Saint Joseph's multi-disciplinary team includes
physicians, oncology-certified nurses, therapists,
pharmacists, care managers, nutritionists, social
worker, physician-led palliative
care program, pastoral
care team and many others. This highly-effective
approach ensures all aspects of a patient’s
care from diagnosis and treatment to care are
coordinated and consistent.
Saint Joseph's Hospital also offers dedicated
oncology-care units for patients requiring either
a hospital stay or ambulatory care certified to
provide chemotherapy
along with any other care required by the patient.
As well, each technologist, registrar, research
associate, is fully prepared for his/her specific
role on the care team.
Radiation oncologists
Saint Joseph's board-certified physicians oversee
radiation therapy treatments and work with the
other members of the multidisciplinary radiation
therapy team to develop and prescribe treatment
plans and ensure that each treatment is accurately
given. Radiation oncologists also monitor
progress and adjust the treatment as necessary
for optimal care and help to identify and treat
side effects that may occur during therapy. All
Saint Joseph’s radiation oncologists are
in the practice of radiation
oncology.
Medical radiation physicists
Saint Joseph’s has two PhD medical physicists
to deliver quality radiation treatment. They oversee
the work of the dosimetrist and help ensure that
complex treatments are properly tailored for each
patient. Medical physicists also develop and direct
quality control programs for equipment and procedures,
as well as take precise measurements of the radiation
beam and perform other safety tests on a regular
basis. Saint Joseph's medical physicists are
board certified in medical physics by the American
Board of Radiology.
Dosimetrists
The medical dosimetrist is a member of the radiation
oncology team who has knowledge of the overall
characteristics and clinical relevance of radiation
oncology treatment machines and equipment.
The dosimetrist is knowledgeable of procedures
commonly used in brachytherapy and has the education
and expertise necessary to generate radiation
dose distributions and dose calcuations in collaboration
with the medical physicist and radiation oncologist.
Radiation therapists
Certified radiation therapists administer
daily radiation treatments as per the radiation
oncologist’s prescription and supervision,
maintain daily records and regularly check the
treatment machines to ensure they are working
properly. They also monitor and report reported
treatment side effects to the radiation oncologists
and the department nursing staff.
Radiation oncology nurses
A valuable resource to patients and families,
radiation oncology nurses assess patients throughout
treatment and help cope with the side effects
or changes they may be experiencing. Saint Joseph's
nursing staff is available throughout the treatment
course and follow-up period to help patients with
any issues that may affect them and their family.
For more information about Saint Joseph’s
Florence Hays Erb Oncology Services, call 404-851-7115.
