Cancer Centre Planning Tool

Estimate the FTE needed to run the cancer centre.

A ThinkAlpha staffing estimator for radiotherapy, diagnostic imaging and nuclear medicine. Select service lines, enter workload, equipment and working hours, then generate a combined FTE forecast.

RTDINMEquipmentWorking hoursFTE output
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ThinkAlpha logoIndependent ThinkAlpha model

Adapted from activity-based international staffing approaches and IAEA publications, then reviewed in practice with IAEA colleagues and users for first-pass planning and scenario comparison.

This is an independent ThinkAlpha tool, not an official IAEA calculator or endorsement. Validate assumptions locally before staffing, financing or regulatory decisions.
Inputs

Build your centre scenario

Add one or more service lines. The tool combines the FTE estimate into one cancer-centre staffing view.

Radiotherapy

Uses annual patients, equipment, working-hours model and case mix. Average fractions default to 25 and can be changed optionally for capacity checks.

RT

Case mix - must add to 100%

60%
25%
5%
10%
Total: 100%

Diagnostic imaging

Diagnostic imaging is usually better linked to exam volume than unique patient count because one patient can generate multiple exams.

DI

Nuclear medicine

Includes diagnostic NM, PET/CT, radionuclide therapy, radiopharmacy and optional cyclotron operation.

NM
Combined output

Centre FTE forecast

Combined FTE planning estimate for selected service lines.

0 FTE

0 service linesPlanning estimateHours model
Radiotherapy core logic: RO = patients / 200 + BT and complexity add-ons RT Medical Physicists = patients / 250 + equipment QA + complexity add-ons RTTs = patients / 80 + LINAC × shift coverage + complexity add-ons Diagnostic imaging: Exam volume is preferred. If patient count is used, exams = patients × average exams per patient. Nuclear medicine: Workload, PET/CT, therapy, equipment, radiopharmacy model and cyclotron status drive the estimate. All services apply selected teaching/research and leave/CPD reserves.

Professional groups

Send me this estimate

Enter your details to keep the result and continue the planning conversation.

Your information is used only to provide your estimate and respond to relevant enquiries.
Basis

Publication basis and ThinkAlpha modification

This estimator is based on activity-based staffing approaches used in international radiation medicine planning and adapted from IAEA publications for radiotherapy, diagnostic imaging, radionuclide therapy and nuclear medicine workforce planning.

It is modified by the ThinkAlpha team for simplified scenario planning, not for final licensing or staffing approval.

Use with caution

Planning estimate, not a staffing verdict.

Local scope of practice, complexity, quality programme, teaching role, national regulations, leave rules, outsourcing and service contracts can significantly change the required FTE.

Use the output to start a better conversation, not to end one.

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