What is a Radiation Therapist ?
The radiation therapist is a health professional that delivers radiation therapy treatment to patients with cancer. In Nova Scotia there is a Cancer Center in Halifax and one in Sydney. Some of the areas that a Radiation Therapist may work in are: the simulator where patients are marked for treatment, the treatment planning area, the calculation area, the mould room where treatment accessories are made, treatment units and even in the operating room. Radiation Therapists must also do emergency on calls after hours and on weekends.
Because of the type of work that a Radiation Therapist does, they must have both the technical knowledge as well as the compassion to work very closely with patients that can range in age from infants to the elderly. Some of these patients may be very healthy and some may be very ill. A Radiation Therapist may see the same patient everyday (Monday to Friday) for over seven weeks, so a very good rapport can be established with the patients and their families.