needed, the techniques that may need to be specified, the preparation the patient needs, and the way to use the results in diagnosis and patient follow-up.
Cross-sector
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Optional skills and competences 8 competences
Occupation specific
3 competencesperform on-treatment review
Assess patients regularly while they are undergoing radiotherapy, prescribing drugs to counteract side effects where necessary, or referring them to other health professionals if needed.
promote cancer preventive information
Promote awareness of cancer, providing preventive information and health advice.
use photodynamic therapy for cancer
Use Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), a cancer treatment method that combines a drug (or a photosensitising agent) with a specific sort of light.
Sector-specific
4 competencesadminister contrast media
Use and administer contrast agents to enhance the visibility of the body in medical imaging.
identify progression of disease
Recognise changing signs, symptoms and progression of disease and make appropriate decisions related to the continuation or changing of the treatment.
perform venous cannulation
Place a cannula inside the patient's vein to provide venous access. It allows many practices such as sampling of blood, administration of fluids, medications, parenteral nutrition, and chemotherapy.
teach medical science
Instruct students in the theory and practice of medical science, more specifically in human anatomy, medical treatment and therapy, medical diseases and conditions, physiology, and medical research.
Cross-sector
1 competenceconduct health related research
Conduct research in health related topics and communicate findings orally, through public presentations or by writing reports and other publications.
- Scope note
- Research topics may include illness, acute, chronic and non-communicable conditions, public health, clinical research, health promotion and disease prevention topics.