Learning About Your Health

Department of Radiation Oncology - The Interdisciplinary Team

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The following information explains the roles and responsibilities of each staff member of the Interdisciplinary Team in the Department of Radiation Oncology. These are the people who will provide your care during your radiation therapy at California Pacific Medical Center. It is our goal to make your experience here as comfortable and convenient as possible. This is general information, so if you have additional questions or concerns, please ask any member of our department for help.

My Interdisciplinary Team
1. My Radiation Oncologist is _______________________________________

2. My Registered Nurse is __________________________________________

3. My Radiation Therapists are __________________    __________________

As an informed patient, it is important that you understand each person's role on the team. The Interdisciplinary Team includes:

Radiation Oncologist

  • The Radiation Oncologist is the doctor who will care for you during the course of your radiation therapy.

  • A Radiation Oncologist is a physician specialist who sees referred patients who are scheduled to receive radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer.

  • The Radiation Oncologist will determine the exact field or area to be treated by radiation, as well as prescribe the number of treatments needed.

  • You will meet with the Radiation Oncologist at least once a week. The Radiation Oncologist can answer any questions you may have about the risks and benefits of radiation therapy, as well as help you manage any side effects you may be experiencing. Please leave extra time for these appointments.

  • The Radiation Oncologist works closely with the members of the interdisciplinary team to monitor your progress during your treatment.

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Registered Nurse

  • The Registered Nurse (RN) is available at the nurses' desk for any questions or concerns you may have. The RN assists the Radiation Oncologist by providing close observation and monitoring of each patient during the course of his or her radiation therapy.

  • The RN is skilled at providing patient education, counseling, and support for the management of treatment-related side effects.

  • The RN can also help connect you to other members of the interdisciplinary team, depending on your specific needs.

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Radiation Therapist

  • The Radiation Therapist is a specially trained therapist who positions you during your treatment and operates the highly sophisticated equipment used to deliver the radiation.

  • The Radiation Therapist will schedule your treatment visits.

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Dosimetrist/Physicist

The Dosimetrist/Physicist is a specialist who works closely with the doctor to help calculate and plan the right doses of radiation needed for each treatment. The Dosimetrist/Physicist provides much of the "behind the scenes" technical work needed to provide your care.

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Social Worker

The Social Worker provides counseling, information, and support for patients and their families during radiation treatment for cancer. The Social Worker can help patients cope with a variety of medical, emotional, social, financial, and work-related difficulties at different points during the cancer experience. The Social Worker can also help patients obtain access to available resources and services during treatment and once treatment has ended.

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Registered Dietitian

The Registered Dietitian helps counsel patients about making healthy food choices and on nutrition to manage their symptoms during treatment. The Registered Dietitian is a specialist who is available to you during your radiation therapy and can provide counseling as needed.

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Ancillary Personnel

Other supportive staff members include the administrative coordinator, transcriptionist, volunteers, and the Department of Radiation Oncology support assistants at the front desk. The support assistants can help direct any questions you may have to the right person on the interdisciplinary team. They are also responsible for scheduling all (non-treatment) appointments, handling phone calls, and maintaining your medical records.

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Guided Imagery (Interactive)

Guided Imagery (Interactive) is a special program at California Pacific Medical Center offered through the Health & Healing Center that helps patients find new ways to support their health and well-being during treatment for cancer. Three (3) free sessions of guided imagery are offered for patients. For more information, call (415) 600-3939.

Note: This handout is also available in Chinese, Russian, and Spanish.


Produced by the Center for Patient and Community Education in association with the staff and physicians at California Pacific Medical Center. Last updated: 3/05

© 2001-2008 California Pacific Medical Center

Funded by: A generous donation from the Mr. and Mrs. Arthur A. Ciocca Foundation.

Note: This information is not meant to replace any information or personal medical advice which you get directly from your doctor(s). If you have any questions about this information, such as the risks or benefits of the treatment listed, please ask your doctor(s).

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