Radiotherapy technologist (RRT)

A Radiotherapy Technologist, also called Radiation Therapist (RTT) or Radiation Technician, is responsible for supporting all aspects of treatment and CT planning for a patient receiving radiotherapy. This role interacts directly with patients and as such requires strong clinical and people skills. These professionals are, in some countries, also trained to be able to perform diagnostic imaging, namely conventional radiology, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, mammography, osteodensitometry, ultrasound, intervention radiology, as well as nuclear medicine participating in the identification, evaluation and monitoring of systemic, bone and soft tissue diseases.

The Radiotherapy Technologist is a healthcare professional dedicated to ensuring all aspects of CT planning and treatment for a patient that has been referred to radiotherapy in order to be submitted to treatment sessions with ionizing radiation. To perform these tasks a wide range of skills are required that cover the clinical, psychosocial, ethical and technological areas. This role implies direct contact with the patients during the whole process from the planning CT scan to the completion of the treatment as well as the follow-up throughout the sessions.

The RTT participates in the patient positioning and immobilization accessories definition. This professional is responsible for day to day patient care and ensure safe treatement delivery using complex machines such as linear accelerators and advanced software and several imaging and verification systems as well as additional equipment. In parallel, he is also a key piece in quality management processes, radiation protection and risk management always with the main goal of guaranteeing the reproducibility and safety of the treatment. He is the daily face of a multidisciplinary team that works to achieve the best outcome possible according to what was prescribed and approved by the radiation oncologist within the scope of the international guidelines.