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Radiation Therapists

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)	Projected Growth (2023-2033)
National Statistics	$101,990	800	3.1%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$101,990

Median Wage (USD, 2023)

800

Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)

3.1%

Projected Growth (2023-2033)

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.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

Related Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

Detailed Work Activities

Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
Administer cancer treatments.
Position patients for treatment or examination.
Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.
Enter patient or treatment data into computers.
Protect patients or staff members using safety equipment.
Maintain medical facility records.
Verify accuracy of patient information.
Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
Provide basic health care services.
Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation.
Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
Examine patients to assess general physical condition.
Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
Interact with patients to build rapport or provide emotional support.
Calculate numerical data for medical activities.
Fabricate medical devices.
Process x-rays or other medical images.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Develop medical treatment plans.
Train medical providers.
Supervise patient care personnel.
Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
Implement therapeutic programs to improve patient functioning.
Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
Prepare medications or medical solutions.
Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.
Prepare medications or medical solutions.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

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.
Help physicians, radiation oncologists, or clinical physicists to prepare physical or technical aspects of radiation treatment plans, using information about patient condition and anatomy.
Calculate actual treatment dosages delivered during each session.
Photograph treated area of patient and process film.
Act as liaison with physicist and supportive care personnel.
Schedule patients for treatment times.
Provide assistance to other healthcare personnel during dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.
Train or supervise student or subordinate radiotherapy technologists.
Implement appropriate follow-up care plans.
Store, sterilize, or prepare the special applicators containing the radioactive substance implanted by the physician.
Assist in the preparation of sealed radioactive materials, such as cobalt, radium, cesium, or isotopes, for use in radiation treatments.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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