Learn how the creation of the first advanced practice radiation therapist (APRT) role in the United States established a new model of inpatient care, elevating the radiation therapy skill set and allowing for intervention at key points along the radiation oncology care pathway. Outcomes include improved quality, efficiency, and time and cost savings toward value-based care. Working in tandem with a rotation of radiation oncologists, the APRT aims to save physician time—and reduce physician burnout—by task-shifting and assuming lower-level responsibilities that support the care of resource intensive patient populations.
The radiation therapy workforce, a cohort of highly skilled oncology personnel trained both technically and clinically, has experienced an increasingly robust role among the multi-disciplinary radiation oncology team. Complex patient care needs and technological advancements have increased the radiation therapists (RTTs) scope of practice for decades. RTTs deliver daily therapeutic doses of radiation and thus provide care to patients more frequently than any other discipline within the daily operations of radiation oncology practice. These professionals are also uniquely positioned to have a significant impact on the quality of care provided.
