Radiation Therapists :: Job Description

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Radiation Therapists

Careers / Radiation Therapists

Summary Description


	Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiologist 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.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Chief Radiation Therapist (Chief RT)

2.	Computed Tomography Simulation Therapist (CT Simulation Therapist)

3.	Dosimetrist

4.	Lead Radiation Therapist

5.	Medical Dosimetrist

6.	Radiation Therapist

7.	Radiation Therapy Technician

8.	Radiation Therapy Technologist (RTT)

9.	Radiologic Therapist

10.	Radiology Therapist

11.	Registered Radiation Therapist

12.	Senior Radiation Therapist

13.	Staff Radiation Therapist

Job Tasks

	Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body parts, using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards. Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment. Administer cancer treatments.

	Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription. Position patients for treatment or examination.

	Follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others. Protect patients or staff members using safety equipment.

	Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification. Verify accuracy of patient information.

	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. Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment. Enter patient or treatment data into computers.

	Check radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation. Examine medical instruments or 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. Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities. Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.

	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. Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members. Interact with patients to build rapport or provide emotional support.

	Maintain records, reports, or files as required, including such information as radiation dosages, equipment settings, or patients' reactions. Maintain medical facility records.

	Check for side effects, such as skin irritation, nausea, or hair loss to assess patients' reaction to treatment. Examine patients to assess general physical condition.

	Prepare or construct equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, or protection devices. Fabricate medical devices.

	Help physicians, radiation oncologists, or clinical physicists to prepare physical or technical aspects of radiation treatment plans, using information about patient condition and anatomy. Develop medical treatment plans.

	Calculate actual treatment dosages delivered during each session. Calculate numerical data for medical activities.

	Photograph treated area of patient and process film. Process x-rays or other medical images. Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.

	Act as liaison with physicist and supportive care personnel. Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.

	Implement appropriate follow-up care plans.

	Schedule patients for treatment times. Schedule patient procedures or appointments.

	Provide assistance to other healthcare personnel during dosimetry procedures and tumor localization. Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.

	Train or supervise student or subordinate radiotherapy technologists. Train medical providers. Supervise patient care personnel.

	Store, sterilize, or prepare the special applicators containing the radioactive substance implanted by the physician. Prepare medications or medical solutions. Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.

	Assist in the preparation of sealed radioactive materials, such as cobalt, radium, cesium, or isotopes, for use in radiation treatments. Prepare medications or medical solutions.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Radiation Therapists
	Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by administering radiation treatments.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Radiation Therapists
	Radiation therapists work in hospitals, offices of physicians, and outpatient centers. Most radiation therapists work full time.

	Read More >>

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