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
• Artistic / Social

Knowledge

• Radiation protection

  The measures and procedures used to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.

• Oncologic hormone therapy

  The type of therapy used in treating cancer that stops the hormonal growth and effects of the cancer.

• Radiotherapy

  Radiotherapy is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

• 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.

• Medical contrast agents

  Substances used in medical imaging techniques to reinforce the visibility of certain features in organs or cells.

• 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.

• Human physiology

  The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.

• 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.

• Medical terminology

  The meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.

• 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.

• 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.

• Radiobiology

  The way ionising radiation interacts with a living organism, how it can be used to treat various cancers and its effects.

• Paediatrics

  Paediatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

• Pharmaceutical products

  The offered pharmaceutical products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

• 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.

• Side effects of radiotherapy treatment

  The side effects and responses that patients can have after undergoing radiotherapy treatments.

• 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.

• 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 oncology

  The characteristics, development, diagnosis and treatment of tumors and cancer in human organisms.

• 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.

Skills

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.  

• Work in multidisciplinary health teams

  Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.

• 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.

• Perform radiation treatments

  Apply radiation treatments to the affected area of the patient. Use a wide range of equipment and techniques.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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).

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Formulate a treatment plan

  Formulate a treatment plan and evaluation analysis based on collected data following assessment using a clinical reasoning process.

• 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.

• 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.

• Prepare examination room for radiation treatment

  Anticipate and prepare the examination room with equipment and supplies required for radiation treatment.

• Contribute to continuity of health care

  Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.

• Maintain imaging equipment

  Inspect imaging equipment and quality assurance processes. Report malfunctions.

• Undertake post-examination activities

  Perform post-examination activities such as liaising with the doctor, cleaning the room and speaking with the patient.

• Apply radiation protection procedures

  Inspect rules related to ionising radiation and ensure these abide by the Medical Exposure Directive (MED).

• Apply radiological health sciences

  Use and apply radiological health sciences according to the situation and patient's response to treatment.

• 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.

• Develop new imaging techniques

  Develop and execute new techniques to be used in radiography imaging.

• Communicate effectively in healthcare

  Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Respond to changing situations in health care

  Cope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.

• Apply organisational techniques

  Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the goals set. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.

• Calculate exposure to radiation

  Calculate radiation data about procedures, such as length and intensity of exposure.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB