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Specializing in Cancer Care
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Tampa Bay Oncology Center |
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Staffing a cancer center is a unique task. Radiation Oncology Centers are monitored by a number of different agencies and hence require a unique group of professionals.
1. Radiation Oncologist (Doctor) 2. Medical Radiation Physicist. 3. Oncology Nurse. 4. Radiation Therapists. 5. Administrative Staff.
Radiation Oncologists.
A Radiation Oncologist is a physician that has specialized in cancer, specifically the treatment of cancer using radiation. This requires that after medical school, the doctor attend a four year residency program where they train in the use of radiation for cancer treatment. Once they complete their residency, they should then become board certified. Board Certification ensures that the doctor has a minimum level of competency in their area of expertise and is granted by the American Board of Radiology, (ABR).
Medical Radiation Physicist.
A medical radiation physicist is also a recognized medical specialty. The physicist must obtain at a minimum a Masters Degree although many have Doctorates. Although there are now some medical physics residencies, these are new and most physicists have learned on the job. After three years of on the job training, the medical physicist should then become board certified. Like the physicians, the physicists are certified by the same governing board as the radiation oncologists.
Oncology Nurse.
An Oncology Nurse is specifically trained in the care and treatment of cancer and cancer patients. Nurses can be certified in Oncology Nursing by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation.
Radiation Therapists.
Radiation therapists are professionals specifically trained in delivering the radiation necessary to treat cancer patients. Radiation Therapists administer targeted doses of radiation to the patient's body to treat cancer or other diseases. Radiation therapists are highly skilled medical specialists educated in physics, radiation safety, patient anatomy and patient care. They typically see each of their patients three to five days a week throughout a four- to seven-week treatment plan
Administrative Staff.
The administrative staff are the first people you will deal with. They manage the scheduling, billing, marketing, licensure, in fact, all aspects of the cancer center. |