Radiation therapists are specially trained technologists who operate the machine that delivers the dose of radiation prescribed by the radiation oncologist. This member of the medical team will give your child a tour of the radiation room, explain the equipment, and position your child for treatment. The technologist will operate the machine and monitor your child via closed-circuit television and a two-way intercom.

When 3-year-old Katy was being given the tour of the radiation room by her technologist, Brian, he was just wonderful with her. He gave her a white stuffed bear, which he used to demonstrate the machine. He immobilized the bear on the table using Katy’s mask (device to hold her head still during treatment), then moved the machine all around it so that she could hear the sounds made by the equipment. He then took a Polaroid® picture of the bear on the table, in the mask, for Katy to take home with her.