Running head: RADIATION THERAPIST CODE OF ETHICS

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CODE OF ETHICS






Dao Vang
CT I
Argosy University
12.08.2013






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Radiation Therapists Code of Ethics

1. The radiation therapist advances the principal objective of the profession to provide
services to humanity with full respect for the dignity of mankind.
2. The radiation therapist delivers patient care and service unrestricted by concerns of
personal attributes or the nature of the disease or illness and without discrimination on the
basis of sex, race, creed, religion or socioeconomic status.
3. The radiation therapist assesses situations; exercises care; discretion and judgment;
assumes responsibility for professional decisions and acts in the best interest of the
patient.
4. The radiation therapist adheres to the tenets and domains of the scope of practice for
radiation therapists.
5. The radiation therapist actively engages in lifelong learning to maintain, improve and
enhance professional competence and knowledge.

Meaning of the Code of Ethics for Radiation Therapists

Adhering to the Code of Ethics is crucial in keeping focus of obligations pertinent to the
therapist. Each one of these codes can be seen displayed on a daily basis. Delivering radiation to
patients, with the intent of doing as little harm as possible, is key to being prosperous in the
position. Delivering radiation to a variety of patients, unbiased of the background, makes for a
solid therapist while keeping the patients information confidential. Making concrete decisions
and verifying prescriptions is a crucial part in delivering the correct dose to the correct patient.
Staying within the therapists practice is imperative to the patient because any erroneous
information can be construed wrongfully. I realized that constantly reading and asking questions
is important when it comes to being a successful radiation therapist. The radiation realm is
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always evolving with new techniques and constant innovative styles to deliver as much dose to
the tumor while sparing as much normal tissue as possible. The role of the radiation therapist is
to utilize what theyve learned in didactics and in clinical training to deliver radiation to the
patient with the intent of doing no harm or deliver as low as reasonably achievable dose and
exposure.
There was a patient that presented with rectal cancer metastasis. The patient was
previously treated for laryngeal cancer and eventually had to have a tracheostomy. During each
treatment, the patient was drowning in cigarette smoke. The patients rectal treatment site also
was very unpleasant to smell and also see. Even though the patient had already received a
tracheotomy along with rectal metastasis, this did not stop the patient from smoking. As a
therapist, it isnt my duty to tell the patient that he should probably quit smoking. Part of the
code is to not judge or discriminate against any patients even if I truly think its in the best intent
for the patient. This would jeopardize codes 2 and 3of the Code of Ethics. Being unbiased of the
patients habits, even if it means keeping advice from the patient, is important in maintaining a
professional relationship.
The goal of the radiation therapist is to treat the tumor with precise accuracy according to
the oncologists orders. Palliative and curative actions, or maybe both, are determined prior to
treatments. The Code of Ethics makes it clear that cancer does not discriminate so neither should
the radiation therapists. Each patient comes from a different background with different tumor
sites. An important role of the radiation therapist is to think critically in each situation to
encompass the best interest of the patient. Each decision or action made must be delivered with
full integrity to ensure quality patient care. The radiation therapist must know their limitations in
their area of practice. This means to route the patient to the proper professionals to answer the
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questions of the patient, especially if its outside of the radiation therapists practice. Not every
question can be answered by the therapist so forwarding the patient to the best source for the
answer is important. Continuing education and constantly learning to adapt to innovation can
help improve the radiation therapist. Having this never-ending knowledge of evolving
revolutionary possibilities to treat patients is a prerogative. Abiding by these codes as a guideline
will help a therapist achieve a successful career in patient care.

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References

Radiation Therapists: Code of Ethics. American Society of Radiologic Technologists. July 1998.
Retrieved on December 12, 2013 from:
http://www.asrt.org/docs/practicestandards/rtcodeofethics.pdf