CANCER TREATMENT: Continued from page 11
Dosimetrist: A person with special training and certification who calculates and plans the correct dose of radiation therapy( the amount, rate, and how the dose is spread out) for cancer treatment and / or other diseases.
Genetic counselor: A specially trained health professional who helps people understand the risk of a genetic disorder and if genetic testing may be helpful based on personal and family history. The counselor also meets with people who have had genetic testing to provide information about screening options and preventive measures based on the results.
Hospice care specialists or team: Doctors, nurses, other health care professionals, social workers, chaplains, counselors, and trained volunteers who work together in a patient and family-centered approach. A hospice team focuses on the physical, emotional, or spiritual needs of patient who is nearing the end of life and is no longer in active treatment for a serious illness. Nutritionist: A title sometimes used interchangeably with dietitian, but educational requirements for nutritionists vary by state. Occupational therapist( OT): A licensed and specially trained therapist who works with people who have functional impairments or limitations to help them develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working. They also work to prevent disability and maintain health. The practice of occupational therapy includes evaluation, treatment, and consultation.
Pain specialists: Doctors, nurses, and / or pharmacists who are experts in pain control. In many places there’ s a team of health professionals who are available to address pain issues.
Palliative care specialists or team: Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professionals who work together to manage symptoms, such as pain, nausea, or fatigue. A palliative care team approach can be used for any patient( of any age) who has a serious illness. Palliative care teams can and often work alongside cancer care teams to help manage side effects during and after cancer treatment. These teams are often used to help patients during any stage of cancer, from diagnosis, throughout treatment, and to the end of life.
Patient navigator: A person who guides patients and their families through complex medical systems and helps them work with the rest of the cancer care team to overcome barriers to care that may come up so they can successfully complete their treatment. Navigators can be lay people with special training and experience or health care professionals, like nurses or social workers.
Pharmacist( RPh or PharmD): A licensed health professional who has at least a bachelor’ s degree in pharmacy. Some pharmacists have a doctoral degree. Pharmacists help to make sure the treatments and medicines prescribed to patients are safe and effective. They also help manage symptoms and side effects that might need medicines to help relieve them.
Physical therapist( PT or DPT): A licensed health professional, who has at least a bachelor’ s degree in physical therapy, who helps examine, test, and treat physical problems, and uses exercises, heat, cold, and other methods to restore or maintain the body’ s strength, mobility, and function.
OURHEALTHNWA. COM 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 | CANCER CARE TAKES A TEAM ISSUE