Defining Advanced Practice Radiation Therapy at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

The article focuses on defining a comprehensive competencies profile (CCP) for advanced practice radiation therapists (APRTs) at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to clarify their roles and responsibilities. Using a Delphi consensus method involving expert radiation therapists, radiation oncologists, and medical physicists, the study identified 65 key competencies across clinical practice, leadership and management, and research domains, drawing from U.S. physician and radiologist assistant roles and APRT practices in Australia, Canada, and England. The CCP emphasizes advanced skills in emerging technologies such as MR linear accelerators, image-guided and adaptive radiation therapy, patient safety, and interdisciplinary collaboration, while delineating limits such as not supervising residents or independently prescribing treatments. The findings support the development of the APRT role to enhance efficiency, patient care quality, and safety, recommending further nationwide studies to assess broader applicability.