Profession therapeutic radiographer
Therapeutic radiographers prepare and perform safe and accurate high-energy radiation treatments to patients, using a wide range of sophisticated equipment and techniques, to target the area to be treated, and computer planning to produce a plan of the dose distribution across the area to be treated.
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Personality Type
- Social / Investigative
- Investigative / Social
Knowledge
- Human physiology
The science of the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical and biochemical functions of humans, their organs and cells in good health.
- 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.
- 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.
- Radiobiology
The way ionizing radiation interacts with a living organism, how it can be used to treat various cancers and its effects.
- Oncologic hormone therapy
The type of therapy used in treating cancer that stops the hormonal growth and effects of the cancer.
- Medical terminology
The meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.
- 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.
- Dosimetric planning
The planning and measurement of radiation amounts according to ICRU terminology.
- 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.
- Paediatrics
Paediatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
- Evidence-based radiography practice
The radiography principles that require the application of quality decision-making and radiography care based on proven clinical expertise as well as the most recent research developments in the field.
- 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.
- Radiation protection
The measures and procedures used to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.
- 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.
- Side effects of radiotherapy treatment
The side effects and responses that patients can have after undergoing radiotherapy treatments.
- Pharmaceutical products
The offered pharmaceutical products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
- Medical oncology
The characteristics, development, diagnosis and treatment of tumors and cancer in human organisms.
- First 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.
- Immunotherapy
The type of therapy used to treat cancer by increasing the body's immune system's ability to fight it.
- Medical contrast agents
Substances used in medical imaging techniques to reinforce the visibility of certain features in organs or cells.
- Biomarkers
The types of markers or indications present in an image that help in making a diagnosis. The various markers that appear in images for specific diagnoses and the techniques used to find them.
- Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Skills
- Comply with legislation related to health care
Comply with the regional and national legislation that is relevant to one`s work and apply it in practice.
- 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.
- Prepare examination room for radiation treatment
Anticipate and prepare the examination room with equipment and supplies required for radiation treatment.
- Undertake post-examination activities
Perform post-examination activities such as liaising with the doctor, cleaning the room and speaking with the patient.
- Perform radiation treatments
Apply radiation treatments to the affected area of the patient. Use a wide range of equipment and techniques.
- Ensure safety of healthcare users
Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
- Communicate effectively in healthcare
Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.
- Work in multidisciplinary health teams
Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.
- Calculate exposure to radiation
Calculate radiation data about procedures, such as length and intensity of exposure.
- Apply organisational techniques
Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.
- Formulate a treatment plan
Formulate a treatment plan and evaluation (analysis) based on collected data following assessment using a clinical reasoning process.
- Respond to changing situations in health care
Cope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.
- 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.
- Maintain imaging equipment
Ensure that imaging equipment functions correctly and maintain it in a proper, qualitative status and take part in routine daily inspection of equipment and quality assurance procedures, reporting any deficiencies or malfunction to the appropriate manager.
- 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.
- Provide psychological support to patients
Provide accurate psychological and emotional support to anxious, vulnerable and confused healthcare users related to the treatment undergone.
- Apply radiation protection procedures
Ensure that Radiation Protection Rules are applied at all times, in accordance to the specifications provided in the Medical Exposure Directive (MED) related to the dangers of ionising radiation in relation to medical exposure.
- Develop new imaging techniques
Develop and execute new techniques to be used in radiography imaging.
- Apply context specific clinical competences
Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope of practice.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Follow clinical guidelines
Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.
- Contribute to continuity of health care
Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.
- Operate medical imaging equipment
Produce high quality medical images using technologically advanced medical imaging equipment such as CT (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), mobile X-ray machines, ultrasound (US), nuclear medicine with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT).
- Apply radiological health sciences
Use and apply radiological health sciences according to the situation and patient's response to treatment.
- Listen actively
Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.
- Adhere 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.
- Manage radiology information system
Develop and maintain a database to store, manage and distribute radiological images and data.
- Administer radiation treatment
Determine appropriate radiation dosage in cooperation with medical physicists and doctors, determining which body area is to be treated, delivering radiation therapy in order to treat tumors or forms of cancer and minimising damage to surrounding tissues/organs.
- 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.
- Empathise with the healthcare user
Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence. Demonstrate a concern for their welfare and handle according to the personal boundaries, sensitivities, cultural differences and preferences of the client and patient in mind.