Advanced Practice
     Radiation Therapy

Advanced practice radiation therapists (APRT’s) are experienced radiation therapists who perform clinical and patient care responsibilities, while also receiving training and specialization in additional areas of practice under the guidance of a radiation oncologist as part of the task-sharing radiation oncology team. These additional responsibilities are based on the needs of the institution and the interdisciplinary team. Examples of these additional responsibilities may be integrated into palliative care, brachytherapy and adaptive radiation therapy pathways. This advanced practice role creates a professional development clinical pathway for radiation therapists to grow their knowledge, skills and judgement through appropriate education and competency, to provide an enhanced level of care.

The advanced practice radiation therapy model employs shared decision-making to support the radiation oncologist to focus on essential and higher-level activities, leading to a more manageable patient caseload and enhancing patient throughput. This new model of care focuses on shifting tasks from the radiation oncologist to the APRT that align with the elevated radiation therapist skillset rather than reimbursable activities. Under the guidance of a radiation oncologist and with appropriate education, APRTs have demonstrated clinical competency in tasks such as contouring, patient assessment, image evaluation and other skills throughout various steps in the patient pathway.

Although advanced practice radiation therapy education programs exist internationally, currently there are none available in North America. Across the globe, master’s- or doctoral-level education is widely adopted. A combination of didactic education and clinical competence may best provide innovative opportunities to advance education and practice and prepare individuals to engage in research. Current research initiatives in the United States exist to develop a proper APRT education preparation model.