Radiation Therapists

What the job really is

Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiation oncologist according to established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel; preparing equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices; and maintaining records, reports, and files. May assist in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-1124
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription.
• Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body parts, using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards.
• Follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others.
• Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification.
• Conduct most treatment sessions independently, in accordance with the long-term treatment plan and under the general direction of the patient's physician.
• Enter data into computer and set controls to operate or adjust equipment or regulate dosage.
• Check radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation.
• Observe and reassure patients during treatment and report unusual reactions to physician or turn equipment off if unexpected adverse reactions occur.
• Educate, prepare, and reassure patients and their families by answering questions, providing physical assistance, and reinforcing physicians' advice regarding treatment reactions or post-treatment care.
• Maintain records, reports, or files as required, including such information as radiation dosages, equipment settings, or patients' reactions.
• Check for side effects, such as skin irritation, nausea, or hair loss to assess patients' reaction to treatment.
• Prepare or construct equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, or protection devices.

Tools and technology

Eclipse IDE, Epic Systems, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Word, eClinicalWorks EHR software, 35 millimeter cameras, Area radiation monitors, Automated external defibrillators AED, Band saws, Beam analysis software, Beam direction shells

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
• Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
• Respiratory Therapists
• Nuclear Medicine Technologists
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
• Radiologists
• Medical Dosimetrists
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Radiation Therapists — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.